Shoe Goo to the Rescue

Just a few days after our return from our frozen trip to Hokkaido, we had to attend the sad funeral for a relative. 

However, when we prepared to leave for the funeral, I discovered that the sandals I usually wear with my black dress had come apart.

So I got the other pair I have and wouldn't you know that had come apart too?

Sooo aggravating. It's one of the things you have to get accustomed to when living in the humid and salt air of Hawaii.

I ended up having to wear an uncomfortable pair of black shoes that were only meant to be worn for short distances.  

Anyway, on the way to the funeral, would you believe I got another text that a relative had passed away. It's so sad. I guess I'm at the age when more of these sad events happen.

Sooo... after looking at stores, I ordered something from Amazon instead. I hope it's OK.

But then... I'm thinking... Maybe I can fix these sandals. Afterall, they were not cheap. And now they are EVEN MORE NOT cheap. Prices are going up everywhere. Sheesh!

So I got our trusty Shoe Goo that we'd packed in our suitcase for our trip to Hokkaido and never used, thank goodness.

I glued the thick straps back on and securely tied them with ribbon.

So I think they should be fine.

..... Unless the black soles of the sandals crack and fall apart which is another thing that happens in Hawaii.

POSTSCRIPT:

I just looked up why all this happens and got this from AI:

Black rubber and polyurethane (PU) shoe soles crack in Hawaii primarily due to hydrolysis, a chemical breakdown caused by the state's high humidity and warm, tropical climate. This moisture weakens the polymer chains in the soles, causing them to become brittle, crumble, and fail, particularly if the shoes are rarely worn. 

 

Here are the specific reasons for this, according to the search results:

Hydrolysis (Moisture Breakdown): The high humidity in Hawaii causes water molecules to break down the polyurethane (PU) polymer chains in the soles, a process that leads to, cracking, and eventual, total disintegration.

UV Radiation & Heat: Intense, direct sunlight (UV rays) and high temperatures cause the rubber to harden, lose its elasticity, and oxidize, making it brittle.

Lack of Use: Ironically, not wearing shoes regularly speeds up this process. Regularly bending and flexing the shoes prevents the polymer chains from becoming brittle and failing.

OK... So there are some drawbacks to living in Hawaii.

POSTSCRIPT: We bought some air tight storage boxes to store our shoes in along with a desiccant. Fingers crossed that it will work and our shoes won't come apart again.