If you’re walking through the woods or in another outdoor area, try to walk on soft grass or dirt. Walk on wet leaves instead of dry, crunchy ones. When walking outdoors, look for rocks or roots, as they won’t crunch like leaves or twigs. Slowly put your weight onto the rock or root to be sure it won’t shift or make noise. Once you are certain, put the rest of your weight down. In a city setting, avoid wooden walkways, graveled areas, cobblestones, and other materials that tend to make noise. Indoors, walk on carpeting whenever possible.
Avoid twigs and branches that could snag on your clothes and snap. Avoid gates and fences that could squeak or creak. Avoid brushing against piles of clutter and rustling fabrics.
If you need to move swiftly, keep low to the ground and run using the same toe-to-heel strike. Running on the balls of one’s feet can help with speed and quietness, but be careful; this requires more strength in the feet and lower legs, and greater flexibility in the ankle and foot joints. It also requires a better balance than normal movement, and creates a greater impression on softer surfaces (due to the weight being spread over a decreased surface area). Land softly. Running or jumping silently is difficult, but it’s possible if you master the art of landing quietly. Land in a crouched, balanced position without striking the ground too hard.
Sweaty socks can make noise when you walk. If you sweat too much in your socks, wear a double pair of socks to mask the sound. Walking in bare feet can be the quietest way to move, but it can also be the loudest - if you step on a sharp object and exclaim in pain, giving yourself away. Plus, if your feet are sweaty, they might stick to the coating on the floor and make a “stripping” sound. It is possible to avoid making this sound by decreasing contact with the floor and walking on the outside edges of the balls of your feet, but be careful, as this requires greater strength and balance. Decide whether going barefoot is the wisest choice for the environment you’re moving through. Make sure your footwear is completely dry; not only can it squeak, but damp spots on the floor can alert someone to your presence. When these damp footprints dry, they can leave obvious “clean prints” in the shape of your shoes, especially on surfaces like concrete.
Tuck your shirt into your pants, and tuck your pant legs into your shoes or socks. This will prevent them from flapping around. Shorts are more prone to moving around and making noise than pants, and you can’t tuck shorts into your socks. If you must wear shorts, try tying a piece of string or elastic around them at your knees, but not so tightly that you will cut off circulation.
Stretch before you try to move silently. It is common that your joints and bones will click when you first exert them, so stretching before you’re in the thick of the moment is a good idea. Stretching will make you feel looser and stop anything from clicking and giving away your presence. Don’t go on an empty stomach but don’t have a huge feast either. Your body actually gets heavier after you eat, and therefore, louder. Go to the bathroom before you attempt walking silently.
You may feel your breath quicken as adrenaline moves through your body. If that happens, pause, catch your breath and take a few deep, calming breaths to ease your anxiety. Make sure you’re breathing normally again before you continue.
Be careful not to get carried away when you’re matching someone’s gait - it’s still important to use the proper technique for walking silently. Otherwise, if the person stops abruptly and you keep walking, you’ll be caught.
Mimic the sounds around you. For example, a forest might be filled with the sound of small animals foraging. They typically move a short distance, pause to sniff for food or predators and continue to move a short distance. Capitalize on any other sources of noise (gusts of wind, other animal movements, passing traffic) to suppress or camouflage sound.
If you’re following someone or trying not to be seen, there will be moments when you’ll have to practice extreme patience. Be still and wait for the person to pass, or for the tension of the situation to dissipate, before moving forward.
