How to repair holes in running shoes

Simple tutorial to mend small tears in running shoe fabric (mesh).
No sewing machine is needed. Just some wooly nylon (thread) and a strong needle.
For more sportswear and shoes repair check this playlist: bit.ly/413cx9g
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[@leostask]

I know this video is a little older, but it saved me from buying a new pair of Holka shoes at $200 plus! Besides I love my old pair, just needed a little toe stitch or two‼️👍

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

That's good news for your budget and for the climate! And sometimes old things are good....

[@kylehazachode]

That’s for the tutorial. I did this with heat activated button thread. It has adhesive in the thread fibers so when you put an iron on the thread, it creates a strong bond.

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

Great additional information, thank you!

[@A.Leftie]

Can you use a blow dryer instead, and where did you get heat activated thread? If I do this I'll use an adhesive patch underneath too. Just bought my shoes less than 3 months ago and they are a model from last year. Sigh...companies keep producing with cheap materials, yet the price goes ^^^.

[@kylehazachode]

@@A.Leftie Secura is the brand that makes heat activated button thread. Cheap on Amazon. I don’t see why you can’t use a hair dryer.

[@A.Leftie]

@@kylehazachode thank you for responding back to me 👍.

[@Lunarmouse911]

Thank you! This helped save my favorite running shoes. Very easy and very quick.

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

So glad. We have a heap of mending techniques on our website and KZbin channel in case you want additional ideas too.

[@trapezoidbeauty]

Thank you!❤ New shoes aren't in my budget right now so this video helps so much!!!❤ Thank you!

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

That's exactly what we want it used for - glad you found it helpful.

[@carladubai4196]

Excellent video! Thanks so much for taking the time to make this👏🏻

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nihshi8159]

Just ordered wooly nylon off ebay 😊 thanks for your help! ❤

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

Oh good, hope its useful for your shoes and it works for all stretchy materials (sportswear). Look at our other tutorials if you ever have the need.

[@LN-nc2cw]

Thank you for this! I will give it a try. A strong needle is what you recommend, and is that a darning needle? Please advise and thank you so much.

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

Sorry for the late reply. A darning needle or a wider and quality sharp would do - say a 5. Just not a weak and bendy needle!

[@LN-nc2cw]

@@RepairWhatYouWear No worries! And thank you so much.

[@hsn3333]

Very helpful video, thank you!

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

That's great, thank you!

[@andrei200287]

You save my shoes! Thanks!

[@truck6859]

Thank you!

[@ajvirdi]

If it’s thin mesh material is it possible to replace the mesh on the shoe altogether than fixing it by sewing ?

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

I recommend looking up "pair ups" on instagram, they have experience patching where it is too thin. Hope helpful.

[@how2hogan380]

does the color of the thread matter?

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

Not in our opinion but the Woolly Nylon we recommend comes in a limited range. It is a multi fibre thread used for overlocking normally. The reason why it is useful here is because it is super strong but not twisted so as you use the shoes it does not tear into the remaining fabric.

[@fedreserv6133]

Great repair pattern 👍 Yet, it would be even better if used matched color, not black.

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

This would be true! Sadly the multi fibre yarn that is best for this mend only comes in Black...it's called "wooly Nylon" and will not tear into the other fibres when stretched...

[@fedreserv6133]

@@RepairWhatYouWear Thank you for the explanation.

[@eddyvideostar]

@@RepairWhatYouWear: Where can one get this type of material in grey for New Balance running shoes 993?

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

@@eddyvideostar Have a look online for "wooly nylon thread". It comes in a variety of colours, Empress Mills, in the UK has a wide range for instance. It is the thread used for surge machines (overlockers) and grey is a common colour.

[@Alexyepicat]

Does it work for bigger holes?

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

It should work on larger holes. If the fabric moves around a lot then the stitching (using "wooly nylon" should be firm enough to hold the shoe shape otherwise your foot may "slop" a bit. If you need to mend a large hole in a vulnerable place then a stick on patch may be needed. Hope this is helpful.

[@tobysarsi6864]

How do you end the stitch so it does not come undone?

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

if you sew the thread over the same stitch a couple of times it secures it, then run the thread through the cloth before trimming it off, then that means the stitch is really secure. Hope that explains it well enough.

[@RitikRai-kc4oc]

How much thick should be the thread? Will 1 mm suffice?

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

We do recommend buying Wooly Nylon (it's an overlocker thread) which is a synthetic multi fibre fine yarn. Strong but has a slight stretch. Otherwise work with ordinary polyester sewing thread, although twisted threads like these have no stretch and may tear the cloth over time.

[@RitikRai-kc4oc]

@@RepairWhatYouWear Can I show you the condition of my shoes on instagram or somewhere? Because the hole has been there for a while now and it needs to be seen by you or by sm1 of your calibre.

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

@@RitikRai-kc4oc Please send an image to [e-mail] and we will try to give some guidelines.

[@giga-chadsingh8727]

A needle torn my shoe A needle repaired it 😂

[@MauroMan_]

how it feels from the inside ? ... like something strange in toes ?

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

You don't feel any difference, what you have done is replace some of the strength of the missing cloth, it is strengthened and should help hold your foot in place a bit better.

[@panhuragan4388]

1:57 he forgot to make a knot at the end

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

We never knot! if you go over the same stitch 2-3 times then trim the thread it is the best way to secure at the beginning and the end...a practical tip for all repairs

[@panhuragan4388]

@@RepairWhatYouWear ok

[@eddyvideostar]

Dear Repair: Good video: Could you please repair a bigger hole in grey running shoes?

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

Hello. Are you asking for us to make a video with a bigger hole? Send a picture to [e-mail] and tell us more.

[@Grey_92]

J'ai utilisé une pièce de tissu collé par l'intérieur avec de la colle à tissu.

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

so long as that works for you! Glue can be lumpy so please do share what glue you used.

[@Grey_92]

@@RepairWhatYouWear de la colle à tissu, mais avant que les chaussures ne soient percées c'est bien mieux en préventif qu'en curatif

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

@@Grey_92 I understand, you use the glue to reinforce early in wear!

[@Grey_92]

@@RepairWhatYouWear oui, j'ai appris par expérience que j'use vite le tissu de mes baskets au bout des orteils.

[@monacoluxuryclub1114]

Yeahh…too late. Got that hole already. Maybe gorilla tape …hmmm

[@RepairWhatYouWear]

LOVED this. I've just picked up a running shoe abandoned in the woods by someone who used Gorilla tape. Better than nothing but if the hole is not too large this is worth a try 💚

[@renatadc9291]

😲😲😲😃😃🤩