Traditional shoemaking techniques and shoe structures lend themselves well to shoe repairs and resoles. You’ll find that a good pair of formal shoes incorporates welts and stitching that facilitate repairs for a truly lifelong (or thereabouts) shoe. With proper care and attention, the occasional repair and simple resole you could come to enjoy each step for many, many years.
Shoe Repair & Care
If you’ve invested in a fine pair of shoes it's unlikely you're ready to part ways quickly. If you find yourself faced with some minor, cosmetic damages a repair is always best. We know how hard it can be to part with a pair, we’ve been there and that's ok, you really don’t have to.
Sometimes it might not even be cost-effective to go through with a repair but for whatever reason we can't let go, we fully support the sustainability of a repair over replacement.
Repairs
A good cobbler can restore worn shoes from waterproofing to leather repairs:
- upper repairs including scuffs and tears
- zip, eyelet and lace repairs
- rewelting
- waterproofing
- reheeling and resoling
- re-dyes
- alterations
- stretching
- clean and polish
Prolonging the life of your shoes
To extend the life of your fine footwear it’s important to take good care of them. Different leathers require different levels of care and products. To learn more about your leathers and leather care, read our complete guide here.
Beyond repair?
There's really no need, if your shoes or boots hold some serious sentimental value there’s no reason a badly battered shoe can’t be fixed. It might cost you more than the initial price paid and then some but it’s for you to decide whether it's worth the cost.
When to replace shoes
If you don't have the cash to splash, or you don’t hold your shoes in too high a regard, take a look at the condition of the welt and leather uppers. Check both for dry, cracked areas which can be expensive to fix and replace. If previous resole jobs have been a little shoddy leaving old welt holes exposed, another resole might not be possible or a good idea as this could compromise the strength of the new welt, replacing your shoes might be the only option.
Finally, it’s also a good idea to pay special attention to the level of comfort and support provided by the shoe too. There’s no use keeping hold of shoes that make walking a pain.
How often should you replace shoes?
Dress shoes and formal shoes can last several years with the occasional re-sole and re-heel matched with proper shoe care for a long-lasting pair.
The time might come when replacement is completely unavoidable. When it’s finally time to say goodbye to your trusted companions A Fine Pair of Shoes has hundreds of footwear styles and then some!
Repairs vs Replace
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Repairs |
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Best for shoes with minor damage Difficult to part with shoes Minor damages: tears, scuffs, resoling, buckle replacement Can be cost-effective Restore shoes, improving strength and wear Sustainable, eco-friendly option |
Best for shoes beyond repair Lack of support and comfort More expensive than repairs and resoling |
When to resole shoes
If you’ve invested in a pair of shoes with resolable soles as found with Goodyear welted soles or Blake stitch shoes or boots (depending on wear) a resole should take place every 2-3 years or look for signs of:
- Worn-down soles are a sign you’ve exhausted the soles of their tread
- Discomfort or lack of support with each step
- The condition of your shoes is still pretty sparkling
It's a good idea to check the soles of your shoes occasionally; taking note of their condition, to not let wear and tear have a knock-on effect on the shoe's overall support and comfort.
Resoling Goodyear Welted Shoes
Thanks to the construction and design, Goodyear welted shoes are easily resoled. They’re an excellent investment if you’re looking for a shoe that’ll truly last. Although you might pay a steeper upfront shoe cost, resolling shoes plays a far more cost-effective role when compared with completely replacing your footwear. The original construction and aesthetic of the shoe are always preserved too, maintaining the shoe's integrity and improving durability.
If you’re wondering how a Goodyear sole is replaced, the process entails; the old outsole is first removed from the uppers and the midsole. At this stage, repairs are carried out, filling in any holes, or gaps with special care placed on any damaged areas. Once ready for resolling a new welt is attached using the Goodyear technique. The Goodyear stitch welts a new outsole to the upper and midsole by hand or by machine. A final polish completes the service along with any other leather repairs, heel replacement, etc.
Resolable, Repairable Shoes For Life with A Fine Pair of Shoes
Our range of boots and shoes includes a range of styles from a selection of handpicked brands; all known for their quality materials and true craftsmanship, all for a long-lasting shoe.
Find high-quality smart casual and formal footwear as well as Goodyear soles and Blake stitch shoes online with A Fine Pair of Shoes.
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