The Best Shoe Glues, Vetted

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Shoe Glues, Vetted and hope the blog can help you.

Save yourself the price of a new pair of shoes with a quick repair using shoe glue.

Shoes, like many common clothing items, can range widely in price, durability, and purpose, but when you find a pair that fits perfectly, it can be difficult to give them up when they begin to wear out. With shoe glue, however, you can patch up minor problems, including fixing laces, sealing holes, or reattaching soles, so that you can enjoy your footwear for a few more months or even years.

Before deciding on the best shoe glue to repair your shoes, be sure to consider what type of material you will be working with. Some shoes are made of leather, while others could be rubber, vinyl, or canvas, and not all shoe glue works for all types of material. Another important factor to keep in mind is the color of the glue. If in doubt, choose a clear shoe glue that won’t attract attention.

With that said, take a look below at some of the best shoe glue options you can use to repair your footwear.

1. BEST OVERALL: Boot-Fix Professional Grade Shoe Repair Glue
2. RUNNER-UP: Loctite Super Glue Professional Liquid
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Shoe Goo Repair and Protective Coating
4. BEST QUICK FIX: Gorilla Super Glue Gel
5. BEST URETHANE: Gear Aid AquaSeal SR Shoe Repair Adhesive
6. BEST NEOPRENE CEMENT: Barge All-Purpose Original Contact Cement
7. BEST SUPER GLUE: Glue Masters Premium Thin Super Glue
8. BEST FOR LEATHER SHOES: Aleene’s Leather & Suede Glue

How We Chose the Best Shoe Glues

We reached out to industry experts who shared their hands-on experience in shoe repair, helping us to focus on the key factors to consider when choosing the best shoe glues.

Roger LaGrone, shoe expert and founder of Alexander Noel, gave us his advice: “When looking for adhesive for shoe repairs, you want a water-resistant product that is also enduring to other weather elements such as heat and cold. Depending on the type of shoe, you may also need it to adhere to different materials effectively.” As such, our list of recommendations covers a wide range of glue types to suit a variety of materials and preferences. In our research, we made sure to provide options with different active ingredients—we provide our top picks for urethane, neoprene cement, and super glue, all of which are best suited for their specific uses.

We also include an industry favorite—Shoe Goo—highly recommended by many shoemakers, including leather specialist Dominique B. Dupuis, owner of URAD Total Leather Care. “What makes it great is the fact that it’s waterproof, durable, and flexible. It can also be used to repair a variety of materials like canvas, rubber, and leather.” With this versatility in mind, we also researched additional shoe glue brands that create a waterproof and flexible bond, since shoes are constantly bending and moving and users need a glue that can handle this type of movement without breaking.

Another critical factor to consider when curating our list of recommendations was drying time. We asked the founder and CEO of Learn About Shoes, Tim Schroeder, what his go-to shoe glue is: “Super glues are the best for shoe repair. It works effectively for most materials. This means you can use them for a wide variety of shoes, and they’ll work just fine. Loctite Super Glue is one of the best products for this. I use this glue personally, and it has worked well every time.” With this in mind, we made sure to include several super-glue options (well known for their near-instant drying times) to suit a variety of needs and budgets.

Our Top Picks

The products below were chosen for quality, price, and customer satisfaction. Stick to this list to find some of the best shoe glues so that you can get a few more years out of your favorite footwear.

Best Overall

Boot-Fix Professional Grade Shoe Repair Glue

The Boot-Fix shoe glue helps to ensure your socks won’t end up soaked when you wear your shoes outside in the rain, sleet, or snow because it applies easily and cures quickly in under 5 minutes. The cyanoacrylate shoe glue is ideal for fixing holes in the soles of your shoes and repairing broken parts of the shoe, and it has been made with a specifically formulated viscosity that is ideal for reattaching the sole to the bottom of the shoe.

The bond formed by this shoe glue is clear, strong, and waterproof. It’s also resistant to high and low temperatures so the adhesive shouldn’t fail due to the summer heat or the freezing cold of winter. Use this glue on boots, athletic shoes, climbing shoes, dress shoes, and most other types of footwear, and keep in mind that it works best with rubber or vinyl soles.

Product Specs

• Quantity: 0.7 ounce
• Drying time: Under 1 minute
• Price: $$

Pros

• Easy to apply, as the applicator tip creates a small bead
• Cures quickly; hold for just 10 to 45 seconds to dry
• Also works on sandals, sneakers, and handbags

Cons

• Flexible bond might not last under heavy stress

Get the Boot-Fix shoe glue at Amazon or Walmart.

Runner-up

Loctite Super Glue Professional Liquid

Shoppers may be surprised to learn that super glue is a popular product for repairing shoes. The chemical makeup of super glue like this Loctite clear liquid is ideal for most repair jobs because it works with most materials and creates a flexible bond once dried, creating the ideal fix for areas that see frequent movement and bending.

Loctite dries clear, so repairs made to visible areas on the shoe are less likely to stand out. The thin nozzle applicator also easily slips between cracks or crevices to readhere the bond. An equally important consideration is the versatility of having super glue at hand for other repairs around the house.

Product Specs 

• Quantity: 0.7 ounces per bottle
• Drying time: 5 to 45 seconds to set, 12 to 24 hours for full cure
• Price: $$

Pros

• Forms a strong bond that’s also flexible; great for shoes that see a lot of movement
• Thin application nozzle can reach into small crevices for easy repairs
• Suitable for most shoe materials, including leather, rubber, and more

Cons

• Dries very quickly; users need to move fast to ensure a good bond

Get the Loctite shoe glue at Amazon (2-pack), Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Michaels.

Best Bang For The Buck

Shoe Goo Repair and Protective Coating

A new pair of shoes can cost quite a bit, but this Shoe Goo shoe glue helps to extend the life of comfortable work shoes or those lucky running shoes, saving some money in the meantime. This shoe glue can be used on vinyl and canvas, but it works especially well with both leather and rubber to provide a permanent, waterproof bond.

When the urethane rubber shoe glue fully cures, it forms a flexible rubber connection between the two surfaces that binds them together and helps to rebuild the shoe for a more permanent repair. Once it has fully cured, it has a clear color that won’t be noticeable, and it features strong abrasion resistance so it can be used to confidently fix heels, replace soles, or even seal leaks in galoshes, waders, and rubber boots so they are protected from the water.

Product Specs

• Quantity: 3.7 ounces
• Drying time: At least 24 hours (up to 72 hours)
• Price: $

Pros

• Works on multiple materials, including leather, rubber, vinyl, and canvas
• Forms a flexible bond, rather than a hard and brittle one, to retain movement
• Dries clear, a nice feature when it’s needed in visible areas

Cons

• Quite a strong smell compared to other glues
• Can take up to 72 hours to fully dry

Get the Shoe Goo shoe glue at Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Walmart, or Target.

Best Quick Fix

Gorilla Super Glue Gel

Shoppers looking for a near-instant shoe repair solution for a tear or break while on the go could rely on a bottle of Gorilla super glue gel. Unlike liquid superglues, which can be difficult to apply to a precise area without dripping or spreading, the gel consistency allows users more control over where the glue is applied. It also dries clear, so any small mistakes or excess glue will be barely noticeable.

This Gorilla glue can successfully bond most shoe materials, including leather and rubber, and it provides an “impact tough” adhesion, which is great for repairs on the parts of shoes that see the most stress and movement.

What Our Tester Says: Debbie Wolfe, Bob Vila writer and product tester, notes in The Best Super Glues Tested that she was “impressed with its quick bonding time and strong hold. Overall it’s an excellent all-around super glue to keep in the tool drawer for almost any household repair job.”

Product Specs 

• Quantity: Available in 3-, 15-, 20-, or 25-gram bottles
• Drying time: 10 to 45 seconds to dry, 24 hours for full cure
• Price: $$

Pros

• Very quick drying time; great for fast repairs while out and about
• Gel consistency is easier to control when applying compared to liquid superglue
• Forms a strong and impact-resistant bond to most materials

Cons

• Limited flexibility once fully cured; not likely to be a long-term fix

Get the Gorilla shoe glue at Amazon, The Home Depot, Walmart, Target, Michaels, or Walgreens.

Best Urethane

Gear Aid AquaSeal SR Shoe Repair Adhesive

For durable repairs to hiking boots, running shoes, climbing shoes, and cleats, try this urethane rubber shoe glue that cures in 8 hours and forms a permanent, flexible rubber bond between the glued surfaces. This shoe glue dries with a clear color and it doesn’t crack or peel with extended use, so that even with heavy fixes, footwear doesn’t look like it’s been repaired.

Use the Gear Aid shoe repair glue to fix a favorite set of heels or reattach the sole on an everyday shoe. It’s compatible with leather, suede, rubber, neoprene, and canvas, forming an abrasion-resistant shell that is great for patching up the protective toe on a set of old work boots.

Product Specs

• Quantity: 1 ounce
• Drying time: 8 to 12 hours to cure
• Price: $$

Pros

• Forms a durable bond that is resistant to cracks
• Ideal for repairing hiking shoes, running shoes, and work boots
• Suitable for leather, suede, rubber, neoprene, canvas, and nylon

Cons

• Quite a small bottle that is good for only a few repairs

Get the Gear Aid shoe glue at Amazon, Walmart (2-pack), or Gear Aid.

Best Neoprene Cement

Barge All-Purpose Original Contact Cement

Barge all-purpose cement is a staple product with shoe manufacturers and cobblers because it provides a strong bond on a variety of materials, including leather, cotton, neoprene, and rubber. It takes only 15 minutes to cure, so you can apply a thin layer of glue to the sole of your shoe without having to wait around for hours for your favorite pair of shoes to be ready.

This neoprene cement shoe glue dries clear. Once it has cured, the adhesive bond is waterproof so the shoes can be worn in the rain. It also works to repair weather stripping, car doors, windows, and other items around the home. However, kids and pets should stay away from this glue because it produces a strong chemical odor, and it’s highly flammable.

Product Specs

• Quantity: 32 ounces
• Drying time: 10 to 15 minutes
• Price: $$$

Pros

• Cures in just 15 minutes, which is ideal for quick shoe repairs
• Forms a waterproof bond to help keep everyday shoes dry
• Large container can last through several repair jobs on shoes or other items

Cons

• Pricey compared to similar shoe repair products

Get the Barge glue for shoes at Amazon, Walmart, or My Shoe Supplies.

Best Super Glue

Glue Masters Premium Thin Super Glue

For a shoe glue that cures in under a minute for quick fixes, this super glue is a great option. The glue is made with a cyanoacrylate resin that reacts with moisture in the air and in the objects being glued to form a permanent, industrial-strength bond that cures in just 10 seconds.

This shoe glue has a wide range of purposes outside of shoe repair, including building models, gluing finished puzzles, binding woodworking pieces together, and more. The glue works on rubber, wood, metal, glass, and plastic, though it shouldn’t be used on fabrics or clothing. The shoe glue has a thin viscosity that should be applied carefully, and it dries with a clear color that isn’t noticeable.

Product Specs

• Quantity: 2 ounces
• Drying time: 10 seconds
• Price: $$

Pros

• Small squeeze bottle is easy to store and use for quick fixes
• Very fast curing time of just 10 seconds
• Can be used for shoe repair or a variety of home repairs and projects

Cons

• Not suitable on fabrics or clothing