If you own high-quality shoes, you know that the soles can wear out before the uppers do. Fortunately, resoling is a cost-effective way to extend the life of your shoes while keeping the uppers out of the landfill. In this section, we will go over when to get shoes resoled, what shoes can be resoled, how resoling works, resoling cost, and where to get shoes resoled.

When to Get Shoes Resoled

As for when to get your shoes resoled, it can often be quite difficult to figure this out. One can tell that the soles are coming off or have some holes, that is clear indications that the soles of the shoes need replacement. However, even if the soles look fine they can be worn out and will not be able to give proper traction and shock absorption.

The worn out soles might also be inclined to create some sorts of discomfort sensations in the feet and joints if they undergo stress related to walking or other actions on a daily basis. Also, it can cause irregularity in walking patterns, which is uncomfortable to the feet. Traction is also another obvious sign that soles will need to be changed soon. Resoling is especially ideal for you if you realize that the soles of your shoes are worn out.

What Shoes Can Be Resoled

Not all shoes can be resoled. Whether a shoe can be resoled depends entirely on the design and construction of the shoe. Shoes that use a cup sole typically can't be resoled. The rubber cup outsole is permanently bonded to the leather uppers using cement, and removing it usually destroys the leather, making replacement impossible. Sneakers and casual shoes are commonly constructed using cup soles, which is faster, easier and less expensive than a Blake Stitch or a Goodyear Welt.

With a Blake Stitch, the shoe's uppers are stitched directly to the outsoles, with the stitches visible on the insides and bottoms of the shoes. Blake Stitch shoes can be resoled, but a cobbler will need a Blake Stitch Machine, which makes resoling more expensive and more difficult.

The Goodyear welt is one of the most common methods of construction, and also one of the most durable. With Goodyear construction, a piece of leather (the welt) is applied to the perimeter of the shoe where the outsole meets the upper. Two separate stitches are then used to A) attach the welt to the outsole and B) attach the welt to the uppers and insole (in some cases). Goodyear welted shoes are the easiest to resole.

How Does Resoling Work?

To resole means to strip out the old stitches, and undo the outsoles from the uppers, midsole, and insole if the insole is sown on. This location where the stitches meet the outsole and uppers will be debarked and made ready for a new welt and sole attaching. They stick a new outsole in the same pattern of the stitch used by the previous sole of the shoe.

This is the right time to replace the insoles of the shoes as well since these are also usually old. Although insoles are not subject to contact with flooring like outsoles, the insole material becomes prone to degradation and loses its defining form.

Resoling Cost

The resoling cost varies by brand and model, and also depends on the type of construction used. Generally speaking, resoling will cost less than $100.

Where to Get Shoes Resoled

Speak to the manufacturer of the shoe to see whether the shoe can be resoled, and if yes, seek an authorized resoler. There is rarely a shortage of cobbler’s-shops in most cities, however, owing to the great number of shoe types and methods of construction, one should ask the manufacturer or make sure that the resoler has practiced dealing with the particular make or model. Your shoes carry you through all these places, so it is only reasonable to care for them.