Shoe Rubber Issues

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

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

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.

Here's a photo

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.

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 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?

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,

Very helpful. Thank you!

BigFeet wrote:Locker, Very helpful. Thank you!

Thank you, Locker. I'm gonna try this out.

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.

Locker comes through again.

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

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.

So is positive Resoles up and running? I need a resole...