Over time, hiking boots wear down and become less durable. Regular care can significantly extend their lifespan. If the wear becomes too severe, you may need to have your hiking boots resoled. With soles like new, you can get back to trekking safely. Here’s how to have your soles replaced.
Why have your hiking boots resoled?
Whether you’re hiking in the mountains or taking on something more technical, such as mountaineering, your boots — particularly their soles — wear down fairly quickly. The soles are in direct contact with the ground and natural obstacles such as rocks, holes and streams. When regular care is no longer enough, it can be tempting to throw worn boots away.
But alternatives such as resoling offer more benefits than replacing your walking boots altogether. Resoling allows you to:
- Keep the boots you chose with care and that fit you perfectly.
- Save the cost of a new pair of boots.
- Reduce your environmental impact by keeping a pair of boots out of the bin and avoiding the manufacture of a replacement pair.
- Support a local craftsperson by having them replace your soles.
That gives you several good reasons to have your soles replaced rather than buy a new pair of boots.
What does resoling involve?
Resoling means replacing the entire sole of your hiking boots. A specialist first removes the damaged sole, then prepares and treats the boot. They may also rebuild parts of it to create an even surface before fitting the new sole.
A cobbler can offer several ways to extend the life of your boots. When having them resoled, you can also have the protective rubber around the boot replaced, whether by adding a toe cap or replacing the full rubber rand. Walking boots are designed to be resoled several times before they are completely worn out.
Don’t wait until your boots are in very poor condition: resoling will be much more difficult. The best time is before the cushioning foam starts to wear and while there is still some sole thickness at the toes. If a boot is too worn, a replacement sole will not provide a durable, high-quality repair.
Where can you have your boots resoled?
To have your boots resoled, you’ll need a cobbler. Choose one who specialises in mountain footwear for the best result.
Expect to pay between around €50 and €100 to have your boots resoled. Replacing the full rubber rand usually costs extra. Prices vary depending on the specialist and the type of sole.
Whether you hike regularly or only occasionally, resoling can significantly extend the life of your boots without leaving you to tackle the mountains on badly worn soles. It’s a good alternative to replacing your hiking boots altogether, which would cost much more for a similar result.
