Sewing threads for shoes
Footwear seams have to meet very different requirements depending on the shoe construction, material and intended use. From women’s and men’s shoes to sports shoes and sneakers, sewing threads need to provide reliable seam strength, abrasion resistance and consistent sewing performance while also supporting the required seam appearance.
For women’s and men’s shoes, AMANN recommends Serafil in thread sizes matched to the seam position and material. For sports shoes, AMANN recommends Onyx, while for sneakers, Strongcore is the universal sewing thread recommendation.
Women’s shoes
AMANN sewing thread recommendation for women's shoes
Women’s footwear combines functional seam performance with high visual requirements. Depending on the shoe construction, different thread sizes can be used for backstrap and toe cap seams, decorative seams and lining seams.
For the applications shown above, AMANN recommends Serafil in thread sizes selected according to the seam position and material. Serafil offers high seam strength, reliable sewing performance and precise stitch formation, making it suitable for both functional and visible seams.
| Seam no. | Seam type | Stitch type | Needle thread | Bobbin or looper thread | Needle size min. Nm | Needle size min. No | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article | Ticket no. | Tex no. | Article | Ticket no. | Tex no. | |||||
| 1 | Backstrap and toe cap seams | 301 lockstitch | Serafil | 60 | 45 | Serafil | 60 | 45 | 80 | 12 |
| 2 | Decorative seams | 301 lockstitch | Serafil | 60 | 45 | Serafil | 60 | 45 | 80 | 12 |
| 3 | Lining seams | 301 lockstitch | Serafil | 80 | 30 | Serafil | 80 | 30 | 70 | 10 |
Standard thread requirement:
Total: 23–30 m
Closing and topstitch seams: 26 m
Men’s shoes
AMANN sewing thread recommendation for men's shoes
Men’s shoes can range from fine formal footwear to robust leisure shoes, with seam requirements varying according to material thickness, construction and intended use. Closing, backstrap, toe cap, functional and decorative seams may therefore require different thread sizes.
For the applications shown above, AMANN recommends Serafil as the universal sewing thread, with the thread size matched to the respective seam position and material. Depending on the individual requirements, Onyx, Strongbond and Strongcore can be selected as alternatives.
| Seam no. | Seam type | Stitch type | Needle thread | Bobbin or looper thread | Needle size min. Nm | Needle size min. No | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article | Ticket no. | Tex no. | Article | Ticket no. | Tex no. | |||||
| 1 | Back and staying seams | 301 lockstitch | Serafil | 40 | 70 | Serafil | 40 | 70 | 90 | 14 |
| 2 | Bar tack seams | 301 lockstitch | Serafil | 40 | 70 | Serafil | 40 | 70 | 90 | 14 |
| 3 | Backstrap and toe cap seams | 301 lockstitch | Serafil | 40 | 70 | Serafil | 40 | 70 | 90 | 14 |
| 4 | Vamp and function seams | 301 lockstitch | Serafil | 40 | 70 | Serafil | 40 | 70 | 90 | 14 |
| 5 | Decorative seams | 301 lockstitch | Serafil | 40 | 70 | Serafil | 40 | 70 | 90 | 14 |
| 6 | Lining seams | 301 lockstitch | Serafil | 80 | 30 | Serafil | 80 | 30 | 70 | 10 |
Standard thread requirement:
Formal shoes
Total: 17–28 m
Closing and topstitch seams: 21 m
Leisure shoes
Total: 23–30 m
Closing and topstitch seams: 26 m
Sports shoes
AMANN sewing thread recommendation for sports shoes
Sports shoes are exposed to repeated movement, flexing, friction and mechanical stress. Their seams must remain reliable while connecting different materials and supporting both functional and decorative elements of the shoe.
For the applications shown above, AMANN recommends Onyx in thread sizes matched to the seam position and material. Onyx is a polyamide 6.6 continuous filament sewing thread for highly stressed seams and combines excellent strength with robust, abrasion-resistant performance.
Depending on the individual requirements and sewing conditions, Serafil, Strongbond and Strongcore can also be used in suitable thread sizes.
| Seam no. | Seam type | Stitch type | Needle thread | Bobbin or looper thread | Needle size min. Nm | Needle size min. No | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article | Ticket no. | Tex no. | Article | Ticket no. | Tex no. | |||||
| 1 | Back and staying seams | 301 lockstitch | Onyx | 40 | 70 | Onyx | 40 | 70 | 110 | 18 |
| 2 | Backstrap and toe cap seams | 301 lockstitch | Onyx | 40 | 70 | Onyx | 40 | 70 | 110 | 18 |
| 3 | Vamp and function seams | 301 lockstitch | Onyx | 40 | 70 | Onyx | 40 | 70 | 110 | 18 |
| 4 | Decorative seams | 301 lockstitch | Onyx | 20 | 135 | Onyx | 30 | 105 | 140 | 22 |
| 5 | Lining seams | 301 lockstitch | Onyx | 80 | 35 | Onyx | 80 | 35 | 80 | 12 |
Standard thread requirement:
Women’s formal and leisure shoes
Total: 23–30 m
Closing and topstitch seams: 26 m
Sneakers
AMANN sewing thread recommendation for sneakers
Sneakers combine everyday comfort, design and functionality with seams that are exposed to repeated movement, flexing and mechanical stress. Different materials and visible seam positions also place high demands on durability, reliable sewing performance and a clean, consistent seam appearance.
For the applications shown above, AMANN recommends Strongcore in thread sizes matched to the respective seam position and material. Strongcore is a bonded polyamide 6.6 continuous filament sewing thread designed for seams with maximum durability. It combines robust performance with brilliant colours, a textile look and feel and reliable multidirectional sewing performance.
Depending on the individual requirements and sewing conditions, Serafil, Strongbond and Onyx can also be used in suitable thread sizes.
| Seam no. | Seam type | Stitch type | Needle thread | Bobbin or looper thread | Needle size min. Nm | Needle size min. No | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article | Ticket no. | Tex no. | Article | Ticket no. | Tex no. | |||||
| 1 | Back and staying seams | 301 lockstitch | Strongcore | 40 | 70 | Strongcore | 40 | 70 | 120 | 19 |
| 2 | Backstrap and toe cap seams | 301 lockstitch | Strongcore | 40 | 70 | Strongcore | 40 | 70 | 120 | 19 |
| 3 | Vamp and function seams | 301 lockstitch | Strongcore | 40 | 70 | Strongcore | 40 | 70 | 120 | 19 |
| 4 | Decorative seams | 301 lockstitch | Strongcore | 20 | 135 | Strongcore | 30 | 90 | 160 | 23 |
| 5 | Lining seams | 301 lockstitch | Strongcore | 80 | 45 | Strongcore | 80 | 45 | 100 | 16 |
Requirements for sewing threads in footwear
The sewing thread is an important part of the overall footwear construction. Depending on the shoe type, material and seam position, requirements may include:
- high seam strength
- high abrasion resistance
- reliable performance under repeated mechanical stress
- consistent stitch formation
- reliable sewing performance
- suitability for different material thicknesses
- suitability for functional and decorative seams
- an attractive seam appearance for visible seam positions
The right combination of sewing thread, thread size, stitch type, needle size, material and seam construction helps create durable and visually consistent seams for different types of footwear.
Choosing the right sewing thread for shoes
There is no single thread size or sewing parameter suitable for every type of footwear. The appropriate solution depends on several factors, including:
- shoe type and intended use
- upper and lining materials
- material thickness
- expected mechanical load
- abrasion exposure
- seam position and construction
- functional or decorative seam
- stitch type and stitch density
- required seam appearance
- thread size
- needle size
- additional requirements such as water repellency
Fine formal footwear may require different thread sizes and visual characteristics than robust leisure or sports footwear. The thread should therefore always be selected according to the specific seam position, material and performance requirements.