How to repair your boots using sugru

Good boots just get better and better the more you use them and it's devastating when they start to fall apart, so it's great to find a way to keep them in service...

Sugru is great for fixing boots because:

- it bonds to most materials (including fabric and leather)
- is flexible when cured
- is waterproof

A perfect match for the great outdoors.

TIP 1: sugru is not suitable to repair your soles, we recommend that you use sugru for the uppers only.

TIP 2: sugru bonds to most but not all materials, we have seen people repair loads of different types of boots it is worth remembering that it might not bond to yours.

Step 1 Cracks and leaks to repair

Here are some parts of these amazing boots that we repaired before they got any worse

Comments

[Tinker L]

My favorite boots are self destructing. The soles still have lots of wear left, but they've come loose from the boot in the front. I left them in my hot car for a few days and that apparently did in the glue. I tried some glue that professionals use, but I'm not one, and it didn't do the job. Will sugru work for them, or do you have any other suggestions? You did ask for more challenges 8-}
I love the colorful repairs!
Thanks

[bethelcobbler]

Unfortunately, your car's heat activated the cement- which is why it's never a good idea to dry cemented shoes in a dryer. In some cases, by heating both the sole and upper surfaces, you might be able to reattach the sole (provided you do not have the glues from repair attempts covering over the original cements).

Using a heat gun that generates heat about 500 degrees, blowing the two surfaces for a few minutes might (again- might) make the cement tacky. If it does, you will need to press the sole to the uppers until it cools in a minute or two. pressing the shoe against a cushion will help to envelope the sole to press it securely against the uppers.

Neoprene cement, which you likely obtained doesn't work with a lot of synthetics like urethanes, vinyls and thermoplastic rubbers. It's designed for leather and friendlier synthetics. Probably that is why yours soles did not attach.

Although there are variety cements for a shoe repairman to use that would be effective- your best bet might be to use cyanoacrylate, or super glue along with an activator that forces it to dry instantly. You will find that it does take experience and caution to restore your soles. You might have to glue it in increments, not everything in one shot.

[projectsugru]

sounds like it's totally worth a try, hard to say without seeing them though. sugru is heat stable to 180ºC (356ºF) so you could leave them in your car no probs :)
Cheers for the challenge and the positive feedback

[Nelyan]

Looks like I too need some sugru in my life. All of my good shoes have ripped from the edge of the sole from the ball of the foot becoming un-waterproof.

[Æ]

Never heard of SUGRU until now. I've always used "Shoe GOO" to repair boots and shoes with great success.

[capops]

There are a few home made alternatives to Sugru listed right here in Instructables...

[srinivt]

Thanks for making this. I have a different problem with my shoe - one of the lace buckles is broken (see image). Any ideas on how to fix this?

Thank again!

[bethelcobbler]

You might check out http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/FlipBook/hardware%20catalog%20p210/index.html?pageNumber=24 it is on page 40, the L-1223 Speed Lace, black. If you are able to somehow obtain one (Ohio Travel Bag's minimum order is $30- impractical for one tiny item) , use a pair of long nose pliers in between the "dee ring". As you pull the handles apart from each other, the dee ring joint will open up so that you can transfer it to your existing loop that is riveted on your boot. Just use caution while opening the ring, since going too far will distort the shape of the dee ring. With the aid of a pair of pliers, you can squeeze the ring back in place.

[dmoloch]

easy take a plug from your sink take the metal ring of the sink plug and then open up the triangle metal bit and replace it EASY and cost nearly nothing your friendly DEVIL

[projectsugru]

oooh, I like that idea, wish I though of it, very clever

[joeofloath]

This happened to me, I sent the boots back to the manufacturer and they repaired them for me. Unfortunately the repair let water in, but sugru can fix that :D

[projectsugru]

oooh, now that is a challenge !!!! These things take a lot of force and sugru would tear under the force. The only real solution is to switch it out, you can get these online, just google "boot eyelet" and you should find some or maybe even in a reapir shop might have them. Just rivet it in place...

You could still use sugru to make the repair waterproof again...
Hope this helps

[srinivt]

Thanks! I really appreciate your help.

[projectsugru]

cool, my pleasure, more challenges please :)

[olmon]

Something to think about - - I use the same basic method to repair air mattress leaks, but I found almost immediately that the repair needs something to reinforce it. ( I Use urethane gasket material in a tube from the Auto parts store.) Place some of the patching material on the surface & spread it for a short distance around the hole. Cut a piece of cloth that will fit slightly inside that area. Press the cloth into the repair material, then spread just enough more material to 'bury' the cloth. Let sit for 12+ hrs to cure before blowing up to use.

[MrFixItGuy]

I can't seem to find the Sugru web site. Any suggestions?

[projectsugru]

Hi, we launched a new site today, you might have tried when it was down. It's up and working great now - www.sugru.com :)

[Peale]

I've only heard of sugru recently; where do I get it?

[gia]

Peale, you can get sugru from sugru.com or e.g. from Thinkgeek or some museums. Sugru.com is located in UK but the shipping worldwide is cheap as it's very light.
I've used sugru to fix a lot of plates and pots that had chips in them, and even a rusting hole on my bathtub. It works great for all sorts of repairs.

[Peale]

Excellent! Thanks for the info.

Next question: what IS a suitable material for the soles? I have a great pair of boots that could benefit from both material and sole repair.

[will427]

I am a tennis player who has a bad ankle and as such wear out my shoes on the corner of the heel. I was buying new shoes every two weeks. A previous college player told me that his team cut up tennis balls and glued them to the sole. I tried and it works and the ball on the sole willl last surprizingly well.
I though that maybe tire rubber would be better and settled on bicycle tire. I went to my local bike shop and they gave me an old worn out tire. It is thin enough to easily cut with shears and it glues well with Shoe Goo. Give it a try.

[jlewis5]

Look for a product called 'Shoe Goo'. Any shoe repair place should have it or something like it and most shoe stores should as well.

It's a fairly versatile material in itself and has a lot of uses.

[gia]

I'd love to find something for the soles fix too. I walk too many shoes out. :)

[will427]

GIA, See my comment above about tennis balls and / or bicycle tire rubber with shoe goo.

[DieCastoms]

In the final bits of Step 3, if you do not want such a shiny patch (You did say you were going for discrete), there are two things I can think of.

1. Have a scrap of leather of ANY size around. Once you have finished forming the patch where you need it and smoothed it out well, press the scrap of leather into the sugru firmly and evenly but not hard enough to displace any of it, and then peel it back off. This will leave a leather texture in the surface of the sugru and hopefully make it a little less conspicuous. This method will give the texture but might leave the sugru still a little more shiny than the rest of the boot.

2. Find some yarn that is the same color as your boot and with a SHARP pair of scissors, cut fibers from the end of the yard reducing it to the dustiest texture you can manage without cutting yourself. When your patch is done, dust the yarn fibers over the sugru and press them in JUST enough so they will stick and so you don't leave bumps or dents from your fingers. You may be able to find "flocking" materials if you have a large craft store in your area and not have to shred the yarn yourself. This method should take the shine out of the sugru but may not last as long as the other method, if the fibers are worn off.

Maybe the best solution would be a combination of both methods.

Hope this tip helps.

DC.

[airsoft master 25]

what is sugru??????????

[projectsugru]

check out our website :)

[ElusiveGreen]

Must repair boots now before the holes get bigger...

[projectsugru]

yay :)

[tonyscott]

could you please tell me where to buy this product? last year I discarted a par of boots still good just becouse thery were a bit unglued on the soles. thanks.

[projectsugru]

Hi tonyscott, sounds like you could definitely do with some sugru in your life. You can buy it online, at www.sugru.com/buy , enjoy!

[crankyboy]

Sugru is great!Just don't try it on the bottom outsole of the shoe if you are going to use them on rough pavement.I tried myself and it didn't last long(couple of days) :( .Other than that and this thing is a modern miracle!

[marycolletta]

So this product, Sugru, is only available on line or do the have it at any retail stores like home depot or bass pro shops or such?

[duggerpato]

Have you taken them out and about yet? I tried to fix a crack in my boots with shoe goop one time, and it says it's flexible etc. But the first time I put them on it all separated and reopened again. I'm wondering if sugru can take the punishment.

[canida]

This is excellent and timely! I have some boots in need of care, and was at a total loss - you've solved several problems for me at once. Not sure why I didn't immediately think of Sugru.

Thanks, guys!