How to Fix the Sole of a Sneaker Shoe With Hot Glue

Various techniques are possible to glue your sneakers, depending on the severity of the problem.

Unfortunately, your favorite pair of sneakers will not last forever, and it may be quite upsetting to discover a rip or a tear in the sole of your sneakers. Fixing the sole of your sneakers using hot glue allows for a temporary fix, or a fix that will preserve your sneakers for a rainy day. Using only hot glue and a few additional household products, you can restore the shoes' natural look by fixing them yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Hot-glue gun
• Hot glue
• Sandpaper
• Dry cloth
• Masking tape

Instructions

1. Insert a glue stick into the hot-glue gun you will use to fix your shoe. Use hot glue that is compatible with the material of your sneakers to ensure the repair is successful.

2. Use sandpaper to prepare the areas you plan to connect in repairing your shoe. Sand both the sole and the opposite material that will be connected with the sole.

3. Wipe the shoe clean with a dry cloth to prepare the area you are planning to treat with the hot glue.

4. For severe repairs, apply a piece of masking tape to connect the sole of the shoe to the base. This may be needed if the sole of your shoe is bent in the opposite direction or will not stay attached to the base itself. Press the sole into place to secure the tape properly.

5. Fill the exterior cracks between the sole and the base of the shoe with hot glue, while keeping the shoe turned upside down, to help keep the glue from dripping. Avoid using too much glue at once to keep from over-saturating the shoe and possibly causing glue to leak into the fabric base of your sneaker. Allow the exterior to dry and repeat the process once more.

6. Apply another line of hot glue to the interior crack of your shoe after the exterior has dried entirely. Dab a bit of hot glue and use the tip of the gun to drag the glue along the crack, but avoid adding too much glue inside of your shoe.

7. Set the shoes in a dry area and allow them to set for 24-48 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Reference your brand of hot glue for detailed instructions on how long you should wait, depending on the type of glue you are using.

References

• McNett: Freesole: Urethane Formula Shoe Repair