Abstract: An improved pad box for use in a shoe sole attaching press supports the shoe and sole in a manner which applies pressure along the sole over a wide range of sizes and heel heights with improved, more uniform pressure distribution. The pad box supports a number of compressible, rubber-like pads which are arranged so that they may slide with respect to each other so that their upper surfaces can conform to the contour of the shoe bottom. The arrangement of compressible pads is supported by the bottom of the pad box which has a special construction including a number of links and trays. The links and trays are arranged to provide additional freedoms of motion which enable the compressible pads to shift about with greater freedom and over a wider range of shoe bottom contours than with prior devices. The pad box provides proper distribution of pressures while requiring reduced overall levels of force.