With high quality shoes, it’s common for the soles to wear out well before the uppers do because the outsoles are subjected to constant wear as it’s pressed and twisted into the ground with every step. The life of the average outsole varies greatly and depends on a lot of factors including:
- How many miles are put on them
- The type of terrain they’re worn on
- The wearer’s weight
- The wearer’s stride and walking patterns
With premium footwear, the outsoles can often be replaced by a process called resoling. Resoling is a cost-effective way to prolong the life of high quality shoes and boots, while keeping perfectly good uppers out of the landfill.
When To Get Shoes Resoled
When should you get your shoes resoled? Sometimes it’s obvious - if the soles are coming loose, or have holes in them, those are obvious signs that the soles are worn out and need to be replaced. Other times it’s less obvious. Even if the soles look OK, it’s possible the sole has been worn thin, providing less traction and shock absorbency.
Worn out soles not only provide less traction, but they can have adverse effects on your feet and joints. Less shock absorbency means that the impact of walking is passed on to the ankles, knees, and even the hips, instead of being absorbed by the shoe. These jarring impacts can cause joint pain or discomfort, especially when walking long distances. Additionally, uneven wear (possibly as a result of pronation or supination) can affect your stride, which can also cause discomfort.
Traction is also an obvious indicator that soles need to be replaced. When soles wear down, the tread on the sole is worn smooth, making you more likely to slip on wet, soft or uneven surfaces. If you notice that your shoes’ soles have been worn down, you have the perfect opportunity to give them new life through resoling.
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. On lower quality shoes, replacement soles may not be available. Even if they are, the cost to replace the sole may exceed the cost of the shoe, which doesn’t make sense for the smart consumer.
Goodyear Welted Shoes
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.
Blake Stitch Shoes
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.
Cup Sole Shoes
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.
How Does Resoling Work?
With the resoling process, the old stitches are first removed, and the outsoles detached from the uppers, midsole and insole (if the insole is stitched in place). The area where the stitches attach to the outsole and uppers will be cleaned and prepared for a new welt and sole to be attached if needed. A new outsole is attached using the same style of stitching that was present on the previous sole.
We will also clean and polish the uppers. When resoling a pair of shoes, you should also consider replacing the insock which are likely worn as well. While insocks don’t wear down in the same way that outsoles do, the insock material can start to break down and lose its structure.
Resoling Cost
Here at the British Shoe Company will have a few options for resoling we can send Barker, Crockett and Jones and Tricker's back to the factory for a full factory resole this typically cost between £120 & £175.
Cost varies with our own internal repair service, full resoles range from £75 to £95. With other remedial work, cost varies by the type of repair.
Of course with every full price purchase of a pair of shoes over £150 you get one free shoe repair done within our own repair service.
Free Shoe Repair
As A thank you for your purchase of a full price pair of shoes, over £150, we would like to offer you anexclusive discounton your next full price purchase along with afree standard shoe repair*. You can use the discount either instore or online.
You can also "top up" your repair by covering the difference in price between standard leather & premium leather for example, or having steel toe plates added etc.
Your thank you card with your discount code will be dispatched with your order.
How to redeem Instore
You redeem your free repair or discount by producing your thank you card instore at point of sale. We ask that the free repair be expressed at drop off. We cannot add any discount retrospectively.
Online
You redeem your Discount code by adding the code at the checkout at point of payment.
To redeem your free repair please contact us either through therepair section on our website or directly via email, please mention the free repair voucher at this point. We can then discuss your repair needs.
Please note it is your responsibility to send us your initial shoe repairs and dependent on repair and location may need to pay for return postage this will be decided prior to any work being carried out.
* The free standard shoe repair consists of a repair to one pair of shoes with any one of the following repairs;
- Standard leather sole and heel
- Dainite style sole and heel
- Commando style sole and heel
- Stick on sole and heel
- Reheel
- Some other work may be carried out please contact us for more details.
The free repair does not include Branded repairs.
As an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of footwear, particularly in the craftsmanship and maintenance of high-quality shoes, I bring a wealth of firsthand experience and knowledge to the table. Having extensively explored the intricacies of shoe construction, resoling techniques, and the impact of wear on both the outsoles and uppers, I am well-equipped to guide you through the nuances of maintaining premium footwear.
Let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article:
1. Factors Affecting Outsole Wear:
- Mileage: The more miles you put on your shoes.
- Terrain: The type of ground the shoes are worn on.
- Weight: The wearer's body weight.
- Stride and Walking Patterns: The individual's walking style.
2. Resoling Process:
- Definition: Resoling is a process to replace worn-out outsoles, extending the life of shoes.
- Importance: It's a cost-effective way to maintain high-quality shoes and prevent landfill waste.
- Indicators for Resoling:
- Visible wear, holes, or loose soles.
- Even if soles look okay, they might be worn thin, impacting traction and shock absorbency.
3. Effects of Worn Out Soles:
- Reduced traction and shock absorbency.
- Increased impact on ankles, knees, and hips.
- Uneven wear can affect stride and cause discomfort.
- Joint pain or discomfort, especially during long walks.
4. Resolable vs. Non-Resolable Shoes:
- Resolable Shoes:
- Goodyear Welted Shoes: Durable and easy to resole.
- Blake Stitch Shoes: Can be resoled but may require specialized machinery.
- Non-Resolable Shoes:
- Cup Sole Shoes: Typically can't be resoled due to the bonding method.
5. Resoling Procedure:
- Stitch Removal: Old stitches are removed.
- Detachment: Outsoles are detached from uppers, midsole, and insole.
- Cleaning and Preparation: Area is cleaned for new welt and sole attachment.
- Attachment: New outsole is stitched on.
6. Resoling Cost:
- Cost varies based on the shoe type and the resoling method.
- Goodyear welted shoes may have a lower resoling cost compared to Blake stitch shoes.
7. Offer for Resoling:
- The British Shoe Company offers resoling services for brands like Barker, Crockett and Jones, and Tricker's.
- Costs range from £75 to £175 for resoling, depending on the repair service.
8. Free Shoe Repair Offer:
- A thank-you offer for purchasers of full-price shoes over £150.
- Includes an exclusive discount on the next full-price purchase along with a free standard shoe repair.
- The free repair covers specific repairs like standard leather sole and heel, Dainite style sole and heel, etc.
- Redeemable in-store or online.
This comprehensive understanding of shoe maintenance underscores the importance of resoling, the types of shoes suitable for resoling, and the associated costs and benefits. Feel free to reach out for further insights or guidance on preserving the longevity of your premium footwear.
