Best Cobblers in Washington, DC Metro Area?

[actionjbone]

I've been going to Nick's Shoe Repair in Rockville, MD, and Alan (Nick's son, 2nd generation) seems to know his stuff for leather care and does a great job with most repairs.

However, I feel like he's limited in some ways. E.g., I recently tried to ask him about Dainite soles for a resole, but he steered me toward regular Vibram. I'm not sure why, but it's obvious he doesn't get many customers who ask about custom work.

Also, he doesn't seem to know shell care as well as other leathers. (Probably because he gets so few pairs.)

Anyone have recommendations of places I should check out? I don't mind a bit of a drive.

 

[challengervert]

George's Shoe Repair  

8709 Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22031

 

[jonathanS]

This is easy: Sky Valet or AH One Shoes.

 

[actionjbone]

This is easy: Sky Valet or AH One Shoes.

A quick search shows both are shoe sellers. Do they do repairs on-premesis? Neither one's website mentions much about repairs.

George's Shoe Repair  

8709 Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22031

The reviews look great. Have you had shell pairs resoled there?

 

[jonathanS]

A quick search shows both are shoe sellers. Do they do repairs on-premesis? Neither one's website mentions much about repairs.



The reviews look great. Have you had shell pairs resoled there?

Aram at ah one does repairs. Sky valet used to for sure but may only do repairs for existing customers.

If you’re looking at repair Alden’s, aram at ah one works with Alden regularly. Last time I was in there he had a pair from Alden in DC that they had subcontracted out to him to repair for a customer. You can tell by the shoes he sells (g&g & Alden) that he works with high quality shoes. He used to work at sky valet. I trust him to install sunken toe plates on my g&gs regularly.

 

[actionjbone]

Aram at ah one does repairs. Sky valet used to for sure but may only do repairs for existing customers.

If you’re looking at repair Alden’s, aram at ah one works with Alden regularly. Last time I was in there he had a pair from Alden in DC that they had subcontracted out to him to repair for a customer. You can tell by the shoes he sells (g&g & Alden) that he works with high quality shoes. He used to work at sky valet. I trust him to install sunken toe plates on my g&gs regularly.

Ah. The ones I want resoled are Barrie, a defunct premium seller from New Haven.

They're a custom pair of shell made by Cheaney, and I'm also thinking of getting the midstep widened slightly. Which is why I'm asking about someone with all the equipment in-house.

 

[Patek14]

My understanding is that the owners of Sky Valet are also excellent cobblers. However, they have so much work that they only work on shoes they sell. [Edit - lol AH One is owned by Sky Valet's owner brother. Didnt realize they split with separate names]

I have NEVER used this company listed below but they have a LOT of youtube videos. They are in Falls Church. From watching their work, it appears excellent -

http://bedosleather.com/

 

[MarcDavidMiller]

Based on a 10 year old recommendation on here, I had a pair of Alden cap-toes recently resoled at Fortuna’s in Bethesda. The person taking in the shoes was very impressed with my shine and maintenance regimen which indicated that they do know quality (and that he knows how to stroke my ego!). He went over the options (cant remember if they offered Dainite, though), and I went with straightforward half sole and heel. Picked it up a week later, am very impressed with the work. $90, which is more than I paid last time in Central New Jersey but certainly less than Alden.

I will be back for future work when needed.

Bonus: located in downtown Bethesda, they are across the street from Dog Haus Biergarten (best burgers in the region) and a block or so away from Moby Dick’s (Afghanistan cuisine)!

Fortunas – Shoe and Leather Repair

7835 Woodmont Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 * (301) 654-2533