Ask your shoe repair questions here:

[swooc]

The issue is that when it's corrected grain it basically is a layer of plastic sprayed on the leather. Usually to hide (split grain) leather that is of inferior quality. So, if you remove that plastic layer you will expose the leater underneath which might be worse than what you have now.

I noticed on the brand's website that these are quite expensive shoes, might returning them be an option since they have issues that should't be there (certainly at this price point)?

Do you have a picture of the shoes by the way, and of thye "bubble" you mention?

ive worn them for several years now with no problems. this just started happening recently. its one of those random unlucky events i guess. ill take a photo later tonight.

if all else fails, ill go the acetone route. i cant wear them anymore with this squeak so might as well treat them as a write off. thanks for the insight though. much appreciated.

 

[rab]

Throw some baby powder under the facings and some inside… might work and very low (no) risk.

 

[Schweino]

I own some boots where the shaft is too wide for me. What are the options to tighten the shaft from a cobbler's perpective without using add-ons like tongue pads? Will it be possible to deconstruct the shaft and adjust them to be tighter and sew them back together again?

 

[Azhar]

Hello, I was thinking of throwing or donating some GYW leather shoes with dainite soles because of heel counter wear and insole cracking but looking at the great quality leather upper it would be a shame..
So I want to repair them myself
Issues:
- Inner counter heel - worn quite a lot, but will use adhesive heel pads or glue a piece of leather and try to stitch it (I need leather piece, glue (what kind?) needles and thread (what kind?)

- The footbead (All leahter insole) was cracked inside so I started pulling it out and it tore in half (I threw the parts away but still have 3/4 of it) Looks like the remaining part of the insole (I can see the shank as well) has a black piece over it in the heal area and then it is nailed down. Also on the heal bed area on top of this leather insole there is black portion where a soft foam material glued on and after it a half sole (know I hear it is called a sock liner) to provide more cushioning ( this half sole I can salvage, it is in good condition)

- Puling the inner soles has resulted in small loss of cork in some areas, I never saw a tutorial of someone filling the missing cork from inside...how can I replace the missing cork?

- The daininte heel is uniformly worn out, I saw I can buy this on ebay but I am not sure How will I be able to nail just the last piece of the heel down?

So... I want to replace the missing cork, replace the inner leather soles (footbead), replace the heal foam and re-use the half inner sole (that had the shoe branding) , then repair the heal counter either by using adhesive heel pads or adding a piece of leather (stitch + glue) and last part, replacing just the last part of the Daininte heel.

Any suggestions for what kind of leather insole to buy please, what to do with the nails in the heel bed area, suggestion for a glue for leather, a cork filler paste (didn't find anything) , needle and thread.

let me know if this is clear, not sure of terminology but really would be sad to see these shoes go to waste especially since they are so comfortable to wear.

 

[florent]

Hello, I was thinking of throwing or donating some GYW leather shoes with dainite soles because of heel counter wear and insole cracking but looking at the great quality leather upper it would be a shame..
So I want to repair them myself
Issues:
- Inner counter heel - worn quite a lot, but will use adhesive heel pads or glue a piece of leather and try to stitch it (I need leather piece, glue (what kind?) needles and thread (what kind?)

- The footbead (All leahter insole) was cracked inside so I started pulling it out and it tore in half (I threw the parts away but still have 3/4 of it) Looks like the remaining part of the insole (I can see the shank as well) has a black piece over it in the heal area and then it is nailed down. Also on the heal bed area on top of this leather insole there is black portion where a soft foam material glued on and after it a half sole (know I hear it is called a sock liner) to provide more cushioning ( this half sole I can salvage, it is in good condition)

- Puling the inner soles has resulted in small loss of cork in some areas, I never saw a tutorial of someone filling the missing cork from inside...how can I replace the missing cork?

- The daininte heel is uniformly worn out, I saw I can buy this on ebay but I am not sure How will I be able to nail just the last piece of the heel down?

So... I want to replace the missing cork, replace the inner leather soles (footbead), replace the heal foam and re-use the half inner sole (that had the shoe branding) , then repair the heal counter either by using adhesive heel pads or adding a piece of leather (stitch + glue) and last part, replacing just the last part of the Daininte heel.

Any suggestions for what kind of leather insole to buy please, what to do with the nails in the heel bed area, suggestion for a glue for leather, a cork filler paste (didn't find anything) , needle and thread.

let me know if this is clear, not sure of terminology but really would be sad to see these shoes go to waste especially since they are so comfortable to wear.

Tbh, this is all very confusing, do you have pictures?
If you actually removed (part of) the insole and can see the cork from inside your shoes are probably beyond repair, unless you're willing to drop a lot of cash to a very good repair shop to have them completely rebuilt.

 

[Azhar]

Tbh, this is all very confusing, do you have pictures?
If you actually removed (part of) the insole and can see the cork from inside your shoes are probably beyond repair, unless you're willing to drop a lot of cash to a very good repair shop to have them completely rebuilt.

I want to what this man did in the first part without resoling:
Going to snap some pictures. Everyone says replace your insoles but no one really does it unless they resole...

 

[florent]

I want to what this man did in the first part without resoling:
Going to snap some pictures. Everyone says replace your insoles but no one really does it unless they resole...

Insoles are not really meant to be replaced, this is not a repair you should try as a beginner. If you're interested in learning shoerepair, start with something easier like changing heel top pieces.

 

[Azhar]

time to bin them? even if the uppers are in great condition? The insoles were cracked and had no life in them, and hurt my feet when walking, pulled them and they ripped like cardboard insoles.

I have another pair that starts to show signs of insole wear (is rough to touch, starts to be patchy) what should I do with that one to prevent it from cracking?

 

[hrv123]

Any hope for these Dovers? Not sure how the leather began cracking. Used Edward green trees always. Shoes worn once every couple of weeks in nice weather. Conditioned here and there.

 

[fastlanedude]

I have a used pair of black AE Park Ave size 9d and they need resoled. But I noticed the right shoe lining around the little toe area has a hole in it. Would I be better served to buy a new or better pair? Or is this something that is repairable?

 

[florent]

I have a used pair of black AE Park Ave size 9d and they need resoled. But I noticed the right shoe lining around the little toe area has a hole in it. Would I be better served to buy a new or better pair? Or is this something that is repairable?

A cobbler can cement a leather patch over the worn out area. Not a very durable repair but it can still extend the life of the shoes for some time

 

[Nick V.]

A cobbler can cement a leather patch over the worn out area. Not a very durable repair but it can still extend the life of the shoes for some time

True, if done properly the edges of the patch are thinned out to near zero. It’s done with thin leather. Kid is a good skin to use. You won’t feel the patch and it should last at least the life of a set of new soles. Very possibly beyond.

 

[marlinspike]

Any chance someone here has a source for Vibram 7106 gum crepe sheets in 4mm and 6mm thick in Brown? I can't find a way to buy it anywhere, but maybe someone here can and resell to me?

 

[paxonus]

I have a shoe that has developed a clicking noise. It happens in mid-step as soon as I lift my heel.

 

[brishook1]

It was suggested that I start a separate thread regarding shoe repair.
Feel free if you have any questions -or- may be seeking advice on shoe/boot repairs.
I'm happy to assist....

I have a decent pair of Johnston & Murphy dress shoes, but the inside heel has torn and is pealing. Is there any kind of DIY repair I can do on these? See photo.

Thanks!