If the sole of your favorite shoe came off, don't be so quick to throw your shoes away! By using shoe repair glue, you'll be able to reattach the sole to the upper of your shoe and prolong its use. There are three major types of shoe repair glues, including urethane, super glue, and neoprene cement. Each kind has its own strong points and works for different types of surfaces.
If you're unsure of what to choose, take a look at our buying guide for some tips! We've also included a list of 10 of our favorites to give you some options. Shoegoo's Shoe Repair and Protective Coating was our top pick, as it provides a strong, flexible, and waterproof bond that will make your worn shoes look new again. Read on for more great options.
Quick List - Top Shoe Repair Glues
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When choosing a shoe repair glue, make sure to consider important factors such as its type, drying time, and the surfaces that it works for. Keep reading this buying guide for more information!
Shoe repair glues can be categorized into three main types: urethane, neoprene cement, and superglue. In this section, we will discuss their strong and weak points, so you can decide the right type of glue for yourself!
Urethane glues, sometimes referred to as polyurethane glues, give you a sturdy, flexible bond. They don't lose their flexibility when exposed to water.
Some can withstand a temperature of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and they're all fairly heat-resistant. So after you finish fixing your shoes, you can confidently wear them in cold, rainy weather or under scorching hot conditions without worrying about them breaking apart.
Urethane glues can be used for all types of footwear, from rain boots to climbing shoes. They also work well for surfaces such as vinyl, suede, leather and neoprene. If you need to repair large, flexible areas, they're a great option. Specifically, they're great for reattaching soles, re-gluing the insole of a shoe, or repairing torn mesh.
However, one disadvantage of urethane glues is the slow drying time. They can take hours or even days to completely cure.
If you're looking for a quick shoe fix, consider superglue! Superglues are made with cyanoacrylate, an acrylic resin that reacts to humidity to create a tight seal. Out of all the options, they are also usually the most affordable and widely available.
They take under a minute to completely dry, so you don't have to wait to wear your favorite pair of shoes. Superglues can tolerate temperatures of up to about 200 Fahrenheit. If exposed to higher temperatures, they will weaken.
Keep in mind that the bond created by superglues isn't very flexible. Therefore, walking and climbing might end up breaking the adhesive. So avoid using superglue for gluing large or flexible surfaces.
Still, superglues work for re-gluing the outsole to the bottom of the shoe or patching up small holes in the soles. They can be used on many surfaces, including rubber, leather, metal, and plastic.
Similar to urethane, neoprene cement is suitable for fixing large or flexible areas of the shoes. It's also waterproof, ensuring that your seal won't weaken in wet conditions. This type of shoe repair glue is often used to bond your sole back to the shoes.
However, it takes a while to fully cure. Moreover, just like superglue and urethane in their liquid state, neoprene cement is flammable. So avoid using it near a source of fire such as an open flame, a cigarette, or a lighter.
Nevertheless, if you're looking for a versatile option that works well for a wide variety of surfaces, consider neoprene cement. It's suitable for leather, synthetic fabric, vinyl, and rubber.
Shoe repair glues come in many different sizes. Many come in a small squeezable plastic bottle or a pen-like tube. These types of packaging help you easily control the amount of glue coming out of the nozzle. They're great for small repairs as they allow for precise application.
Some bottles also have a small, pointy tip that is great for exact placement and getting into small and tight areas. For large repairs, it might take forever if you use a small bottle. Instead, you might want to choose a glue that comes in a large container. Simply use a fine bristle brush to apply the glue!
Another important factor to take into consideration is the color of the glue. Many glues dry clear for a neat and seamless finish, so nobody can tell that your shoes are repaired! They're probably the most popular choice as they work for all kinds of repairs.
However, some glues are available in colors such as black and brown. Consider the color of your soles and choose the color of the glue accordingly. If you're unsure of what color to choose, simply pick a glue that dries clear!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Shoe Goo Original Shoe Goo | ![]() | Repair Your Worn Shoes With This Strong Glue | |
2 | Shoe-Fix Shoe-Fix Glue | ![]() | Quick-Drying and Long-Lasting | |
3 | Aleene's Leather & Suede Glue|15594 | ![]() | Great for Leather and Suede Shoes | |
4 | Gorilla Super Glue Gel|7700104 | ![]() | A Versatile Glue That Bonds Many Surfaces | |
5 | Gear Aid Aquaseal+SR | ![]() | Rebind Your Soles Quickly With This Urethane Adhesive | |
6 | Tuff Toe Boot Guard|Black | ![]() | Strengthen and Repair Damaged Boots | |
7 | Barge All-Purpose Cement | ![]() | For a Waterproof and Tight Seal | |
8 | Fiebing's Leathercraft Cement | ![]() | Fix Leather With a Clear, Neat Finish | |
9 | GlueMasters Thick Viscosity Superglue | ![]() | Thick Consistency for Full Control Over Application | |
10 | Loctite Ultra Gel Control Superglue | ![]() | Squeezable Bottle for Easy Use |
Shoe Goo repair glue is formulated with styrene-butadiene, a synthetic rubber, and can provide a strong yet flexible bond to your soles or worn heels. It can also add extra traction to the bottom of your shoes and is even useful for repairing skateboards.
Moreover, the bonds remain secure even when exposed to water, so you can use this glue for sealing rain boots or galoshes. The fumes are very strong and can be toxic, so use proper ventilation and follow the instructions.
Some reviewers had difficulty applying it cleanly because it's hard to control how it comes out of the tube. Nonetheless, the majority love that this glue forms a tight and flexible seal and dries clear so it isn't super noticeable. They further note that it works well for a variety of surfaces, including leather, fabric and rubber.
If you're looking for a repair glue that cures quickly, consider Shoe-Fix superglue! It forms a solid bond that dries completely in under a minute. You don't have to use a clamp to hold the two parts together while waiting for the glue to fully cure. It's versatile and can be used for a wide range of materials from fabric to rubber and vinyl.
According to some buyers, this glue leaves a white residue on the shoes. Nevertheless, many happy buyers share that compared to other superglues, this one forms a more flexible bond, and therefore re-attaches soles and seals holes very well. The bond lasts for several months, they add.
Use Aleene’s Leather & Suede Glue to repair your suede or leather shoes! It creates a tough seal and dries clear for a seamless finish. What's more, it doesn't leave stains on your shoes. This glue comes with a multi-size applicator tip that you can trim to get the glue to dispense how you want.
A few buyers complain that it takes a long time to dry: about two to three days. Some also say it turns white when exposed to water. But the majority are happy that it adheres firmly to soles and dries clear. Also, the bond is flexible and does last for a long time, reviewers say.
Formulated with cyanoacrylate, Gorilla Super Glue Gel is strong enough to adhere to wood and metal and will help you fix your shoes and boots with ease. This gel dries clear and takes only 10 to 45 seconds to hold, but 24 hours to fully set. The cap has a metal pin inside to prevent clogging and keep the nozzle clean.
A couple of users note that the glue can stick strongly to your hands and clothes if not careful and cannot be washed off easily. On another note, many buyers agree that this gel has excellent holding power and does a great job of rebinding soles.
Whether you need to rebind soles or rebuild your heels, Aquaseal might do the trick! It's a urethane adhesive and can be used for all kinds of footwear, including hiking boots and leather shoes. It's also resistant to abrasion and can help seal leaks in rubber boots.
A few buyers found that the tube hardens quickly, even if stored in the freezer as recommended by the manufacturer. But many buyers are pleased that it provides a reliable seal and cures pretty quickly. They suggest cleaning the surfaces with rubbing alcohol and letting them dry completely before applying for the best result.
Tuff Toe's Shoe Repair Glue is made with ballistic-grade polyurethane adhesive, which provides fast curing and a strong bond. It creates a hard cap to protect your toes, and is highly heat-resistant and waterproof. The glue is available in black, tan and brown.
A couple of users complain that the product peeled off after a couple of months. Nonetheless, most reviewers agree that the cap created is very tough. They also mention that it works well for fixing heels and reattaching soles. According to others, the instructions are easy to understand and follow.
Barge's all-purpose neoprene cement gives you a waterproof and sturdy bond that is resistant to freezing temperatures. It can be used on a wide variety of materials, including fabric, cotton, leather, and vinyl. It dries in 10 to 15 minutes.
A few buyers warn that they had trouble bonding certain materials to each other, so you may want to check reviews for the specific ones you're trying to fix and see how this glue performed.
Still, the majority mention that this glue dries quickly, reaffixes their soles well, and lasts a long time. According to many, it's especially great for repairing leather shoes.
Fiebing's Leathercraft Cement is designed to repair rips in leather shoes and other leather items. It's water-based, so it doesn't release any toxic fumes and is non-flammable. It dries clear to match the color of your leather shoes. It shouldn't be exposed to freezing temperatures, though.
A few reviewers complain that it takes about a couple of hours to completely dry. Yet, many buyers say that this shoe repair glue holds very strongly and truly works well for leather. They further comment that the glue remains flexible after it has completely cured.
GlueMasters has a thick consistency to give you full control over your application. It sets in less than one minute, so no clamping is necessary! It comes in other viscosities and sizes, so you can choose based on your shoe project's needs.
A few buyers comment that the texture of the glue is not as thick as they expected. But many share that it isn't runny at all and is easy to use. Most buyers further note that it creates a strong bond and settles quickly. It also dries clear, and many reviewers love that the nozzle is clog-free and allows for precise application.
Need a quick shoe fix? Try this superglue by Loctite! It's infused with rubber to provide a long-lasting and flexible bond and doesn't drip or run. What's more, the small bottle fits nicely in your hand for easy and precise application. It's also resistant to moisture and freezing.
Many happy buyers say that the glue dries clear and gives you a strong hold. They also love the small, pointy tip that helps you apply the glue where needed without causing a mess. The squeezable bottle is another great bonus for buyers, as it allows them to get the desired amount of glue every time.
Why even think about throwing away that favorite pair of shoes? Keep them looking and feeling new with these products!
No. 1: Shoe Goo|Original Shoe Goo
No. 2: Shoe-Fix |Shoe-Fix Glue
No. 3: Aleene's |Leather & Suede Glue|15594
No. 4: Gorilla |Super Glue Gel|7700104
No. 5: Gear Aid |Aquaseal+SR
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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