Should You Put Rubber Soles on Leather Shoes?

Last Updated on January 7, 2026 by Martina McKeough

Should you put rubber soles on leather shoes or is it better to do nothing? This is a conundrum that many people have especially when they have paid a considerable amount of money for a new pair of expensive leather shoes or boots.

Nobody likes to spend additional extra money on new shoes but sometimes adding rubber to existing leather soles makes sense and could save you money in the long term.

I know that I have definitely found adding rubber soles has made sense on some of my slippery leather-soled shoes but should you follow my lead? Here is everything I have learned about the advantages and disadvantages of changing shoe soles.

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Can You Put Rubber Soles on Leather Shoes?

Before I go into the issue of adding rubber soles to your shoes you do need to ask can you do it in the first place?

Whilst most leather-soled shoes can be either changed to rubber soles there are some exceptions or reasons why this might not make sense.

The Aesthetics of Your Shoes

Adding rubber soles to your shoes can for example change the look and style of your shoes. If you are adding rubber soles that are particularly thick this can be very noticeable. Make sure you think carefully about whether the new soles could change the look of your shoes too much before committing to a rubber sole.

Designer or Luxury Shoes

Should you put rubber soles on leather shoes? Well if you pay for high-end designer shoes then you are paying for superb craftmanship, design, and a carefully curated look.

As an example if you buy a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes not only are they extremely well made they also have a very distinctive red sole which distinguishes them from other shoes. Now imagine adding a rubber sole to the shoe. You have now devalued the shoes and totally compromised the original design.

If you are going to add rubber soles to your shoes it makes sense to only do it to your cheaper footwear.

Formal and Dress Shoes

Formal and dress shoes are specially designed to have very thin leather soles and that adds to their look. Adding bulky rubber soles just won’t look right with these types of shoes.

Vintage Shoes

Vintage leather shoes especially if they have historical value shouldn’t be messed with at all. Adding rubber devalues them and would also remove any value from the shoes.

What Are The Benefits of Rubber Soles on Your Shoes?

Whilst there are a few reasons why you might want to think carefully about putting on rubber soles on your shoes there are lots of benefits to using them. Here are some of the benefits that I love about rubber soles.

They Increase Traction

Should you put rubber soles on leather shoes? Well here are my two main reasons why I put rubber soles on any leather shoes that don’t have them.

The first of these is to increase traction. Why? Because I have had a serious hip operation and I definitely want to make sure that any shoes that I own have great slip resistance so I don’t fall over.

Extra traction is vital for me because I need to have confidence that I can wear a pair of shoes without slipping and sliding around in them. That extra grip is most definitely a safety feature for me when there is wet weather or icy conditions.

The fact is leather shoe soles can be slippery and adding something to create better traction is a no-brainer for people like me. This is why I often buy flat shoes like these Vionic Ballet Flats because the rubber soles and low heel height make me feel safer.

They Are More Durable

The second major reason why I add rubber soles is that they save me money in the longer term.

When shoes have a thin layer of leather as a sole it is going to wear away relatively quickly. Getting shoes resoled in leather is not cheap so the easiest option is to apply a leather sole over the existing leather and suddenly I have shoes that will last for significantly longer.

They Can Be More Comfortable

Whilst I have two main reasons for using rubber soles that doesn’t mean to say that those are the only advantages. There are plenty of other reasons why you may consider switching leather for rubber on your shoes.

One major reason I know people swap is because thicker rubber soles can definitely add to the comfort of a shoe especially if the previous sole was very thin.

With thin soles, you can feel the ground more easily but that also means you can experience very pebble and stone on uneven surfaces which isn’t great especially if you have more sensitive feet.

They Cause Less Noise

Another reason I know matters is that rubber soles can reduce the noise your shoe makes as it strikes hard surfaces.

Some of the most-read posts I have ever written are about how to stop shoes from making noise. People genuinely hate noisy shoes so there are plenty of customers out there who are looking for any solutions that can stop the problem. A rubber sole deadens the sound of your foot hitting the ground so it is a simple solution to a problem that drives people crazy.

They Resist Water More Easily

If you live in a wetter climate then having rubber soles fitted to your shoes makes sense as it helps to make them water resistant.

Leather soles are ok in showers but in heavy rain they will soak up water and some of that can find routes into the inside of your shoe. Water can also cause your shoes to become less durable more quickly.

Rubber Can Insulate Your Feet

The temperature also matters when you are thinking about the soles you are going to have on the bottom of your feet.

Thin leather isn’t great at insulating your feet against cold temperatures whilst thicker rubber can make a much bigger difference. So if you want warmer feet, especially in winter it makes more sense to use rubber.

Do Rubber Soles Last Longer Than Leather Soles?

In general, if you want more durable footwear then putting a rubber sole on your shoe is a way to make your shoes last longer.

Obviously, this will depend on the thickness of the sole you replace it with but in general, you should improve the durability.

The exceptions to this might be when you have bought shoes that have extra leather on the bottom of the shoe. In other words, there is a double or a triple leather sole. This is usually found on more expensive shoes so you are obviously going to be paying for the additional durability which is often much more expensive than a new rubber sole.

What are the Disadvantages of a Rubber Sole?

Rubber soles have many advantages over leather shoes but as with everything in this life there is a flip side as well. No shoe sole is going to be perfect and all of them will have disadvantages as well. The key to choosing the right sole is to assess your problems and needs and go for the sole that will be the most effective.

I’ve already talked about major reasons why rubber soles shouldn’t be put on certain types of shoes but there are some other considerations as well.

The Breathability Of Your Shoes

Should you put rubber soles on leather shoes? Well, leather is a breathable material which means that it allows excess moisture from inside your shoe to escape. Once you start adding rubber to the bottom of your shoe then some of this breathability is going to be reduced.

So if you suffer from sweaty feet anyway more moisture is probably the last thing you want. Plus as you probably know excess moisture creates a breeding ground for foot fungus infections like Athlete’s foot and can create bad odors.

Products like Carpe Antiperspirant Foot Lotion help to reduce sweaty feet but having breathable shoes makes life easier for yourself.

Rubber Soles Can Add Weight To Your Shoes

Depending on the type and thickness of the rubber that you are adding to your shoe soles you are going to be adding weight to your shoes.

If you want lightweight shoes then adding this extra layer isn’t going to help you move around more freely.

Less Flexibility

Rubber soles can also be less flexible and make your shoes a little more rigid when you are walking.

Flexible soles are important for some people so if you need them for your outdoor activities think about keeping your shoe as they are.

Rubber Squeaks

I know I mentioned earlier that my readers absolutely hate noisy shoes. Rubber soles certainly stop certain noises, especially of your foot strikes the ground however sometimes they can cause others.

If the rubber soles are not put on correctly they can cause squeaking noises which is another shoe lover hatred. If you are getting this done to a pair of leather shoes make sure it is fitted correctly. This is why DIY efforts of stick-on soles aren’t always that great because if you aren’t a professional you are more likely to make the annoying error.

Environmental Concerns

As people become more eco-conscious it would be remiss of me not to mention that over 70% of rubber made today is a synthetic material and made from oil.

The production of oil obviously has environmental considerations that you may want to take into account before deciding to use the material.

Basic Rubber Won’t Help in Very Icy Conditions

Most ordinary rubber soles that you put on the bottom of shoes can add traction but are not going to help if you have to regularly deal with really icy surfaces.

Vibram arctic grips soles for example are going to be much more useful in challenging conditions than anything you would stick on at home. These Merrell Men’s Coldpack Waterproof Snow Boots are a great example of footwear more useful for winter.

Consider the temperatures and weather conditions when you are thinking about altering your shoes if you really want to make a better-informed decision.

 

 

Can Cobblers Put on Rubber Soles?

I have to say that the first place I go to when I want to add rubber soles to my shoes is my local cobbler.

Adding new soles to shoes is a standard service that they offer and they do it all day every day.

Cobblers are my preference because if I have to measure and cut a sole myself I know that I am not going to get it perfect and that could potentially ruin the look of my shoes.

So far I have never had a problem with new shoe soles and they have been brilliant at giving me a decent amount of extra traction and saving me money in shoe replacements.

Using a Vibram Sole Protector

Vibram sole protectors are a popular choice when it comes to adding new rubber soles to shoes.

These are rubber soles that can help to add traction to your shoes and boots as well as help create additional water resistance.

Usually, the protector is added to the portion of the shoe that hits the ground only and is stuck on by a cobbler. There are different variations in the thickness you can buy depending on your needs.

Having a stick-on sole makes it easy to remove in the future as it wears down so it can be replaced adding to the durability of your shoes.

Ideally, you want to add these to your shoes almost as soon as you have bought them rather than when your leather has already worn down. They are a great protective device and are durable and easy to fit.

Adding Stick-on Rubber Sole Protectors For Shoes – DIY Solution

If you head to places like Amazon you are going to find that you can buy your own rubber shoe soles to stick on to your footwear.

There are a huge number of options for you to choose from so make sure you buy the best type for your particular shoes.

Consider whether you want a full insole or if you only want a half-insole. You can also look at the thickness of the sole plus the type of traction that you want.

Many of the soles can be cut to size which makes it easier for you to choose ones that will fit your particular shoes or boots.

Whilst there are many super practical soles that you can buy you can also buy cute ones as well like these heart-shaped mini soles. These add a decent amount of extra traction to high-heeled shoes and are self-adhesive so they are super easy to fit.

Why Not Buy Leather Shoes With Protective Rubber Soles in The First Place?

So if you can add rubber soles to your shoes and boots why not just buy a pair that has them in the first place?

There are thousands of different types of leather shoes that are currently available to purchase that have leather uppers but rubber soles. This means that if you had bought these in the first place you wouldn’t need to go to the trouble of adding the rubber in the first place.

However, it is never just that simple. Firstly you may have bought the leather shoes and realized too late that you needed to add the rubber or alternatively you couldn’t find the style of leather shoes you wanted with a rubber sole.

The fact is all leather shoes have a particular look and feel especially when it comes to dress shoes that aren’t always easy to replicate with a hybrid shoe. However here are some designs that might be worth looking at if you are buying leather shoes in the future.

These Cole Haan Men’s Lenox Hill Cap Oxford shoes are a great example of a classic shoe design but with rubber soles for added water resistance and traction.

They are classic work shoes and come in black or tan and wouldn’t look out of place in any professional office.

 

 

Whilst these DKNY Fashion Boots look amazing but have that all-important rubber sole to add stability and comfort when you are wearing high-heeled shoes.

 

Benefits of Leather-Soled Shoes

Just because I can’t wear leather-soled shoes because of worries about falling doesn’t mean that other people can’t as well. There are many reasons why leather-soled shoes are great as well.

1. They Absorb Moisture – Leather is a great material if you need a shoe that will absorb moisture from your feet and allow them to breathe. A breathable shoe is essential for some people, especially in the summer months when the heat starts to become too much.
2. They Are Resoleable – Good quality leather shoes can be resoled again and again. When I worked in the City of London as a trader many of the men wore quality leather shoes that were very expensive but that could last them for years because they could always be resoled and repaired.
3. They Are Associated with Quality – There is something about an all-leather shoe that exudes quality and refinement. This is why they are popular in so many professional workplace environments. Wearing anything less can stand out in certain areas of society.
4. They are Flexible and Allow Natural Movement – Let’s not also forget that leather is flexible and is great for allowing natural movement as you walk. Plus leather shoes mold to your feet making them much more comfortable to wear.

More Helpful Information About Leather Shoes

How to Fix Peeling Leather Shoes

How to Fix Cracked Leather Shoes

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