How To Fix Boot Heel With Simple Steps

boot - how to fix boot heel

If you own boots, then you must know how to fix boot heel This is because when you walk, the part that gets maximum damage is your shoe heels as they get continuously rubbed on hard surfaces on the road, which causes scratches, holes in the heel, and eventually, the heels break off on their own.

If you don’t fix them at the right time, you may lose them forever. So, repair them immediately whenever you see any problem with them.

Another reason why boot heels get damaged is it holds or withstands most of the bodyweight while walking and that makes them vulnerable. 

Are you curious to learn some quick hacks on how to fix boot heel? Then you are at the right place. Here, in this article, I will let out some quick ways of repairing your damaged boot heels. So stay with me for a bit. 

HOW TO FIX BOOT HEEL?

Fixing your boot heels is easy. All you need to do is keep repairing tools handy. I want you to make a boot heels repair kit for yourself so that every time you break your heels, you don’t have to go to a cobbler to fix it. Here are some simple ways by which you can fix your boots and prevent boot heel slippage. 

1. By replacing sole  

replace sole - how to fix boot heel

Replacing boot soles can be either hard or easy, depending on the type of equipment you have. Thus, keep the right equipment or tool at home to make the process easier.

There are many reasons why you should replace your sole, but the most important one is slippage.

Over time your sole automatically produces grease underneath the sole fabric due to sweat, water, etc., which makes you feel uncomfortable and unstable while walking.

If you feel you are slipping more often, the reason could be your old sole, try fixing it.

Steps to replace solely:

  • Pull the old sole from the base with the help of pliers.
  • Remove the old glue remains with the help of acetone or nail polish remover.
  • Scrub the boot bottom with hard sandpaper.
  • Do the same process for the new soles as well while making sure the surfaces are clean and have zero dust particles.
  • Now, spread glue to both surfaces carefully with the help of a brush. Do not use your hands for this, use only a soft brush.
  • Leave the glue to air dry for some time. Once the glue is completely dried, place the new sole for replacing shoes.
  • Keep the sole pressed firmly over the boot base. Sometimes, both the surfaces might not stick even after pressing. In that case, you can apply some heat to it using a hairdryer, or you could place your boots in direct sun to help the glue activate and stick perfectly.
  • Use elastic bands to secure the edges firm and tight.
  • Let the boot sit untouched for the next 24 hours.
  • If extra rubber is left out around the edges, you can cut them with the cutting tools.

2. Repairing the sole

Boot heels repair is not a tricky process if you know how to do it easily. Follow the steps below;

how to fix boot heel by replacing the sole For Worn-out sole

  • If the sole has loosened up from the edges, then pull out the worn-out sole.
  • Hold the shoe gently and, using a plier pull up the edges of the sole.
  • You can also use heat if the glue is very tough and won’t come out.
  • Clean the old glue using acetone. Rub it until all the glue is removed.
  • Using sandpaper, scrub the surface very well.
  • Apply fresh glue on the cleaned sole.
  • Place the new sole on top of the glue and press firmly.
  • Once dried, you can use them.

How to fix worn down heels For Filling holes:

  • Clean the area around the hole with isopropyl alcohol and water mixture.
  • Let it dry for some time.
  • Scrub the spot with 120-grit sandpaper until it roughness the texture on the sole.
  • Apply duct tape above the shoe hole from the inside.
  • Now, fill the hole using shoe adhesive. It’s okay if it overflows, you make sure the hole is filled.
  • Let it air try again for some hours.
  • Then using thin sandpaper, sand down any dried adhesive remains.

Pro tip: Elastic bands could be uncomfortable around the ankle after a certain period. So, make sure you wear very thick socks so that the band does not interfere with your blood circulation. 

3. Replacing the damaged area

damage area - how to fix boot heel

Your boot heels could get damaged easily due to cracks, holes, rips, tears, etc., and such damage can ruin your favorite pair of boots that you wear for work or workouts.

Thus, fix them immediately whenever you detect any damage. 

how to fix boot heel - replacing damaged area

  • Squeak the damaged area firmly.
  • Using isopropyl alcohol cleans the cracked-up area.
  • Apply any good shoe adhesive over the crack or any other damage
  • Fill in the glue in every nook.
  • Once dried, let the shoes sit for 8-12 hours while keeping constant pressure with anything heavy.
  • Try them out, if it still doesn’t make any difference repeat the process.

4. Smoothen your shoe surface using an ice cube

This method is great for soothing and smoothing the repaired shoe. If you have any crack or hole on a specific area, you can use this easy way.

  • Clean the damaged area with water.
  • Remove any leftover particle from the area using a plucker.
  • Fill in the damage using adhesive, then let it dry for a bit.
  • Use an ice cube and rub over the surface of the applied adhesive. The ice will smoothen the area without sticking to it.
  • Let the shoe dry for the next 24 hours.
  • After drying, dust out extra glue from the surface using sandpaper.

5. Smoothen your shoe surface with sandpaper

shoe surface with sandpaper - how to fix boot heel

Sandpaper prevents heel slip in boots because it creates friction between the surface and the outer sole of the boot. Thus, sandpaper works best for making shoes slip-resistant.

  • If the surface of your boot is too greasy and it is making you slip, try rubbing sandpaper over it.
  • Take 120-grit sandpaper.
  • Rub the damaged area or where you find the surface more slippery.
  • Once rubbed, wear the boot and check for the difference.
  • If the results are satisfactory, stop it right there and dust off excess sandpaper particles.
  • If not, repeat the process one more time.
Tip: I recommend using 120 grit sandpaper grade because you need to smoothen the surface and also remove grease from the boot surface. While other grade sandpapers (50-60 grit) are much coarser in texture that can damage premium boot fabric.

6. Use anti-slip rubber heels and soles

anti-slip rubber - how to fix boot heel

If you are experiencing more slips in your current boots. Is it time to change it? No! You don’t need to change your nice pair of boots. Instead, you can change what’s causing the problem, i.e., soles and heels. 

how to fix boot heel using anti-slip rubber heels

  • Buy an anti-slip heel peel or a rubber sole.
  • Remove your old sole using the pliers.
  • Clean the area nicely with water and let it dry for 7-8 hours.
  • Peel the new sole and place it correctly on the surface.
  • This method does not require glue or adhesive because the nonslip sole pads come with sticky ends.
  • Put a firm pressure on the surface to see if the sole has completely stuck to the bottom.
  • These new anti-slip pads will give a tough grip irrespective of the conditions.

CAN A COBBLER FIX MY BROKEN BOOT HEELS?

cobbler fix

Yes. If the heel is broken but still is in one piece, the cobbler can reattach it. But if heels are broken into smaller pieces, you need to get a new heel unit and fix it. If you can fix it on your own, that’s great.


However, broken heels could be emergencies in most cases, and fixing them instantly on your own could be troublesome.


So, it’s best to visit a nearby cobbler. You can ask the cobbler for boot heel replacements or simply ask them to fix it somehow. They know their jobs, so they will fix it perfectly with higher precision.

CAUSES OF HEEL SLIPPAGE

You all know that boot heel slip is a very common occurrence. But, do you know what causes it? Several things need to be taken care of so you can prevent heel slippage every time you walk.

  • The shoes you’re wearing are too long than your usual size.
  • The surface of the floor is very smooth.
  • Heels are not slip-resistant.
  • The lacing is not tight.
  • You are not wearing them correctly.
  • Grease buildup on the heel surface.
  • Your arches are two high.

HOW TO FIX HEEL SLIPPAGE IN BOOTS

Now that you know the causes or problems, you can fix them easily. There are certain hacks you can do to prevent frequent heel slips. 

  • Wear nonslip socks.
  • Replace an anti-slip sole pad.
  • Use high-quality shoelaces.
  • Tie the shoelaces tightly
  • Replace boot heels with a new one
  • Wear the perfect size.
  • Frequently rub the shoe bottom with sandpaper.

CONCLUSION

There are different methods to fix your boot heels, but the ones listed are most effective and easy. You can either do them at home, or you can visit a cobbler as well. I hope I helped you understand relevant terms, such as what is heel slippage? How to prevent slippage? Methods to fixing and replacing the boot sole, etc. You can also see videos online to understand each step better.

Leave a Comment

Related Posts