C&J Suede shoes - resoling issue

[inimitable]

Have a pair of RL Redway suede tassels that I recently got reheeled at C&J in London (£20). Wore them one or twice and one of the shoes has now developed a hole in the sole. They now need a full resole - perfect.

Do I get them resoled (half sole) locally or send them off to C&J for the full works at the approx cost of £100, given the perceived short life of suede?

Also wondering if they do go back to C&J, will they be able to breathe any life into the uppers as they do with a full recraft (which I presume for £100 this is what it will be)?

 

[inimitable]

Would appreciate some advice on this

 

[Blackhood]

Your location states London, so why not pop along to Jermyn street and chat to them there. They will be able to advise on whether £100 is a recraft or a resole. They will also be able to advise on whether any recrafting will have a significant impact on the uppers.

From memory C&J loafers aren't that expensive, (About £275?) so you have to work out if the benefits are greater than one third of a new shoe.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Where do you get the idea that suede is not long lasting? It will last as long as anything else, it just patinas differently. I think from here on out you should get taps on your shoes so by the time you get a hole the taps are worn down adn you get the whole bottom replaced.

 

[Holdfast]

The £110 service is a full factory refurb IIRC, inc. re-lasting on the original last. It's a bit pricey, but a good service.

(I agree with the others above that suede isn't particularly short-lived, by the way, unless you're really really prone to getting big scratches or whatever, since you can't buff them out. A good brushing usually restores life nicely though.).

 

[NORE]

Bumping this because the sole on my Redways are finito. Send them back to C&J and pay $220 or buy another pair of shoes? I paid $150 for this pair.

 

[KObalto]

Take them to Nick at B Nelson and spend $90 ($120 for Rendenbach)? That's what I've started doing.

 

[NORE]



Take them to Nick at B Nelson and spend $90 ($120 for Rendenbach)? That's what I've started doing.

No offense to Nick (whom I've met personally) but I'm not fond of the results of his work* vs a factory resole*. And everyone knows I hate the JR soles based on visuals because they are non-lickable. Probably the reason why I did not try Vass.

I'm thinking he could probably replicate the original sole but the price would then increase thereby either warranting a resole from C&J or just ditching them and buying a new pair. I'm still on teh fence.

*Pic evidence provided upon request.

 

[EBugatti]

The polo redway is the CJ cavendish?

 

[alexSF]



The polo redway is the CJ cavendish?

^No, different colour and last.

However what's the point to consider the price that you paid for the shoes?
If you like the shoes, resole them, why buy another pair?

 

[Blackhood]

Go out with $220 to buy new shoes. When/If you fail, have your others resoled.

 

[DocHolliday]

Depends on the suede. Very light suede, for me, has a relatively short shelf life. Dirty bucks aren't likely to get a resole, and I shop accordingly.

I like worn suede, and now and then a very worn pair will look great. But I judge each pair individually and suggest you do too. If you love yours and think they have the potential to look better with more "patina," go for a resole. If you think they're on the decline, donate 'em.

 

[inimitable]

To answer the thread that I started, I opted for a local resole on my Redways as I felt they were not looking their best, and as they were suede we're never goin to look their best again.

A pair of c&j calf handgrades however, I took to c&j for the factory resole and they came back looking brand new. Pics in the last few pages of the c&j thread.

 

[EBugatti]

Well, then I would definitely consider a resole. If the Redway is not the Cavendish, then that shoe is not available at the moment. If you like it, you would need to resole it.

 

[KObalto]



And everyone knows I hate the JR soles based on visuals because they are non-lickable.

I licked mine. Was this wrong?