Silence can be your key to survival – whether you’re hiding from a wild animal or trying to escape from a dangerous situation in secret. 

You may also need to be silent when hunting for food or simply making quiet movements so as not to alert anyone of your presence. Hunters, survivalists and preppers are amongst those who will want to make sure they have a suitable set of sneaking shoes – but they are a useful purchase for anyone to consider. 

Sneaking shoes can save your life. Having a pair of shoes or boots that allow you to walk quietly yet still have the protection of a comfortable sole can make the difference between life and death. In conjunction with DIY methods you can learn (we’ll discuss these in detail later), a good pair of quiet shoes are an investment that you won’t regret.

1. Rocky Insulated Hunting Boots

These boots provide a good level of warmth yet they are lightweight. This combination means that you get a rugged boot that is also suitable for sneaking and stealth. They’re insulated and fully waterproof with high quality fabrics and up to date footwear technology.

2. Guide Gear Men’s Hunting Boots

The height of these boots mean that your calves and shins will be kept warm as well as well supported. The length also makes them ideal for areas where you may encounter wildlife such as snakes or spiders. 

3. Drycode Neoprene Outdoor Boots 

These boots give you excellent protection with sturdy high grade rubber and insulating Neoprene. They are made for Hunting and Fishing and can help you withstand long periods in cold and wet conditions. A steel shank helps strengthen the middle sole adding extra support and spreading the weight of the load across the foot. 

4. Barefoot Quick Dry Shoes 

Easy to slip on and off, these water shoes are ideal for sneaking shoes. These are some of the quietest shoes you’ll find, just as if you were barefoot. 

The design helps to prevent chafing around the neck of the shoe and the soles protect your feet from pebbles, stones and sticks on the ground. When it comes to stealth, these are the perfect option. 

5. Naikoyo Trail Shoes 

These trail shoes come in a variety of colors and can be used for sports and exercise as well as at times when you need to be completely silent. 

Comparison Table

In Depth Buyers Guide 

Before you hop into making a decision about the best sneaking shoes for you, take a look at our in depth guide covering all the factors you’ll want to consider. 

Making the right choice about a suitable pair of quiet shoes for you will make all the difference when and if the time comes to be as quiet as can be. 

Sole Material

The sole of a sneaking shoe needs to offer good protection from rocks or uneven surfaces underfoot, whilst still being light enough to allow you to make as little noise as possible. 

Rubber soled sports shoes that we know today were actually named ‘sneakers’ due to their properties of allowing you to sneak up on people when wearing them. Before rubber soled shoes were commonly used, most soles were made from materials that were more solid and much louder. 

Thick, rubber soles are ideal for sneaking shoes – they should be slip resistant as well as waterproof and warm. Neoprene is a good alternative to rubber – it’s a synthetic material that has excellent insulating qualities. 

Durability 

It’s highly likely that you may find your everyday trail shoes or cross training sports shoes are perfect for using as your sneaking shoes. They’re durable and designed for tough conditions and regular use. You wouldn’t want your running shoes to only last for a few months so don’t expect anything less from a sneaking shoe either. 

Obviously the durability of a sneaking shoe depends on the amount of use they get. You might decide to buy a compact pair of waterproof sneaking shoes to simply keep in your vehicle or bug out bag for times when you really need them. If you’re wearing a shoe that doubles as your sneaking shoe every day for hours on end, it may need replacing sooner.  

If you decide to buy a pair of traditional sneakers (which are ideal for creating minimal noise), you may find they’re not as durable in tougher conditions such as hiking trails or torrential rain.  More rugged designs such as hunting boots can last for a lifetime however. 

You can always improve the durability of your sneaking shoes with good maintenance. Check the care label on your shoes or boots and make sure that you clean them properly and apply products such as protective spray to them if required.

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Flexibility 

Having a sneaking shoe that is strong and rugged but doesn’t offer flexibility is entirely pointless. One of the biggest requirements of a sneaking shoe is that you’re able to move in an agile way, and quite literally ‘sneak’ around – you need flexibility in your shoes to do this. 

Often making sure that your sneaking shoe gives a level of flexibility will depend on your ‘breaking them in’. This is more common for tougher boots such as hunting boots or leather hiking boots. You can ensure increased flexibility by wearing them for a little longer each day until they become more comfortable for your feet and you become more aware of how to move in them. 

Traditional sneakers or ‘barefoot’ shoes designed for swimming or yoga are often very flexible and can be folded up and kept in a bag without taking up space. The flexibility of the shoe does need to be balanced with the level of support it offers and you’ll want to make sure you don’t end up with a sprained or twisted ankle. 

Comfort

The comfort of your sneaking shoe will be determined by the environment in which you plan to use it. If you are going to be using them for hunting animals in the desert, you’ll want a breathable material that stops your feet from overheating. If you’re likely to be fishing in cold waters, your primary concern will be insulation.  

Waterproofing 

You don’t always know where you’ll end up in sneaking shoes. If you’re being chased in the outdoors or are trying to outrun danger, you may end up running through or close to water. This is why it’s always important to find some level of waterproofing with sneaking shoes. 

As well as choosing waterproof materials, there are lots of ways you can help to keep your sneaking shoes more waterproof. Maintenance of footwear is really important. Regularly using a water repellant spray or using products such as Mink Oil for waterproofing leather can be really helpful.   

Rubber and PVC are generally best for waterproof sneaking shoes. Waterproofed leather has traditionally been used and Neoprene has become increasingly popular – so there are a few different materials you can choose from.

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What’s the quietest way to walk?

It’s not all about the sneaking shoes. In fact you can make a huge difference to the noise you make when you walk by adapting your stride and placing your foot in a different way. 

The quietest way to walk is by walking as lightly as possible on the balls of your feet. This is a gait that can take a while to get used to so practice walking on the balls of your feet as much as possible. When you’re practicing walking quietly, choose noisy surfaces such as gravel and stones, or trail paths with lots of sticks that may crack when stepped on. 

Try to walk cautiously and be careful about where you’re putting your feet. This can help you to avoid making unnecessary noise by standing on obstacles that may create sound when you come into contact with them. 

As well as your shoes, think about the potential noise that your clothes can make when they walk. Avoid loose, floating clothes that could catch on trees or branches. Always try to avoid wearing materials that rustle as this could easily alert a predator to your presence or location. 

How Can I Make My Shoes Quieter?

Generally the way to make shoes quieter is to concentrate on the sole of the shoe as this is the part of the sneaking shoe that will come into contact with the ground the most. However, in some cases such as leather shoes you may need to consider using treatments such as shoe grease to ‘silence’ other issues such as squeaking.

Adding silencing pads to the bottom of your shoes is another useful tip for optimizing the performance of your sneaking shoe. These are cheap and easy to apply. They can be cut to the exact size and shape of your shoe and they also offer anti slip protection.

Inserting a high quality insole into your hiking boots or sneaking shoes not only promotes comfort, it also ensures the best possible fit. If your sneaking shoes are snugly fit to your foot they’re less likely to make noise, and you’re less likely to fall or become unstable. 

If you are in the wild and you don’t have any access to products to make your shoes quieter, you could consider natural materials such as moss. You could tie this to the soles of your shoes using spare boot laces or string. Avoid using anything that could create excess noise such as dry leaves that may rustle and crack. 

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Conclusion

Taking the time to find the right sneaking shoe for you and practicing walking quietly as much as possible could save your life. Whether you’re trying to escape from an emergency situation or avoid being noticed by predatory wildlife, your footwear choice needs to be just right. Sneaking shoes can help you get away from danger quickly, safely and quietly. 

Here’s a roundup of our favorite sneaking shoes to help allow you to move as quickly and as quietly as possible: 

• Rocky Insulated Hunting Boots
• Guide Gear Men’s Hunting Boots
• Drycode Neoprene Outdoor Boots 
• Barefoot Quick Dry Shoes 
• Naikoyo Trail Shoes