P_Tweed

From Walkonits post - Drilling out the heel tip from approx 3mm to accomodate a larger diameter pin means you need to drill away the metal tube inside the injection moulded plastic heel. First this would create a lot of heat which could easily melt the plastic around the metal tube and second the remaining plastic would surely be too weak to support the load of the new heel tip. How did you get around these 2 problems ?

It was a metal heel, apparently brass or similar alloy. I was concerned that they may have weakened by enlarging the hole but so far no problems. I don`t advocate this for plastic heels, unless the "pin" is the same diameter as the insert metal tube.

It sounds as if the heels are not very securely attached. I had a similar problem and actually removed the heels and refitted with small buglehead screws. You could try reinforcing the fixing plate by a small screw at each corner (inside the boot heel, peel back insole). This approach was not sucessful with my boots and a heel later completely detached, hence completely fresh refitting.

I have extended the same metal heels by 15mm using small hex bits from a screwdriver set. I had to drill the heel for them to fit but there may be thinner bits which would fit a standard heel pin tube.

With my heels it has made the heels verical to the axis of the boot but one has a slight sideways set, so learn from my haste & mistake and carefully refit.

The new tips are very hard and a mile of walking on rough tarmac hasn`t marked them at all. They are not practical for indoors as they are only 5mm thick and would savage flooring. A vid. of my repaired boots in action is here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xy3oBlsEAw

Dilemmas for me - I like the sound and feel of metal tips but sometimes is sensible to be in more of a stealth mode with the quieter clump of plastic tips. My road is very rough tarmac and when out in heels I have to consider the neighbours (who may be unaware of my heeling). When in plastic tips I wince as I feel the rough tarmac ripping at them, quickly ruining the tip. Much better, when I can, in metal tips which crunch the rough surface and sustain little damage.

Look on ebay for these - "clean heels stiletto heel protectors". a sort of plastic mushroom shaped thing that slips on the heel tip/shaft. Various sizes, if in doubt go next up as I found their 7-9 mm are very tight on 7mm heel.

Not pretty but save noise and surface damage and importantly allows to to enjoy your heels.

An extract from a recent newspaper article:

"When people climb ice they put crampons – with 12 inch-long spikes – on each foot, and wield the sort of ice axes that did for Leon Trotsky. Do this in central London and you'll attract the attention of the police.

Women who are comfortable in stilettos should take heart. You have essentially one crude, single-spiked crampon on each foot and as long as your ankles are up for it, there'll be no stopping you." (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/22/snow-slippery-walk)

I am a newbie here, apologies for non-conformity . Outside is deep fresh snow on top of compacted snow and ice. I live in the "sticks" well away from even a small village, we have had prolonged and sustained snow and minus a lot temperatures for the last two weeks. Car travel is presently not possible. I walked to the public road today in wellingtons, about half a mile, was hard work with frequent slips and slides. I have also ventured out in my "proper" boots (stilettos) although not as far as I do have a neighbour half way to the road. I found it much easier walking and it gave some indication of depth of snow & stuff - between 8 and 15 inches. The heels do dig in and arrest slides. The metal tipped heels were better at penetrating the compacted stuff, the plastic tipped heels felt less secure and suffered damage - heel tips worn away at the very back (contact with the actual road surface at a severe angle?). Seasons greetings to all.

I have found that the Pleaser (thin heel - 7 & 10 mm) tips wear very quickly on hard and rough outdoor surfaces. Metal heel tips are much more durable and easy to fit, ebay item 170418561499 gives a selection of them. Tools needed are pliers and hammer (vice or vice grips will help too together with a thin punch). If wearing indoors punch the pin into the tip before fitting or floors will be be subjected to the pressure of the tiny pin which can stand "proud" of the tip. The pins come in 3 diameters, ensure you select the best fit for your heel and not one too thick or future replacement will be difficult if not impossible. Hope this is of help.