Best products to mend shoes: Tools, glue and more

Ever looked down to find your shoes talking to you? No, not in a fever dream but as a result of wearing your kicks to death.

While we may have been taught how to sew in childhood, learning to fix shoes is a rarer skill.

It's one thing hand stitching a torn seam or tightening a loose coat button but a whole other kettle of fish when it comes to figuring out how to mend shoes so loved the toes are flapping.

According to Western Riverside Waste Authority, which looks after waste from the London boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth and Wandsworth, more than 300 million pairs of shoes are discarded every year, winding up in landfill sites.

To stem the tide, the body encourages recycling spent shoes where possible. But before you do, take a second look at those shoes you think have walked their last steps. Small to medium issues - cracked leather, snapped heels, worn soles - can be fixed at home with the right tools.

There is a world of specialist glues, finishes and sole replacements that can revive tired soles, making them look brand new and ready for new adventures.

Of course, bigger issues on much-loved shoes should be taken to a cobbler or specialist for examination.

Christian Louboutin suggests a Parisian cobbler to repair its signature red-soled collection on its website, but if you can't make it across the Channel, there are plenty of London-based experts who are only too happy to help. Fees range from £20 to £110, but compared to the cost of such shoes in the first place, many consider it a small price to pay.

Meanwhile, Church's offers a refurbishment service for Goodyear welted styles at its Northampton factory. And famed department store Selfridges offers a range of repair services from clothing and tech to bags and shoes. Sneakers ER are the in-house trainer experts ready to bring your beloved trainers back from the brink.

So you see, there are many more avenues to save your solemate than consigning them to the bin. If you’re prepared to have a go yourself, there are plenty of how-to guides and videos to seek out online. Below, we’ve collated a kit list of useful glues, paints and finishes to help achieve a professional, seamless fix.

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Shoe Goo Adhesive Glue Clear

One of the strongest shoe adhesives on the market, this version of super-sticky Shoe Goo is clear, meaning you can use it on light-coloured kicks. Once applied and cured, the glue forms a waterproof bond that is still flexible.

Buy now £13.98, Amazon

Techniqll Shoe Adhesive

With more than 4000 glowing reviews, this small 20ml tube of glue is a must for any shoe repair collection. It works on wood, leather and fabric as well as plastic and rubber, so offers more practical uses around the house.

It takes 12 hours to fully cure, after which you'll be left with a strong, flexible bond that's weather and impact-resistant. Perfect for restoring tired walking boots.

Buy now £4.84, Amazon

flintronic 8 Pairs Microfiber Heel Repair

It's not just the outside of shoes that show wear; the internal parts can really go through the wringer too. Mend worn inner heels with these self-adhesive patches designed to perfectly cover awkward curves.

This selection comes in black and white but there are more colours available online at Amazon.

Buy now £4.39, Amazon

Vibram Repair Sole Unit VIBRAM(1149) BLACK for Boots/Shoes

Felt every last stick and stone on your last hike? All soles need some TLC now and again but if yours are on their deathbed, it's time to call in the big guns. This sole is offered in a variety of sizes and can be used to reinforce the bottom of worn shoes.

Buy now £24.99, Amazon

Furniture Clinic Leather Repair Filler

It may be billed for furniture, but if you're dealing with ripped, torn, scuffed or holes in your favourite leather shoes, this paste will act as a resurrector. Apply several thin layers over the flaw before finishing with a thin layer of leather-specific paint. If you need to, you can gently sand down the filler so it's flush with the rest of the shoe.

Buy now £7.55, Amazon

Nayrmaer Ceramic Glue

If you’re looking for one glue to use across the house, Nayrmaer is an incredibly versatile choice - it will work on porcelain, ceramic, glass, leather, plastic, metal and rubber. The high-strength, industrial-grade formula comes in a 30g tube with a precision tip for careful glueing and daubing in hard-to-reach areas.

Buy now £7.99, Amazon

Sugru by tesa - Mouldable Multi-Purpose Glue for Creative Fixing and Making, Black & White, 8-Pack

If you’ve found yourself stuck to superglue in the past and would like to avoid another mishap (and embarrassing trip to medical services), Sugru could be the option you never knew you needed. This ‘glue’ arrives in non-toxic putty form, fusing wood, glass, metal, rubber and ceramic pieces without mess or possibility of overspill. It works outdoors and once set, can hold up to 2kg, making it incredibly resilient to boot. 

There are so many uses for this adult Play-Doh aside from bonding: it can be used to create seals around leaky taps, add grip holds to zips and even be used to make decorative labels on glass storage jars in the kitchen and bathroom. 

Oh, and it offers electrical insulation up to 24v so it can be used to repair fraying charger cords too. Magic.

Find it in an array of colours: black, white, grey, green, brown, red, yellow, blue, pink and orange.

Buy now £12.41, Amazon

Saphir Beaute Du Cuir Pate De Luxe High Gloss Shoe Polish (Black)

Only the best for your brogues? This premium polish from French brand Saphir is lauded by those in the know, deepening colour and improving texture with every layer.

The texture is easy to work with thanks to the inclusion of beeswax, bringing them up to a dazzling shine and making them waterproof along the way.

Buy now £8.50, Amazon

Kiwi Shoe Express Shine Sponge Black 7ml

Can’t be bothered with faffing around with tins and shining cloths? Welcome to the express lane. Kiwi’s fast-action formula is applied with an integrated sponge, allowing you to cast the inky black formula across shoes in record time. 

Best used on shoes showing minor signs of wear and tear, you’ll get a quick shine in next to no time as long as you stick to leather. It will ruin suede, nubuck or other types of fabric shoes.

Buy now £5.64, Amazon

Dr Martens polish cream in black

Docs may look better when they’re a little duffed up but if yours are on the verge of obliteration, it’s time to do some damage control. Enter Dr Martens' polish cream specifically designed to revive, nourish and protect knackered shoes.

No need to ruin tea towels; this cream comes with a sponge nozzle applicator to apply the polish just where you need it, meaning less chance of spills, smudges and waste.

Buy now £5.00, ASOS

Huberd’s Shoe Grease

Specifically designed for high-use leather, this American grease is made with beeswax and pine tar to restore essential oils lost in daily wear and tear.

It’s quite a big tin so will last ages, and can be used on cracked sofas, worn bags, belts and jackets as well as shoes - provided they are all made of leather, of course. It’s also a good treatment to run over new purchases as it can help move along the painful ‘breaking in’ period.

Buy now £17.99, Amazon

Nikwax Fabric and Leather Proof Spray-On

The excitement of stepping into a fresh pair of shoes quickly deflates the moment you step out onto a London street. Even if it’s fair weather out, shoes will immediately show some signs of wear.

Keep them looking fresh from the sole up with Nikwax’s finishing spray, which adds water repellency to leather or synthetic footwear. It can also be used on Gore-Tex and other accessories like gloves. The water-based solution is odourless and keeps items feeling breathable, all while working its waterproofability magic.

Buy now £8.95, Amazon

The Lab Co. Liquiproof Shoe Protector Spray

Get that box fresh feeling every time you wear your boots thanks to The Lab Co. The company is behind this all-natural protective spray which shields your favourite footwear and clothing from rain, stains and spills by creating an invisible, water-repellent barrier that can last anywhere between three months and three years.

It will work silently, leaving the look and feel of your shoes unchanged. Spray your insurance policy on everything from suede, nubuck, mesh, canvas and other textiles.

Buy now £15.00, Amazon

adidas Sport Protector Waterproof Spray

While some trainers look good with a bit of gentle wear, there is a line. Stay well away from it with adidas' waterproof spray, which can be applied to protect leather, suede, nubuck, canvas and more. Using nano-technology to form a waterproof shield over your footwear, two coats offer the best defence. Just wait 10 minutes between coats to ensure they're properly dry.

Buy now £6.18, Amazon