A Tutorial in Velcro

One of the most asked questions I hear is "How do you attack the Velcro for your gaiters to your shoes?"  This is probably one of the true mysteries of the universe ranking right up there with "Does the light in the refrigerator stay on when the door is closed?"  Hopefully this post will take some of the confusion out of this important aspect of desert running.  It has been a trial and error experience for me developing this procedure and hopefully you will get up on the curve with less frustration.

The overall plan is to SECURELY adhere Velcro hook portion to the circumference of the shoe just above the sole (on the upper) in a professional manner.  Once this is done you will then wish to take the shoes into a cobbler and have them sew over the Velcro in order to assure it will stay in place.  It is likely that just gluing the Velcro would be sufficient but this is a critical piece of race equipment you do not want failures.

What you will need includes:

1. 3/4 inch (2 cm) Velcro (both the hook and loop parts).  You need a sufficient amount to go around both shoes plus at least 6 inches (15cm) extra.  Do not get the adhesive back type, the "sew on" type is best.
2. Scissors
3. 3M Black Super Weatherstrip and Gasket Adhesive (08008) or equivalent. You can get this kind of stuff at the auto supply store.
4. Paper towels
5. Patience

What you need for a Velcro job

NOTE:  This procedure takes time and should be done in short sessions over a day or two.  This will assure a professional looking job that will not let you down.

Starting at the back glue the Velcro around the outside of the shoe.  Do this in short sections in order to keep the Velcro in place while the adhesive dries.  Be sure to coat the the Velcro all the way to the edges with adhesive and let it dry slightly prior to applying to the shoe. This makes application easier.

Start at the back

Work your way around the outside first

When you get to a portion of the shoe where there are natural curves you will need to trim the Velcro so it will lay flat.  To do this either cut an arc or notch out of the inside of the cure (no more than 1/3 of the way thru) and snip the Velcro on the opposite side.  Glue this down and hold in place while it dries

Arc cut out example

Notch cut out example

If there are any protrusions (sole features) in the toe area you may have to cut them off or file them down so the Velcro will lay flat.  Small discontinuities can be taken care of with a build up of adhesive.

Work your way over the toe

Then along the inside

Once the Velcro has been adhered and has set for a day, take your shoes to a cobbler.  Have them sew all the way around the Velcro both at the top and the bottom so it will not come off.  You may have to shop around to find someone to do this.  Talk face-to-face with them to explain the procedure.  They will most likely will be quite interested in what this is for!

Sewed on and done!

Finally, you should take the remaining loop portion of the Velcro and cut two protective strips to place on your new race shoes to keep all sorts of foreign objects out of the hook part when wearing without gaiters.  An example of this would be if you wear them as you travel to your race, or if you are breaking them in some.  Trim as explained above so to get around the curves of your shoes.  Start and end these pieces at the rear of your shoes.  You will have a right and left one obviously.

Good Luck!