Nut and Bolt Studded Shoes

Intro: Nut and Bolt Studded Shoes

Here's a fresher (and MUCH MUCH cheaper) alternative to studs or spikes: Nuts and bolts.

With some nuts and bolts and a leather punch tool, you are good to go!

P.S. For this instructable, I spray painted the nuts and bolt gold.

STEP 1: The Shoe

I guess you can 'stud' anything with the nuts and bolts, but I really needed kickass shoes, so I decided to zhuzh up my pair of brown leather shoes. This pair has a foldover flap detail, which makes it perfect for adornment. Plus there will be no concern with the screw heads being in direct contact with my feet. Doubt that's gonna be comfy.

STEP 2: Measure and Mark

Measure out and mark the points where you want the studs, then punch out the holes accordingly.

Here, I cut a piece of canopy repair tape (or any thick-ish flexible material) to the size of the flap on the shoe to use as a template.

STEP 3: Start Screwing

Once the holes are punched, start screwing!

STEP 4: Mix and Match

After I was done with all the hex nuts, I thought the pattern needed more visual interest, so I added in square nuts.

Fierce shoes ready to kick ass! (Oh, I did spray paint the soles gold as well, just to tie everything in.)

So there you have it! Nuts and bolts instead of studs and spikes. Spray paint them with whatever finish you prefer, stud them on anything you want. Have fun!

Comments

[MimArt]

Love the idea, for bolts that are on the inside of a shoe, use the dome shaped bolts, or some of the almost disappearing type of screws used for picture hanging. To smooth out the inside more, lightly glue a piece of light colored felt or very thin vinyl/leather over the heads (dark colors will stain your feet/socks after wearing). When faced with a LOT of punching through leather, esp in tight spaces in a shoe, put a scrap piece of lumber inside or behind the shoe if it's lying on your work surface and use an electric drill - much faster and won't dull out like a punch will. It will also save your hands, but only if you can use an electric drill! For non-leather shoes, you can always use the good old heated ice pick or awl (heat on gas stove or over candle) to push through, then ream out the hole a bit back and forth to get rid of the lip that forms. Use a drill bit just a tad smaller than your bolts so you don't have the problem of them sagging esp if a lot of weight is added. I like that you painted over the red - it does tie it ll together. Great idea!

[frankiefigs]

What kind of nuts and bolts did you use and the square ones?

[mdr7]

This is so clever! But I wonder - do nuts and bolts make the shoes heavier?
Either way I wanna try this.

[kinderdm]

I wonder if i could modify this idea to make my own golf spikes. I have trouble finding any shoes in my size let alone something specialty without paying well over $100. Might be hard on my feet though without enough padding.

[scoochmaroo]

Love love love love this! More!!

[Penolopy Bulnick]

I've never seen knuts and bolts used to decorate clothes or shoes before! Great idea; it has a great look :)