You might have a pair of shoes that you love to wear every day, or perhaps you are a sneakerhead who loves to keep up with trendy shoes and want them in your wardrobe.
But all these wishes and collections of trendy shoes might go in vain. The trendy, colourful sneakers you see nowadays do not come with a life-extending solution, i.e., they are not repairable.
Not heard of repairable shoes before?
Though you might not have heard about these shoes before but would have worn them once in your life. It’s understandable because the shoe industry is always neglected and left out of the conversation when you talk about repairing.
There were times when our grandparents used to repair their shoes. At that time, repairing shoes was a common thing. But now, with the advent of mass production and cheaper products, people prefer to buy new shoes instead of repairing them. So, the time has changed, and so has the approach towards wearing shoes.
But not all shoes are repairable. There are a few kinds of footwear that can be repaired. If you want to know which type of shoes can be repaired, you should read this article till the end. We’ve come up with this guide that will help you learn everything about repairable shoes.
What Are Repairable Shoes?
As the name suggests, repairable shoes are the ones that can be fixed or repaired. Soles and heel replacement is what determines if a shoe is repairable or not. The heels and soles of the shoes wear out faster than the rest of the shoes. So, replacing them is one of the most common shoe repairs. However, apart from this, many different types of shoe repairs can be done to increase their durability.
Different Types of Shoe Repairs that Can be Done
Cobblers are the ones who can give life to your shoe. Heels and soles are the most common shoe repairs, as these parts wear out faster than the other parts of the shoe. However, the tongue and upper part of the shoe are also among the common repairs. They are the ones who can replace the sole, heels, heel tips and high heels too. Apart from these, cobblers can also get these repairs done:
Shine shoes
Cobblers can get back their shine if your shoes look dull and make them look new.
Fix or replace straps
Cobblers can fix, shorten or lengthen the straps for strappy shoes and sandals.
Resole a Leather Bottomed Shoe
Sole replacements can improve the durability of your shoes. If your shoes have a leather or fake leather sole, they can be replaced by cobblers. However, apart from leather, some rubber-soled shoes can be replaced.
Repair scuffed or stained leather
If you have stains or scuffs on your leather shoes, cobblers can easily make them invisible and bring back that class look.
Stretch out and adjust the shoes that are too tight
Stretching and adjusting the size of the shoes is only possible with leather and some faux leather substitutes. With a judicious application of force on the shoe, the cobbler adds a little length and width to your shoe so that you can wear them comfortably.
Repair chewing damage done by your pet
If your beloved pet does chewing damage, cobblers can also repair them. They can make your shoe as new, fresh and classy as it was before.
Replace the Heel Tips
The heel tip has been worn out and falls off the shoe of every woman who wears high heels. The best course of action is to go to the cobbler and have them replace them with sturdy quality ones rather than replacing the tip. When they become worn out, these may also be replaced more readily.
Add padding to the insole and arch
When you wear your shoes, you might even feel uncomfortable. So, cobblers can add padding to the insole and arch so you can have a comfortable walk.
Dye shoes to bring back the classy look
Cobblers can dye your shoes with different colours to give life to your faded pairs. You can also ask cobblers to dye the same colour.
However, cobblers are not gods or magicians who can do everything. There are certain things that even cobbles can’t repair:
- Resoling for sneakers and similar types of shoes
- Lighten the dark shoes
- Make heels taller
- Widen boot shafts
What Kinds of Shoes Can Be Repaired?
When we talk about the kinds of shoes that can be repaired, we talk about shoes made out of leather, faux leather, apple leather or other plant-based leather. A number of the best vegan shoe brands are available that offer shoes not made from actual leather.
Apart from these, flats, loafers, work boots, sandals, dress boots and high heels are the types of shoes that can be repaired. When you talk about these shoes, the sole and upper parts are attached to a separate strip of leather. This will ensure the sole of the shoe can easily be replaced and make the shoe more water-resistant.
No matter how expensive your sneakers are, you won’t be getting the soles replaced. However, when we talk about sneakers, they do not fall under this category. Typically fused to the shoe, the plastic soles used in sporting footwear are less resilient.
Additionally, the various sneaker styles’ bottoms are very different, making the replacement a lot more difficult. The best thing that can be done with your sneakers is the temporary fix using glue.
Tips to Get Your Repairs Done Effectively
Once you’ve considered what types of shoes and repairs can be done, it’s time to get some tips. These tips will help you get the most out of your shoe repairs.
If you have a leather-soled shoe that is a little worn out, consider taking it to the cobbler to have rubber soles installed. This keeps the water from seeping in and prevents further damage.
If you are going to get your shoes new pads for added comfort, make sure to choose them wisely and carefully. You should consider choosing cork-based insoles or a castor oil-based polyurethane option for an eco-friendly alternative. You need to keep in mind the importance of environmental protection and go for the eco-friendly option.
Don’t buy shoes just to mend them. Overall, it turns out to be a bad purchase because repairs can mount up quickly. So, unless the shoe is unique and something you can’t live without, you might want to reconsider repairing it.
Waterproofing your shoes regularly is one of the essential tips to keep in mind. Various eco-friendly options, including different types of waxes and canned spray options, will make your shoes waterproof. These are some of the best ways to save the environment and increase the lifespan of your shoes.
To increase the lifespan of your shoes, you should consider taking proper care of them. Regular cleaning, keeping them away from sun spots, etc., will extend the lifespan of your shoes and will reduce the need for repairs.
Shoe Brands That Make Repairable Shoes
There are some shoe brands that make repairable shoes, and you might consider purchasing a pair of kicks from them. These shoes are handmade and can easily be repaired. So, here are some brands that deal in repairable shoes.
1. GORAL
GORAL is a UK-based shoe brand that deals in handmade repairable casual and work shoes. They offer a lifetime repair guarantee for all of their repairable shoes. This brand only deals in repairable men’s shoes and offers a variety of shoe types, including loafers, trainers and boots. GORAL produces every shoe at its Britain-based workshop; all its products are handmade.
2. Nisolo
Nisolo deals in handmade shoes, handbags and other accessories. They offer repairable men’s & women’s shoes for every need and every type. From heels and flats to weather-resistant ones, Nisolo has everything you need. Most of the shoes from Nisolo are made with leather, and some vegan leather options too.
3. Vivobarefoot
Vivobarefoot is another shoe brand that makes shoes out of sustainable materials, including organic cotton and recyclable plastic. Their shoes are designed in such a way that they offer comfort as well as durability. The company also provides repair services for any shoes that wear out.
4. VYN
A Swiss sneaker brand that designs repairable sneakers whose components like heels can be replaced at home. VYN also offers different coloured heel components so you can customise your shoes according to your style.
They have a collection of classic street sneakers that are not ideally made for running purposes but definitely for showing off your style. The shoes are available in leather and suede with a variety of colour options.
5. ABLE
ABLE offers repairable women’s shoes, jewellery, clothes and accessories. They offer shoes in a variety of types, including flats, heels, leather boots, loafers and sandals. ABLE’s shoes are made from a variety of materials, including synthetic fabrics, different types of leather and plant fibres. The company focuses on producing environmentally-friendly products.
Conclusion
Repairable shoes are best for you and the environment. One of the best tips to live a sustainable life is to minimise waste and repair your shoes. So, through this article, you might have gotten some tips and learned the best ways to repair old shoes and have a more environmentally friendly wardrobe.
