Looking for advice on unusual mend: foam sandal straps issue

[u/KatLaurel]

The base is some kind of dense foam, with the straps rooted between the pink and top black layers. Due to walking, the straps have started tearing through the black and ruining the fit and making walking hazardous. I’ve tried really strong glue, but it just peeled away because of the foam being weaker than the force working on it, leaving glue with a skin of foam on it. The only idea I have so far is some kind of shibari-esque contraption to hold the straps down by running a cord under the sole. Not a great plan imo but I’m blanking on other options.

[u/bikeonychus]

Once those kinds of sandals rip like that, there's not really a good way of fixing them, unfortunately.

Super glue only works for about 5 minutes before it rips a layer of foam off and you are back to this.

[u/ImaginationRare5101 → u/bikeonychus]

ShoeGoo every side and the bottom of the foam where it attaches. They make it in black too.

I used ShoeGoo on my military kit. It holds longer then the equipment will last.

If it doesn't work idk what would.

[u/beezeebeehazcatz → u/ImaginationRare5101]

I also recommend ShoeGoo. I used it on a pair of foam sandals like that 20+ years ago and got to wear them a couple more times before they completely self destructed.

[u/Thundela → u/beezeebeehazcatz]

I have not used ShoeGoo for sandals, but I'll just chime in and recommend it for repairs in general. Soles of my snowboarding boots have held up for three years since applying that stuff.

[u/Ok-Answer-9350]

carefully apply contact cement to the damaged area and allow to dry, keeping the damaged sides apart. when dry press them together - this is a very strong and pliable repair

[u/MooshAro]

I've never done it, but it might be possible to fill the hole with some kind of rubber cement, thus encasing the straps back in the shoe form. I can't off the top of my head say this would work for sure, but there's not many viable options to fix foam shoes like this

[u/SecretCartographer28 → u/MooshAro]

I was thinking 2 part epoxy? 🖖

[u/FlowOk2455 → u/SecretCartographer28]

Epoxy would eat straight threw that foam

[u/itslocked]

lol, I had these same shoes from Target and they broke after one day of use

[u/KatLaurel → u/itslocked]

They’ve been sitting in my closet for ages cause I liked them. I have an aversion to socks and enclosed shoes so summer is awesome

[u/itslocked → u/KatLaurel]

Literally same. They’ve been in my closet (broken) for like a year and a half. They’re just so cute! 😭

[u/Cloielle → u/KatLaurel]

I don’t think it would be good for your feet, knees, hips, back, etc to keep wearing these after mending them, I think you’ll compensate for the damage with the way you’ll walk. They look like Teva style, but I think those are longer-lasting? Maybe worth a try?

[u/Competitive-Grade377]

You could try running some thick thread through the top and then out the side with a large sturdy needle, making big stitches so as to trap a decent amount of the foam and not rip it. I have used dental floss on shoes in the past because it’s sturdy, cheap, and I had it lying around. Don’t know if it would work on foam tho…

[u/dysautonomic_mess]

My first thought was as you called it a 'shibari-esque contraption'. Probably wouldn't hold up forever because you'd be walking on the thread, but I have a feeling it'd work better than trying to glue it back down.

[u/KatLaurel → u/dysautonomic_mess]

My current plan of action is to drill a horizontal hole side to side through the lowest layer of foam and run the cord through there to anchor the straps. Probably won’t last forever but might work for a bit

[u/MuchChampionship6630]

I broke my ankle as a kid in shoes like these . Ugh that foam !

[u/TuesdayRivers]

If you have something suitable, you could cut a layer of something the same shape as the shoe but stronger, and glue it over the whole top of the sole, with cutouts to let the strap sit where it's supposed to. If this is harder than the foam, it may be less comfortable but more hardwearing.

[u/jealousrock]

If "ugly" is okay: gaffa tape will work, i. e. strong tape with mesh in it. One stripe lengthwise, fix it with 2 or 4 stripes across. That will keep it together longer than the rest of the shoe will exist. But yes, ugly as hell.