We’re so glad you asked!
“Can you repair my shoes?” is something we get asked day in and day out as cobblers. Usually, it comes right after someone realizes how much they loved a certain pair of shoes that are now in a state of disrepair.
These shoe repair requests can range from straightforward fixes, like heel or sole damage, to total destruction of their favorite shoes because their (once beloved) dog decided they would be better enjoyed as chew toys!
The good news is that – the overwhelming majority of the time - the answer to “Can you fix my shoes?” will be a resoundingly confident, “Yes, we can repair your shoes!”.
Time to forgive your dog.
So, how do we evaluate shoe repair projects in the first place?
The goal of shoe repair is first to focus on the preservation of the shoe structure so that we can ensure the longevity of your shoes. Next, we focus on the aesthetic to make sure your shoes look as fantastic after repair as they did when you first slipped them on.
To check if we can fix your shoes, we focus on 5 different areas of the shoe:
1. The shoe upper. This is the part above the sole that blankets your foot in lovely materials such as leathers, suede, and fabrics. This is the part that comes in a million different patterns, colors and designs. This is probably what made you fall in love with your shoes at first glance!
2. The shoe insole. This is the part of the shoe your foot actually sits on.
3. The shoe heel base. This is the part of the shoe that is attached to the sole and serves as the foundation for the heel cap to connect to. This can range from tall, such as high heel or stiletto bases, to nearly non-existent for other styles of flat shoes, sneakers, or sandals.
4. The shoe sole. This is the part of the shoe that makes contact with the ground. Your sole provides grip and traction, bounce and flexibility, and can specialize your shoe for a certain activity, like running, climbing, driving, golf, or rock climbing.
5. The heel cap. Similar to the shoe sole, a heel cap is attached either directly to the sole, or to the heel base. The heel cap provides the same traction and comfort as the sole.
Now that you’ve had a shoe anatomy lesson, how about some simple answers?
Can we fix high heels that have been worn down the metal pin? YES!
Can we fix the broken buckle on your oxfords? YES!
Can we fix a shoe heel that has been destroyed by a puppy? YES!
Can we fix badly damaged shoe soles on your loafers? YES!
9.9 times out of 10 we can fix your shoes.
Most often, damage to the soles and heel caps of shoes can easily be fixed. The main exception being if the sole has been worn all the way down (or up!) into the insole. In this case, the structure may be too far gone to be repaired. This said, before giving up on your shoe, be sure to Zoom or chat with our cobblers to inquire about your special “repair challenge”!
There are, of course, some cases where the shoe damage is far too much for even the most experienced of cobblers. Oftentimes, we can still fix the damage and get the shoes as-close-to-fixed as possible. This may be a fine option for many people who can’t bear to lose their beloved shoes, and the fix may ultimately not even be very noticeable after all, such as a stitched tear in the leather. The positive? Your shoes will forever tell a story of whatever adventure caused that tear in the first place. We’d say they were worth keeping for posterity!
If you have a specific shoe repair question, you can check out these Frequently Asked Shoe Repair Questions answered by our cobblers.
If you don’t see your question, ask away at support@cobblersdirect.com or through live chat, and we’ll get back to you straight away!
