10 Best Glues For Shoes (Review) In 2022

No matter how well you take care of your shoes, too much use means they will fall apart, eventually. While some people might think this is the end and throw them away, investing in the best glue for shoes can extend the lifespan of your favorite sneakers, work boots, and dress shoes to give you an economically friendly solution to always looking your best.
Shoe glue is an essential part of shoe maintenance, so instead of lamenting your shoes falling apart (again), trying out a low-cost repair option will keep your favorite shoes right where you need them.
The Best Glue For Shoes
1. Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue For Shoes

Squeeze design
Rubber toughened formula
Multipurpose use
Dries clear
Water-resistant
The Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue is the glue that holds our whole selection together which is why we’ve picked it as our top choice for the best glue for shoes. This glue is long-lasting and effective to fix any sole problems your shoes might have.
The tough formula bonds to a variety of materials, and it dries clearly to prevent any unsightly residue. For those in wet climates, it’s also waterproof, so you can trust it will stay secure to your shoe even when the rain pours. Make sure you also check our guide to the best insoles.
2. Shoe Goo Repair Glue For Shoes

Bonds, protects, and rebuilds
Waterproof
Extra traction
Patches small holes
Abrasion resistant
The Shoe Goo Repair Adhesive bonds, protects, and rebuilds your shoes to make them as good as new. It’s so effective, in fact, that only you will know you’ve had to apply the super glue to get them back to wearable condition.
The waterproof design ensures longevity, while the extra traction provides an additional layer of confidence. It’s malleable when dry, providing flexibility to keep sole and shoe connected, and its versatility means you’re not just buying a tube of shoe glue, but something you can use throughout the house.
3. Boot-Fix Shoe Glue For Shoes

Used by professionals
Instant bonding
No clamping
Flexible bond
Heat resistant
The top of the range Boot-Fix Shoe Glue is an excellent choice for anything you wear all day every day. It’s great for tradesmen and women, used by the professionals who swear by it as the only shoe glue they use to keep their work boots secure.
It’s so tough there’s no clamping required and it bonds instantly so you need not waste precious time waiting around for it to dry. For more demanding environments, the flexible nature still gives you excellent range of movement, while the temperature-resistant formula means it’ll be as effective on the Equator as it would be in Santa’s workshop. To keep your shoes safe, check out our guide to the best shoe storages.
4. Shoe-Fix Shoe Glue

Cold and moisture resistant
Long lasting
No expansion
No thick drying
Repairs up to 15 shoes
If you don’t have work boots but still need a highly effective choice, the Shoe-Fix Shoe Glue is a spectacular alternative. It’s very much the same as the Boot-Fix option but purposed more towards dress shoes and high heels to keep you looking sharp and professional at the office.
The long lasting formula keeps you confident, and it doesn’t expand like lesser glues might do, nor will you deal with thick drying nonsense that clogs up around the fixed area and makes it look like the shoe is oozing an adhesive slime of shame. You can also fix as many as 15 shoes with it, so if you’ve got any friends with falling-apart shoes, give them a shout.
5. Gear Aid Aquaseal SR

Long-lasting seal
Great for sport and adventure shoes
Abrasion resistance
Waterproof
Flexible
Great for sealing leaks and keeping your soles from flapping around with every step, the Gear Aid Aquaseal SR is an awesome choice for those with a more active lifestyle. While you can use other glues for formal footwear, the Aquaseal SR is perfect for running shoes, hiking boots, and cleats to keep your feet firmly on the ground.
They are waterproof and flexible, giving you the protection and mobility required in demanding sports and environments, while the abrasion resistant design means they can take a battering and still come out looking fresh as the day you fixed them. You may also like to check our guide to the best shoe stretchers.
6. Gorilla Clear Glue

Non-foaming
Clear drying
Water-resistant
Strong bonding
Easy to use
The Gorilla Clear Glue boasts non-foaming and clear drying properties for fantastic results whether you’re fixing old shoes or brand new ones. The strong bonding inspires confidence, while the simple, straightforward application prevents anything getting stuck to you or your shoes that shouldn’t be there.
Once it dries, it stays dry, and it doesn’t spread like cheaper options to ensure a clean repair job that even the most experienced cobblers would be jealous of. It’s also versatile and works with more than just shoes, so if you have someone in the house who’s a little too clumsy for your liking (even if that’s you) we may have found a solution.
7. Barge All-Purpose Cement

Strong bond
One coat required
Easy to spread
Non smearing
Flexible formula
The Barge All-Purpose Cement is a multi-purpose pick that works as well with shoes as it does pretty much anything else you can get your hands on. The strong bond is reliable, and it only requires one coat of glue to keep everything together. Not only does this speed up the job so you can get back to relaxing, it also ensures it lasts longer, too.
It dries quickly, but not too quickly so it’s still easy to spread without smearing and when you use it on your shoes, the formula is flexible enough you still keep your mobility in the toes and arches for climbing hills and maintaining a natural gait. Our selection of the best boot dryers offers more great shoe products so check it out.
8. Beacon Quick Grip

Versatile application
Water and weatherproof
Flexible
Paintable when dry
Fast drying
Ideal for a variety of projects inside and out, the Beacon Quick Grip is fast acting for spectacular results for many shoes and other projects. It’s both water and weatherproof to keep you shoes together in all conditions, and its flexibility means it’s great for shoes you use for your workout, adventures or job.
The fast-drying action ensures minimal mess and less clamping than you might get with other glues, and this also doesn’t cause the applied glue to shrink, although you might have a bit of foaming to deal with. It’s thick, which gives you better adhesive properties, and it also dries hard to prevent issues further down the line.
9. Barge All-Purpose TF Cement

Neoprene base
Waterproof
Flexible bond
Suitable for many materials
Clear drying
The Barge All-Purpose TF Cement boasts a flexible bond good-as-new results and is also waterproof to withstand everything the seasons can throw at you no matter where you are in the world. While suitable for most materials, it is excellent for repairing lightweight shoes like running trainers, especially around the toe caps to prevent them slipping.
The clear drying formula also ensures your shoes look just like they did when you first bought them. It is a classic product that cobblers from around the world will recognize as their go-to back in the day, which not only speaks for its quality but also its perseverance and reliability, too.
10. Gear Aid Aquaseal FD

Multipurpose fabric and vinyl repair
Permanent adhesive
Abrasion resistant
Flexible
Watertight seal
Our final pick for the day is also our choice for the best value shoe repair glue. The Gear Aid Aquaseal FD is multipurpose and does much more than simply bonding your soles to your shoes. If you’ve got any holes in your work boots or find a toe cap feeling a little loose, this can repair it in minutes, and gives you a watertight seal to ensure your feet stay dry.
The permanent adhesive does exactly what you expect it to do: last forever (almost forever, anyway), while the abrasion-resistant style prevents wear. It’s easy to use and quick to dry, but remember to store it in the freezer until the next time you use it to keep the glue as fresh as you need it until next time.
Glue For Shoes Buying Guide & FAQ
How We Chose Our Selection Of The Best Glue For Shoes
We didn’t want to get into any sticky situations when selecting the best shoe glue, so we relied on our tried and tested method for picking the best products around.
Brand - Quality shoe glue demands excellent brands. Some of these brands are old, some are new, but they all ensure fantastic standards to guarantee your shoes (and whatever else) can be fixed properly.
Price - Sometimes you’ve got to pay a little more for top quality, but other times, you don’t need to spend a lot on just glue. We selected a range of prices so no matter what size tube you need, you can find an affordable option.
Reviews - Reviews helped us to determine which glue is the quickest drying, the most effective, and the longest lasting. Without these reviews, we risk suggesting products that are useful at first but aren’t in a month’s time.
Features To Look For In Glue For Shoes
Before you decide which of the best glue for shoes is the best for you, check out these key features to consider so you’re sure you make the right decision.
Flexible - A flexible glue ensures you can still walk with a natural gait. Without this flexibility, you risk cracking the sole and damaging the shoe even more.
Waterproof - Shoe glue is more effective if it’s waterproof, and if you live in a wet part of the world, you need to trust the glue will remain bonded even in the most torrential downpours.
Durable - Long-lasting super glue will save you more money over time, so think about the durability in a variety of environments from hot to cold as well as different activities. The more durable your glue, the fewer repairs you’ll need to complete.
Shoe Type - A different shoe type may demand a different shoe sole glue. If possible, look for the glue that’s tailored for your shoes, whether they are running shoes or work boots. A specially designed formula will provide benefits that generic shoe glue may not always offer.
Damage - Typically, the shoe damage will be on the sole around your heel or toe, but the best shoe glue can do much more than just repair this, and you may need it to reseal lining or even fix small holes in the toe, especially with work or hiking boots.
Glue For Shoes FAQ
Q: What glue do cobblers use?
A: There’s no definite glue cobblers use, although previously they were fond of Barge All-Purpose. However, as more brands emerged, cobblers found a glue that works for them. While there is no special cobbler glue, they always look for a bond that’s strong and flexible.
Q: How do you fix the sole of a shoe?
A: If you’re reattaching a loose sole, follow these steps to ensure an easy, straightforward, and long-lasting fix.
- Clean the sole and the shoe using water and alcohol
- Spread shoe glue around the inside of the sole where it is flapping
- Press the shoe and sole together to bond
- Secure the shoe with bands, string, or a weight
- Leave it overnight and sand off leftover glue the next day
- If it hasn’t stuck as you wanted, reapply and repeat the process.
Q: What kind of glue is used to make shoes?
A: The glue isn’t always the same, but if you want to make shoes, look for a shoe glue which is robust, reliable, and above all flexible, as you want the wearer to maintain a natural stride when wearing them while also not needing to come back to you to repair the sole every week.
Sources:
- 3 Ways To Repair A Shoe Sole - WikiHow