Resoling means removing a worn outsole and attaching a new one while keeping the original upper. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, hot pavements and fine sand wear soles down, and smooth marble floors make a worn sole slippery.
What are the signs your shoes need resoling?
Your shoes need resoling when you can start to feel the ground through the sole, or when wear has reached the stitching or the layers under the outsole. Check a pair once a month for these signs:
A soft spot under the ball of the foot. Press the center of the sole with your thumb. If it gives, the leather is nearly worn through.
A hole or crack anywhere on the sole, even a small one. Water and grit get in through it.
Wear reaching the stitching at the toe or along the edge.
A smooth rubber sole with the tread gone, which makes the shoe slip on marble and wet floors.
Heel tips worn down to the heel itself. On stilettos, the metal pin starts to show.
Acting early matters. Once wear passes the outsole and reaches the layers inside the shoe, the repair gets bigger, and some shoes can't be saved.
Will a new sole match the original?
A good resole uses a sole as close as possible to the original in quality, material, thickness, color and finish, so the shoe looks and feels the way it did. That matters most on shoes known for their soles, like the sole of a Loro Piana Summer Walk or the red sole of a Christian Louboutin heel, where a mismatched replacement is the first thing people notice. Ask to see before-and-after photos of similar shoes before you hand a pair over.
When are shoes not worth resoling?
Shoes aren't worth resoling when the uppers are failing or the sole was never designed to be replaced. Skip the repair if the leather has cracked through where the shoe bends, if the lining is torn beyond repair, or if the shoe no longer fits well. Shoes with a stitched sole, such as a Goodyear welt or Blake stitch, are built to be resoled more than once. Many fashion shoes have a molded sole glued to the upper, which is harder to replace cleanly.
How do you make soles and heels last longer?
Leather soles last longer when they have time to dry out between wears. Buy more than one pair so you don't have to wear the same shoes on consecutive days.
Rotate pairs, giving each pair at least a day off between wears.
Put unvarnished wooden shoe trees in as soon as you take your shoes off, so they hold their shape while they dry.
Replace heel tips early. A new tip is a small repair; a damaged heel block is a big one.
Ask a cobbler about a rubber sole protector on new leather soles if you walk a lot outdoors.
Let wet shoes dry naturally, away from direct heat, which can crack leather.
Where can you get shoes resoled without visiting a cobbler?
You can have shoes collected from home for resoling if you don't have time to find a cobbler. Washmen, the UAE laundry and dry cleaning app, offers ShoeCare for designer, leather, suede and delicate shoes. ShoeCare repairs include full resoling and heel tip replacement, and every pair is assessed first. We use replacement soles as close as possible to the original in quality. Full resoling starts from AED 400, from AED 500 for Loro Piana shoes with color restoration, and AED 550 for Goodyear-welted and Blake-stitched shoes, and takes about 7 days. You can book ShoeCare in the Washmen app.
Frequently asked questions
Do resoled shoes fit the same?
A resole keeps the upper and the insole that has molded to your foot, so the fit usually stays close to what you're used to. The new sole can feel stiffer for the first few wears.
How many times can shoes be resoled?
Shoes with a stitched sole, such as a Goodyear welt, can usually be resoled several times, as long as the welt and the uppers stay in good condition. Shoes with glued soles can be resoled fewer times, because each removal puts stress on the upper.
Is it worth resoling designer shoes?
Usually, yes, if the uppers are in good condition. A resole costs less than replacing a designer pair, and you keep shoes you've already broken in.
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