Introduction: 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.
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
Step 2: Colour Matching
Sugru comes in a number of colours (orange, blue, green, black and white) but you can also mix the colours to create a specific shade. This is super useful when you want to fix your favourite boots in the most discreet way possible.
With every multipack of sugru comes a mega helpful little booklet called '7 steps to becoming a sugru guru' and is filled with loads of awesome sugru tips. If you go to step 6 then there is a guide to help you mix your sugru colours.
Start by matching the closest colour on our chart to the colour of your boot.
I decided to go for 90% orange and 10% green. Take the percentage amounts of the minipacks and mix them together in your fingers until the colour is solid throughout.
You may need to add some smaller amounts of extra colours to achieve your specific shade. With this hack I had to add a bit more green and a little bit of black. When adding more colour do it in small amounts and constantly keep checking the colour against your boot. It is easier to keep adding small amounts until it is right than going too far and having to make up for it.
TOP TIP: When mixing sugru colours your fingers can become very sticky. Use dry tissue paper to clean excess sugru off your fingertips.
When mixing colours you may have a bit of sugru going spare, see steps 3 and 4 on tips of how to best make use of these bits.
With every multipack of sugru comes a mega helpful little booklet called '7 steps to becoming a sugru guru' and is filled with loads of awesome sugru tips. If you go to step 6 then there is a guide to help you mix your sugru colours.
Start by matching the closest colour on our chart to the colour of your boot.
I decided to go for 90% orange and 10% green. Take the percentage amounts of the minipacks and mix them together in your fingers until the colour is solid throughout.
You may need to add some smaller amounts of extra colours to achieve your specific shade. With this hack I had to add a bit more green and a little bit of black. When adding more colour do it in small amounts and constantly keep checking the colour against your boot. It is easier to keep adding small amounts until it is right than going too far and having to make up for it.
TOP TIP: When mixing sugru colours your fingers can become very sticky. Use dry tissue paper to clean excess sugru off your fingertips.
When mixing colours you may have a bit of sugru going spare, see steps 3 and 4 on tips of how to best make use of these bits.
Step 3: Applying Sugru to Your Boot
Once you have your colour ready it is time to apply the sugru to the damaged areas.
To begin with, if there is a large flap of fabric that is loose it could be a good idea to use a small piece of sugru to help hold the flap down.
When applying sugru to your boot work in smaller amounts, it is far more manageable.
Press and rub the sugru into the fabric of the boot. Start by creating a tin layer with a good bond and work on thickening it later.
If dealing with a piece of ripped or torn fabric it is best to work the sugru into the fabric either side of the tear first and then to bridge the gap with more sugru to really ensure that the join is secure.
If the sugru becomes hard handle while applying to the fabric it may be because you have too much sugru on your fingers. Again use dry tissue paper to remove excess sugru from your fingertips. Do this regularly to keep a clean hack.
If you are still having trouble then try using the back of your fingernail to spread the sugru, it seems to stick less.
Once your sugru is down smooth the hack by gently rubbing it with your fingertips.
Leave to cure for 24 hours before taking out and about.
To begin with, if there is a large flap of fabric that is loose it could be a good idea to use a small piece of sugru to help hold the flap down.
When applying sugru to your boot work in smaller amounts, it is far more manageable.
Press and rub the sugru into the fabric of the boot. Start by creating a tin layer with a good bond and work on thickening it later.
If dealing with a piece of ripped or torn fabric it is best to work the sugru into the fabric either side of the tear first and then to bridge the gap with more sugru to really ensure that the join is secure.
If the sugru becomes hard handle while applying to the fabric it may be because you have too much sugru on your fingers. Again use dry tissue paper to remove excess sugru from your fingertips. Do this regularly to keep a clean hack.
If you are still having trouble then try using the back of your fingernail to spread the sugru, it seems to stick less.
Once your sugru is down smooth the hack by gently rubbing it with your fingertips.
Leave to cure for 24 hours before taking out and about.
Step 4: Fixing Frayed Laces
A common problem that comes with boots is the fraying of the lace ends. Small but annoying. Step in sugru. With those spare bits of sugru left over from the colour matching you could bolster up your laces and save yourself a lot of hassle.
Just roll a small piece of sugru around each lace end and leave to cure overnight.
TOP TIP: When leaving the laces to cure make sure that they are not touching any other part of the boot, you don't want them to bond together.
Just roll a small piece of sugru around each lace end and leave to cure overnight.
TOP TIP: When leaving the laces to cure make sure that they are not touching any other part of the boot, you don't want them to bond together.