Key Summary:
- Using sandpaper, scoring the bottom and scuffing the soles are the most common ways to make shoes non-slip
- The stick tapes, grip pad and rubber glue are the quickest way to improve grip and traction
- Nail filer and hair spray works excellent to make heels non-slip
- Having slip-resistance in shoes is important to prevent unexpected accidents, embarrassment and potential productivity loss
- Grip pad and traction spray works great to prevent slipping on a highly smoother surface
- Slip-Resistant” label, tread pattern, and soles design are the most common ways to talk about slip-resistance feature
You may be seeking ways to make your classic stylish shoes non-slip without a slip-resistant feature. Slip-resistant shoes are a blessing to wear with safety in different situations. But how to make shoes non-slip? Using sandpaper, scoring the shoe bottom, scuffing the soles and using traction spray are proven ways to make your shoes non-slip.
In this guide, we will discuss how to make shoes slip-proof, why you need a slip-resistant shoe and how to tell if shoes are non-slip. If you are curious to know, then let’s start.
How to Make Shoes Slip-Proof?
There have several ways to make shoes slip-proof. But we mentioned the most popular and proven methods for making shoes non-slip here.

Use Sandpaper:
Sandpaper works excellently to make the outsoles rough. Do note that 50-grit sandpaper is recommended for making shoes non-slip. Rub the shoe outsole with the sandpaper. Rub until the soles get rough and provide grip and traction. Rub double or multiple times on those parts where the shoes meet the pavement. Make a coarse texture in the outsoles to get enough traction. Don’t rub much to lighten the soles pattern.
Score the bottom:
Use a scissor and score the outsoles of your shoes. Scoring at the sole provides enough traction when you walk on a slippery or wet surface. You can make snake patterns and diagonal or vertical lines to get excellent traction. Use a sole rode up to hold the shoes. Score your shoes as per the required pattern or shape. Then clean your shoes and let them for drying. Using some traction spray can provide some added traction for the soles.
Scuff The Soles:
You will know that there is a scuffing tool with a few sharp edges that help make texture at the soles. This method is called scuffing. First, you must remove all dirt and dust from the shoe’s soles. Then let them dry for 2-3 hours. Then take a small scuff tip and start to scuff throughout the soles.
Remember, only a little dig at the bottom of the soles. You make the texture. The texture from scuffing will provide excellent grip and traction. As a result, you won’t slip on the slippery or wet surfaces.
Use Traction Spray:
Use good quality traction spray that prevents slipping from snowy, slippery, wet surfaces. Let’s know how to apply traction spray. Like another method, clean the outsoles properly and apply traction spray to make shoes non slip. Allow 3 hours for the spray to dry thoroughly.
Use salt and rubber glue solution:
The rubber glue and salt mixture provide enough traction at the soles with a grainy texture. So, Clean and dry your shoes thoroughly. Take an equal amount of rubber glue and salt and blend them correctly. Now apply this mixture to the soles of the shoes using a paintbrush. This mixture will provide great traction in slippery areas and provide traction.
Use Grip Pads:
A grip pad is an ideal choice for non-slip shoes to prevent slipping. It provides great traction like a slip-resistant shoe. First, clean the soles of the shoes so that there is no dirt. Dirt on the surface will prevent the grip pads from connecting properly.
Put off the additional cover of the grip pads and hold it up to the sticky side. Apply the pad through the soles and press firmly for a few minutes. Leave them for 24 hours for the glue to set well.
Use Adhesive bandages:
An adhesive bandage is another excellent way to get added traction to your non-slip shoes. The outsole should be cleaned before applying an adhesive bandage. So, clean your shoes thoroughly and let them for drying. Then peel off the protective cover from the adhesive bandage and set them at the soles. Press them for a few minutes to set them properly.
How to Make Heels Less Slippery?
Slipping on the surface with heels is common. Let’s know some proven tips to make heels less slippery.

Use a Nail Filer:
Nail filer is a great tool to make your heels sole rugged and prevent slipping. But choosing a rough, dry, textured surface to walk with heels is good. Try to avoid new marble floors and vinyl floors.
Use sandpaper:
Sandpaper is another good alternative for better traction on wet and slippery surfaces. A sandpaper sheet with 50 to 80 grains would be a great heel choice. Rub the bottom of the heels as needed with a small piece of sandpaper.
Use hair spray:
Hair spray works to prevent slippery surfaces as it sets your hair. Use a hair spray for 4 to 5 pumps and enjoy slip-less walking with your heels.
Use Stick tapes:
Stick tapes also provide traction. So, you can use small pieces of stick tape at the bottom of your soles. These sticky taps will work well when you need quick and instant traction on heels.
Apply glue:
Using glue can provide good traction and roughness at the soles of your heels. So, use glue and let them dry for a few hours. And then get better traction on a slippery surface.
Why Do You Need a Slip-Resistant Shoe?
No shoes are 100% slip-resistant, yet wearing slip-resistant shoes can protect you from several unexpected falling. It will protect you against accidents, unexpected embarrassments and damage to things at work. Especially when you work in a restaurant, a sudden slip can damage food or other items. So, wearing slip-resistant shoes is a blessing in several aspects.

The workers at restaurants, hospitals and supermarkets must wear slip-resistant shoes. These surfaces are very smooth and shiny, from which inadvertent falling is normal. Besides, the worker at the factory and oil filling station must wear slip-resistant shoes. It is normal to slip on oil in these places. Apart from these, you must wear slip-resistant shoes for floor mopping and bathroom cleaning at your home.
Besides, the worker who needs to deliver the item to the customers wears slip-resistant shoes. In this case, they prevent slipping and, at the same time, speed up the work by moving quickly. Even in your kitchen, oil or water can cause you to slip suddenly. So, it is important to know how to make shoes non slip for kitchen.
How to Make Shoes Non-Slip for Restaurants?
There have several effective ways to make your shoes non-slip for restaurants. But Grip Pads and traction spray are excellent and smart ways to maintain your balance on slippery, smooth surfaces like a restaurant. Besides, you can use sandpaper, a scuffing tool and sandpaper to prevent slipping. Moreover, there are several well-known shoes for slip resistance. You can use Converse or Vans slip-resistant shoes to wear in the restaurant.
How to Tell If Shoes Are Non-Slip?
Let’s know the ways to distinguish slip-resistance shoes from other casual shoes.
“Slip-Resistant” label:
Branded shoes are usually labeled whether they are slip-resistance. You can quickly talk about the slip-resistance feature by looking at that label. In addition to the label, shoes that meet ASTM standards generally have slip resistance on oily and slippery surfaces.
Tread Patterns:
Looking at and examining the tread pattern is another easiest way to know the slip-resistance features. Even though most soles have a common tread pattern, having circles, squiggles, or hexagons indicates better traction.
Soles design:
The shape of the outsoles has an impact on the grip and traction. It is also recommended to check out the outsoles when purchasing slip-resistant shoes. Check the EVA rubber outsoles with a rounded shape at the bottom.
Walk in non-slip shoes:
You can check if the anti-slip feature is present by walking a little while wearing the shoes. In the meantime, you can check the non-slip feature by checking the outsoles with the touch of your hands. If you feel smoothness at the soles, your shoes are not slip-resistant.
FAQs:
- Is there a way to make regular shoes non-slip?
Yes, there are more than one rather multiple ways to make your regular shoes non-slip. For example, you can use a padded grip, adhesive bandage, or traction spray to make your shoes non-slip. Besides, sandpaper and the rubber glue mix can help get better traction on slippery surfaces.
- What material is used for non-slip shoes?
Polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride are used in the majority of non-slip shoes. Besides, anti-skid materials, anti-slip mats, anti-skid tape and rubber pads make non-slip shoe outsoles. Textured patterned and PVC rubber material combinedly makes shoes non-slip. All rubber-based soles are slip-resistance.
- Why do rubber shoes get slippery?
Rubber soles keep slip-resistant properties easily. However, rubber soles may gradually lose slip resistance after prolonged use. The friction reduces between the rubber soles and the surface. As a result, rubber soles may lose their slip-resistance feature. So, know how to make rubber shoes not slippery can help you.
- How can I make my boots slip less?
You can add a grainy texture to the bottom of your boots to prevent slippery and make them slip-less. Good to know grainy texture works magically to improve grip and traction. If you want to get some traction instantly, use a mixture of salt and glue. Adding grainy texture is time-consuming. But using salt and glue required only a few minutes to be dried.
Final Words:
We hope you understand how to make shoes non-slip. We have discussed multiple effective ways of making your shoes non-slip. Having non-slip shoes are important for protecting yourself from an unexpected accident, embracement, and potential product loss. So, you can use the scuffing tool, grip pad, traction spray, sandpaper, glue and adhesive bandage to make shoes non-slip.