How To Fix Bald Spots On Suede Shoes | 6 Effective Fixes

Bald spots on suede or nubuck shoes happen when the soft surface (called the “nap“) gets dirty, oily, or flattened from wear and exposure to the elements. This makes some areas look dull and shiny instead of soft and even.

These bald spots on suede shoes are a frustrating eyesore. They turn once-luxurious footwear into shabby, worn-out pieces and can ruin a shoe’s appearance for good.

Thankfully, there are ways to fix bald spots and extend the life of these footwear staples!

In this blog post, we will provide all the tips and tricks you need to restore your suede shoes to their original glory so that they look as good as new!

5 Effective Methods To Fix Bald Spots On Suede Shoes

In this section, we will show you five simple yet effective tips that will help bring life back into your bold patched suede kicks!

1. KIWI Suede and Nubuck care kit

Our first recommendation is the KIWI Suede and Nubuck Care Kit. This kit uses mechanical abrasion and fiber realignment to address bald spots on suede shoes.

The kit contains one KIWI suede protector, one KIWI suede cleaner, a cleaning cloth, a cleaning brush, and a stain eraser block. The cleaning bar’s abrasive texture gently erodes compacted fibers and lifts dirt, exposing the fresh, undamaged nap beneath.

The brush then realigns the suede fibers, enhancing their vertical orientation and creating a uniform, velvety appearance. This restores the shoe’s texture, making the suede look fuller and more consistent and completely eliminating those sore patches.

Steps to follow:

1. Rub the stain eraser block in both directions to remove stains and bald spots on your shoes and restore the appearance of the suede.
2. Spray the suede cleaner evenly on the shoe and wipe clean with a soft and dry cloth.
3. Finally, apply the suede protector with the included brush for long-lasting protection.

2. Suede Dye Method

Fiebing Suede Dye is the most common and recognized suede dye in the world. Its ability to penetrate, brighten, and restore suede leather is unmatched. It is not only used on suede shoes but also on handbags, leathercraft, and clothing.

It is also available in 10 color variations, ie. Black, British tan, dark brown, gray, light brown, mahogany, medium brown, navy blue, purple, and red color.

The suede dye works by filling in bald spots on suede shoes, restoring color, and enhancing texture. The dye’s pigments penetrate the suede’s fibers, recoloring faded or bare areas, while its liquid formula helps soften the fibers, making them more flexible.

As the dye dries, the fibers separate slightly, recreating the soft, raised texture of suede. This combination of recoloring and fiber rejuvenation makes the bald spots blend seamlessly with the rest of the shoe.

Steps to follow:

1. Remove excess dirt and roughen up shiny and bald spots before application. For best results, clean with the Fiebing Suede Cleaner.
2. Apply the Fiebing dye evenly over the entire suede shoes.
3. Dye twice for best results and allow to dry for 1 hour.
4. Finally, brush with a suede brush to raise the nap and restore the suede look. Use a soft cloth to remove excess color.

NOTE: It’s essential to use a suede dye that matches the shoe color.

3. Suede Shampoo Method

The third option is to use suede shampoo, such as Saphir Omni’Nettoyant Nubuck & Suede Shampoo. Suede shampoo is specifically designed to gently clean suede without damaging it.

When applied to the bald spot, the foam lifts away dirt and oils that are making the nap lie flat. This helps loosen up the suede fibers.

Steps to follow:

1. Remove dirt or dust from the shoe using a crepe brush.
2. Apply a small portion of Omni’Nettoyant diluted in water. Apply it with the brush and leave to dry for six hours. 
3. Finally, after the shampoo dries, you can brush the shoe with a suede brush. Brushing brings the fibers back to life, helping the bald areas blend in better with the rest of the shoe.

NOTE: While suede shampoo can’t completely repair spots where the suede is badly worn or missing, it can significantly improve the look by making the texture more even and fresh again.

4. Steam Iron Method

A Steam Iron fixes bald spots on suede shoes using heat and steam. The heat from the iron softens the suede fibers, making them more flexible, while steam adds moisture, which helps the fibers rise and regain their natural texture.

This process reactivates the suede’s nap, making flat, bald areas appear fuller. The controlled heat also prevents overheating, which could damage the delicate suede material.

This method works better on large bald spots. You may need extra time for small marks under the iron to allow the heat to fill them with color. For this method, use a quality Steam Iron such as the Pursteam SteamBurst Steam Iron.

Steps to follow:

1. Use a felt-tipped marker that matches the color of your suede shoes to spot down the patched area.
2. Once the spot is colored, hold the iron over the spotted area and press the steam button. Use a cloth or towel to protect the surrounding suede from the heat.
3. Gently brush the area with a gentle brush and continue steaming the area evenly.
4. Allow it to cool before brushing with a suede brush, and repeat as necessary.

5. Suede Repair Patch Method

A Suede Repair Patch is a durable piece of suede leather, often with adhesive backing, used to cover or repair damaged surfaces. This patch fixes bald spots on suede shoes by covering damaged areas with a durable, textured layer.

The adhesive on the patch bonds strongly to the suede, ensuring it stays in place. The patch’s surface, often treated to mimic the soft texture of suede, blends seamlessly with the shoe’s appearance.

This method doesn’t repair the original fibers but effectively hides bald spots, making the shoe look uniform and extending its lifespan. Therefore, this method should be used to repair extensive bald patches or torn suede shoes.

For effective results, we recommend the Shagoom Suede Repair Patch, Large and Self-Adhesive. It comes in a wide range of colors to match the most common suede colors. This includes black, beige, brown, grey, coffee, white, blue, dark grey, dark blue, and many more.

Steps to follow:

1. Align the leather patch and place it over the bald spot.
2. Trace with a pencil to get an accurate outline of what you need to cut. Use a pair of scissors or a knife to cut the outline.
3. Use the self-adhesive glue to attach it to the patch. You can blow-dry it for extra hold.
4. Finally, cut out any excess thread to prevent it from rubbing against the shoe and causing more bald spots.

6. Suede Brush Method

Finally, the most cost-effective method of removing bald spots on suede shoes is simply using a suede brush.

The suede brush features various bristles that gently lift and realign flattened fibers, helping to fix bald spots. The bristles create friction that reactivates the suede’s natural nap, causing the fibers to stand up again.

This restores the soft, velvety texture and even color of the suede. By stimulating the fibers, the brush helps blend the bald spot with the surrounding material, making the shoe look fuller and more uniform.

To repair the bald spots, it’s essential to use a specialized brush made of suede materials. This brush will gently comb fibers into the required areas, helping to fill in the bald spots.

We highly recommend the Shacke 4-Way Suede & Nubuck Brush Cleaner. This is because it is the most effective suede brush on the market, helping to restore your shoes to a wearable, pristine condition.

The secret lies in the shape, spacing, and clever material composition of its bristle heads (Rubber, dual Nylon, and thin metal bristles).

Causes Of Bald Spots On Suede Shoes

Bald spots on suede shoes are a common occurrence, but many people are unaware of the causes. The leading causes of bald spots on suede shoes include the following:

1. Exposure to Elements

The primary cause of bald spots on suede shoes is insufficient protection from the elements and the accumulation of dirt. When exposed to rain or humidity, suede shoes can become damp and lose their protective oils, which will eventually lead to bald spots on their surface.

Additionally, dirt and other particles that naturally accumulate on suede can scratch away its outer fibers, creating an unsightly patch of baldness.

2. Friction and Wear

Friction is the most common cause of bald patches on suede shoes. Friction causes bald spots on suede shoes when parts of the shoe keep rubbing against surfaces or each other.

This rubbing wears away the top layer, making those spots look smooth, shiny, or lighter than the rest of the shoe.

3. Harsh Weather Conditions

Rain and extreme sunlight fade the dye on the shoes faster. This results in bald spots appearing on the shoes. It is advisable to use suede protectors before stepping out of the house.

4. Improper Cleaning

Using harsh cleaning methods or incorrect products, like abrasive brushes or excessive heat, can damage the suede. Over-scrubbing or using strong chemicals can cause the fibers to wear down, resulting in bald patches.

It is, therefore, essential to use gentle suede cleaners and soft brushes to maintain the material’s texture and prevent bald spots from forming.

Additionally, we recommend applying a suede protector such as the Kiwi Select All Protector regularly for extra protection and fluffiness.

5. Improper Storage

When storing shoes, keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Store leather and suede shoes in cloth bags or boxes to protect them from dust and other environmental factors. Avoid plastic bags, as they can trap moisture. Rotate shoes often to let them air out and rest.

Additionally, shoe trees help the shoes remain dry and maintain their shape. Since shoes absorb moisture as we wear them, storing them without shoe trees can cause the suede to crack and develop bald spots over time.

To effectively store your beloved suede kicks, we highly recommend the Cedar Space Wooden Shoe Tree, available on Amazon.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fixing bald spots on suede shoes doesn’t have to be a complicated process.

These methods discussed above will help maintain the texture, color, and overall appearance of your suede shoes, thus allowing you to extend the life of your favorite kicks.

We hope that you enjoyed reading this article and found it beneficial in guiding you through the process of fixing bald spots on suede shoes. For any questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to contact us via our Feedback form.

Last update on 2025-07-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API