How to Fix Squeaky Leather Shoes and Boots

Quick answer

Squeaks in leather shoes and boots usually come from a loose insole, friction between leather parts, or trapped moisture. Start by removing the insole and dusting it with talcum powder. If the noise persists, condition the leather and check for loose stitching or a worn sole.

Diagnose the squeak: where is it coming from?

Walk on a hard surface and listen carefully. A squeak that happens with every step often points to the insole rubbing against the sole or the footbed. A creak that comes from the upper suggests leather-on-leather friction, usually at the tongue or heel counter. If the sound is more of a click, the sole itself may be loose or the Blake stitching could be pulling.

Once you locate the general area, press on different parts of the shoe while flexing it. This helps isolate whether the noise is inside the shoe, under the foot, or along the sides.

Fix a squeaky insole

Remove the insole entirely. Dust both the underside of the insole and the inside of the shoe with talcum powder or cornstarch. This absorbs moisture and reduces friction. Reinsert the insole and test the shoe. If the squeak stops, you've solved it. If it returns after a few days, the insole may need replacing or the shoe's interior may have a moisture issue.

Treat leather friction points

When leather rubs against leather—for example, the tongue against the upper or the heel counter against the Achilles area—a small amount of leather conditioner can help. Apply a thin layer to both surfaces, let it absorb, and then buff. The conditioner softens the leather slightly and reduces the friction that causes squeaks. Avoid over-conditioning, as too much can make the leather floppy.

Address sole and stitching noise

If the squeak comes from the sole, check for trapped debris or moisture. A thin layer of shoe glue applied along the edge of the sole can stop a loose sole from moving. For Blake-stitched boots like the floyd-ankle-boots-in-copper-brown-suede-8734a1b9d21b5e7feb186de0-1609321">floyd-ankle-boots-in-moka-suede-f00f89438be76830b415902c-1609304">floyd-ankle-boots-in-beige-suede-a660dc5dce52ee229505357d-1609303">FLOYD, the stitching runs through the sole and insole. If a stitch is loose, it can create a clicking sound. A cobbler can reseat the stitch quickly. Do not attempt to cut or pull loose threads yourself.

Quick diagnosis guide

• Squeak under the foot: Likely the insole rubbing against the sole or footbed. Remove the insole and dust with talcum powder or cornstarch. If the squeak stops, you're done. If it returns, consider replacing the insole.
• Creak from the upper: Leather-on-leather friction at the tongue, heel counter, or side panels. Apply a small amount of leather conditioner to the contact points. Condition once and test. If the creak persists, a cobbler may need to add a thin felt patch between the layers.
• Click or pop with each step: A loose sole, trapped debris, or a pulled stitch. Check the sole edge for gaps and the Blake stitching for broken threads. Apply shoe glue to a loose sole edge. For stitching issues, visit a cobbler—do not pull threads yourself.

Products that help

• TARTANA: The Tartana boat shoe has a removable leather insole with a foam heel insert and a flexible Vibram sole. A removable insole makes it easy to apply talcum powder underneath or swap it out if it becomes the source of a squeak.
• Leather Laces - White: These white leather laces are cut square rather than round, so they sit flatter against the eyelets and hold their shape over time. Flat laces reduce friction noise at the eyelets, a common source of squeaks in lace-up boots. They also stay tied without slipping.
• FLOYD: The Floyd boot uses Blake construction with a genuine leather sole and vegetable-tanned calf leather upper. Blake construction allows the sole to be replaced easily if a worn sole is causing noise. The soft, vegetable-tanned leather also responds well to conditioning, which can quiet friction squeaks.