Do aerating shoes actually work?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Aeration shoes may appear convenient, but they do not provide any real benefits to the lawn. The tiny spikes create shallow holes, which in fact only increase soil compaction over time. Shoes push soil sideways and do not remove any soil plugs, unlike proper core aeration. I tried these shoes early on, but saw no benefit from them.
Physical Limitations
- Shallow penetration doesn't reach root zones
- Spikes compact soil laterally creating harder layers
- Insufficient hole density for meaningful airflow
Soil Type Issues
- Temporarily effective only in loose sandy soils
- Completely ineffective in clay or loam soils
- Holes collapse immediately after removal
Practical Problems
- Require excessive walking for minimal coverage
- Spikes bend easily on hard ground
- No soil removal means no thatch reduction
The scientific reasoning behind this is that shoes cannot alleviate compaction. For real aeration, you need to actually remove soil cores so that permanent air holes can be developed. Shoes only displace soil and actually increase density around the holes. Even if you've cultivated a soil profile, you now have a localized hardpan layer around those holes, which is known to decrease water infiltration by more than thirty percent, according to turf studies.
Manual core aerators are a better choice for small sandy areas. These are simple tools that extract actual plugs and do not require machine intrusion. However, for shading larger lawns, it's best to rent a machine aerator that cuts a core and penetrates three inches below the surface. I eventually switched to core aeration, and in one season, I saw a significant improvement in my lawn.
There are other options for treating the patchy areas. A garden fork can be used to loosen compacted areas by gently prying and lifting the soil. For widespread issues, core aerification by a professional remains the best course of action. Don't waste your time trying gimmicks that offer quick fixes or don't work.
Read the full article: How to Aerate Lawn: The Complete Guide
