How to deal with heel slip on Alden loafers?
After trying several others, I've got my pair of EE width Alden LHS shell cordovan penny loafers. They're the widest I've ever tried and basically, I'm not aware of any potentially wider pairs that don't come with other issues... but they seem to fit overall. Some of the others I've tried (including LHS unlined) slipped way too much in the heel, these ones it doesn't seem like a deal breaker to me. If I can walk deliberately they don't come off. With no show socks they slip less. Different from the unlined again.
I still think I'll need something to deal with heel slippage though. I have some but not a huge amount of leeway in length, or volume. So I think heel grips would make sense? Any recommendations for these?
18 Replies
moleskin/heel grips
Size down, use thin insoles, or use tongue pads in addition to heel pads
Any particular ones? I've mostly seen those in the context of alleviating discomfort and changing the volume pretty minimally?
I have space on the sides of the heel for sure, probably could fit a tongue pad.
I can't size down, I'm going down more than usually recommended from Brannock (8 from ~8.7) so it's cutting it close. 7.5 probably would be narrower too, and btw 8.5 would get more length for probably no more width.
Tried 8 & 8.5 in unlined.
Also, I'm still having doubts about the size... It still is on the tight side for my left toes! Maybe break-in will help with that but maybe the heel slip will increase making them harder to wear. And my feet might still be getting wider. But there is no option to go wider from Alden, or anywhere that I know about? Thus I'm leaning towards just accepting some possibility that this pair won't work months or more down the line...
Are they new or second hand
New
Then heel slip should go away as they break in
Don't jump to using heel pads right away, you want the heel cup to mold to your foot
A thin layer of drugstore moleskin can give you a bit more friction for when you're not wearing socks
Yeah how do I get through that process of them breaking in? The gap on the sides is pretty big
How sure can I be that'll happen?
Tongue pads or thicker socks are what I’ve had the most success with
I'm gonna wear these with some kind of socks... With Trench socks they actually slip off more
Ah also unfortunately it's cold even inside so it might have to wait until March before I can properly break these in!
You can break them in by just wearing them around the house
Better than waiting months and going out on the town only to get blisters in five seconds
I know, I'm just not used to wearing shoes at home and my feet are cold rn wearing them instead of slippers or thick socks
Strange situation I'm quite aware
I just like having mine in to start so they mold a bit and then I slowly walk more in them. But my feet are dumb babies and complain about every thing
:ThumbsUpCat:
Maybe I'm not doing that bad since only some aspects of these are uncomfortable
I swear these are colder than bare feet though
Are they shell? I have that issue with shell
Yep
I recommend getting on thick merino socks, the ones designed for hiking or for wearing boots. Solves the cold and heel slip issue.
I absolutely can't fit in these with truly thick socks
Specifically at the toes.
EEE versions of these would be nice to have, I don't think they'd be too loose. However they don't exist.