Whether you want to patch a hole in your jacket or reattach the soles of your shoes, it's important to find a glue that works with the leather's unique texture. The best leather glues come in a variety of formulations, including glues, cements and superglues, which vary in how they are applied and the type of bond they form.
- Leather glue is ideal for small repair jobs and craft projects, and is often applied to one surface before joining to another surface for bonding. For best results, items should be allowed to cure for several hours or overnight, and additional flat seams or seams may be needed to ensure a long-lasting, strong bond.
- Leather adhesives , sometimes called contact adhesives, provide the strongest bond when working with leather and are suitable for a variety of uses, from crafting to repairing furniture and accessories. It is applied to both surfaces before joining them, In some cases, the items must be slightly dry before they can be pressed together to form a lasting bond. Cement typically dries faster than glue and is a more durable option, capable of bonding to a variety of materials while maintaining its flexibility.
- Super Glue has a fine applicator tip for precision work, perfect for small repair jobs and delicate leather craftsmanship. Standard superglues tend to become inflexible after drying, making them best suited for discreet repairs, so if you're repairing something that's been bent from use, you'll want to look for a leather-specific formula that can form a flexible of bonding. Super glue has a quick-drying formula that can bond materials together in a minute, so remember there's less room for error.
Finally, keep in mind that if the leather will be exposed to moisture (think: rain or snow), you want to make sure you choose a waterproof formula.
Whether you're making or looking to repair leather goods like handbags, shoes, and wallets, here are five of the best leather glues to help you with any size job.
1.The best base leather cement
- Highlights: Clear when dry, flexible adhesive, small tip makes application easy
- Best for: Furniture, accessories and arts and crafts projects
Fiebing's leather contact adhesive is easy to use and provides a strong, flexible bond when repairing tears or other damage to leather furniture and accessories as well as craft projects. The non-toxic formula dries to a subtle effect and dispenses from a fine tip with a twist-off cap, keeping the glue fresh between uses - just make sure to apply it to both before gluing them together Just put it on the item. The time it takes to cure an item using Fibin glue can vary depending on the size of the job, but reviewers note that a few hours is enough to achieve a strong bond. While some reviewers note that they use cement to repair shoes, due to its water-based formula, it's best suited for projects where you won't encounter moisture.
Helpful comment: "First I glued two pieces of cloth together to test its strength. I couldn't separate them. Then I glued two pieces of leather together and I couldn't separate them. So I was confident enough Used this glue on a leather recliner that had tears in the armrests and it worked perfectly again and has been stuck together for three weeks now with no separation. ”
2.The best leather glue
- Highlights: Customizable tip, flexible bonding, waterproof, dries clear
- Best for: Routine maintenance, craft projects
Aleene's Waterproof Leather & Suede Glue has a water-resistant formula that bonds accessories like leather, suede, and beading for everyday repairs and craft projects. The tip of the glue applicator can be trimmed to distribute glue in a thin line during detail work, or it can be cut wider for greater coverage on larger projects (this is the best choice for metal or screw-cap applicators) Unique features that cannot be found). This non-toxic glue cures to a clear surface in just a few hours, according to reviewers, but may require clamping or weighing to bond securely with larger projects.
One reviewer wrote: "I applied it to a few small tears in my leather [couch] and chair from cats. It's completely sealed and it's hard to see the blemishes now! I'm impressed!"
3.The best glue for leather shoes
- Highlights: Flexible adhesive, waterproof, can be used on a variety of shoe materials, can also be used as a sealant, transparent after drying
- Best for: Shoe repair
Shoe Goo Repair Adhesive has more than 22,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, and some buyers claim the leather adhesive has saved multiple pairs of shoes from the trash. This clear adhesive adheres to leather, vinyl, rubber and canvas and has a waterproof, flexible surface that acts both as an additional sealant for shoe seams and as traction on the underside of shoe soles. Instead of a bottle, Shoe Goo is sold in a squeeze tube with a fairly wide mouth—which, according to some reviewers, can make application a little confusing. Due to the viscous nature of the formula, it should be allowed to cure for more than 24 hours, but it is still the best choice for shoe repair in most materials.
One reviewer wrote: "Used to repair the soles of my old riding boots. The leather on the soles had peeled off and leaked in the winter rains. The Shoe Goo brought them back to life and made them waterproof again! I love how sticky my shoes are."
4.The best super glue for leather
- Highlights : Drys in 1 minute, fine points of detailing, waterproof, flexible bonding, works on a variety of materials, dries clear
- Best for: Quick repairs, small rips and tears, bonding leather to fabric or other materials
If you've ever used superglue, you'll find this Gorilla Glue for leather to be great. Like traditional superglue, it has a quick-drying formula, making it a great choice for fixing something when you're in a hurry, but it doesn't offer as much room for error as other adhesives. Still, the tube's narrow tip can easily patch and seal small rips and tears on a range of leather items, and the glue's versatile formula can also bond other materials like metal, glass, wood, ceramics and paper. (In fact, a quick look at the reviews reveals that this is arguably the best glue for leather and fabric.) It permanently bonds items within seconds of application, and the clear, waterproof finish works well on shoes, Outdoor products and anything you want to put in the washer or dryer.
One reviewer wrote: "I originally bought this glue to repair the straps on my daughter's sandals. It worked great. Then I used it to glue a piece of plastic trim to a Tesla car and it worked too. This is a universal glue!”
5. The most versatile leather adhesive
- Highlights: Flexible bonding, waterproof, suitable for a variety of materials, dry and transparent
- Best for: Shoe and accessory repair, crafting, gluing other materials
Barge's universal cement can be used on a variety of materials, including wood, glass, rubber, fabric and cork. Reviewers note that it can be used to repair leather shoes and handbags, as well as crafting and everyday household chores. Unlike the other adhesives featured here, this formula requires some prep work to achieve a strong, long-lasting bond. Apply a thin layer of cement to both parts of the material and allow to dry slightly (about 20 minutes) before joining them so that they become slightly tacky. Once the items are pressed together and allowed to cure overnight, the resulting bond is long-lasting, clear, flexible and waterproof.
One reviewer wrote: "I used this to glue my leather boot insoles back when they curled up. I followed the instructions on the tube and it worked perfectly, I applied it with nitrile gloves since it was in a hard to reach area Location. The adhesive is strong and secure, no more insole issues after repair. I highly recommend this product. ”
