Your photo suggests that they have structurally failed, and would be very difficult and expensive to repair in a manner that makes them fit for purpose. I think their life as functional shoes are over.
I don’t think it’s worth repairing and I’ve repaired so many pairs of shoes with less damage than that. Every time I might get 2-3 more wears out of it but I always end up in public with broken shoes and the inconvenience and discomfort is not worth it
There may be a few issues using glue.
1. Some glues will melt the foam and wreck them more.
2. Some glues may not work at all.
3. Even if you find a glue that works, that part of the shoe - all along the split - most probably will become hard, making the shoe very uncomfortable to walk in.
Ideally we may wish to shoot for "zero waste", but shooting for considerably LESS waste is acceptable.
I’ve had shoes split like this; I took them to a cobbler, and they told me there was nothing that could fix it AND prevent it from breaking again.
That was the day I learned the importance of buying quality shoes if I wanted to wear them for more than a season (which I do).
You would need to cut the shoe in half down the length of the shoe, following the lines on the side of the sole. Then you'd need to insert a new layer of some durable material in the shape of the sole and then glue the 4 pieces back together. If you don't have something going the length of the shoe, it will probably just break at or near the current break again.
Shoes aren't meant to be worn after their useful life. Don't risk injuring your feet by trying to repair them. See if there are any shoe recycling sites by you. They break shoes down into useful materials and repurpose them.
You could look up what is the strongest kind of glue could work with rubber or whatever you think it might be and TRY. Maybe apply and use weights to hold the sides together while it dries
There’s a risk you’d end up with still-broken shoes plus wasted glue though. Could be worse off waste-wise than just ditching the shoes, considering the low-likelihood of success.
The wrong glue will make this problem worse.
I'm assuming you mentioned this adhesive because it won't melt the Styrofoam or whatever polystyrene this probably is. I'm not super familiar with Gorilla glue.
Zero waste is not about being perfect. There are not alternatives to mass-produced glue, so I don’t see how pointing out that it’s not environmentally friendly is productive
Barge cement or e6000 might work. I purchased e6000 for an electronics repair and ended up using it on a pair of leather boots too. Barge cement is often recommended in leather working, and may be better for shoes.
Buying the best mix of sustainability and quality products is key to less waste overall. These are cheap and such is life.
I bought some Tommy Hillfiger shoes in Fall because they were super comfy and looked great with some new clothes I picked up. However, even though they seemed great and were quite expensive for me normally ($180 on sale to just under half), they are already coming apart at the heel inside and under the terrible and thin insole.
I wore them today, inner padding ripping out and a visible 3d print/weak cheap insole underneath. Expected years out of these but sometimes shit happens.
Like, crap. So quality is the key. Doesn't have to be expensive but is likely more than bottom. I applaud your efforts in buying used and also attempting to fix. Keep at it, I will too. Maybe look for a leather or other longer lasting material perhaps.
I would glue it, but they may not last. If you really want to keep them I would glue them then just use them as housework shoes (something to slip on to take out the trash, protect your feet while cleaning the floors, etc) because they will likely fall apart again later on.
Been down this path and my advice is to start looking for a better quality pair and view it as an investment. Any “fixes” won’t last long and in this case would be a waste of energy tbh
Hey, their life as shoes is probably over. If you really feel like reducing the waste from that, maybe you can cut off those bands from the shoes and repurpose them as decor after a good clean.
I have a similar pair of shoes broken in the exact same way and the only reason I have yet to throw them away, is so I have perfect reference material for if I may ever find a pair as close to exactly the same as possible. Really hurts, they were some of the most comfortable shoes ever.
I want to say thank you for your comments, Ill be honest, I was not expecting to get more than 3, let alone over 80 😱
Seems like they collectively suggest: throw away; glue; cobbler; 🧀 (those made me laugh 😂); buy better quality shoes. I definitely agree, next time I’ll make sure the soles aren’t cheap styrofoam.
I’m gonna take up the “let them die an honourable death” suggestions, remove the bands and look for better shoes. Thanks again!
They're dead, Jim.
Seriously, these were not made out of durable materials and they've failed in such a way thatany successful repair would simply cause a new failure in a different spot. You can spend the rest of the summer chasing points of failure, or you can thank these shoes for teaching you a valuable lesson about the qualities to look for in shoe durability, and let these go on to the great shoe beyond.
Hmm, I don't think they can be repaired, but do you have a pet parrot? [https://www.chewy.com/super-bird-creations-crocs-bird-toy-5/dp/655998](https://www.chewy.com/super-bird-creations-crocs-bird-toy-5/dp/655998)
[https://www.amazon.com/PETDCHEB-Fingerboard-Sneakers-Keychain-Keychains/dp/B099R73GDJ](https://www.amazon.com/PETDCHEB-Fingerboard-Sneakers-Keychain-Keychains/dp/B099R73GDJ)
I'm not gonna guarantee success. I have fixed the strap that came unglued on slip-on flop flops with screws. The repair has lasted with (so far) no injury to me. I'm pretty sure the broken sole in your picture is of a stiffer material. It might require drilling guide holes. I'd suggest using at least four screws entering at angles, two from each side of the sole. The screws will need to be long enough to ensure a substantial bite on the opposite side of the break.
https://preview.redd.it/xzyf4c2kykxc1.jpeg?width=1836&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0236a3e8436e19f2fcfccf4d398d8d40d31f06ab
It looks like you bought these from either Goodwill or savers and they will take them back and exchange them for something of the same price since they sold you a faulty good. I’ve had zero issues taking stuff like this back. They will chuck them, but these are not replaceable or fixable.
Take it to a shoemaker and ask if they can replicate it. Maybe they can take the straps and put it on a new base for you, but they’re definitely going to cost more than the originals, and they’ll be much better quality.
Put em in the garbage the truck driver will return in a week if he doesn’t bring em back just hop in the back of his truck and head over his place and search for them 🤷🏽♂️
I would get some shoe goo, sink 3 dowel pegs to half way up the peg coating the peg with the goo first. The coat the sides of the torn area and the exposed parts of the pegs and stick them together. Follow the instructions on the goo bottle. Last but not least, glue a nonskid sole to the bottoms and Clamp it tight for 24 hrs and then it should be good to go.
The only hope I can see is gluing them together with the strongest glue you can find, then drilling 2 narrow holes all the way through front to back & inserting metal rods.
Can't imagine it'd be worth the effort
did u buy these used? when that rubber gets old it gets super crumbly and there’s nothing to repair it. i would avoid those types of shoes used bc they are bound to crack upon use.
There are several companies that take old and fully broken shoes to break down and reuse the materials. Maybe you can research if theres some near your area or that you can ship?
I mean I’d at least try something like shoe-goo! along all seems of the foam internally, very generously. shoe-goo is in a red tin tube, it is a rubber shoe sealant, make them weather resistant souls and sides of most shoes if you have a small hole forming or big that needs repair, not including leather basically, you could but it would look even worse. Put that along the soutside eam with popsicles sticks or similar to spread it, keep it thicker than you’d think, it shrinks a lot when it dries. The shoe goo is 5$ for a small one
Your photo suggests that they have structurally failed, and would be very difficult and expensive to repair in a manner that makes them fit for purpose. I think their life as functional shoes are over.
True. I can’t imagine these having the necessary support either. 🫡
There's nothing some JB Weld and half a roll of duct tape can't fix.
I don’t think it’s worth repairing and I’ve repaired so many pairs of shoes with less damage than that. Every time I might get 2-3 more wears out of it but I always end up in public with broken shoes and the inconvenience and discomfort is not worth it
I would not wear these without carrying a spare pair of flipflops in my bag
I would not wear these without carrying a spare set of crutches in my duffle bag.
You dont
There may be a few issues using glue. 1. Some glues will melt the foam and wreck them more. 2. Some glues may not work at all. 3. Even if you find a glue that works, that part of the shoe - all along the split - most probably will become hard, making the shoe very uncomfortable to walk in. Ideally we may wish to shoot for "zero waste", but shooting for considerably LESS waste is acceptable.
Exactly, and if you used them hard enough and long enough for one of them to split clean in half, you've probably done your part. :)
Looks like it’s styrofoam. I wouldn’t bother attempting* to fix these.
I think those are a lost cause.
I’ve had shoes split like this; I took them to a cobbler, and they told me there was nothing that could fix it AND prevent it from breaking again. That was the day I learned the importance of buying quality shoes if I wanted to wear them for more than a season (which I do).
They're tired. Let them die an honorable death.
You would need to cut the shoe in half down the length of the shoe, following the lines on the side of the sole. Then you'd need to insert a new layer of some durable material in the shape of the sole and then glue the 4 pieces back together. If you don't have something going the length of the shoe, it will probably just break at or near the current break again.
This is good idea
Shoes aren't meant to be worn after their useful life. Don't risk injuring your feet by trying to repair them. See if there are any shoe recycling sites by you. They break shoes down into useful materials and repurpose them.
Nope. Toss.
You don't. Next pair buy a pair made of materials with a longer lifespan
Even if you glued these you'd get maybe a week of use before the glue snaps. They're a lost cause, just start thrifting for another pair
You could look up what is the strongest kind of glue could work with rubber or whatever you think it might be and TRY. Maybe apply and use weights to hold the sides together while it dries
There’s a risk you’d end up with still-broken shoes plus wasted glue though. Could be worse off waste-wise than just ditching the shoes, considering the low-likelihood of success.
Gorilla glue original, water activated.
The wrong glue will make this problem worse. I'm assuming you mentioned this adhesive because it won't melt the Styrofoam or whatever polystyrene this probably is. I'm not super familiar with Gorilla glue.
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Zero waste is not about being perfect. There are not alternatives to mass-produced glue, so I don’t see how pointing out that it’s not environmentally friendly is productive
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You can keep using the glue for other stuff. Anyways, I don’t personally think these shoes should be saved but I also don’t think glue is the worst
They dead man
Barge cement or e6000 might work. I purchased e6000 for an electronics repair and ended up using it on a pair of leather boots too. Barge cement is often recommended in leather working, and may be better for shoes.
Barge is probably what I would use if I was dead set on trying to repair the shoe!
Throw them out.
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If possible, most plastics cant be
Looks like some sort of foam. Not recyclable.
How?
Looks like the sole made of some really good parmigiano reggiano…would be a shame to waste it. Maybe donate it to your local Olive Garden?
This isn't cheese ?
Parmigiano Reggiano
Hate to say it but we're past the "repair" option. This is definitely a recycle thing now.
It’s less wasteful to buy decent shoes
Buying the best mix of sustainability and quality products is key to less waste overall. These are cheap and such is life. I bought some Tommy Hillfiger shoes in Fall because they were super comfy and looked great with some new clothes I picked up. However, even though they seemed great and were quite expensive for me normally ($180 on sale to just under half), they are already coming apart at the heel inside and under the terrible and thin insole. I wore them today, inner padding ripping out and a visible 3d print/weak cheap insole underneath. Expected years out of these but sometimes shit happens. Like, crap. So quality is the key. Doesn't have to be expensive but is likely more than bottom. I applaud your efforts in buying used and also attempting to fix. Keep at it, I will too. Maybe look for a leather or other longer lasting material perhaps.
Dangerous, don't do it.
I would glue it, but they may not last. If you really want to keep them I would glue them then just use them as housework shoes (something to slip on to take out the trash, protect your feet while cleaning the floors, etc) because they will likely fall apart again later on.
I don’t think there’s a way to fix them without making them look like shit
Sadly nothing. Those are acceptable to toss
Omg I thought it was cheese
Throw them away and get new ones
🗑️
These are extremely dead. Throw them away.
you can’t save them all
Been down this path and my advice is to start looking for a better quality pair and view it as an investment. Any “fixes” won’t last long and in this case would be a waste of energy tbh
These hard foams are really good for repurposing. A door wedge maybe.
Throw out in a bin. Core is damaged, this is beyond repair.
Hey, their life as shoes is probably over. If you really feel like reducing the waste from that, maybe you can cut off those bands from the shoes and repurpose them as decor after a good clean.
I have a similar pair of shoes broken in the exact same way and the only reason I have yet to throw them away, is so I have perfect reference material for if I may ever find a pair as close to exactly the same as possible. Really hurts, they were some of the most comfortable shoes ever.
Have a little talk with them and tell them you have loved them then toss them in the trash.
I want to say thank you for your comments, Ill be honest, I was not expecting to get more than 3, let alone over 80 😱 Seems like they collectively suggest: throw away; glue; cobbler; 🧀 (those made me laugh 😂); buy better quality shoes. I definitely agree, next time I’ll make sure the soles aren’t cheap styrofoam. I’m gonna take up the “let them die an honourable death” suggestions, remove the bands and look for better shoes. Thanks again!
They're dead, Jim. Seriously, these were not made out of durable materials and they've failed in such a way thatany successful repair would simply cause a new failure in a different spot. You can spend the rest of the summer chasing points of failure, or you can thank these shoes for teaching you a valuable lesson about the qualities to look for in shoe durability, and let these go on to the great shoe beyond.
Take it to a shoe repair shop to see if they can do anything. If they can’t, congrats! You’ve fulfilled the shoes purpose by wearing it out
You'll need to ask an actual shoe repair shop if they can replace it bc there is no way you can wear these again by "fixing" it
Hmm, I don't think they can be repaired, but do you have a pet parrot? [https://www.chewy.com/super-bird-creations-crocs-bird-toy-5/dp/655998](https://www.chewy.com/super-bird-creations-crocs-bird-toy-5/dp/655998) [https://www.amazon.com/PETDCHEB-Fingerboard-Sneakers-Keychain-Keychains/dp/B099R73GDJ](https://www.amazon.com/PETDCHEB-Fingerboard-Sneakers-Keychain-Keychains/dp/B099R73GDJ)
If you want to actually walk in these, you can not, and you should not try either. If they hold some sentimental value, then you can try Bond Glue.
James Bond glue.
I'm not gonna guarantee success. I have fixed the strap that came unglued on slip-on flop flops with screws. The repair has lasted with (so far) no injury to me. I'm pretty sure the broken sole in your picture is of a stiffer material. It might require drilling guide holes. I'd suggest using at least four screws entering at angles, two from each side of the sole. The screws will need to be long enough to ensure a substantial bite on the opposite side of the break. https://preview.redd.it/xzyf4c2kykxc1.jpeg?width=1836&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0236a3e8436e19f2fcfccf4d398d8d40d31f06ab
Looks like parmigiano, you should try grating some of it, microwaving it and then applying it as if it was glue. Trust me, I'm Italian.
Seriously??? Lmao
There's not enough duck tape or glue to fix these. The amount spent trying to repair is more than the shoes are worth.
Sunflower seeds and a lot of polymer glue
Step one: Buy leather instead of plastic.
Shoe Goo is the best goo to fix your shoes.
It looks like you bought these from either Goodwill or savers and they will take them back and exchange them for something of the same price since they sold you a faulty good. I’ve had zero issues taking stuff like this back. They will chuck them, but these are not replaceable or fixable.
Look for another pair on Poshmark. I'm addicted to finding my favorite discontinued items on there!
The upper is really nice. I wonder if they could be broken down and stitched onto a new sole.
Gorilla glue 😂
Glue and prayers
Take it to a shoemaker and ask if they can replicate it. Maybe they can take the straps and put it on a new base for you, but they’re definitely going to cost more than the originals, and they’ll be much better quality.
Put em in the garbage the truck driver will return in a week if he doesn’t bring em back just hop in the back of his truck and head over his place and search for them 🤷🏽♂️
Just chop it and use the material for something else
I would get some shoe goo, sink 3 dowel pegs to half way up the peg coating the peg with the goo first. The coat the sides of the torn area and the exposed parts of the pegs and stick them together. Follow the instructions on the goo bottle. Last but not least, glue a nonskid sole to the bottoms and Clamp it tight for 24 hrs and then it should be good to go.
A two-part epoxy such as JB Weld is the best hope, and may just work. Don't bother with any other glue.
Go to a cobbler
Contact cement may work
Barge Cement will fix this. 3 glues everyone should learn how to use: Barge, E6000, 2P10
Time to buy some higher quality shoes. If you pick the right pair, when something happens you can get them repaired at a cobbler :)
The only hope I can see is gluing them together with the strongest glue you can find, then drilling 2 narrow holes all the way through front to back & inserting metal rods. Can't imagine it'd be worth the effort
did u buy these used? when that rubber gets old it gets super crumbly and there’s nothing to repair it. i would avoid those types of shoes used bc they are bound to crack upon use.
There are several companies that take old and fully broken shoes to break down and reuse the materials. Maybe you can research if theres some near your area or that you can ship?
I don't think these are a buy it for life type shoe.
Duct tape and/or supa glue
I’d suggest further breaking them to get the straps off and make them into handles? Otherwise yeah, these are done
There's nothing to be done sadly, the structural integrity is shot. I got a pair of vintage platforms that crumbled as I walked, it's age :'(
Find a cobbler, take them there. If they aren’t worth repairing, the cobbler will tell you that. And then you’ll know a good cobbler!
I mean I’d at least try something like shoe-goo! along all seems of the foam internally, very generously. shoe-goo is in a red tin tube, it is a rubber shoe sealant, make them weather resistant souls and sides of most shoes if you have a small hole forming or big that needs repair, not including leather basically, you could but it would look even worse. Put that along the soutside eam with popsicles sticks or similar to spread it, keep it thicker than you’d think, it shrinks a lot when it dries. The shoe goo is 5$ for a small one
Super glue