Resole New Shoes - Can You Use Any Sole?

[Hairingtons]

Hi, I'm an amateur (and hence a lurker) compared to most of the posters on here, so forgive me if this is a silly question.

I've been searching for a pair of penny loafers, found a pair of Rancourts that are 90% perfect, but I don't really like the sole. So my questions is, when you resole a pair of shoes, can you have it replaced with a completely different style of sole?

To be particular (and again forgive me for non-technical language

) the heel is too big and the sole protrudes from the sides of the shoe a little too much. So was wondering if that can be replaced with a different style.

 

[Fred G. Unn]

Yes you can, and Rancourt even mentions this on their site, but you might want to do a cost analysis before purchasing if that's your plan. I'm not sure of your cost of these used (90%) Rancourts, but take the cost, add $85 (http://www.rancourtandcompany.com/men-s/shoe-care/premium-re-sole.html), and you're likely up to around $200. For $275-325 you can get a completely custom pair of Rancourt penny loafers with whatever sole you want:
http://www.rancourtandcompany.com/custom-made-shoes

 

[Hairingtons]

Hi Fred, I've actually been in contact with Rancourt. Their customer service people seem very good, but unfortunately said they can not customise the actual sole - ie, make the heel smaller. They do have options for different soles, which I could choose from, but didn't have the option for what I wanted.

What I'm considering is getting some new Rancourts and then at some point have a new sole put on.

(By 90% perfect, I didn't mean a second-hand pair in good condition, just that shoes are almost exactly what I want.)

 

[Fred G. Unn]

Oh, sorry, by 90% I was assuming they were used. What sole exactly are you looking for? It seems a bit of a waste to turn around and resole a new pair. If Rancourt can't accomodate what you want, maybe consider another brand? Alden, Quoddy, Oak Street Bootmakers, Yuketen, etc., all make resoleable loafers. Perhaps one of them will have the sole you want.

 

[Hairingtons]

Thanks for the name drops, I was aware of Alden, but not really the others. Just checked them out. So cheers for that.

I'll try to show you what kind of sole I've got in mind.

This is the Rancourt (Alden do a very similar full strap by the looks of it). The sole is a bit chunky for my preference. Heel stacked a bit high. And the sole comes out past the toe.




Something like this from the Yuketen website. The sole is thin, doesn't really protrude. If the heel was a little smaller that'd be perfect.

Basically something slimline I guess. A final example, ignore the rest of the shoe, but the heel is the right height and a very thin sole.