Why I stopped replacing my work boots every 6 months and started resoling them instead

I had my favorite pair of Red Wings blow out on me last spring, the sole just peeled clean off while I was walking up a ladder at a job site in Portland. Most people I know swear by tossing boots and buying new ones every year or so, but I decided to take them to a cobbler instead of trashing them. He charged me $65 for a full resole and new heel pads, and honestly they feel better than when I first bought them four years ago. The leather upper was still in great shape, it was just the rubber that failed, so throwing them away seemed like such a waste. Now I take them in every 8 or 9 months for a tune up and they keep going strong. Has anyone else had good luck going the repair route instead of buying new every time?

3 comments

3 Comments

williamb291mo ago

Wait, four years out of a pair of work boots and the leather is still good? That's wild. I've never had a pair last more than 18 months before they started splitting at the seams.

shane_fisher371mo ago

Man, splitting at the seams after 18 months? That's rough. I've been there too, it's such a letdown when you think they're still good and then they just fall apart. It's like you put in all that time breaking them in and for what, you know? I guess some brands just aren't built the same way, the stitching quality varies a lot. It's honestly a gamble sometimes, you never really know how long they'll hold up. I feel your pain on that one, it drives me crazy when good boots turn into trash too soon.

umar591mo ago

@shane_fisher37 have you ever tried getting them resoled once before giving up on them completely?