**The Official Shoe Care Thread: Tutorials, Photos, etc.**

[CWL317]

If you prefer to pay the shipping + insane rates of EG repairs, then I'd just go with them. If money is no option to you, it's best to have peace of mind.

EG might be able to do toe plates. I don't know. I've seen EG with toe plates, so...could be?

I just think it's personally a waste of time/money.

I’m not sure but I believe you can ask for it to be done as part of a EG refurb.

I’ve been to the EG factory and the people there were really helpful (not at all snooty either and much friendlier than the London shop in my experience). I’ve had a pair that had the uppers repaired with new leather due to damage + resole and the total was under £400 which I thought was quite reasonable. Although I agree as a general rule you do get charged a premium but that is true for most premium brands everywhere eg the cost of PP watch service or even Rolex.

 

[JFWR]

I’m not sure but I believe you can ask for it to be done as part of a EG refurb.

I’ve been to the EG factory and the people there were really helpful (not at all snooty either and much friendlier than the London shop in my experience). I’ve had a pair that had the uppers repaired with new leather due to damage + resole and the total was under £400 which I thought was quite reasonable. Although I agree as a general rule you do get charged a premium but that is true for most premium brands everywhere eg the cost of PP watch service or even Rolex.

400 GBP is a pretty expensive price tag when I can go to my cobbler and get JR soles and toe taps for 150ish dollars.

I think Edward Green is a reputable company, don't get me wrong, I just think their services are insanely over priced compared to what you can find amongst the cobblers who are just as capable.

 

[nevaeh]

400 GBP is a pretty expensive price tag when I can go to my cobbler and get JR soles and toe taps for 150ish dollars.

I think Edward Green is a reputable company, don't get me wrong, I just think their services are insanely over priced compared to what you can find amongst the cobblers who are just as capable.

Agreed. At around 400 GBP, some of the Northampton price tags for resoling are extremely hefty. For a standard resole, I'd go to my U.S. cobbler. Only time I've sent shoes back is when a relast was needed (e.g., adjusting the size or width). Still a hefty price tag, but a relast is something only the original maker can do.

 

[JFWR]

Agreed. At around 400 GBP, some of the Northampton price tags for resoling are extremely hefty. For a standard resole, I'd go to my U.S. cobbler. Only time I've sent shoes back is when a relast was needed (e.g., adjusting the size or width). Still a hefty price tag, but a relast is something only the original maker can do.

Yeah, especiually as 400 GBP is literally the price of a pair of Crockett and Jones. lol.

I like Edward Greens. I own a pair. I just don't know if I honestly think EG is a good value, because in a sense, they're a fine RTW brand, but you can find bespoke for not much more expensive.

 

[CWL317]

Further to my previous question I phoned Crockett & Jones and they say they don’t install toe plates but they do have a list of recommended independent cobblers.

 

[Emospence]

Besides the obvious hole in the middle of the sole, what are some cues one should keep a lookout for to determine when a pair of shoes should be resoled?

 

[JFWR]

Besides the obvious hole in the middle of the sole, what are some cues one should keep a lookout for to determine when a pair of shoes should be resoled?

Run your thumb along the leather and see if it is indenting a lot. That indicates the leather is almost worn through.

 

[florent]

Besides the obvious hole in the middle of the sole, what are some cues one should keep a lookout for to determine when a pair of shoes should be resoled?

When the sole is very soft if you push on it => time to resole
When the inside or outside edge is worn down close to the welt => time to resole
Sometimes the stitching can break and the sole starts to separate from the welt => time to resole, although a skilled cobbler might be able to just restitch the damaged area

 

[Emospence]

When the inside or outside edge is worn down close to the welt => time to resole

Toes, too, I assume? That area wears out the fastest by far for most of my shoes..

 

[JFWR]

When the sole is very soft if you push on it => time to resole
When the inside or outside edge is worn down close to the welt => time to resole
Sometimes the stitching can break and the sole starts to separate from the welt => time to resole, although a skilled cobbler might be able to just restitch the damaged area

You can also use shoe glue on separated soles like that. It is something that is pretty fixable without a resole.

 

[JFWR]

Toes, too, I assume? That area wears out the fastest by far for most of my shoes..

This is the reason for toe plates. Really prevents that wear on the toe. Highly recommend on higher end dress shoes and for those of you who just generally wear your toes down due to your gait.

I myself wear my heels down pretty badly.

 

[florent]

Toes, too, I assume? That area wears out the fastest by far for most of my shoes..

Worn toes are an easy fix, either by installing metal or rubber tips, or by levelling with a leather piece

You can also use shoe glue on separated soles like that. It is something that is pretty fixable without a resole.

In my opinion that would be a messy and non durable repair. I wouldn't trust a cobbler who suggest this option.

 

[Emospence]

Worn toes are an easy fix, either by installing metal or rubber tips, or by levelling with a leather piece

Can this be done even after they're already worn, in lieu of a full resole?

 

[florent]

Can this be done even after they're already worn, in lieu of a full resole?

Yes but be careful to not wear down to the welt

 

[JFWR]

Worn toes are an easy fix, either by installing metal or rubber tips, or by levelling with a leather piece


In my opinion that would be a messy and non durable repair. I wouldn't trust a cobbler who suggest this option.

I mean, in terms of the types of separations I have had on my shoes, I was easily able to apply glue there; however, the stitching was still intact.