Regardless of how attentive you are when wearing work boots, they’ll eventually show signs of tear and wear. Resoling and repairing are crucial steps to take before damages become irreversible. But how much does it cost to resole work boots? Is it worth the price, or should you buy new boots instead?
The average cost to resole boots is between $80 and $150. Many factors affect the price, such as the sole structures, materials, and brands. Price also varies by cobblers and locations. Let’s break it down.
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When Should You Get Your Boots Resoled?
A major advantage of safety leather boots is that you can resole to make the most use out of them. High-quality boots with proper maintenance can last a lifetime. Your boot soles might be worn out, split, paper-thin, messy, or unsightly. But don’t rush paying the cobbler yet, do this test first.
Press your thumbs against the soles to sense whether they are too weak or spongy. They might be in better shape than you anticipated. A good rubber sole is vigorous and long-lasting, it can easily endure a thousand miles.
However, if you live in humid weather conditions or regularly walk on wet terrain, rubber soles can disintegrate after one or two years. It is because the material is vulnerable under the effect of moisture. It gradually splits apart, loses flexibility, and becomes mushy.
Afterward, look for the following signs:
- Discomfort: Your beloved boots feel less comfortable and supportive. The process happens over a long period, so it is hard to notice. But the moment you see that they are unusually slippery, soggy, or rigid, you know it’s the right moment to take them to the cobbler. Plus, rubber shrinks when exposed to heat consistently. So, if your well-fitted boots now feel overly tight, it’s also a sign.
- Uneven pattern: Work boots come with tread soles to provide more traction. When they are too worn out, they’ll lose this protective function. When you notice the soles are shabby, think about having them resoled, especially if your job involves slippery floors and substances. Besides, wearing uneven-patterned soles will affect your postures, leading to ankle and knee pain in the long run.
- Heel, leather, and welt damage: Take a glance at the bottom of the boots. Are the welts split or torn? Is the heel as firm as it used to be? Bend your boots to check for cracks. The longer you leave your safety footwear in its bad shape, the more expensive the reconstruction will be. Boots with cracked insoles, torn leather, or worn over the linings normally cannot be repaired.
Last but not least, examine the upper leather carefully. If the upper parts can’t stand up for another few years, the resole will be a waste of money.
The Cost of Resoling Work Boots
The price to resole boots depends on the degradation, location, boot brand, and cobbler. As mentioned above, it can be from $80 to $150.
Red Wing Shoes offer a premium repair package that costs $125, which includes resole, stitch repair, lace replacement, and leather conditioning. You can also choose to fix only certain parts. In that case, a boot resole costs approximately $100. The quality and type of the soles play a huge part in the overall cost.
However, you might not need an entire replacement. There are more affordable options if the damage is not too severe. For instance, heel replacement is $50, stitching repair is $25, and gusset restoration is around $75.
Moreover, you should take into account the amount of time it might require. If there isn’t a local shop nearby, you have to spend time finding and driving the boots to a cobbler. Otherwise, you need to wait for the mailman to collect them, sending them to a shoe repair company.
This procedure commonly takes two to three weeks plus a delivery fee. It might sound like it’s too long for just a simple sole replacement but a resole involves many skillful and meticulous steps.
Watch this video to learn more:
Pros and Cons of Having Work Boots Resoled
Now, think about whether or not the costs to get boots resoled are worth it. You might not want to resole if the cost exceeds their initial value. Under $150 work boots aren’t worth resoling. They are not designed to last long anyway.
Meanwhile, handcrafted boots that cost over $300 are definitely worth repairing. Besides the price, many other factors might affect your final decision. So, let’s weigh the pros and cons.
Benefits of resoling work boots
- You don’t have to go through the trouble of buying new boots. Paying hundreds of dollars doesn’t guarantee a pair of boots that you’ll love. Not to mention the time and effort you need to break them in, which might take up to a month.
- It helps save money on expensive boots. A resole costs a lot less than a new purchase.
- Recycling reduces the amount that ends up in landfills. Resoling, especially when the upper parts of your boots are still in perfect shape, is highly sustainable.
- You get to keep your favorite boots that are already conformed to your feet. It is not easy to find comfortable safety footwear, so it won’t make sense to dump a fixable item.
Drawbacks of resoling work boots
- As said, it can take up to three weeks to resole boots. If you don’t have another pair to wear to work during this time, you might want to go ahead and buy new boots.
- It is not cost-efficient for inexpensive shoes. The resoling boots cost can roughly afford a pair of budget-friendly work boots.
- The new soles might not offer the same comfort and durability as the original ones. It depends on the cobbler’s craftsmanship, materials, and how you wear them. Replaced soles will last from one to five years. Most boots can only withstand three to four resoles before the upper leather becomes over-punctured.
Can You Resole Your Work Boots at Home?
Another option is to recycle your boots at home. The process might be quite complicated. But if you enjoy doing things yourself, then I don’t see why not. You will need a sole repair kit and rubber soles the size of your boots. The total cost would be around $25. Here are the brief instructions.
- Step 1: Cut the former soles off with a razor blade. Be careful not to cut into the boot.
- Step 2: Wipe away the residues and sand down the bottom.
- Step 3: Spread adhesive evenly on the underside. Wait for a few minutes until the glue becomes tacky.
- Step 4: Press the new sole against the boot bottom. Do this slowly to ensure correct placement.
- Step 5: Let the glue set for at least 24 hours. Then, sand any rough surfaces down with sandpaper. Clean the excess, and your boots are good to go.
Note that this procedure won’t apply to complex sole constructions like Goodyear welt, Blake stitch, or Norwegian stitch.
Conclusion
To sum up this article on how much does it cost to resole work boots, having your work boots resoled is a great way to reach their full potential. But it’s no redundancy to consider the pros and cons before paying the shoemaker. Boots are to protect and support your feet, so make a good decision for your health and safety. If you want to seek further advice, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are glad to assist. Thank you for reading!
Veronica is our content editor. She is a talent in delivery. Her main work is editing and writing articles that are both informative and simple to follow. She is in charge of synthesizing our understanding of what personal protection equipment (PPE) is needed in each job, how to best apply it, and how to visualize that equipment.