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When you have a favorite pair of hiking boots or running shoes, for example, you want to get as much life out of them as you can.
For a few dollars, you can extend the life of your shoes a bit longer until you can get the next pair.
Freesole Gear Aid is one shoe repair product that is available on the market, and one of its competitors is Shoe Goo.
Quick Comparison: Freesole Vs Shoe Goo
| Product | Number of Applications: | Drying Time: | Quality: |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1. Freesole Gear Aid Our Best Pick  Check Price | 2 | At least 24 hours | Best for outdoors, generally good quality |
#2. Shoe Goo Check Price | multiple | Probably fewer than 24 hours | Better for dry environments, good for rubber repair, needs more applications |
Each one has its pros and cons, and, depending on your specific type of shoe, what you use it for, your budget, etc., you’re going to prefer one over the other.
We break down some of the more important characteristics of each below to help you make the right choice.
As you consider each, think about your shoes, what is wrong with them, how you use them, and whether you’re planning to purchase shoes to replace them soon or if you just want to significantly lengthen their life.
How Many Applications
Freesole Gear Aid is probably good for just two applications, as its tube contains just one ounce.
It dries after the first application so that you can’t take the lid off but you have to tear the base of the tube to use it on another pair of shoes.
Shoe Goo can be used multiple times (3.7-oz. tube), and put Vaseline on the lid to keep it from drying shut. This trick might be tried on the Freesole Gear Aid tube as well.
How to Repair Your Shoes Using Freesole
Drying Time
Be prepared to give Freesole Gear Aid at least 24 hours to dry – perhaps longer–, although vendors say it can dry in as few as two hours.
Shoe Goo doesn’t have drying times nearly as long as Free Sole Gear Aid, so that is an important factor in which product you choose.
If your circumstances require you to have your shoes right away, you may not be able to wait for the Freesole Gear Aid’s drying time. Shoe Goo may be the way to go in that kind of situation.
Quality
Freesole Gear Aid is a urethane product, can cure a flexible thermoset rubber that adheres really well, is wear-resistant, is flexible and waterproof.
It also has minimal shrinkage, so you can make thick repairs with just one permanent application.
Vendors say it is good for tennis shoes, hiking boots, climbing shoes, skateboard shoes, rollerblades, and more. You can also use it to rebuild heels and toes that have worn down.
A couple of downsides include its being messy to apply, needing to apply it on a level surface with protection under the shoe, It has a reputation for lasting longer than many other similar products on the market.
You can use it in cold or hot temperatures, and has great abrasion resistance, so it’s good for outdoor use. You can also use it to repair vinyl furniture, rain gear, and to fix gloves.
Another use is to use it to increase shock absorption on your shoe soles. It can help extend the life of your shoes or boots as well.
Shoe Goo is recommended as an excellent sealant for small holes. It can create extra traction, making it something that can also be used on skateboards.
It bonds, protects, and rebuilds to create a permanent repair, and it’s good for leather, vinyl, rubber, or canvas. It is great for repairing rubber boots or work boots. It’s specifically created to repair shoes.
When it dries, it is a great protective coating for leather, vinyl, canvas, or rubber. The rubber is flexible, durable, and waterproof, but it’s best used in dry weather.
The quality of the Shoe Goo isn’t quite what it’s advertised for and you have to keep reapplying the product. It might be best for flat shoes with flexible rubber soles and not on stiffer boots.
>>Learn more about the Best Glue for Boot Sole Repair
Final Verdict: Freesole Vs Shoe Goo
For its versatility for indoor and outdoor weather, and to be used on multiple items besides shoes, Free Sole Gear Aid, while likely more expensive, is the product that is likely to help extend the life of your shoes more so than Shoe Goo.
While both have their pros for specific purposes, Free Sole Gear Aid is likely the better choice for most applications.
That it is well-known for being of high quality for outdoor applications is important if you’re planning to use it for hiking boots or your trail running shoes.