To reglue a loose shoe sole, wipe both surfaces with Deglazer, brush Angelus Clear Shoe Cement on the sole and the shoe, let it turn tacky, press them together, and clamp them for 24 hours. A sole that's peeling at the toe or heel can usually be fixed at home in about 15 minutes of work.
Angelus has been making shoe repair supplies in Los Angeles since 1907, and cobblers and sneaker restorers use this same cement. If your sole is worn through or cracked in half, that's a cobbler job. For worn, faded, or cracked leather on the shoe itself, see how to restore leather shoes.
Start here: what's wrong with the sole?
Quick answer: regluing a shoe sole
- Clean out old glue and dirt from both surfaces.
- Wipe both surfaces with Deglazer.
- Brush a thin coat of Clear Shoe Cement on both sides.
- Wait until it turns tacky, then press firmly together.
- Clamp or wrap the shoe and let it cure 24 hours.
The product behind this guide
Angelus Clear Shoe Cement
A clear, flexible cement for reattaching soles, closing edge gaps, and sole swaps. It dries clear and bends with the shoe, so the repair doesn't crack when you walk.
4.5 stars from 240+ reviews · From $9.95
Shop Clear Shoe CementShop this guide
Prep
Leather Preparer & Deglazer
Strips old glue residue and factory finish so cement grabs. 4.8 stars from 1,000+ reviews.
ShopReal reviews from Angelus customers
4.5 stars from 240+ reviews of Angelus Clear Shoe Cement
★★★★★
"I had already tried regular contact cement, but it did not hold. The Angelus product is holding up very well. I will use it on my boots next."
Steve B. · Verified buyer · Clear Shoe Cement
★★★★★
"My shoes are bonded better than ever. I will have to buy more because I’m running out"
DeAndre S. · Verified buyer · Clear Shoe Cement
★★★★★
"The perfect glue for my shoe restoration and fixing soles - an excellent product!"
John K. · Verified buyer · Clear Shoe Cement
How to reglue a shoe sole, step by step
Clean out the gap
Peel the loose section back as far as it already lifts, without pulling it further. Scrape out old flaking glue, then clean both surfaces with Easy Cleaner and let them dry. New cement won't hold to dirt or old glue.
Wipe both surfaces with Deglazer
Wipe the bottom of the shoe and the inside of the sole with Angelus Leather Preparer & Deglazer on a cloth. It removes residue and the factory finish so the cement has something to grab. Get into the corners with a small brush.
Brush cement on both sides
Brush a thin, even coat of Angelus Clear Shoe Cement on the shoe and on the inside of the sole. Both sides need cement for a strong bond. Keep it inside the bonding area so it doesn't squeeze out onto the upper.
Customer tip
"If you follow directions it seems to work perfectly!" (Rebecca P., verified buyer, Clear Shoe Cement)
Let it turn tacky, then press
Wait until the cement feels tacky to the touch rather than wet. Then line the sole up carefully and press it firmly into place, working from the center out so no air gets trapped. Once the two coated surfaces touch, they grab fast, so get the position right before you press.
Clamp it for 24 hours
Hold the sole tight while the cement cures. Clamps work best, and masking tape wrapped firmly around the shoe works too. Leave it for 24 hours before you wear the shoes, and wipe off any cement that squeezed out while it's still soft.
If there's only a thin gap at the edge
For a small gap along the edge, work a little cement into it with a fine brush, press the edge closed, and tape it for 24 hours. There's no need to pull the sole further apart.
You can stop here
If the sole is holding after 24 hours, you're done. To clean the rest of the shoe, see our sneaker cleaning guide. Yellowed soles get their own fix in how to restore yellowed soles.
When to use something else
| If you have | What we'd do |
|---|---|
| A sole that's worn through or split in half | Take it to a cobbler. Cement can't rebuild missing rubber. |
| A crumbling midsole on an old pair | Foam that crumbles when you press it won't hold glue. A cobbler can do a sole swap. |
| Yellowed soles | Use Sole Bright. See how to restore yellowed soles. |
| Cracks in the leather upper | Use Paintable Repair Filler. See how to restore leather shoes. |
Mistakes that make a sole come loose again
- Super glue. It dries rigid and cracks the first time the shoe bends. Clear Shoe Cement stays flexible.
- Gluing over dirt or old glue. The new cement bonds to the residue, not the shoe. Clean and deglaze first.
- Cement on one side only. It never forms a full bond. Coat both surfaces.
- Pressing while the cement is still wet. It slides and won't grab. Wait until it's tacky.
- Wearing the shoes before 24 hours. The bond isn't fully cured, and walking peels it back open.
Related guides: Restore leather shoes · Restore yellowed soles · Clean sneakers · Shoe cleaning guide
Regluing shoe soles FAQ
How do you reglue a shoe sole at home?
Clean and deglaze both surfaces, brush Angelus Clear Shoe Cement on both sides, let it turn tacky, press the sole on firmly, and clamp it for 24 hours.
What is the best glue for shoe soles?
We'd use Angelus Clear Shoe Cement. It dries clear and flexible, so it bends with the shoe instead of cracking. Customers rate it 4.5 stars from 240+ reviews.
Can I use super glue on shoe soles?
We don't recommend it. Super glue dries rigid and cracks when the shoe flexes, so the sole comes loose again.
How long does shoe cement take to dry?
Clamp the shoe and give it 24 hours before you wear it.
Does shoe cement work on leather and rubber?
Yes. Clear Shoe Cement bonds rubber soles to leather and most other upper materials. Clean and deglaze both surfaces first for the strongest bond.
When should I take my shoes to a cobbler?
When the sole is worn through, split in half, or the midsole foam is crumbling. Glue can't replace missing material.
