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The Top 5 Best Ways to Repair Skate Shoes
Friday, September 4, 2020
By Kevin Reilly
Worn and ripped skate shoes are as old as skating itself. But for many of us, we either can’t afford new shoes as often as we wear through them, or it makes you feel guilty to trash them so soon! In this week’s blog, we are going to look at some popular methods for extending the life of your skate shoes, and also one new method that we think you should try.
Option #1: Duct Tape. This is an absolute-last-resort kind of fix because it looks terrible. However, it will keep you rolling if you are desperate. This one doesn’t really require a tutorial. Just stick it where you have holes.
Option #2: Trick Tape. Someone did a pretty good job on this product, in that it is made specifically for the purpose of patching your skate shoes. Here is a great review of the product. The good thing is, it is not messy to apply it, and it remains flexible. A pretty good option!
Option #3: Hot Glue. This is an improvised DIY style of fixing skate shoes that is relatively inexpensive. Ideally, you want to catch the shoes when they are worn, but before the hole goes all the way through the shoe. You can fix holes in the rubber, canvas, or suede areas of the shoes. It is a, let’s say “semi-toxic” option. If overheated, hot glue can become toxic and give off toxic fumes. It also doesn’t look so great on the shoes, but it is better than duct tape for sure. Here is a how-to video on fixing skate shoes with hot glue.
Option #4: Tear Mender. Not many people know about this option, but it is a really solid option. Tear Mender is only for the fabric or leather parts of your shoe, it is non-toxic (you are actually supposed to apply it with your finger), it bonds in 3 minutes, and when it dries it stays completely flexible! So, you can take any cloth or suede (kind of like the Trick Tape option), and adhere it to the worn area of your shoe. The best part is, because it is flexible and you are attacking fabric or suede, it will feel exactly like normal skate shoes, without that slippery feeling you get with other methods.
Here’s a picture of a pair of skate shoes we reinforced with some extra fabric we had lying around and Tear Mender. After 3 minutes, the bond is permanent and flexible.
Option #5: Shoe Goo. Who doesn’t know about this method? One of the problems, like mentioned above, is the ‘slippery’ feeling you get on the board after you use it, and the fact that it is super toxic, so you need to apply it outdoors. However, it is a viable option because the stuff is so tough, and it can repair any part of your shoes. Here is a tutorial for repairing your shoes with Shoe Goo.
Have you fixed a pair of skate shoes with Tear Mender? We’d love to hear from you (and see pictures)! Email kreilly@lhbindustries.com for a chance to win free product.
Worn and ripped skate shoes are as old as skating itself. But for many of us, we either can’t afford new shoes as often as we wear through them, or it makes you feel guilty to trash them so soon! In this week’s blog, we are going to look at some popular methods for extending the life of your skate shoes, and also one new method that we think you should try.
Option #1: Duct Tape. This is an absolute-last-resort kind of fix because it looks terrible. However, it will keep you rolling if you are desperate. This one doesn’t really require a tutorial. Just stick it where you have holes.
Option #2: Trick Tape. Someone did a pretty good job on this product, in that it is made specifically for the purpose of patching your skate shoes. Here is a great review of the product. The good thing is, it is not messy to apply it, and it remains flexible. A pretty good option!
Option #3: Hot Glue. This is an improvised DIY style of fixing skate shoes that is relatively inexpensive. Ideally, you want to catch the shoes when they are worn, but before the hole goes all the way through the shoe. You can fix holes in the rubber, canvas, or suede areas of the shoes. It is a, let’s say “semi-toxic” option. If overheated, hot glue can become toxic and give off toxic fumes. It also doesn’t look so great on the shoes, but it is better than duct tape for sure. Here is a how-to video on fixing skate shoes with hot glue.
Option #4: Tear Mender. Not many people know about this option, but it is a really solid option. Tear Mender is only for the fabric or leather parts of your shoe, it is non-toxic (you are actually supposed to apply it with your finger), it bonds in 3 minutes, and when it dries it stays completely flexible! So, you can take any cloth or suede (kind of like the Trick Tape option), and adhere it to the worn area of your shoe. The best part is, because it is flexible and you are attacking fabric or suede, it will feel exactly like normal skate shoes, without that slippery feeling you get with other methods.
Here’s a picture of a pair of skate shoes we reinforced with some extra fabric we had lying around and Tear Mender. After 3 minutes, the bond is permanent and flexible.
Option #5: Shoe Goo. Who doesn’t know about this method? One of the problems, like mentioned above, is the ‘slippery’ feeling you get on the board after you use it, and the fact that it is super toxic, so you need to apply it outdoors. However, it is a viable option because the stuff is so tough, and it can repair any part of your shoes. Here is a tutorial for repairing your shoes with Shoe Goo.Have you fixed a pair of skate shoes with Tear Mender? We’d love to hear from you (and see pictures)! Email kreilly@lhbindustries.com for a chance to win free product.