Leather soles

October 22, 2013 3:19 PM

What specific type of leather is used for dress shoe soles?

I've started gluing my own dance shoe soles and I want to find some, maybe on eBay. (Usually we use suede, but I want a hard leather pair for different floors). Also, is the leather usually treated, or sanded, or something to get it hard & flat?

posted by pengale to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (1 answer total)

Best answer: Leather soles are made from vegetable tanned leather from the top-rear of the cow, called a "sole bend." You should be able to find sole leather at your local leather supplier, Tandy, or eBay. This particular cut of leather is very tough and stiff, so you may need to wet it in order to make it pliable enough to work with. You won't have to do anything to make it smooth or flat.
posted by bradf at 3:30 PM on October 22, 2013 [1 favorite]