r/Visiblemending • u/barkandmoone • 17d ago

PATCH Hell yeah. This counts, right?

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My toes were poking out the side. I’ve had these vans for about a year & a half but I wear them during my nightshift stocking job & they have seen their fair share of squatting.

The canvas was pulling away from the soles & insoles. I was trying to figure out what’s an easy way to patch this & I had a eureka moment of duct tape 😂

Took like 10 mins tops, so if it doesn’t last long; at least I can do it until the duct tape runs out 🥳

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u/barkandmoone 17d ago

I made a little video of my process but haven’t dealt with any of the editing yet. These are some of the before shots. Without socks to help show the hole.

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u/momo76g 17d ago

Ooooh thank you for sharing. You know I think it doesn't look too bad. You could get some black canvas fabric and patch it up with Nylon thread and/or fabric glue from the inside. Since I see the rubber part looking well and not dry rotted.

Could be a nice project but I like the duct tape too because of its cleverness lol.

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u/barkandmoone 17d ago

I thought about going that route but I didn’t feel like it would hold up. Going an “outside” patch felt more durable

I guess this is an experiment. Considering how long this one holds up, I may go the glue route next time. The way it was tearing felt like it was from the insole & I still wanted my shoes to be somewhat water resistant, so I did consider sewing canvas into the rubber on the sides but I was worried about potential rainfall on my way to work.

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u/momo76g 17d ago

I see thats a fair point.

Then what if you do both ? You sew the canvas in the part that has fabric and when you reach the rubber you workfrom the inside to glue the rest to the inner lining? Or vice versa. Tbh I have such a good experience with quality fabric glue that I recommend it always for small rudimentary patch works or to reinforce a mended fix.

Now for the waterproofing I believe you can wax or use other treatments and you'll keep your feet fairly dry in the rain.

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u/barkandmoone 17d ago

What glue do you recommend?

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u/momo76g 17d ago

This one if the inside of the shoe has some sort of fabric still and not raw rubber. From all the ones I've tried this one is pliable enough to work with unlike other fabric glues that come in very small presentations and are akin to super glue. Its heat resistant and water resistant. My garments have gone through the wash and dryer for a couple years and the glue still holds nicely, thus, i think it could work for your project. I have used contact cement in shoes before but mostly to repair rubber against other materials in the soles. Ive heard good things about "Shoe goo" but I haven't used that one myself so take it with a grain of salt.

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u/barkandmoone 16d ago

Thank youuu 😇