Repairable Shoes for Long-Lasting & Eco-Friendly Footwear
If you’ve ever had a pair of shoes fall apart on you and been left wishing you didn’t have to buy an entirely new pair, you might be wondering if your shoes can be repaired instead of replaced.
Well, while not all shoes can be repaired, there are excellent repairable shoes out there. And not only are repairable shoes cheaper and more convenient in the long run than regularly getting new shoes, but they’re also way better for the environment. So let’s get right into it.
What Are Repairable Shoes?
While any shoe might be able to be repaired in some small ways, good repairable shoes are shoes that are designed to be taken apart and repaired when they start to show wear and tear.
There’s no clear dividing line between which shoes are repairable and which aren’t. Some small repairs might be able to be done on many kinds of shoes, but the more repairs that can be done on your shoe, the better.
Image Credit: Shaiith via Envato Elements
There are three main things to look for when shopping for repairable shoes. First is just the quality of the shoe. Generally, a higher quality shoe is more likely to be able to be repaired, so it’s worth it to spend more for shoes that will last you longer.
The quality of a shoe is a good rule of thumb, but if you want to get into specifics, you’ll want to look at the material and the shoe’s construction.
As far as materials go, unfortunately, the easiest shoes to repair are usually made of leather. That means a lot of your best options aren’t going to be great if you’re looking for vegan shoes.
But if you don’t want to wear animal products, there is good news. Shoes made with faux leather are still easy to repair, so it’s not too hard to find repairable shoes without real leather in them.
Finally, there’s the shoe’s construction. Generally, what you’re looking for here are shoes that are easy to take apart and put back together. That means most athletic and similar shoes aren’t very reparable because their soles are too integrated into the whole shoe.
When buying repairable shoes, it’s good to keep an eye out for shoes that are made with the Goodyear welted construction method. These shoes are typically a bit more expensive, but they’re worth it in the long run.
Shoes made with this method have a separate leather strip between the sole and the rest of the shoe instead of having the sole attached directly to it. This makes it much easier to remove the sole and replace it, which is a very commonly needed repair. Plus, shoes made this way are usually more waterproof.
Can All Shoes Be Repaired?
Image Credit: LightFieldStudios via Envato Elements
Unfortunately, not all shoes can be repaired. While a lot can be done for some shoes, other shoes are just beyond fixing. A shoe that’s been burnt or chewed on by a pet probably can’t be saved.
And if a shoe isn’t designed in a way that makes it easy to repair – like many athletic shoes are – even simple repairs might be out of the question.
Where Can You Get Shoes Repaired?
Generally, repairing your shoes means going to a cobbler. Cobblers specialize exclusively in repairing shoes, so there’s a lot they can help you with, but they can’t work miracles.
Here’s a short list of repairs and changes that cobblers are usually able to do on repairable shoes:
- Replace the sole on a shoe or replace the heel or heel tip of a dress shoe or high heel.
- Add padding and support to the inside of a shoe.
- Make leather shoes darker, repair damaged leather, and shine shoes.
- Change the strap length of shoes or sandals with straps.
- Waterproof shoes and add rubber soles for winter.
What Can’t a Cobbler Repair?
While cobblers can do all this and more, they have their limits and won’t be able to do just anything. Here is a list of things cobblers are often asked to do that just aren’t possible:
- Putting a new sole on an athletic shoe, but they may be able to stick the original sole back on.
- Making heels taller, and they usually can’t make them shorter.
- Making the whole shoe bigger or smaller, although they may be able to make small changes to the fit of a shoe.
- Making dark shoes lighter.
Although a cobbler is your best bet for most shoe repairs, sometimes there is still hope if you’re looking to repair shoes that they can’t fix. Some shoe companies offer repair services for their specific brands, even for some athletic shoes, so that’s important to look out for when buying repairable shoes.
Are Repairable Shoes Good for the Environment?
Repairable shoes are undeniably good for the environment. Put simply, if you’re repairing it, it means you aren’t throwing it out.
Much like clothing, shoes are highly susceptible to fast fashion. It’s common for people to buy a new pair of shoes, wear them for a short time, and just throw them out and buy some new ones. This produces tons of waste which can be avoided by just fixing the shoes.
The 8 Best Repairable Shoe Brands
1. Rothy’s
Image Credit: Rothy’s Shoes
Rothy’s is a great sustainable shoe choice. Their shoes are made with recycled plastic, are machine washable, and the company has a repair service for broken down shoes.
2. Allbirds
Image Credit: Allbirds
Allbirds is another company that offers repairs on all their shoes. Plus, their shoes are made with as much sustainable material as possible, and any plastic in their shoes comes from recycled sources.
3. Clarks
Image Credit: Clarks
Clarks shoes are made with recycled plastic and ethically sourced leather, making them durable, easily repairable, and sustainable. Clarks also offer a repair service for their shoes. The leather in their shoes is real, however, so if you’re looking for shoes without animal products, they’re not the best choice.
4. El Naturalista
Image Credit: El Naturalista
El Naturalista is another great option for repairable shoes. They’re another company that offers a shoe repair service, and their shoes are made of eco-friendly materials.
5. Vivobarefoot
Image Credit: Vivobarefoot
Vivobarefoot takes a unique direction with their shoes, they’re designed to be as close to being barefoot as possible. They’re made with sustainable materials, and the company offers a repair service, which makes them a great choice for eco-friendly if unconventional, shoes.
6. VYN
Image Credit: VYN Switzerland
VYN makes sneakers that are designed to have replaceable parts that you can even fix at home. The company uses sustainable practices to make its shoes and constructs shoes that are easily repairable.
7. GORAL
Image Credit: Goral
GORAL sells handmade repairable work shoes and casual shoes. They specialize in men’s repairable shoes only, but they do offer a range of styles. They also offer a repair guarantee on any of their repairable shoes.
8. Nisolo
Image Credit: Nisolo
Nisolo is a company that focuses on ethical business practices. Their shoes are handmade, and handmade shoes are almost always easily repairable. They offer repairable shoes in a wide range of styles, giving you plenty of options.
Final Thoughts on Repairable Shoes
If you’re looking for sustainable footwear, repairable shoes are a no-brainer. If you’re repairing your shoes instead of throwing them out, it’s cheaper, and you’re just plain making less waste.
And if you’re careful about what brand you buy, you can ensure your shoes aren’t just repairable but made with sustainable practices too. Doing all that will make sure your footwear is as eco-friendly as possible.
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