Can You Use Gorilla Glue For Shoe Soles? Explained
Even if we take great care of our shoes, they’ll get worn out over time. Soles might come off, seams might open up, and they might start looking old. But before you think of throwing away your worn-out shoes, remember there’s a way to fix this issue. With the right adhesive, they can be as good as new. So, which glue should you pick? In this article, we’ll talk about that. So, let’s start!
Can You Use Gorilla Glue For Shoe Soles? Yes, Gorilla glue can be used to fix various shoe materials such as leather, fabric, rubber, and synthetic materials. It’s cheaper than most shoe repair solutions and works on almost all materials. There might be stronger glues to patch shoe soles, but Gorilla Glue is a handy quick fix.
Everyone who’s done a lot of running or hiking knows shoes wear out over time. Worn shoes can be a badge of honor, showing the miles traveled. However, there’s a point when shoes begin to fall apart. Gorilla Glue is just one option to give your favorite sneakers a second life.
While some glues work much better compared to others, Gorilla glue is the best one that you can use for shoe soles. I’ve found success with Gorilla Glue, but sometimes, a silicone-based adhesive like Shoe GOO works better. In this article, I’ll discuss when to use this Gorilla Glue and when other options might be more suitable.
Table of Contents
Gorilla Glue Excels in Repairing Shoe Soles
When our shoes start falling apart, throwing them away is tempting. But that’s not the point! Most times, you can fix them up by using a simple item that you can easily find in a store. A bit of the right glue can fix your old shoes.
Since shoes are always moving and bending, you need strong and flexible glue. One of the solutions is Gorilla Glue! Made of flexible polyurethane, it’s designed to move with your shoe. This bond would break quickly if it couldn’t flex with the shoe.
While most common glues might not be suitable for shoe repairs as they’re meant for fixed repairs, Gorilla Glue is a different type of glue. Standard adhesives, like Super Glue, often have an epoxy or contact cement bond, which is excellent for rigid surfaces but not so much for something that moves, like shoes.
For shoe fixes, Gorilla Glue is an affordable and straightforward solution. Just ensure you pick the Clear Waterproof Adhesive version. It’s designed especially for flexible repairs, making it perfect for shoes.
Related Article: Are Military Boots Good For Backpacking?
Once you apply it, Gorilla Glue becomes transparent and begins to set in just half a minute, although it reaches its full strength in 24 hours. But wait, that’s not all! It’s almost foolproof, sticking to nearly everything except plastic. Here’s why you might consider Gorilla Glue for mending shoes:
6 Reasons Why to Use Gorilla Glue For Shoe Soles:
| Features: | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Flexibility: | The bond it forms is elastic, moving in sync with your shoe. |
| 2. Transparency: | Once applied, it’s clear, ensuring no unsightly residue is visible. |
| 3. Quick Action: | It starts setting in as quickly as 30 seconds and completely hardens in under a day. |
| 4. Toughness: | Among the strongest glues out there. |
| 5. Versatility: | It can stick to nearly every material, barring plastic. |
| 6. Resilience: | It’s both waterproof and resistant to varying temperatures, from intense cold to heat. |
Types Of Gorilla Glue When It Comes To Shoe Repairs
While many Gorilla Glue types have a base polyurethane composition, their formulas vary slightly. For shoe repairs, pick the Gorilla Grip Waterproof Adhesive. The standard variety might give a strong bond, but it dries with a yellowish, flaky appearance which isn’t aesthetically pleasing on footwear.
While Gorilla Glue works wonders for shoe repairs, Shoe Goo might have a slight edge. Its silicone composition offers impressive flexibility, potentially lasting longer than normal Gorilla Glue. Retail giants like Walmart and sell it for only $2 more than Gorilla glue costs.
If you want the best possible option, then consider Shoe-Fix Glue. Although it is a little more expensive, it’s the choice of many professional shoe repairers.
Note! It’s about 5 times as potent as Gorilla Glue and sets in under 10 seconds. That means mistakes are hard to correct, so precision during application is key.
7 Reasons Why To Use Gorilla Glue For Shoe Soles
1. Quick Bonding With a 24-hour
Gorilla Glue begins to dry and bond in just 30 seconds, which simplifies the shoe repair process as there’s no need to press them together constantly. However, remember that other glue types need a full day to set entirely.
We recommend waiting a full day before wearing the shoes; otherwise, the bond might not hold, leading to a messy situation. If that happens, you’ll have to remove the excess glue before reapplying.
2. Gorilla Glue Forms A Strong Connection
Each step you take causes your shoes to flex and bend, so ordinary glues might not withstand this frequent movement. What’s needed is an adhesive that can move alongside your shoes, forming a flexible bond. That’s where Gorilla Glue comes into place.
Composed of flexible polyurethane, it’s best for shoe repairs. The great thing about this glue is that it dry quickly and transparently, making the fixes hardly noticeable, but it also contains a foaming agent so you can fill any gaps on uneven shoe surfaces. This ensures a robust bond
Note! The foam might harden around some parts of the shoe’s cushioning, causing those sections to feel a bit rigid.
3. You Can Easily Apply Gorilla Glue
Many shoe repair adhesives are at two opposite ends of the spectrum. On one side, you have silicone-based products like Shoe Goo, which can be gooey and challenging to manage. On the other, there’s the ultra-strong, quick-setting glues such as Shoe-Fix Glue, where precision is vital, and you can’t make a mistake when applying that glue.
Gorilla Glue strikes a balance between these. It’s very easy to use and offers a robust bond without being too overpowering. Plus, it allows for minor corrections, unlike some specialized shoe repair adhesives.
4. Opt for Transparent Gorilla Glue For Clean Fixes
No matter how precise you are, glue tends to seep out a bit. When using Gorilla Glue, it’s important to know that the commonly found version in stores dries with a yellowish, flaky appearance. While this might work well when joining a wooden product, it’s not the best choice when you try to fix shoes.
Opt for a Gorilla Glue model that dries transparently. This ensures that even if a bit leaks out, it remains invisible along the shoe seams. Plus, this version doesn’t foam up, promising a neat finish. If there’s any leftover residue, you can always gently scrape it off for a cleaner edge.
Related Article: Is Hiking In Crocs A Thing?
5. Stands Up to Weather and Temperature Extremes
Gorilla Glue offers a good resilience that is not commonly found in other adhesives. Whether facing scorching heat, freezing cold, relentless rain, or snow, it remains steadfast. Many other glues tend to become fragile in low temperatures and liquefy under intense heat.
For instance, I once had shoes with Vibram Soles that suffered in my car’s trunk. The intense heat caused the adhesive within the soles to melt, compromising the integrity of the shoes. Shortly after, the soles detached completely over a couple of months.
6. Remarkably Robust for Long-Lasting Fixes
Gorilla Glue stands out as one of the most potent adhesives available today. While there might be even stronger glues out there, they lack the flexibility that Gorilla Glue offers. Such glues might excel at keeping static items together, but they are not good when subjected to any twisting.
Gorilla Glue, on the other hand, is resilient against life’s usual wear and tear. Once it sets, separating the bonded parts becomes quite a challenge. Expect it to offer a near-permanent solution for your shoe repairs that’s likely to endure for years.
7. Adheres to Nearly All Surfaces
Gorilla Glue boasts an impressive ability to adhere to a vast array of materials. Whether it’s rubber, fabric, leather, paper, wood, glass, or even most plastics, this adhesive will fix your shoe problems. It’s versatile enough to mend almost any shoe, regardless of its composition.
However, it falls short when it comes to certain plastics like polystyrene and polyethylene. A workaround? Slightly roughen the plastic surface to provide the glue some texture to grip onto.
You can also watch this interesting video about Gorilla Glue to see how it works:
Gorilla Glue Compared to Other Adhesives
While Gorilla Glue is a popular choice for repairing shoes, there are also other alternatives in the market. One perk of Gorilla Glue is its easy availability at an affordable price of around $4-$5. In this section, we’ll talk about other adhesives that you can also use for your shoes.
Here are some alternative adhesives ranked in order of effectiveness:
- Shoe Goo Repair Adhesive: Shoe Goo boasts a silicone base that offers flexibility, aligning with the shoe’s movement. While it outperforms Gorilla Glue in terms of durability, its thick consistency can be tricky to handle. For a smoother application, consider diluting it with mineral spirits.
- Shoe-Fix Shoe Glue: A premium and highly flexible adhesive, Shoe-Fix is the choice for many professional shoe repairers. Although it’s the toughest shoe glue, mastering its application can be a bit challenging.
- Loctite Super Glue (Quick Fix): More of a band-aid solution, Loctite Super Glue can offer a short-lived repair, possibly holding up for a few months given its lack of flexibility.
Related Article: Are Duck Boots Good for Hiking?
Opt for Shoe Goo When Available
While I’ve consistently used Gorilla Glue for shoe repairs, another good product is Shoe Goo. You can typically get it from stores like Walmart or Target, and it’s also accessible online.
Shoe Goo boasts a silicone composition, setting it apart in terms of flexibility compared to Gorilla Glue. It’s essentially pure clear silicone, slightly diluted with mineral spirits, ensuring that it moves seamlessly with your footwear, offering a near-original repair quality.
While Gorilla Glue also stands the test of durability, it leaves a marginally stiffer feel upon shoe application. It’s a minor nuance but one worth noting.
Final Thoughts
Gorilla Glue is a viable solution for shoe sole repairs due to its strong adhesive properties and flexibility. While it is durable and can bond to various materials, it might feel slightly stiffer upon application than other adhesives.
Alternative products like Shoe Goo provide a more flexible finish, ideal for footwear. Nevertheless, for a quick, accessible, and robust fix, Gorilla Glue remains a good choice. I hope that this article has helped you, and if you have any questions, feel free to comment below.
