Need a Quick Shoe Fix? Here Are the 7 Best Glues for Shoes

Best Glue for Shoes

Photo:

Szymon Brzoska/The Style Stalker

Whether its party heels or sneakers, shoes are made to be worn and lived in. Over time, our favorite pairs—no matter how carefully we treat them—inevitably end up in disrepair. But don't toss that pair just yet. There are fortunately a handful of products that are designed to salvage your most beloved shoes. Breathe new life into your favorite pair with one of the seven best glues for footwear on the market. Keep reading to see our favorite picks.

1. Shoe Goo

True to its name, Shoe Goo is designed specifically for use on footwear, and it's hands down one of the best shoe glues for just about any style. Shoe Goo dries clear (a must for maintaining seamless color), and the glue remains flexible even after drying. This product's good for everything from detached soles to broken heels.

Average Amazon Rating: 4.5/5

Customer Review: "Saw this being used at a shoe repair place and asked the cobbler about it. He swore by it. Best part is it's clear, so even if you do get some on the body of the shoe you can either wipe it off while wet or cut it off if it's dried. I've done three pairs of my wife's shoes and they still look like the day after I fixed them." — Amazon reviewer

2. Gorilla Glue

Another top pick for DIY shoe repair is Gorilla Glue. This ultra-versatile product is waterproof and temperature-resistant. It's also a good choice for harder shoe materials like wood and metal. This is another glue that dries clear (aka it won't affect the item's appearance).

Average Amazon Rating: 4.6/5

Customer Review: "This glue is amazing! Easy to control the amount of flow and it dries so clear and super fast! Will use this as my go-to glue! Worth every penny." — Amazon reviewer

3. Shoe-Fix Shoe Glue

Another product designed specifically for shoe repair, Shoe-Fix Shoe Glue is a great choice for virtually any shoe material. Some of our favorite features are how quickly it dries and the clear, weatherproof flexible result.

Average Amazon Rating: 4.5/5

Customer Review: "The whole bottom part of my shoe had fallen off and I tried a few different kinds of glue that didn’t work before I decided to see if there was shoe glue that would be more flexible but still strong. This worked perfectly!" — Amazon reviewer

4. Gear Aid Shoe Repair

One of the more heavy-duty glues on our list, Gear Aid Shoe Repair is suited for structural shoe repair projects (such as reattaching soles or toe caps). This is a good choice for work boots, athletic shoes, and hiking boots.

Average Amazon Rating: 4.4/5

Customer Review: "Works great! The product is just the right thickness. Thin enough to flow into the the crease between the sole and the boot, thick enough to fill small to medium gaps." — Amazon reviewer

5. Kiwi Sure Steps

For those looking to extend the lifespan of their shoes (and specifically the soles), Kiwi Sure Steps offers an adhesive attachment to prevent slipping on slick surfaces. This is an especially good option for footwear like dress shoes, which tend to lack traction and run a higher risk of cracked soles and heels.

Average Amazon Rating: 3.7/5

Customer Review: "I bought these for my high heeled wedding shoes because they are completely slick bottomed with no tread. These stuck on extremely well . . . the traction is very good." — Amazon reviewer

6. Shoe Goo Boot Adhesive

Another product by Shoe Goo, this boot adhesive promises professional-quality shoe repairs but is designed specifically to address breaks and tears on boots. This is specially made to coat cracks and wear in boots to prolong the item's use.

Average Amazon Rating: 4.3/5

Customer Review: "This product is amazing. Sole pulled away from my nice black leather boots. It not only repaired, but is waterproof and stayed glued during snowy, slushy winter months." — Amazon reviewer

7. Super Glue

For catchall, multipurpose shoe repair, Super Glue remains one of the best glues on the market. While Super Glue can offer a quick fix for separated soles and broken heels (and is one of the most useful products to have on hand in general), it's never a good idea to get it on your skin. Trust us—it lives up to its name.

Average Amazon Rating: 4.6/5

Customer Review: "The adherence is superb. I used it to fix a broken shoe (leather on rubber) and I found the adhesion is great." — Amazon reviewer

Now that you know which glues are the best for repairing your shoes, keep them looking new by learning how to remove scuff marks.

This story was published at an earlier date and has been recently updated.