Self-made platform flip flops

heelma · May 22, 2008

I recently found this YouTube video:

The guy writes in his comments that he simply glued 8 normal flip flops together! Do you think this can be possible, or is he just playing us for a fool?

jmc · May 22, 2008

Sure it's possible. I can even suggest a glue to use -- Contact Cement (Pliobond or Weldwood or Evostik for those of you "over there"). Guess I'm not sure why though but I'll file that under "to each his/her own". I would be a little bit concerned about stability -- the flip-flops have somewhat spongy soles and stacking up a half-dozen or so pairs to make a tower might be a little bit shaky.

Dr. Shoe · May 23, 2008

That's precisely how the proprietry wedge flip flops are made. The material is supplied to the factory in the one thickness. You can make wedge heel flip flops this way too... ...Now there's an idea!

shoerepairer · May 23, 2008

if you building up many layers, drill holes in each one one as you go. Try to drill each layer in a different place to form a grid of holes, this will aid strength. By doing this you can reduce the overall weight by a significant amount. Lee

heelma · May 23, 2008

if you building up many layers, drill holes in each one one as you go.
Try to drill each layer in a different place to form a grid of holes, this will aid strength.

Because the glue fills in the holes?

w6ish · May 23, 2008

interesting idea! great video comments too. i was thinking about making my own pair of extreme high heel sandals... i have some wood lying about here and i was thinking about heel designs. i'll keep you posted as to how it goes. (never made shoes before!)

Dr. Shoe · May 24, 2008

Be careful. Shoe making is not actually as easy as you might think and without proper shanks shaped to fit the arch very high heels will be very dangerous to wear. I would advise you to make a pair of wedges instead unless you're a chartered engineer or a qualified shoe-maker!

sabotalot · May 25, 2008

You could also use duct tape to strap old coffee cans to your feet. Just as practical.

heelma · May 26, 2008

That's precisely how the proprietry wedge flip flops are made. The material is supplied to the factory in the one thickness. You can make wedge heel flip flops this way too...

That would be even better. I guess you have to cut the flip-flop in half and only use the back half, in order to get a wedge heel?

w6ish · May 26, 2008

sab: that's funny! it brought back a memory from grade school. i did tape 4 soda pop cans together per foot, and made a pair of wedges, then taped them to my socks when i was attempting to costume up like the guitarist in Kiss! i tried walking in them and of course they fell apart under me. much laughter from my friends, who were all Kiss fans at the time. later i asked my older sister if i could borrow her sling backs which had a 4 inch heel and a platform of some sort. she agreed and got them for me. she had given up on them but i took them and wore those. this goes way back to grade 7! we had our stage show set up in my buddy's recreational room and i use to watch myself in the window reflections, those light blue checkered 4 inch heel sling backs on my feet. they were size 7, so this is a long time ago! what i remember about her giving them to me: she handed them over and said: try them on. i said: no way!!! what a fool. i should have right then and there. (i kept the shoes with me until my feet out grew them... what a sad day that was!) as for self made shoes: i'm going to give up on the idea of extreme heels and platforms and try something lower, like maybe 7 inches, and use old black leather i have here and see what i can come up with.