Is Resoling Shoes Worth It? How to Decide

Resoling replaces the worn bottom of a shoe or boot while keeping the upper you have already broken in. For the right shoes, it can add years of life for much less than the cost of a new pair. For other shoes, it is either impossible or not worth it. Here is how to tell.

Which shoes can be resoled?

It mostly comes down to how the sole is attached to the upper.

Usually resoleable:

• Goodyear-welted shoes and boots. A strip of material (the welt) is stitched to the upper, and the sole is stitched to the welt. You can often see the stitching around the edge of the sole. This construction is designed to be resoled, often multiple times.
• Other stitched constructions, such as some stitchdown and Blake-stitched shoes, can often be resoled, though the process differs.

Sometimes resoleable:

• Some cemented (glued) leather shoes. A skilled cobbler may be able to replace or add a sole, but results vary.

Usually not worth resoling:

• Most athletic shoes and sneakers. The sole and midsole are a combined unit glued to the upper. When the midsole is worn out, the comfort is gone, and replacing it is generally not practical. See when to replace running shoes.
• Shoes with molded or direct-attach soles, which are fused to the upper.

How to check your shoes

• Look for stitching around the sole edge. Visible stitches running through the sole often indicate a stitched construction. Some shoes have decorative stitching that does not go through, so it is not a guarantee.
• Check the product description for "Goodyear welt" or "resoleable."
• Ask a cobbler. A quick look by a professional is the most reliable answer.

Is the upper worth saving?

Resoling only makes sense if the upper is in good shape. Check for:

• Cracks in leather, especially at the toe crease
• Tears or worn-through areas
• A collapsed heel counter
• Damaged stitching on the upper

Minor issues can often be repaired at the same time. Severe damage may mean it is time for a new pair.

What a cobbler can do

Beyond full resoles, cobblers can often:

• Replace heels or heel caps, which wear faster than the rest of the sole
• Add a protective sole layer to new leather-soled shoes to slow wear
• Re-stitch seams
• Stretch leather shoes slightly
• Replace eyelets, zippers and hardware
• Repair sole separation on some shoes

A heel replacement is usually much cheaper than a full resole and, done early, can prevent wear spreading.

Is it worth it? A simple calculation

Use the cost-per-wear approach:

1. Get a quote for the repair.
2. Estimate how long the repaired shoes will last.
3. Compare that with the price and expected life of a comparable new pair.

Resoling usually wins when:

• The shoes are well-made and the upper is in good condition.
• You like how they fit, and they are broken in. See breaking in new shoes.
• A comparable new pair would cost substantially more.

It usually does not win when:

• The shoes were inexpensive to begin with.
• The upper is badly worn.
• The construction makes a resole difficult or very expensive.

Buying with resoling in mind

If you want shoes or boots that can last many years, look for stitched constructions. They cost more up front, but the ability to resole can lower the long-term cost, especially for work boots. See our budget work boots guide.

Previous-season styles of well-made boots are sometimes discounted, which makes the long-term math even better. See the best time of year to buy shoes.

The bottom line

Stitched leather shoes and boots with healthy uppers are often well worth resoling. Most athletic shoes are not. Ask a cobbler, compare the repair cost with a new pair on a cost-per-wear basis, and replace heels early to delay a full resole.