My solution for toe taps

onix · Mar 5, 2010

Here is my solution for the toe tap: a piece of suede leather glued in using super glue Pros: - Total control of aesthetic and color (not ugly as normal taps out there) - None slippery (since it's suede) - tested on several surfaces - Easily removable and make no mark - Super cheap ($7 leather + $3 glue = at least 5 pairs -> $2/pair) - Wear out slower than rubber - No noise Cons: - DIY (about 10-15 mins a pair)

Update 1 (Mar 7, 2010): After 1 full day of walking (roughly 6-7 miles) around on many types of unusual surfaces (ice + salt, muddy grass, pebbles, rough cement). Looks totally fine.

JohnnyCrockett · Mar 5, 2010

Nick at B. Nelson did this for me on a pair of C&Js which needed it badly (I wear out the toes way too fast) and he did an incredible job..even stitched the leather toe tap in, so after wearing a few times it doesn't even look like any "surgery" was done. He did it very quickly, too...maybe in a day.

Nick does really really good work.

onix · Mar 5, 2010

I didn't think of this at all. But on my way back to work today, I stopped by a craft store, and found out that they have several types of leather. Work quite well, those I can't do any stitching

.

ManofKent · Mar 5, 2010

Originally Posted by onix

Here is my solution for the toe tap: a piece of suede leather glued in using super glue
Neat job.

EZETHATSME · Mar 5, 2010

Great idea, I plan on trying this.

EZ

arc · Mar 5, 2010

Looks great. Can you just cut the suede with an x-acto knife, or do you need something a bit more heavy duty?

onix · Mar 5, 2010

Originally Posted by ManofKent

Neat job.

Originally Posted by EZETHATSME

Great idea, I plan on trying this.

EZ

Thanks

Originally Posted by arc

Looks great. Can you just cut the suede with an x-acto knife, or do you need something a bit more heavy duty?

Just normal kitchen scissors (mine is a Shun FWIW). The leather is about 2.5mm thick

osc · Mar 5, 2010

Originally Posted by onix

Thanks
Just normal kitchen scissors (mine is a Shun FWIW). The leather is about 2.5mm thick

Did you just apply this directly on top of the leather sole?

onix · Mar 5, 2010

Originally Posted by osc

Did you just apply this directly on top of the leather sole?

Yes

somerandomguy66 · Mar 5, 2010

Nice. I think I will be doing this.
A better glue to use would probably be barge cement or shoe goo, yeah?

cptjeff · Mar 5, 2010

I'm going to pick up some leather scraps tomorrow and try that out, only stiched on (got an awl and I'm not afraid to use it). Great idea, also solves the noise problem.

Actually, I may not try that tomorrow since I need to send the shoes I would be trying it on off for new heels before I wear them again, but still a really cool idea.

Stavros · Mar 5, 2010

What kind of glue would one use for this?

onix · Mar 5, 2010

Originally Posted by Stavros

What kind of glue would one use for this?

Originally Posted by somerandomguy66

Nice. I think I will be doing this.
A better glue to use would probably be barge cement or shoe goo, yeah?

I just picked up a $3 tube of Duco Cement at a local hardware store. Easy to use, dry not too fast, but not too slow -> you can put the piece of leather in and take your time adjust to the right place, and no mess on your hand. The instruction said that it takes 15 mins for the glue to set, 30-60 mins to hold tightly, and 16 hours to reach the maximum strength.

There might be better glues out there, but this works very well already.

Stavros · Mar 5, 2010

^^ Do you need to apply pressure to the tap during this time?

derschas · Mar 5, 2010

Wonderfully simple solution, I've been looking for some kind of simple, stylish solution to my toe wear problem for some time. Will definitely try it out

My solution for toe taps

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Definitely full canvas only

Half canvas is fine

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Depends on fabric

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