One of the common issues mountaineers experience when participating in various adventurous activities is dealing with a cracked, chipped, or split shoe rand and sole. While the damage can be irreparable in some circumstances, there could also be a chance for your climbing shoes to be restored through resoling.
Pro-Tip: You should make it a habit to inspect your climbing shoes before going on a trip. Technically, the inspection process is called grading, and it tells you all you need to know about the state of your climbing shoes, if they are conditioned at all. If you want to ensure your utmost safety, especially with old shoes, have them professionally inspected to avoid any issues you may encounter.
What is Shoe Resoling?
Shoe resoling is the method of replacing soles to refurbish old shoes that can still be used after repair. It is performed skillfully to ensure that they maintain durability, functionality, and looks.
The process can be as simple as putting on new soles, having the stitching on your shoes redone, etc., according to how you’d want it to look afterward. You can also decide to have the soles of your shoes polished to give them a brand new look.
For climbing shoes, repairing the rands is also an excellent investment because it extends the longevity, quality construction, and other features.
You will notice a huge difference in the appearance and feel of your shoes after getting them resoled. Often, repair shops include complete shoe renewal services to ensure that you will experience all the benefits as if you bought a new pair.
Here at NuShoe, we aim to provide top-quality service to every customer and every pair of shoes we renew. Check out some of our shoe renewal services and customer testimonials here!
How to Know if Your Shoes are Suitable for Getting a Repair
Since you love hiking, trekking, or climbing, it’s inevitable for you to experience having damaged shoes due to tough wear. It’s highly unavoidable, especially with various terrains you encounter in different parts of the mountain.
If you’ve worn out your favorite pair of climbing shoes, and they’re not functioning up to par anymore, you might immediately consider that it is likely time for you to get some new shoes. However, several conditions will determine if you still have the option of repairing your climbing shoes despite the damage it has acquired. There could even be ways to repurpose that old pair, especially if you know that it is of good quality and built to last for more years. You can assess the damages first and identify the main issues that can still be fixed.
You will need to do some investigation before you decide to have them repaired, but; you want to be sure that you’re not going to waste your money and sacrifice comfort and durability in favor of restoring them if they’re not suitable anymore.
Shoe Quality
One of the most common reasons that climbing shoes start to fall apart is poor shoe construction. Most beginners in mountain climbing do not put enough attention into the shoes they choose to wear. As a result, their shoes are often lacking in cushioning, rigidity, and durability. If your shoes begin to wear out only after one or two trips, you should seriously consider having them assessed by an expert shoe repair specialist.
High-quality climbing shoes are not only designed to provide maximum comfort and safety for the wearer, but they’re meant to last longer if maintained regularly and repaired appropriately.
Resoling Climbing Shoes: Knowing When It’s Time
Resoling involves a simple process, although it does require expert hands to retain the shoe quality for continued use. Knowing when it’s time to resole your climbing shoes will depend on your active lifestyle. You have to consider certain factors, such as your climbing style, the frequency of your activities, and the level of terrain difficulty you often take, including other conditions in the area. The surfaces your shoes step on will naturally affect the sole’s aspects, such as when exposed to dirt, mud, rocks, heat, puddles, etc.
When your shoes begin to show signs of wear such as cracks, tears, or signs of weakness in any shoe area, you should consider having them resoled. A professional shoe repair company can perform an analysis of the wear and tear of your shoes, as well as determining the cause of the wear and tear. Once your shoe repair specialist has determined what exactly is wrong with your shoes, they can recommend the best solution.
You can never tell when your climbing shoes will fall apart or start to wear down, whether you are a beginner or an experienced rock climber. Maintaining an active lifestyle means you must purchase the right equipment for your outdoor activities.
Lastly, if you want to ensure that you are getting the best deal to resole your climbing shoes, you must follow the grading process. You will most likely result in purchasing a pair of shoes that are not as good as those you were initially hoping to buy without proper inspection.
Final Note
Whether you’re just a beginner or experienced in advanced treks, you need to get equipped with proper apparel to avoid accidents. The moment you notice that your climbing shoes are already forming some cracks, chips, or about to split, that’s when you know it’s time to resole them. It’s essential to prioritize scheduling them for repair for your safety and prevent further damages.
Shoe repair, resoling, and renewal entail applying some special treatment done to your old shoes so that they look as great as new. Several shoe repair and renewal shops provide comprehensive services, so make sure you take the time to choose where you’ll get the satisfaction you need, especially if you think you’ll regularly require resoling services for the shoes you’ll be using for all your adventures.
NuShoe offers sustainable solutions to repair, resole, and renew your footwear for more extended use. Our expert craftsmen are masters in the art of handcrafted shoe renewal and have been providing premier service since 1994. Visit us here for more information about our services!