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Shoe Rubber Issues

Original Post
Luke Utley · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 15

Hey everyone, a few months ago I purchased a pair of La Sportiva Mythos, which is a leather shoe. Recently I noticed that the rubber from the bottom of the shoe is pulling away from the leather at the part on the sides of the shoe that bends when I move my feet. Is there a way to fix this before it becomes a bigger issue? Thanks

Josh Kornish · · Whitefish, MT · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 800

For what it's worth my last couple pairs of sportivas have had some delamination issues. Many of my friends are also having similar issues. La Sportiva makes the best shoe for my foot and it's kind of a bummer as it seems this is becoming a bigger and bigger issue

Likeasummerthursday · · Las Vegas, Nevada · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 90

Use Freesole liberally. It might not look pretty, but it will solve the delam problems. I use it on all my shoes. I like to break in a new pair (a few days of hard climbing will do) then put Freesole along all the leather/rubber seams. TC Pros are the worst for delaminating, and it's a non-issue addressed early this way.

Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349

DO NOT USE FREESOLE LIBERALLY!

"Recently I noticed that the rubber from the bottom of the shoe is pulling away from the leather at the part on the sides of the shoe that bends when I move my feet. Is there a way to fix this before it becomes a bigger issue?"

^^^

VERY common, with La Sportiva shoes.

Email with a photo or two if you want some suggestions.

Luke Utley · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 15
Likeasummerthursday · · Las Vegas, Nevada · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 90
Locker wrote:DO NOT USE FREESOLE LIBERALLY! "Recently I noticed that the rubber from the bottom of the shoe is pulling away from the leather at the part on the sides of the shoe that bends when I move my feet. Is there a way to fix this before it becomes a bigger issue?" ^^^ VERY common, with La Sportiva shoes. Email with a photo or two if you want some suggestions.
Locker, if you have a minute I'd very much appreciate learning why you emphatically suggest not using Freesole. I have nowhere near the experience you have with shoes. I do have my own experience. The delamination in the photo is exactly what I expected to see, and Freesole has been a great solution. Shoogoo is worthless. I'd be super excited to learn a better solution and why Freesole is not a good idea here. Hey, thanks a bunch.
nathanael · · Riverside, CA · Joined May 2011 · Points: 525

My mythos are the same way but 3x worse.. On the other hand doesn't really affect the fit or performance so I don't really care.

Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349

On the shoes in the photo above with the delam on the upper.

Get a small wire brush. They're available at Home Depot and the likes and generally found in the Paint Department. Get one about the size of a toothbrush, stainless steel (Not brass!). A couple to a few bucks.

Next get a decent contact cement such as Barge or Masters (Better if you have the thinner also, but not 100% necessary.

Now start brushing the rubber surface with the SS wire brush (Somewhat aggressively), brushing away from the shoe. Do this along the entire surface of the rubber and do it until the rubber is roughed up and dull in appearance.

Do the same (Not as aggressively) on the leather of the shoe.

Make sure both surfaces are as clean as you can get them and do not touch the area with your fingers, etc.

Read instructions on the glue and follow carefully.

Apply to both surfaces, but only apply once on the rubber.

On the leather, after the first application drys for a bit, re-apply a second coat (Not on the rubber! Just the leather!).

So long as you've done the above and followed the instructions on the glue, you should be AOK and on your way!

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276
Locker wrote: On the leather, after the first application drys for a bit, re-apply a second coat (Not on the rubber! Just the leather!).
Locker, after the glue is applied, how do you press the surfaces together? With a clamp or your fingers?

Also, how do you "reapply" if the two surfaces are already glued together? Or maybe you allow the glue to partially dry before you press the two surfaces together?
nathanael · · Riverside, CA · Joined May 2011 · Points: 525
FrankPS wrote: Or maybe you allow the glue to partially dry before you press the two surfaces together?
Yes, as per the directions on the contact cement
Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349
"after the glue is applied, how do you press the surfaces together? With a clamp or your fingers?"

Sorry! Forgot to add that part in my original explanation.

CONTINUED:

After glue sets up (Follow instructions on glue for timing) press the two sides together with your fingers. Press as hard as you can and make sure you've pressed all along the area in question.

BINGO!

If you want, you could use a clamp. But it's not really necessary.

EDITED:

WARNING! When doing this with shoes made of SYNTHETIC material, be very careful when cleaning/brushing the uppers as it isn't that difficult to burn right through that shit and then it's "Oops! Too late!".

LOL!
BigFeet · · Texas · Joined May 2014 · Points: 385

Locker,

Very helpful. Thank you!

Likeasummerthursday · · Las Vegas, Nevada · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 90
BigFeet wrote:Locker, Very helpful. Thank you!
Thank you, Locker. I'm gonna try this out.
Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349
"I'm gonna try this out."

I literally do it daily, so it shouldn't be much of an issue for anyone I wouldn't think.

Just remember not to over apply the glue (This is where having the proper thinner can be of use).

Too much glue is a bad thing!

EDITED:

For larger jobs, VERY CAREFULLY use a Dremel (Or similar) with a SS Wire brush.

Fast and efficient, but...

WARNING!!!

If you do decide to use a Dremel, again, be extremely careful and light handed. The materials used on climbing shoes is thin, and it really doesn't take much to burn right on through.
tom donnelly · · san diego · Joined Aug 2002 · Points: 364

I find the purpose of the freesole along the leather seam is to prevent the delam in the first place, so you have to do it at the very first sign of any delam.

Once it looks like the picture, it is hard for most people to fix, since to get a brush in the opening and clean it, and get glue in there, you may enlarge the opening even more, and the two sides may get stuck together before you want them to.

Steve Williams · · The state of confusion · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 235

Locker comes through again.

Remember folks, get your shoes done at Positive Resoles in Jtree!!!!

Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349
"Once it looks like the picture, it is hard for most people to fix, since to get a brush in the opening and clean it, and get glue in there, you may enlarge the opening even more, and the two sides may get stuck together before you want them to."

Could not disagree more.

A monkey could do it.

:-)
Craig Childre · · Lubbock, TX · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 4,860

Locker advice is sound.

To add to the conversation. (correct me if I am wrong here)

Most if not all climbing shoes use an adhesive that is heat activated. After being resoled, or conducting any repairs, I typically allow my shoes a few weeks to rest, such that the glue has time to fully cure.

My partner took his resoles out on a 90+ day on Oklahoma granite only a week after the work. Those new treads came off like a banana skins. Alf did the work over at the Enchanted Tower, was still camped our next trip. Fixed them up and explained what went wrong. It's why it's so bad to leave your climbing shoes in a sun-baked car all day.

Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349

Should have added that when applying the glue, use a very small, piece of shit, throw away brush. "Hobby Size" like the kind you might use to paint one of those Hot Wheels cars.

Check your local Dollar Store. (Seriously!) You might even find the wire brushes needed there.

Do ALL of this in a properly VETILATED area!

Glue fumes are harmful to your health.

Not true for me. I actually need the shit in order to survive.

Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349
"Most if not all climbing shoes use an adhesive that is heat activated."

VERY true!

The glue on climbing shoes and used by resolers is indeed "Heat activated".

Most delams are caused by heat.

Take shoes off in between climbs. (Helps with Stink-o-rama also!)

Don't leave your shoes in a hot environment (Summer, car, DELAM!)

Don't wash your shoes in a washing machine. (Get used to the smell you wimps!)

For damned sure don't dry them in a dryer (LOL!).
Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349
"After being resoled, or conducting any repairs, I typically allow my shoes a few weeks to rest, such that the glue has time to fully cure"

It varies between the different glues out there. But generally the curing time is complete within a few days.

But it can't hurt at all to leave them cure a bit longer just to be certain, and I for sure recommend it, if you have another pair to use.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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