Have you ever needed to repair a pair of shoes because you didn’t have enough money to replace them?

Many of us have gone through that situation. Knowing how to repair a pair of shoes becomes important then.

This article will talk about how you can repair shoes using glue!

Adhesives are everything you need to repair a pair of shoes back to their top shape.

You’ll need to know how long the glue takes to dry and cure, how much it costs, and what’s it for.

If the glue isn’t for bonding shoes, you shouldn’t buy it.

Suitable Glues for Shoes – Picking a Quality Shoe Glue

There isn’t just one type of glue you can use for shoes.

The guide below will tell you about the four main adhesives I recommend for gluing shoes. You can use any one of them and you’ll be fine:

Contact Cement

Contact cement is easy to use and highly affordable. Of all the types of glue I’m going to list, this one is usually among the cheapest.

This type of glue is a neoprene rubber-based adhesive suitable for rubber, leather, vinyl, laminates, some fabric and nonporous materials, and most plastics.

However, you shouldn’t use it for soles made out of polyurethane. It could melt through such materials.

This glue creates flexible and permanent bonds. You’ll get great resistance against shock, impact, and pressure.

However, there are some downsides worth mentioning. First, this glue might be time-consuming to use.

It takes up to 24 hours to cure. It also requires prolonged clamping because this glue needs constant pressure for the adhesion results.

Polyurethane Glue

Polyurethane glue is a moisture-activated adhesive capable of forming intense bonds with about 3,000 PSI resistance.

This adhesive can handle a decent amount of weight.

Apart from its great pressure and tension resistance, this glue is also waterproof and perfect for outdoor applications.

It adheres very well to various substrates, including leather, rubber, cork, wood, metal, foam, and more!

You can use it to fix all shoe soles, no matter the material.

If you’re working with extremely smooth surfaces, adding extra moisture will help the glue adhere better.

Besides its versatility, polyurethane glue is also very easy to use. It dries in just a few minutes and is fully cured within 24 hours.

Before curing, the glue can be easily removed with solvents, but not water.

Once the glue is set, you can sand or razor off any excess without compromising the bond strength.

It’s also worth mentioning that polyurethane glue doesn’t usually dry clear but rather white or tinted color.

Luckily, you can also paint over polyurethane glue without affecting its durability.

It’s one of the best glue types for shoes. It also works as a glue for leather to metal.

Hot Glue

Hot glue is excellent for many applications, including fixing shoe soles.

This adhesive is economical and easy to apply, thanks to the controlled flow and thin dispenser head on the glue gun.

This glue works best on porous materials such as leather, fabric, cork, and textured plastics.

Any non-smooth surface will do. Also, hot glue is usually clear, offering seamless results on all sorts of repairs.

If necessary, you can also find tinted hot glue to match your shoe soles.

Hot glue sets so fast that you won’t spend long on repairs. Typically, clamping is required, and the final bond is virtually permanent.

Because the glue dries flexibly, you’ll also get decent resistance to shock and impact.

Hot glue is waterproof once dry, despite poor resistance to high temperatures.

While hot glue is applied at very high temperatures, the adhesive typically starts melting at around 174°F.

Prolonged exposure to such temperatures could weaken and undo the bond.

Other than that, there are a lot of advantages to hot glue.

It’s cheap, has a long shelf life, it’s easy to use, is quick-setting, and has decent strength and resistance for shoe applications.

For the above reasons, hot glue is a great option for shoe repair glue.

Hot glue is also ideal if you need glue for canvas.

Acrylic Glue

Acrylic glues are non-toxic and quite sturdy once you apply them carefully.

This glue also dries quickly, in about 30 minutes or less, so you can work fast and efficiently.

Acrylics aren’t waterproof, and their water resistance is quite low. However, they make for perfect shoe adhesives!

Best 5 Shoe Repair Glues

Below you can find my recommendations for the best glue for shoes.

1. Loctite Silicone Waterproof Sealant

Look no further if you want versatile and highly resistant glue for fixing shoes!

The Loctite Silicone Waterproof Sealant is great for shoes and boots applications, compatible with a broad range of materials, including rubbers, leather, and most plastics.

You can also use this adhesive for other applications such as sealing or fixing door frames, vents, windows, appliances, toys, fireplace doors, gaskets, and weather-stripping installation.

Furthermore, it works well on all sorts of surfaces and materials.

Apart from rubber, leather, and plastic, you can also use it on glass, ABS, porcelain, ceramic, marble, granite, stainless steel, aluminum, fiberglass, wood, vinyl, and more!

This product forms tight yet flexible bonds and has many qualities which make it perfect for shoe repairs.

First, this adhesive is 100% waterproof, so water contact won’t weaken the bond and undo your repairs.

If that were an issue, you’d also be less likely to get water in your shoes.

The silicone base in this adhesive gives extra impact and pressure resistance, as well as high resistance to extreme temperatures.

All these factors are important because shoes are constantly exposed to pressure and shock with every wear.

The increased resistance to damaging factors makes this glue perfect for outdoor applications, which is exactly what you need for your shoes.

Given the extreme resistance to water and high temperatures, the final bond should also be washed and drier-safe.

Finally, this glue also dries completely clear.

However, if the glue has a shiny finish, you should know that this product isn’t paintable.

In my opinion, this is one of the best shoe repair glue around.

2. Gorilla Super Glue Gel

When in doubt, there’s always a type of Gorilla glue for your application needs.

Regarding shoe-fixing, the Gorilla Super Glue Gel is a great choice.

This highly versatile adhesive bonds most materials, including rubber, leather, plastics, wood, metal, ceramic, and more.

Just don’t try using this glue on hard plastics like polyethylene or polypropylene.

This product has all the advantages of superglue. It dries clear and produces seamless results.

It also sets in 10-45 seconds without any need for clamping. You’ll be ready in less than one minute if you need to fix very small portions of the entire shoe sole.

This is also a special gel formula with added benefits.

Thanks to the thick viscosity, this glue is very easy to control and is unlikely to drip or soak into shoe fabrics.

Once cured, the bond is extra resistant to impact and pressure, which translates into long-lasting shoe repairs.

Like most superglues, this one is also highly resistant to water. The innovative formula also offers decent heat resistance.

A little bit of this glue goes a long way, so even though you get a small bottle, it will last you a long time.

To prevent waste, this bottle comes with an anti-clog cap. That’ll help keep the glue from drying, so you can get maximal results used after use.

It’s a great shoe repair glue, in my experience.

3. Shoegoo Mini Adhesive

For very simple repairs, the Shoegoo Mini Adhesive comes to the rescue!

These handy mini tubes are affordable, easy to use, and give you quick and permanent repairs.

You can use this glue on virtually all types of shoes, given that it’s compatible with rubber, leather, canvas, and vinyl.

The bond you get is 100% waterproof, making this adhesive perfect for bonding, sealing, and protecting shoes. It also dries clear, giving you invisible results.

It’s an ideal shoe glue for many applications.

4. Glue Masters Super Glue

Glue Masters Super Glue is marketed as offering “the strongest bond on the market for your money,” so you know you’re guaranteed a powerful and long-lasting fix.

It’s true. This cyanoacrylate-based adhesive is more than just a regular super glue.

It’s a professional-grade product aiming to provide an industrial-strength bond.

You can use it for many applications, including shoe repairs, household repairs, fixing glasses, building scale models, bonding wood for carpentry, and more!

It works on virtually all materials, both porous and non-porous, so you can’t possibly go wrong with this one!

However, it’s not recommended for use on fabric and clothing due to its rigid bond.

Like most other superglues, this one sets in less than 45 seconds. Also, just a little product goes a long way, given the extreme power this product has.

This super glue comes in three different consistencies, depending on your desired applications.

The medium viscosity gives you enough control without compromising on an even flow.

You can also opt for a thin and runny consistency or a thick, gel-like formula.

If you’re planning to work on multiple repairs, you can choose between the 2 oz or 16 oz bottles.

You don’t have to worry about the glue drying out anytime soon because this formula has an increased shelf life.

It’s a high quality shoe glue.

5. Barge Rubber Leather Shoe Waterproof Glue

Barge’s Rubber Leather Shoe Waterproof Glue is a highly versatile, all-purpose glue perfect for all sorts of shoe repairs.

You can use this adhesive on leather, synthetic and woven fabrics, vinyl, cotton, polyurethane, and even PVC.

Besides shoe and leather goods repairs, it’s also great for fixing window frames, car doors, and weather stripping.

It dries fast and clear, making all repairs invisible but very long-lasting.

Since this glue is waterproof, you can be sure your shoes will withstand a lot of heavy rain.

When it comes to its application, the product has an easy-to-use all-purpose brush.

You can easily adjust the quantity of adhesive you apply and spread it across wider surfaces if necessary.

The 32 oz quantity suffices for multiple repairs and many other applications. You can buy the product in packs of two, three, four, and even five.

Just make sure to store the glue in a lower temperature area and away from flames. This stuff is highly inflammable!

This shoe glue also comes with an affordable pricing.

How to Prepare Shoes for Gluing

Before you glue your shoes, you must prepare them for the process ahead.

Cut away the excess material and sand down any rough area where you want to apply the shoe glue.

This will help the glue attach better to the shoe. Follow the steps below to do a good job:

• Cut way extra lining inside your shoes to make sure there are no obstacles when you apply the glue
• Remove old glue
• Sand down the leather surfaces that you want to glue. Smoothen them out!
• Remove any dirt and other contaminants from the shoe
• Clean your shoes with a damp cloth or brush to remove dust and grease
• Wipe the shoes down after you’ve cleaned them to remove excess water

It shouldn’t be hard to clean your shoes before starting to glue them. Either way, the repair process doesn’t take more than a few minutes.

But before that, you want to ensure that the material is smooth and clean enough to bond perfectly to the shoe glue.

Tips for Gluing Shoes

Now that you’ve prepared the shoes, you must bond them.

The gluing process is simple enough, and you only need to follow these instructions to make it:

• Like I said, clean and dry the surface beforehand
• Apply black rubber cement over the object you need to fix, in this case, your shoe. Super glue also works
• Make sure you apply the glue to one side of the shoe so you don’t apply too much glue in the end
• When you apply super glue, use a damp cloth to cover your fingers because the adhesive may irritate your skin (super glue contains cyanoacrylate esters, acrylic acid, and quaternary ammonium)
• Clamp together the two sides of the shoe
• Wait for three or four hours before using the shoe. This will give enough time for the glue to dry and cure
• If the shoe isn’t completely bonded yet, apply another layer of glue and wait for four more hours before using the shoe.

That’s it with the gluing process! It’s nothing too difficult, and the same principles apply to any repairs.

Wrap-up

There’s no best glue for repairing shoes, as many would say. You can use superglue, contact cement, hot glue, acrylics, and polyurethane glue.

Depending on their characteristics, they will bond the shoe differently, and the waiting time is different.

The cleaning and bonding process are only time-consuming and not difficult at all!