Shoes Glue

Water-Based Glue

These glue for shoes are eco-friendly options that have seen a surge in popularity in recent years, given their minimal environmental footprint. They boast attributes such as low toxicity, easy cleanup, low odor, and resistance to yellowing over time. However, they come with longer drying times and might not be as enduring as solvent-based adhesives for certain shoe applications. Numerous brands are diving into producing water-based shoes glue, making it imperative for users to research and find the one tailored to their requirements.

Here are some well-known brands:

1.Barge All-Purpose TF Cement Rubber, Leather, Wood, Glass, Metal Glue 2 oz 

2.Soudal Pro 30D 

3.Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue (While this is a wood glue, water-based Titebond adhesives are often used in various craft applications including some shoemaking scenarios)

Neoprene glue

A shoes glue designed from polychloroprene, commonly recognized as neoprene rubber. It offers a resilient bond that is adept at withstanding both heat and chemicals and is also waterproof. To ensure an optimum bond, surfaces to be adhered need prior light scratching. As a contact adhesive, it requires a dual-application technique. After the initial layer's application, it's important to let it dry fully before administering the second coat. As in all of my shoemaking classes where we use this type of adhesive, this is how you have to work in order to get the right results. Also, this adhesive may also be used to activate the celastic material-based inner reinforcements of shoes.

This shoe glue is the most commonly used adhesive when crafting the upper and lining of leather shoes like my students do in T-strpap Pumps Shoes Course, Dr Martens Boots Course, Wedge Cork Sandals Course, Boots Making bundle, Beginners Program and all other shoemaking courses online.

Here are some well-known brands:

1.Barge All-Purpose Cement 

2.DAP Weldwood Original Contact Cement 

3.3M Neoprene High-Performance Contact Adhesive 1357

Super Glue

This glue also can be used as a glue for shoes and is revered for its rapid bonding action, ideal for minute, specific areas of shoes. Additionally, you may use this adhesive to create a thin layer of protection over the vegetable-tanned leather surface of the customized shoe last and in this article "Shoemaking Techniques: Shoe last" you can learn more about this proces in bespoke shoe making.

However, its brittle nature makes it less suitable for flexible shoe sections.

Polyurethane glue

A shoes glue known for its adaptability, polyurethane adhesive can bond an array of materials, ranging from leather to rubber and even some plastics. Its hallmark is the robust yet flexible bond post-curing, ideal for shoe sections necessitating movement. This adhesive stands up to impacts and weather variations, rendering it perfect for outdoor footwear like we used it in Sneakers making course for polyurethane vans shoe soles. However, longer curing times and potential UV sensitivity are aspects to note.

We use this shoe glue when crafting Vans sneakers to bond the rubber soles

Here are some well-known brands:

1.Gorilla Original Gorilla Glue 

2.Loctite PL Premium Polyurethane Construction Adhesive 

3.Elmer's ProBond Advanced

 PVA

Often termed as "white glue" in its rudimentary form, PVA is a water-based shoes glue. Industrial variants provide varied bonding strengths and drying periods. Apart from being non-toxic and user-friendly, PVA offers a bond that retains flexibility post-drying, aligning well with shoemaking requirements.

1.Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Glue 

2.Titebond II Premium Wood Glue 

3.Evo-Stik Resin W

Flour Paste

Flour paste, although less prevalent in today's industrialized shoemaking, still holds significance, especially in artisanal and handcrafted practices. It's primarily utilized to affix leather stiffeners. One of its advantages is that beginners can easily make it at home. I provide a recipe for the flour paste we use to attach leather stiffeners in my Loafers Shoes Course, as well as in my Bespoke Derby Handsewn Opanka Shoe Course.

A mixture typically made from wheat flour and water, cooked until it forms a thick, sticky paste. It's non-toxic, easy to make, and inexpensive. Flour paste can be made thicker or thinner depending on the need. In the Loafers course, we use this flour paste to adhere leather stiffeners. It's also reversible; by introducing moisture, items glued with flour paste can be separated, making it beneficial for temporary bonds or where adjustments might be needed. It's not waterproof and can be susceptible to mold if used in humid conditions or not allowed to dry thoroughly. The bond is also not as strong or durable as modern synthetic adhesives but known for binding leather stiffeners effectively, this glue for shoes is both beginner-friendly and homemade.

Note: When selecting an adhesive, it's essential to read the product label to ensure it's suitable for your specific application in shoemaking. Also, as with any material or adhesive, it's crucial to test the product on a small scale before full-scale production to ensure it meets specific needs and performs as expected. It's also important to consider ventilation and safety measures, especially when applying heat and working with chemicals. If you want to learn more about entire process of making shoes, you are welcome to read this article: "How to make shoes".

Online stores for some shoemaking stores

Here is some online store where you can purchase various adhesives for shoe making:

https://www.algeos.com/materials/adhesives-and-bonding

https://shoetechnik.com/components/glue