Summer is almost over, and you realize that you have only worn your sandals twice. So you decide to wear them one last time before the season ends. But lo and behold, your sandal buckle breaks right in front of your eyes! But, don’t worry; there are ways to fix it so that you can get more use out of your favorite pair of summer shoes.
You dread having to put them away for another year, but then you remember that you can fix them! This blog post will show you how to fix a broken sandal buckle in just a few simple steps.
Tools and Materials
- Hacksaw Blade
- Small Phillips Screwdriver
- Medium Flathead Screwdriver
- Heavy Duty Glue (such as Gorilla glue)
A Step by Step Guide on How to Fix a Broken Sandal Buckle
The sandal is a staple summertime footwear that can be worn with various outfits. Unfortunately, broken buckles are too standard and require a simple fix to get them working again. With tools and materials on hand, this project will have your sandals back on your feet before you know it. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Determine How to Repair
It is always best to start with the easiest fix, then work your way down. If you can replace the buckle with another leather one, now would be a good time to do that. If not, look at your sandal for any holes or openings where you can scrape out some of the inside pieces and fill them back in.
If none of these is an option, there’s still another fix available! Just make sure they are permanent fixes because opening up the sandals will likely void your warranty if they are not under warranty already.
Step 2: Replace the Buckle
If you are just looking to replace the buckle, look for one similar in size. You will need to take out your screwdriver, remove any screws holding it on (if applicable), and put them back in with the new buckle. This should only require light pressure while turning because they should fit snugly. Make sure all buckle pieces are securely attached before wearing them again.
Step 3: Remove Broken Buckles
Other pieces are often used as part of the mechanism other than a simple buckle piece that attaches to a clasp or hook. If this is the case, bring out your hacksaw blade and carefully cut away at these smaller pieces until can access any screws underneath. Then, pull them out, take your sandals apart (leaving behind the sole for now), and replace these smaller pieces with new ones.
Step 4: Fix Broken Buckles With Glue
If gluing is an option, pull out any necessary screws, bring up your sandal’s sole, and fill in cracks or holes on both sides of where the buckle used to be with heavy-duty glue. Let this sit until dry before putting it back together. This will create a strong fix that should last through many additional wears without falling apart again, so don’t hesitate to use glue if you have access to it! It is a crucial step in how to fix a broken sandal buckle.
Step 5: Elastic Strap Buckle
This is the most accessible buckle to fix and can be done with a hacksaw blade, small Phillips screwdriver, and medium flathead screwdriver.
- Cut the strap just above where it connects to the buckle using the hacksaw blade
- Take the screws out of the buckle with the Phillips screwdriver
- Pry off the old buckle with the flathead screwdriver
- Replace with a new buckle and screws
- If needed, use heavy-duty glue to hold everything in place
Step 6: Prong Buckle
This fix is a bit more difficult because you will need to remove some material from the sandal. However, it can also be done with a hacksaw blade, small and medium flathead screwdriver.
- Use the hacksaw blade to cut small pieces of the prongs off until you can pull them out with pliers or needle-nose pliers
- Pry off the old buckle with a flathead screwdriver (I would recommend using something like a scraper rather than trying to use the screwdriver unless you want to damage it)
- Replace with new buckle and screws
Step 7: Snap Buckle
This fix will require heavy-duty glue because you add some material back in to strengthen it. It is also more complex than most buckles, so I suggest just buying a new pair of sandals if at all possible. With that said, here’s how to do this one:
- Break apart snap buckle into pieces using the hacksaw blade
- Pry off old buckle with flathead screwdriver or scraper
- If needed, use a drill to make a hole in one corner of each side of the sandal for extra support
- Use heavy-duty glue to create a new buckle and attach it back together so it will be strong enough to wear. Make sure you do this on clean material because anything else will be glued too! Let dry overnight before wearing.
Step 8: Plastic Buckles
This is by far the trickiest fix and can also be done with a hacksaw blade, small Phillips screwdriver, and medium flathead screwdriver. It would probably be best to buy a new pair of sandals if possible.
- Cut around buckle with a hacksaw blade
- Pry off old buckle with screwdriver or scraper
- Make sure that both sides of the sandal are even. You can use a ruler to do this if needed
- Place new buckle on top of sandal where you want it and glue in place
- Cut excess off of strap that is not needed with a hacksaw blade
- Make sure the buckle is centered and even on each side, and then glue it in place. Let dry overnight before wearing.
Hopefully, at least one of these methods will work on how to fix a broken sandal buckle. If not, it might be time to buy a new pair! Good luck!
Tips and Warnings
Tips
- If the sandal buckle is severely damaged, you may need to purchase a replacement
- If possible, try to find a similar buckle online or at a local craft store
- If the sandal strap is also torn or damaged, it may be easier to purchase a new pair of sandals
Warnings
- Do not try to fix a broken sandal buckle if you are not confident in your abilities
- There is a risk of further damaging the buckle or strap if you are not careful
How Do I Stop My Sandals Rubbing the Top of My Foot?
One common complaint we hear from sandal wearers is that their sandals are rubbing the tops of their feet. This can be an extremely uncomfortable experience, and it can also lead to skin irritation or blisters. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to stop your sandals from rubbing the top of your feet.
You can try to adjust the position of the buckle on your sandals. If the buckle is positioned too low, it may be rubbing against the top of your foot. Instead, try moving the buckle up so that it’s placed higher up on your foot. You may also want to try tightening or loosening the straps on your sandals to find a more comfortable fit.
If adjusting the position of your buckles doesn’t help, you might be dealing with a defective pair of sandals. If this is the case, contact the manufacturer about the issue. They may send you out a new pair of sandals that fit better or offer some other type of solution.
Can I Repair My Sandals Strap With Super Glue??
The answer is yes! We all know that super glue, or any strong adhesive, will hold just about anything together. However, does it want to be attached? You see, when you use an adhesive and try and bond two different materials together, the result can be a bit unpredictable. Luckily for us, we can use some other techniques to repair our broken sandals strap to discuss those first.
Why Do Thong Sandals Hurt?
Thongs are fun, but they can also be uncomfortably tight on your feet. Sometimes, they break in the worst possible moment, like when you’re walking across campus or in the middle of an amusement park. It is incredibly frustrating since people don’t usually carry thong repair kits with them wherever they go.
So how do you fix your broken sandal buckle when it needs fixing? Here are some helpful tips for repairing that fractured strap on your favorite pair of thongs! DIY Thong Repair Ideas
Repairing a Snap-and-Go Buckle To fix a snap-and-go buckle with a snapped strap, all you need is a needle and thread. First, thread the needle and tie a knot at the end. Next, pierce the fabric on either side of the break in the strap and then sew the fabric together. Make sure to sew back and forth a few times over the break to ensure it’s secure.
Conclusion
If you have a broken sandal buckle, don’t worry! We’ve compiled a step-by-step guide to fixing it. You’ll need some basic materials and tools that most people would already have on hand from around the house. Follow these steps to fix your pair of shoes in no time at all – follow our easy instructions for how to fix a broken sandal buckle with ease!
