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Best Shoe Glue for Repairs Reviewed & Rated for Quality
For many, this may be a high sigh of relief – and for others, an eye-opening moment, appreciating the advancement of technology in today’s age. Whatever your thoughts may be – we support you. We took the time to comb through dozens of different shoe glues and assessed each product based on a list of criteria and standards that we developed.
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Materials
When it came to generating a list of criteria – the absolute first standard that popped up was the type of formula that the product offers. Now, if you have never heard of shoe glue or purchased this type of tool before, let us share some insight with you!
Each product is going to come with a unique formula, typically specially crafted from the maker. These formulas include different materials, which help for varying circumstances and situations.
With that being said, as we evaluated each product, we carefully looked at the different types of materials that were used in the formula. We tried to only highlight items for today’s buying guide that were focused on the following:
- Bonding
- Sealant
- Protection
- Traction
- Synthetics
In order to purchase an effective formula, you absolutely do not have to know all the chemical names to the compounds and their properties! All you should consider is the above list of qualities a glue may have, and make your choice based on what you feel is best for your type of footwear.
Use
Second to the quality and type of formula is the functionality of the product. What this means is that we carefully looked at what the product offers as far as usability goes. To do this, we asked ourselves a series of questions that went a little something like this:
Can the product be used with:
- Leather footwear?
- Vinyl footwear?
- Canvas footwear?
- Rubber outsoles?
- Mesh or polyester?
In addition to this, we looked at a few other factors that we want to share with you when it comes to functionality.
We wanted to see if the products could be used for other purposes, aside from footwear. We were quite surprised to find out that many types of glue have a wide variety of uses, ranging from clothing repair to sealing holes, to even creating traction for skateboards.
In addition to this, we also wanted to highlight glue formulas that were made from waterproof properties as they tend to offer the best functionality.
Speed
When studying the market for this type of product, one thing that we learned was that many companies, while designing high-quality sealants, created formulas that took many hours to properly bond and hold. Now, we understand that consumers might not always have hours upon hours in order to wait for the drying process to occur.
While there are a few products on our list today that have longer dry-times, we carefully tried to only include those that came with quick-to-instant dry times.
If you're looking for an instant-type of solution and don't care for waiting around the whole night in order for your footwear to be successfully repaired, then definitely don't hesitate to sort the products according to this criterion. Choose off the top of the list, as there lie the quickest-drying formulas we included, and your shoes will be as good as new in no time!
Durability
For many consumers, one of the most important aspects of this type of product is ensuring that it will keep your shoe together for a long period of time. You don’t want to glue the outsole – just to find out that, in a few days, it rips again. That would be frustrating, and a waste of money.
Consumers need to carefully look at the formula and the properties that it offers. We studied the formulas and looked for those that came with sealant-like properties.
Typically, glues that act more as sealants are designed from higher-quality materials and compounds. They hold longer, no matter where you apply them, and you are likely to get many more seasons of wear out of your footwear.
Additionally, we wanted to make sure that the glue was waterproof as this is critical for everyday walking shoes. You don't want your footwear falling apart at the first sign of rain just because your glue wasn't of the right type.
Value
Let’s talk about one of our favorite criteria that we often use when evaluating different products: the cost and value. This is one of the only criteria that does not necessarily concern itself with the product, but rather understanding the relationship between the price tag and the value embedded in the formula.
When we started off this buying guide there were a few different steps that we took – at first, to understand what type of industry we were looking at. We looked at all the different price tags for shoe glues and kept track of the highest priced products, as well as the lowest. From there, we drew an average, which was then used as we further analyzed each product.
Moving forward, per product that we analyzed, we answered a few questions regarding the value:
- Does this product offer anything valuable?
- What are some of its unique features?
- What is the return on investment for the consumer?
In answering these questions, we were able to draw some conclusions regarding if the product is valuable. The last thing that we did was use the average price that we found earlier and compared the value of the product with the price tag. If the price point was higher than the value, the product was passed-on. We only wanted to highlight the very best glues.
Our Favorites
1. Daniels 1 Oz. Pointe
The Daniels 1 Oz. Pointe is a great formula for repairing footwear that is slightly damaged, whether on the outsole, the interior part, or even the upper. The product itself was originally designed for ballet pointe shoes; however, the restoration formula can suit and help in many cases.
This is actually the first time that a company focused on the design of their bottle – making it clog-proof. What we noticed with other companies is the frustration of their consumers because their bottles are subjective to clogging. You now can wish those problems goodbye and say hello to stress-free restoration!
The whole purpose of this formula is to restore and repair a design to its original condition. This is precisely what this product does – no gimmicks, nothing more, nothing less. While it can take some time to dry – at least you can have the peace of mind knowing it will hold.
The Daniels formula is priced slightly higher than a few other products on today’s list; however, it comes with the benefit of a higher-quality formula and bottle design. If those are things that you care about, this product is worthy of consideration.
2. Gear Aid Aquaseal
As far as footwear repair is concerned, the only other brand that can compete for the number one spot is Gear Aid. Their Aquaseal is widely popular and known to be one of the strongest and fastest drying products. So, if you are hiking, running, or even walking around the mall and you notice that your footwear tears, this formula has you covered.
The whole purpose of a glue is to get two different parts of a shoe to become whole again, right? This specific brand has enhanced the rebonding process, making it easy and simple. Whether it’s the toe box, heel, or other rips in the soles, this product can do it all. Additionally, Gear Aid focused on creating a quick-drying formula so that you can have your footwear ready in less than 2 hours. Amazing!
As far as cost is concerned, the Aquaseal is one of the most expensive on our list. In fact, this is one of the biggest downsides to the product; however, its value significantly overpowers its price tag. For those who are looking for top-of-the-line repair formula, this is it.
3. E6000 Craft Adhesive
With the E6000 Craft Adhesive, we’re adding another industrial strength formula to our arsenal. This product is not only for footwear but also for materials such as glass, wood, plastics, ceramics, cement, metal and more. It is made from premium ingredients that are non-flammable once cured, so you can be safe in the knowledge that nothing bad will happen with the materials glued with the E6000.
This formula dries clear, which we all appreciate when it comes to footwear. No one likes obvious glue stains on their favorite shoes. What’s more, the Craft Adhesive is also paintable, meaning you can easily color it if you choose to apply it to some other surface. This product is resistant to high temperatures, so you can easily use it on your summer footwear, and it is safe to use in the washer and dryer as well!
The E6000 Craft Adhesive is a formula which creates a permanent, flexible bond that you will enjoy for months, if not years to come. With this product, you will definitely extend the life of your footwear, and possibly of some other items around the house as well!
4. Shoe-Fix Professional
If the last product you tried did not dry quick enough, the Shoe-Fix Professional has the solution for you. How does “instant” sound to you? That’s right – this product was designed to instantly fix and repair your footwear, regardless of the weather. If you are looking for a quick repair, this is the product for you.
With an instant bonding feature, all you need to do is apply this formula to the desired area, and the magic works by itself. With no clamping and just a small hold – you can get back to walking, running, or hiking in no time. In efforts to stand out in this market, Shoe-Fix made their specialized formula resistant to different natural elements, including the cold weather, rain, and even heat. Additionally, the formula used for re-bonding is very durable and can last for many months, or even years, if taken care of properly.
The biggest selling point – and where the value of this formula comes from, is that consumers no longer need to wait two hours - or more in some cases - for their shoe to be repaired. This is instant – and that comes at a cost.
5. Barge All-Purpose
When the name of this product says All-Purpose, it literally means all purpose. The Barge formula is not only good for footwear, but also for car doors and windows, leather goods, and even replacing tiles and wall brackets! With this product, you will be getting a multi-purpose glue that you can use even to make your own DIY footwear!
The Barge All-Purpose has a neoprene base, which makes it amazingly waterproof. Dab a little bit of this on your boots, whether they be for the fall, winter or even snow, and you will be sure that your feet will stay dry all throughout! The bond that the All-Purpose provides is super flexible, so you won’t have any problems with stiffness or chafing in your glued footwear. Finally, the formula is toluene-free, making it incredibly safe to use!
We’re in awe at all the features that the Barge All-Purpose offers. It is especially valuable given its versatility - you can use it on leather, wood, rubber, glass, cork and many other materials and it will be just as effective on all of them! What an amazing deal!
6. Shoegoo Repair Adhesive
When it comes to taking care of an old, worn shoe, there is no better type of repairing glue than the Shoegoo Repairing Adhesive. Not only is this brand the best in the industry – their product is far superior to the rest of the competition. It is designed from some of the strongest, most durable ingredients that it can even act as a sealant!
One feature that we particularly enjoyed was that the ingredients used to make this formula have unique properties that make it waterproof. Now, this is an impressive and useful feature. Should you be walking outside and it happens to rain, footwear repaired with this brand’s product will find themselves still walking comfortably.
If you are looking for a permanent repair – this product is the one to do it. This heavy-duty adhesive is known to create the strongest bond – whether your heel fell apart, or you need to patch a small hole somewhere else.
The Repair Adhesive is not only incredibly cost-friendly, but you can purchase numerous tubes of this formula in different sets. It’s one of the only products on the market that can model as a sealant and provide the assurance that almost any consumer is looking for.
7. Gorilla Clear
The formula that bonds virtually anything, Gorilla Clear is definitely going to work on your torn footwear. This is a clear glue, non-foaming, and it can be used on a variety of materials and surfaces, barring polyethylene or polypropylene plastics. (Which you will have a hard time finding in footwear, anyway.) This water-resistant option is just what you need for all of your indoor and outdoor repairs.
The Gorilla Clear is best used at room temperature. It is easy to use and it leaves no color or stains behind, meaning it is perfect for footwear. The materials you can bond this with include wood, stone, ceramics, glass, and others. It is water resistant, making it good for intermittent exposure to moisture, but not a constant soak. The bond that the Gorilla Clear creates is unbelievably strong and will last for quite some time.
The downsides to this formula are that it requires clamping, and approximately 24 hours to be fully cured. However, if this is not an issue for you, and you wish for something that will definitely work regardless of the drying time, then reach for the Gorilla Clear without hesitation!
8. Krazy Glue Instant
Nestled in the middle of the competition, we have the Krazy Glue Instant – one of the most famous brands in the instant glue market. This company created one of the best formulas to help bond together nearly any type of material, including any shoe you might own. Without further ado, let’s check out the product’s highlights.
If you are familiar with glue, chances are, you have already heard of this company. This specific item is great at helping weld together wood, metals, rubbers, and even leather! With that being said, no matter what your footwear may be made of – this tool can do the repair job. When it comes to repairing your footwear, you need a product that is not only going to hold together the broken parts but also be easy to use. No one wants to purchase a formula that is difficult or frustrating to apply. This item rises up as one of the easiest to use – and it is quite gratifying.
The reasoning behind the cheap price of this product is that the bottle or tube is relatively smaller than most on today’s list. That is why this brand offers a wealth of different sizes and packs for you to choose from. They even offer a 5-gram version of this product!
9. Starbond KEG-500
Another great option is the Starbond KEG-500. This could be considered a heavy-weight contender given its industrial power and grade materials alongside flexible formula properties, which is why so many consumers and businesses have flocked to this specific repair tool.
Most of the products on our list are great for commercial use. This specific item takes it a step further with industrial grade materials, including ethyl cyanoacrylate. For those who are not familiar with chemistry – this stuff is the real deal for fixing and re-bonding a shoe.
What captured our attention with this item was that the brand had a subtle warranty policy that we wish to highlight. The KEG-500 is designed to last up to 60 months. If the product does not work for that long – you can return the product and get a new one, for free!
While it’s most certainly not the pinnacle of prices – the Starbond KEG-500 comes at quite a steep cost, given the size of the bottle. However, this product is nearly twice as effective as some of the other options and requires less of the formula to do its job. In other words, the value is there for those willing to pay.
10. Sugru Moldable
If you are looking for a unique and fun product – the Sugru Moldable is the spice you are looking for. This is the first moldable set of glue that actually transforms into rubber before your eyes. This advanced technology has captured the attention of footwear lovers around the world – and now it’s your turn.
What you are looking at here is the first moldable repair glue that will magically become a specialized rubber during the application process. The advanced technology used in creating this formula allows for it to bond quite rapidly to just about any part of the shoe – or anything else, for that matter. The Moldable is not only fully waterproof, but it can also resist different temperatures – making it one of the most durable options on this list.
Now, while the price point for the Moldable may be high, it really is a valuable choice to consider. It comes with 8 different packages of the moldable glue, all of which come in different preset colors. Additionally, the formula is quite strong – making it a worthy consideration.