Abstract: A method and means are disclosed for use in a press whereby a sole and an upwardly projecting portion thereof, for instance, such as is used in many athletic type shoes, are attached adhesively to a shoe. An elastically deformable pad mounted in a relatively rigid support is recessed closely to fit the sole therein and has a wall overlying the projecting portion of the sole, the pad also having walls sloping toward the tread surface of the sole and inwardly of the pad. Sloping surfaces of the support engage external walls of the pad positioned thereon so that, when the support and pad are assembled in the press and the latter operated to cause the shoe to deform the pad, the heightwise projecting portion of the sole will be pressed against the upper of the shoe.