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Shoe glue for happy feet

Shoe repair 101: Finding the best glue for shoes

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Don’t throw away that pair of shoes because of a little wear and tear. Get some shoe glue and fix them yourself. It’s a great way to earn some DIY points!

Basic shoe repairs with shoe glue

When you think about it, our footwear goes through a lot. With the constant flexing, as well as supporting our weight on all types of surfaces and in all kinds of weather, it’s no surprise that even well-made shoes suffer a little damage and need occasional repair. Next time your shoes experience some wear and tear, why not channel your inner DIYer and fix it yourself with some shoe glue?

There are several reasons your shoes might need a little TLC: the sole might begin to peel away, a tear might have formed in the fabric, vinyl or leather, or a seam has frayed and come loose. Fortunately, a good shoe adhesive is an easy fix.

Seams and tears are pretty straight forward to repair. After cleaning the area you want to glue, remove any dirt or grease, apply a small amount of shoe glue to the torn area and join them together. Hold the repair still for a few minutes until the glue begins to set. Allow it to fully dry before wearing the shoes.

Close-up of hands carefully examining detached sole of brown leather boot.
Found your boot sole coming loose at the worst possible moment? Professional-grade shoe glue ensures a lasting bond that keeps you walking with confidence

How to use shoe glue for soles

One of the most common repairs on a shoe is the re-gluing of a sole after it begins to come loose. Fortunately, this is easily fixed.

  1. Clean away any dirt, grease, or glue residue.
  2. Apply some of the adhesive onto the top of the sole and then press it back into place.
  3. Tape the sole in place and allow it to fully dry before removing the tape and walking on it.

Best shoe glue for leather shoes

Since leather is very porous, you’ll need a special shoe adhesive that’s right for the job. This glue will need to be very flexible (specially designed for bonding fabrics), as well as being water and weatherproof.

The same goes for cloth, vinyl, and imitation leather shoes as well.

Detailed view of hands carefully inspecting edge of brown leather boot.
A careful inspection before applying shoe glue makes all the difference in boot repair. Take your time to ensure the perfect fix for your treasured footwear

Our recommendation for many shoe repairs is a vinyl flexible adhesive. Some products are formulated specially for mending vinyl seats, cushions, flexible plastics, and you guessed it - shoes. They dry clear and won’t yellow or get brittle with age, so your repairs will be nearly invisible and long-lasting. It’s waterproof and will also hold up to the constant flexing of walking, so you won’t have to worry about that occasional puddle!

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