By Jayden Mark
If you wear work boots every day on the job, you know how important they are to your safety. You also know how expensive they can be. So it only makes sense to take good care of your work boots to help them last as long as possible.
Sometimes, a good pair of work boots can return to new-like condition by having them resoled. This article will discuss whether work boots can be resoled and the pros and cons of having this service done.
Can Work Boots be Resoled?
It’s important to ensure your work boots are safe to wear, as they protect your feet and ankles from dangers around the job site.
If you notice the soles are damaged, consider having them resoled by a professional cobbler or replaced as soon as possible to prevent injuries. Some common signs that your work boots need to be resoled include worn down or missing tread, spitting, and holes.
What Types of Work Boots Can be Resoled?
So, how do you determine whether your work boots can be resoled? If the boot’s sole is stitched to the upper part of the boot, then they typically can be resoled. These types of work boots are manufactured with a welt construction, which means the sole and the upper are both stitched into a layer between the two. The good news is that many work boots sold today come with welt construction.
Aside from welt construction, other common types of boots that can be resoled include Norwegian stitch, Blake Stitch, Goodyear Welted, and boots with a Stichdown stitch. You’ll notice that welt stitching is common among these types of boots.
The most common sign that a pair of work boots can’t be resoled is if the sole and upper are glued, molded, or cemented together. Boot repair service is likely not an option in these cases.
However, if you’re unsure whether your work boots can be resoled, it’s a good idea to take them to a cobbler to be inspected. A cobbler has advanced knowledge and tools. They may have a solution that can save you from spending hundreds of dollars on a new pair of work boots.
Reasons to Have Your Work Boots Resoled
If you work a demanding or physical job that requires the use of a sturdy, safe work boot, you want to get your boots repaired or replaced if you notice any of the following issues:
Is the Cost to Resole a Pair of Work Boots Worth it Compared to Buying New Boots?
At the end of the day, there’s no reason to have a pair of work boots resoled if it’s almost as expensive as buying a new pair of work boots.
The average cost of resoling a pair of work boots is about $50 to $150. Half-sole resoling services may cost about $30 to $70. However, several factors can affect the overall cost of resoling, including the materials, brands, and quality.
Whether it’s worth paying a cobbler to resole your shoes comes down to the type of work boots you wear and how expensive they are. If you’re paying around $100 for new work boots then it probably makes more sense to just buy a new pair of work boots. But if your work boots cost $200 or more – and the boots have more useful life left in them – then consider having them resoled.
Do Certain Brands of Work Boots Offer Boot Repair Services?
Red Wing Shoe Company has a repair shop at its Red Wing, Minnesota, headquarters. Red Wing offers a premium repair package for $140, which includes a number of services such as resoling, repairing stitching, replacing welting, and reconditioning the leather. Red Wing also offers a la carte options, which include resoling for $115.
DSW stores also offer a repair service. But this facility is currently available only in select stores in Texas, Ohio and California. Sole repairs start at $68/Pair.
Hoffman Boots, meanwhile, also offers leather boot sole repair. The average repair cost for new Vibram soles, leather heel blocks, and heels costs about $120 to $130 on average.
Nicks Homemade Boots also provides resoling and rebuilding services.
Pros and Cons of Resoling Work Boots
Deciding whether to resole your work boots is often based on the type of boot, how expensive they are, their condition, and how old the boots are.
Pros
Saving money from having to buy a new, expensive pair of work boots.
You don’t have to work in a new pair of boots.
You get to keep your favorite pair of boots.
Cons
You may be without a pair of work boots for a couple of weeks as they’re being resoled. This can be even longer if you have to mail the boots to a shoe repair shop.
The boots might not be a good fit for resoling services due to excess damage or age.
If you only pay $100 to $200 for new work boots, it might be more cost-effective to use the money on a new pair of work boots.
Jayden Mark has gained a wealth of knowledge about safety protocols in industries while working in a steel mill as well as a welder in the construction industry. He is the content editor for comfortworkboots.com where he shares his insights and expertize in his related field.
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