How to Resole Your Footwear

Co-authored by Carroll Kelly

Last Updated: March 8, 2023

Resoling your footwear, similar to the original sole, is economical. Custom resoling your footwear costs virtually the same and adds a lot of comfort.

Steps

1
Consider benefits and disadvantages of resoling your footwear.
- It is economical, a resole job should be about half the cost of a new footwear.
- Your shoes do not have to be broken in, it will be comfortable. Shoes that have already been worn have conformed to upper part of your feet. The under sole can be customized to: a softer density sole, heel height change etc.
- Comfort can be costly too. A softer density undersole will wear out faster - a negative. A positive is you will be happier when your feet do not hurt.
- The main disadvantages of resoling a shoe is the thought, that is required, in deciding how to do a resole and the time it takes to decide and take notes.
2
Use a name brand shoe for resoling; they are durable and well made. Good quality and well maintained shoes can last many years. Leather cracks if it is not treated with shoe polish.

Advertisement
3
Do simple resoling. The majority of shoes can be resoled. Certain jobs like resoling athletic shoes, like basketball shoes, cannot be done because most shoemakers will not have experience with lateral reinforcement of shoes and not have the materials for repair on athletic shoes.^{[1]
X
Research source}
4
Choose a shoemaker. Since the price will not vary much for resoling, choose the shoemaker with the most skills. A shoemaker who has the ability to make shoes from scratch is an excellent choice. Also, note the amount of materials and machines in the shop.
- To resole the shoe, like when it was bought, is very simple for the shoemaker to do and follow directions. The shoe repair person has a lot of clients and will not remember, like you can, the details of the past repairs for you. Your directions must be in detail and exact (quantified).
5
For comfort, resole the footwear with a medium density material. A soft density material is the most comfortable but wears out fast. At the other end, a hard density material is very durable but very uncomfortable. Compromise between cost and comfort.
6
For more comfort, add an 1/8 or a 1/4 of an inch to the new sole. This will add greatly to comfort. From heel to toes make the undersole ¹⁄₈ inch (0.3 cm) thicker at the very least.
7
Be concerned about ankle stability. A very thick sole, more than an 1", is very comfortable yet there is a greater chance of ankle injuries. A shoe that is high protects the ankle. A thick sole does not flex, making walking unnatural. Adding a ¹⁄₈ inch (0.3 cm) will not decrease the flex of the shoe and will not increase the possibility of ankle injury - unless the sole is already very thick.
8
Have the shoemaker put on a small piece, 1/4" thick, of very high density rubber at the most rear part of the heel for durability.
9
Change the heel, if necessary. With a lower heel, the foot does not slide to the front and get jammed there. A lower heel may also alleviate back pain. A higher heel instead of a heel cup will reduce or eliminate heel pain. Proper walking technique, without excessive dorsiflexion, even with a low heel, can reduce or eliminate heel pain of this type (where heel elevation reduces pain).
10
Consider spot patching. If just a small part of a shoe is worn such as the very front or heel, the shoemaker can patch that area. Polishing the shoe and the sole covers the patch marks.^{[2]
X
Research source} Patch jobs costs less than resoling.
11
Keep notes for future reference when having custom shoe work done. Organize your notes and keep it in a file chronologically. Draw an outline of both shoes and note the wear patterns. Record the directions given to the shoe repair person. Finally, make other pertinent notes.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I mend the soles of my shoes?

Community Answer

Purchase "Shoe Goo" (you can get it at Target or on Amazon, among other places). Spread it where the damage to your shoe has occurred, and set a weight on top of the shoe. Let it dry for a full day. It'll be better than when you started.
Question

The rubber part of my converse is falling off. How can I fix that on my own?

Jwlhyfer Karnstien de Winter

Community Answer

As long as the sole is not too worn down, you should be able to glue it. (There are glues made to repair shoes specifically that you can purchase.) Use the glue in a well-ventilated space and apply it carefully, following the directions on the tube.
Question

The sole on one of my shoes is damaged, and I will need to resole it. Should I replace the soles on both shoes?

Community Answer

You should replace both to ensure both feet will feel comfortable throughout the day.