Heel grips are cushioned pads, usually silicone, gel or fabric-covered foam, that stick to the inside back of a shoe and fill the gap so your heel stays put. They work best when a shoe is slightly too big or slips when you walk; if the whole shoe is loose, a half or full insole helps more.
Updated Oct 20, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
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One pair of slim gel heel liners in one size; the listing says they help with heels slipping in shoes that are slightly too big.
Four pairs of suede liners with self-adhesive backs that stick inside the back of the shoe.
Two pairs of adhesive ball-of-foot cushions that the listing describes as gel based and cloth covered.
Three-quarter-length gel insoles with a self-adhesive base that the listing says can be trimmed, in sizes 5 to 8.5.
Six gel toe caps in small, large or a variety pack; the listing says they are washable and reusable.
Two 0.45 oz sticks that glide on before you put your shoes on; the listing says the stick forms a barrier against rubbing.
Dr. Scholl's
MATIE FIX
Walkize
unribeau
| Pick | Brand |
|---|---|
| Dr. Scholl's | |
| MATIE FIX | |
| Walkize | |
| unribeau | |
| ZenToes | |
| Dr. Frederick's Original |
Dr. Scholl's
One pair of slim gel heel liners in one size; the listing says they help with heels slipping in shoes that are slightly too big.
One pair of slim gel heel liners, one size; the listing says they help with rubbing at the heel and with heels slipping in shoes that are slightly too big.
MATIE FIX
Four pairs of suede liners with self-adhesive backs that stick inside the back of the shoe.
Four pairs of suede heel liners with self-adhesive backs that stick inside the back of the shoe.
Walkize
Two pairs of adhesive ball-of-foot cushions that the listing describes as gel based and cloth covered.
Two pairs of adhesive ball-of-foot cushions that the listing describes as gel based and cloth covered, made for high heels.
unribeau
Three-quarter-length gel insoles with a self-adhesive base that the listing says can be trimmed, in sizes 5 to 8.5.
Three-quarter-length gel insoles with a self-adhesive base that the listing says can be trimmed to fit, for heels, flats and sandals in sizes 5 to 8.5.
ZenToes
Six gel toe caps in small, large or a variety pack; the listing says they are washable and reusable.
Six gel toe caps, sold in small, large or a variety pack; the listing says they are washable and reusable.
Dr. Frederick's Original
Two 0.45 oz sticks that glide on before you put your shoes on; the listing says the stick forms a barrier against rubbing.
Two 0.45 oz sticks that you glide onto skin; the listing says the stick forms a barrier against rubbing.
Picks for this guide come from Amazon listing information, and none of them has been tried on. Material, count, size and any benefit are what each listing states, attributed to the listing. Feet and shoes differ, so read each listing's directions before you stick anything inside a shoe.
What the evidence label on each pick means
Heel grips are cushioned pads, usually silicone, gel or fabric-covered foam, that stick to the inside back of a shoe and fill the gap so your heel stays put. They work best when a shoe is slightly too big or slips when you walk; if the whole shoe is loose, a half or full insole helps more.
That's the short version. The longer one is about matching the fix to the problem, because a heel that slips, a foot that slides forward and a strap that rubs each need something different. Here's how to tell which one you have and what to reach for.
Shoes that are a little too big are the usual cause, followed by a stiff heel counter (the firm back of the shoe) or a heel that's narrower than the shoe's. When there's a gap at the back, your heel lifts with every step, the shoe flaps, and the back edge rubs.
A few other things make it worse:
A single heel grip in the right spot often fixes the slip, and it can bring a good pair back out of the closet. Boots do this too: an ankle boot with a little heel lift is the same problem, and if you wear ankle boots with a dress, a grip helps there as well. Tall boots are different; for those, fit starts with the shaft, as our guide to wide calf boots explains.
People use the names loosely, but they solve different problems:
If your heel is sliding out, go for a grip. If the shoe fits but the back edge is rough on your skin, a liner is the gentler fix. Some pairs need both. Look at the color too: in a light lining or a shoe you'll slip off under the table, a clear or skin-tone grip is the one nobody notices.
A grip in the wrong spot does nothing, so take a minute over it:
If you're worried about the lining, try the adhesive in an unseen spot first. On delicate satin or suede linings, a removable grip is the safer choice.
In high heels, the problem is often not the heel at all. Your foot slides forward, your toes press into the front and the balls of your feet take all the pressure. A ball-of-foot cushion sits under the front of the foot, adds a little padding and gives your foot something to grip so it slides less.
If the shoe is loose all over, not just at the back, a heel grip can't fix it on its own. A three-quarter or full insole takes up space under the whole foot, so the shoe fits more snugly from toe to heel. Gel insoles also add cushioning in thin-soled flats. Combine an insole with a heel grip if you're closer to a full size too big.
For toes that pinch in a pointed shoe, soft toe guards or caps slip over the toes and soften the pressure points. For straps that rub, such as on sandals or slingbacks, an anti-friction stick applied to the skin or the strap reduces rubbing, as the listings describe it. Neither will make a shoe that's too small comfortable, but both help with a shoe that's almost right.
Here's how to make heels more comfortable for a wedding, a gala or a long night of holiday party dresses and dancing:
Our guide to wedding guest shoes matches heel types to venues, from lawns to dance floors.
Some fit problems are simply beyond a stick-on fix, however careful you are. A cobbler can stretch leather shoes that pinch, add a permanent heel pad or a sturdier lining, shorten or add holes to a strap that's too long, and fit non-slip soles to slick ones. If you love a pair and they're only slightly off, a cobbler is worth a visit before you give up on them, and the result usually lasts longer than an adhesive pad.
Choose wedding guest shoes by the dress code first and the venue second: satin pumps or strappy heels for black tie, block heels or low heels for cocktail and outdoor weddings, dressy flats for anything with a long dance floor. If the ceremony is on grass, sand or cobblestones, a block heel or flat beats a stiletto every time.
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
Kitten heels are short, slim heels, usually about one to two inches high, set in from the back of the shoe. They give a dress the polish of a heel without the height, and they look best with midi, knee-length and slip dresses, where a chunky shoe would feel heavy.
Updated Oct 19, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
Seamless underwear swaps stitched elastic edges for laser-cut or bonded ones, so the edge lies flat against your skin and doesn't show through a fitted dress. A thong is the most invisible under bodycon and satin, while a seamless brief or hipster works under most knits and midis.
Updated Oct 27, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
