Uploaded February 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This video will help you install rubber protective half soles, a.k.a. "Topy" onto your new or lightly worn leather soled dress shoes at home like a pro. This video will discuss:
1:02 Why to apply them
The different types of rubber half soles and their differences:
2:35 "Goodyear Neolite Rubber Protective Half Soles" (2mm thick)(eBay seller "Nordshoe")
4:42 "Kaneji Shoe Repair Soling Sheet" (1mm thick)(Amazon)
6:40 "SoleTech Mini-Check Rubber Sole Guard sheet" (1.2mm thick)(Amazon)
8:13 "Anti Slip Rubber Protective Half Forefoot Pad Soles Shoe Repair Replacement" (eBay)
9:15 Chic 1.8mm thick Rubber soling sheet. As stated in the video, I was given this product and was not able to find a supplier for it. Also see mcmaster.com or Amazon or eBay for sheet rubber of similar thickness.
11:41 A comparison of how long they lasted for me (# of wears)
12:10 We have different Values; why you may not like them
14:57 The traditional purist philosophy
18:54 When to apply them
21:17 How to apply rubber protective half soles
21:25 Step 1: Decide what material you will use & what shape the cut line will be, and mark it on the shoe
22:03 Step 2: Cut masking tape to create a template and transfer it to the rubber sheet, and cut out the rubber sheet exactly on the bias line, and a little larger on the outer perimeter
23:06 Step 3: Cut a step at the back edge to create a countersink for the edge
24:28 Prepare the lether sole by sanding it flat (new or used shoe)
25:00 Step 4: Apply Master's All Purpose Cement or Barge cement to both parts and let it dry per the directions on the glue (available on eBay from seller "Nordshoe")
25:49 Step 5: Heat activate the glue with a heat gun and apply the Topy.
26:44 Step 6: Trim the outer edge to match the sole
29:12: The finished result
Other related videos:
"Putting Rubber Half Soles on my new Allen Edmonds":
youtu.be/CYD1led2fOc
"How to apply protective half soles to your shoes (1 of 3)": Warning, this is one of my earliest videos, so the production quality sucks, and it's 3 parts because I hadn't qualified for longer videos.
Part 1:youtu.be/Srz9-f5t0a4
Part 2: youtu.be/7eMoVsgp3jI
Part 3: youtu.be/AkCe9NDHxFc
"Adding Half Soles to my new Allen Edmonds":
youtu.be/8gyM5gOW_O8
"A More Elegant Rubber Half Sole Solution":
youtu.be/DnCsaE-Bndc
This video will help you install rubber protective half soles, a.k.a. "Topy" onto your new or lightly worn leather soled dress shoes at home like a pro. This video will discuss:
1:02 Why to apply them
The different types of rubber half soles and their differences:
2:35 "Goodyear Neolite Rubber Protective Half Soles" (2mm thick)(eBay seller "Nordshoe")
4:42 "Kaneji Shoe Repair Soling Sheet" (1mm thick)(Amazon)
6:40 "SoleTech Mini-Check Rubber Sole Guard sheet" (1.2mm thick)(Amazon)
8:13 "Anti Slip Rubber Protective Half Forefoot Pad Soles Shoe Repair Replacement" (eBay)
9:15 Chic 1.8mm thick Rubber soling sheet. As stated in the video, I was given this product and was not able to find a supplier for it. Also see mcmaster.com or Amazon or eBay for sheet rubber of similar thickness.
11:41 A comparison of how long they lasted for me (# of wears)
12:10 We have different Values; why you may not like them
14:57 The traditional purist philosophy
18:54 When to apply them
21:17 How to apply rubber protective half soles
21:25 Step 1: Decide what material you will use & what shape the cut line will be, and mark it on the shoe
22:03 Step 2: Cut masking tape to create a template and transfer it to the rubber sheet, and cut out the rubber sheet exactly on the bias line, and a little larger on the outer perimeter
23:06 Step 3: Cut a step at the back edge to create a countersink for the edge
24:28 Prepare the lether sole by sanding it flat (new or used shoe)
25:00 Step 4: Apply Master's All Purpose Cement or Barge cement to both parts and let it dry per the directions on the glue (available on eBay from seller "Nordshoe")
25:49 Step 5: Heat activate the glue with a heat gun and apply the Topy.
26:44 Step 6: Trim the outer edge to match the sole
29:12: The finished result
Other related videos:
"Putting Rubber Half Soles on my new Allen Edmonds":
youtu.be/CYD1led2fOc
"How to apply protective half soles to your shoes (1 of 3)": Warning, this is one of my earliest videos, so the production quality sucks, and it's 3 parts because I hadn't qualified for longer videos.
Part 1:youtu.be/Srz9-f5t0a4
Part 2: youtu.be/7eMoVsgp3jI
Part 3: youtu.be/AkCe9NDHxFc
"Adding Half Soles to my new Allen Edmonds":
youtu.be/8gyM5gOW_O8
"A More Elegant Rubber Half Sole Solution":
youtu.be/DnCsaE-Bndc
