How to Glue a Leather Shoe Strap

Leather glue can help your shoes look new again.

Leather can withstand substantial abuse and is one of the most durable and easily repaired materials available. Even so, shoes take a beating in daily life, and the leather straps on your shoes can slowly wear down and break. Although a leathersmith can restitch the leather for a permanent repair, leather glue will help you get a few extra months of wear out of your shoes.

Preparing the Strap

To properly glue the strap, cut off any loose edges or seams. Use an emery board or sandpaper to sand the broken ends of the strap. This creates a porous surface for the glue to penetrate and will help the repair last longer.

Sewing the Strap

Although it's possible to just glue the broken ends together, this repair will be short-lived if you don't sew the strap. Start at the first secure seam on the strap and stitch across to the other broken end. Repeat the process with the seams on the other side of the two broken straps.

Gluing the Strap

After you've sewn the two seamed ends of the strap together, apply leather glue to the portion of the strap that does not have seams. Use only a small drop and pinch the strap together until the glue has dried.

Polishing

To complete the look, polish the leather with a leather polish, focusing on the newly glued area. This helps blend any rough edges together and will help your shoes look new again.

References

• Leather and Latex Care; Kelly J. Thibault
• Leather Care Technician Manual; Lonnie McDonald