Best Glues for Shoes - Algeos Guide

Shoe repairs are brutal on glue. Every step flexes the bond, moisture tries to creep in, and outdoor grit does its best to finish the job. That’s why contact adhesives are a go-to for cobblers and workshops: they’re designed to create a strong, flexible, durable bond across common footwear materials (rubber, leather, EVA, synthetics) when applied correctly. 

This 'best shoe glues' roundup uses products from Algeos’ Contact Adhesive Glue range.

Quick picks: which shoe glue should you choose?

• Best all-rounder contact adhesive: Renia Multi Colle – Shoe Glue Contact Adhesive
• Best for plastics & tricky synthetics: Renia Ortec Contact Adhesive for Plastic
• Best value workshop staple: Orthabond Contact Adhesive Glue – 1 Litre
• Best for rubber soles: Aortha OrthaGrip Rubber Contact Adhesive or Actigrip Rubber Adhesive Cement Glue
• Best for speed / wide coverage: Orthafix Spray Adhesive

Glues from Algeos (ranked & explained)

1) Renia Multi Colle – Shoe Glue Contact Adhesive (Best all-rounder)

Why it’s here: A premium contact adhesive commonly used in footwear work where you need a strong bond that still flexes naturally with the shoe. Great for sole re-bonding and general repairs on mixed-material footwear. Listed on the Algeos contact adhesive page as “Renia Multi Colle - Shoe Glue Contact Adhesive”.

Product: Renia Multi Colle - Shoe Glue Contact Adhesive (Sold: 2 sizes)

Best for: Reattaching soles, bonding uppers, leather/rubber/EVA mixed repairs

Tip: If you’re bonding to a “problem” sole material, pair with a suitable primer (see the primers section below).

2) Renia Ortec Contact Adhesive for Plastic (Best for plastics & synthetics)

Why it’s here: When you’re repairing shoes with plastic-like soles or synthetic components, “normal” glues can let go. Ortec is positioned specifically for plastic bonding and is a strong candidate for those tricky repairs.

Product: Renia Ortec Contact Adhesive for Plastic (Sold: 3 sizes)

Best for: Plastic-type soles, synthetic trims, mixed synthetic footwear

Tip: Surface prep matters more on plastics—light abrasion + the right primer can be the difference between “fixed” and “fixed for 48 hours”.

3) Orthabond Contact Adhesive (Best value everyday adhesive)

Why it’s here: Orthabond is a practical, workshop-friendly contact adhesive option in both 1L and 5L—ideal for regular shoe repairs, orthotic labs, and busy benches.

Product: Orthabond Contact Adhesive Glue - 1 Litre (Sold: 1 litre)

Best for: General shoe repairs across common materials

Bulk option: OrthaBond Contact Adhesive 5L (Sold: 5 litres)

Best for: High-volume repairs, production environments, shared workshops

4) Aortha OrthaGrip Rubber Contact Adhesive (Best for rubber soles)

Why it’s here: Rubber soles need a bond that grips hard but still flexes. OrthaGrip is specifically positioned as a rubber contact adhesive, making it a strong pick for trainers and rubber outsole repairs.

Product: Aortha OrthaGrip Rubber Contact Adhesive (Sold: 1 litre)

Best for: Rubber outsole re-bonds, flexible rubber components

5) Actigrip Rubber Adhesive Cement Glue (Best rubber adhesive for busy benches)

Why it’s here: Another rubber-focused adhesive option—useful when rubber is the main material in the repair (soles, rubber layers, rubber-to-rubber joins).

Product: Actigrip Rubber Adhesive Cement Glue - 1 Litre (Sold: 1 litre)

Bulk option: Actigrip Rubber Adhesive Cement Glue - 5 Litre (Sold: 5 litre)

Best for: Workshop throughput, repeat rubber repairs

6) Renia Top-Fit Shoe Repair Adhesive (Best “shoe repair” labelled option)

Why it’s here: If you want a straightforward “this is for shoe repair” adhesive (available in two sizes), Top-Fit is a clean pick from the same Algeos category page.

Product: Renia Top-Fit Shoe Repair Adhesive - 2 Sizes Available (Sold: 2 sizes)

Best for: General repairs where you want a dedicated shoe repair adhesive

7) Renia Colle De Cologne (MEK Free) (Best MEK-free option)

Why it’s here: If your workflow prefers (or requires) MEK-free options, this is clearly identified as “MEK Free Shoe Glue” on the Algeos page.

Product: Renia Colle De Cologne - MEK Free Shoe Glue (Sold: 2 sizes)

Best for: Shoe bonding where MEK-free is preferred

8) Renia Syntic Shoe Adhesive (MEK Free) (Best MEK-free alternative for synthetic work)

Why it’s here: Another MEK-free Renia option listed on the page - useful when you’re doing repeat synthetic footwear repairs and want consistent results.

Product: Renia Syntic Shoe Adhesive - MEK Free (Sold: 2 sizes)

Best for: Synthetic footwear bonding where MEK-free is preferred

9) Orthafix Spray Adhesive (Best for quick, even coverage)

Why it’s here: Spray adhesives can be handy when you need fast tack and even coverage over larger areas (or you just don’t fancy brush marks on your day). It’s listed as “Orthafix Spray Adhesive” on the category page.

Product: Orthafix Spray Adhesive (Sold: 500ml)

Best for: Larger surface bonding, quick tack application

10) SUPER-Fix Neoprene Cement (Best heavy-duty “cement” style adhesive option)

Why it’s here: If your repairs involve neoprene-type materials or you want a robust cement-style adhesive from the same product family, SUPER-Fix is listed on the page as a strong adhesive option.

Product: SUPER-Fix Neoprene Cement - Strong Adhesive (Sold: 5 litre)

Best for: Neoprene cement applications, heavy-duty workshop use

Primers & prep: the secret weapon for 'nothing will stick' shoes

Some soles (especially “plastic” or low-cost compound materials) are notorious for rejecting adhesives. That’s where primers come in: they’re designed to prep the surface so your contact adhesive can bite and hold.

• OrthaPrime Adhesive Primer and Preparer for Rubber
• Aortha OrthaPrime+ Primer for Polyurethane and Poron
• Renia Primer for PUR - Primes Poron and PU

How to glue a shoe sole properly (contact adhesive method)

1. Remove old glue and contamination (dust, oils). Light abrasion can help.
2. Dry-fit the parts so alignment is easy (contact adhesive bonds fast once it touches).
3. Apply adhesive to both surfaces in a thin, even layer.
4. Let it flash off until tacky (follow the product guidance).
5. Press firmly with strong, even pressure across the bond line.
6. Allow full cure before heavy wear (especially if the repair area takes high flex).

Safety note: Many shoe repair adhesives/solvents can have strong fumes. Use good ventilation and appropriate PPE for your setting.

Comparison table: best Algeos glues at a glance

FAQ

What’s the best glue for shoe soles?

For most sole repairs, a contact adhesive is a strong choice because it’s designed to hold while flexing. From this range, Renia Multi Colle and Orthabond are solid all-round options, while rubber-focused repairs suit OrthaGrip or Actigrip.

What glue works on plastic soles?

Plastic-like soles can be difficult. A specialist product like Renia Ortec (and proper prep/priming) is a good starting point.

Do I need primer for shoe repairs?

If you’re bonding to difficult materials (certain rubbers, PU, Poron, “plastic” sole compounds), a primer can seriously improve bond reliability. Options on this page include OrthaPrime, OrthaPrime+, and Renia Primer for PUR.

Is spray adhesive good for shoes?

Spray can work well for certain jobs needing quick, even coverage. Orthafix Spray Adhesive is a convenient option, particularly for broader surface bonding tasks.