Cobblers, shoe care, DIY, to rubber sole or not to rubber sole, etc.

[galia]

well it really depends on what you need done.
There was a more than decent cobbler on the rue de l'arbre sec, but I don't know if he still exists. it's near les halles, maybe that's more convenient to you ?

[MikeNouveau]

I really just need some leather cleaned up a bit, and soles redone on a pair of Jean Michel Cazabat cuban heeled boots. I'm sure most cobblers can handle it, especially in Paris. I'll check out the one near Les Halles, that's definitely easier for me. Thanks.

[asis]

Can anyone recommend a good cobbler for adding rubber undersoles in London preferably central or N.west ?

[KM80]

There's a place called Quick cobbler that I just went to for the first time and they did a good job and seem to have some experienced people working there, I'd recommend it. By the cop station on Cambie.

Originally Posted by Norris

Anyone from Vancouver can suggest a good leather garment repairer and a good cobbler?

[humancrack]

2nded to km80

took my rick sneaks and rubberbands there recently, excellent recommendation

[sammywaslow]

I reckon I'm in the minority inasmuch as I'm loathe to retro-fit rubber soles to my shoes or boots.

Reason #1: There's something about the feel of leather underfoot that I find curiously seductive.

Reason #2: Despite being howled down on another site when I raised this assertion - I maintain that rubber clad soles don't allow the shoe to breathe as it was meant to and can, in fact, shorten the life of the shoe.

Reason #3: I've never, ever, worn a hole through the bottom of any of my leather soled shoes/boots. If putting rubber soles on shoes is such a great idea, how come all shoes aren't made that way?

I wince when I see people putting CCP boots up for sale after having Topy's applied to quarter inch thick bull leather soles. What - are you guys intending on running marathons in those things?

And shoe trees? My advice (and experience) is only use shoe trees if they were originally supplied with the shoe. That is, they replicate the 'last' that the shoe was made on. Otherwise, you might find your shoes being stretched in ways you don't want.

[Who?]

I like having rubber soles added especially during winter. It helps to avoid slipping on ice, salt damage and wet feet.

[Mail-Moth]

Originally Posted by sammywaslow

I reckon I'm in the minority inasmuch as I'm loathe to retro-fit rubber soles to my shoes or boots.

Reason #1: There's something about the feel of leather underfoot that I find curiously seductive.

Reason #2: Despite being howled down on another site when I raised this assertion - I maintain that rubber clad soles don't allow the shoe to breathe as it was meant to and can, in fact, shorten the life of the shoe.

Reason #3: I've never, ever, worn a hole through the bottom of any of my leather soled shoes/boots. If putting rubber soles on shoes is such a great idea, how come all shoes aren't made that way?

I wince when I see people putting CCP boots up for sale after having Topy's applied to quarter inch thick bull leather soles. What - are you guys intending on running marathons in those things?

And shoe trees? My advice (and experience) is only use shoe trees if they were originally supplied with the shoe. That is, they replicate the 'last' that the shoe was made on. Otherwise, you might find your shoes being stretched in ways you don't want.

I agree with all those points, especially point 2.
However, I put rubber on my soles since the day I nearly broke my neck as I was boldly going down a nearby street, just after the rain. No more leather for me, thanks - I still have to walk when the pavement is wet.

[cabl3]

You would assume that #2 can be addressed by allowing the shoes to rest a full day between wears.

[Mail-Moth]

Not so simple. The leather sole, during this day of rest, allows the inner of the shoe to breath and dry naturaly, when the rubber sole is altering this process and retaining a bit of moisture that can damage the shoe. But this is a very, very slow process, and I believe that the damage it causes can be repaired anyway.

[sshum88]

I've heard that Ace of Suedes on Venables is good for leather repairs and depending on where you are, I've used the cobbler that used to be part of the Hudson Bay located at the lower mall level heading out to the Skytrain station and also Parson's Shoe Re-new on West Pender. I've only used them to put on or replace protective soles on my shoes.

Originally Posted by Norris

Anyone from Vancouver can suggest a good leather garment repairer and a good cobbler?

[MidnightBlue]

I agree. if you live in a place which tends to get icy in the winter months then rubber soles are a must. I have slipped up walking down the stairs at my train station before. leather just cant handle slippery surfaces. also if like me you have real wood floor boards in your house then leather soles can damage them and also make a hell of a racket.

[mw000]

Originally Posted by KM80

There's a place called Quick cobbler that I just went to for the first time and they did a good job and seem to have some experienced people working there, I'd recommend it. By the cop station on Cambie.

Interesting.. I walked by there once and wondered if they were any good.

As for leather repairs and alterations, I have only found 2 places that will do it. Its not cheap and you really have to specify what you want. Both are in (of all places) Metrotown.

One is Liberty Cleaners, the other name escapes me.

[lowrey]

just to give a completely opposite perspective:

Originally Posted by sammywaslow

I reckon I'm in the minority inasmuch as I'm loathe to retro-fit rubber soles to my shoes or boots.

Reason #1: There's something about the feel of leather underfoot that I find curiously seductive.

I personally am not that fond of the feel. leather soles, at least on my feet, are quite loud when walking. over here gravel is thrown over icy sidewalks in the winter, the small bits make a really bad creak between a hard leather sole and the pavement.

Originally Posted by sammywaslow

Reason #2: Despite being howled down on another site when I raised this assertion - I maintain that rubber clad soles don't allow the shoe to breathe as it was meant to and can, in fact, shorten the life of the shoe.

do several millimeters thick leather soles really breathe much? sounds really bizarre to me, especially when it comes to heels. there is no way air moves through 2cm of pressed leather.

Originally Posted by sammywaslow

Reason #3: I've never, ever, worn a hole through the bottom of any of my leather soled shoes/boots. If putting rubber soles on shoes is such a great idea, how come all shoes aren't made that way?

depending on your step, soles and heels in particular can wear very unevenly. rubber soles can be easily replacled, if I wouldn't have them my heels would be very worn from the inner back corner, and this isn't exactly an easy thing to fix.

snow/rain is a whole other deal, what do you think it does to leather soles? not to even mention how slippery leather is on snow and ice, even on wet concrete.

I do understand the idea of not wanting to tamper with the original soles, but I prefer to add something that is hardly visible and will significantly lengthen the life of my shoes/boots, and also save me from cracking my skull during winter. there is really no down side for me in it, which is why I've done it on all my shoes.

[Avantster]

Follow in the soles of mike lowrey you'll see, it's all upside.

[ironman]

Originally Posted by Who?

I like having rubber soles added especially during winter. It helps to avoid slipping on ice, salt damage and wet feet.

like many have said, it helps with grip, but to reinforce what Who? said, it's not nice to walk on leather soles on a rainy or snowy day. the moisture gets through and feels pretty uncomfortable

i don't put rubber soles on shoes i plan to only wear in the summer, though

Originally Posted by mike lowrey

over here gravel is thrown over icy sidewalks in the winter, the small bits make a really bad creak between a hard leather sole and the pavement.

i know exactly what you mean

[MidnightBlue]

^ Here they throw down hard salt over the ice and with some of my brogues a have found bits of the salt imbedded in the leather sole. This can also be very annoying.

[sammywaslow]

Originally Posted by mike lowrey

snow/rain is a whole other deal, what do you think it does to leather soles? not to even mention how slippery leather is on snow and ice, even on wet concrete

Definitely prepared to concede on this point. No snow or ice where I live so this it's never been a consideration. Last thing I want is for anyone to slip over and crack their skull.

Also, must hasten to add that I have applied rubber soles in some instances. Depends on the shoe/boot and where or when I intend to wear them.

[Vikeid]

hi, need some little help here. have a pair of ma+ boots in calf leather. anyone have any suggestion how to keep em nice? other leather shoes ive had i have mostly just polished them. but i feel i shouldnt do that with these? couse they have a more matte leather.

wax them to keep them resistent to road salt. Otherwise the leather will dry out and crack.