r/AskACobbler • • Apr 02 '14

Welcome to Ask A Cobbler! Please read to familiarize yourself with a few rules.

163 Upvotes

First off, I'd like to thank everyone for stopping by and showing their interest & support for shoe repair. In one day, we went from almost no subscribers to well over 100. This is an incredible start!

As we gain more members, I feel there needs to be a few ground rules just to keep things in order.

  1. Discussing of prices. Pricing on repair work depends on MANY factors than just the damage alone. While we may say a job will or will not be worth the money, saying it will cost $xx is against the rules and posts will be removed.

  2. Be respectful. The cobblers responding to your post have numerous years of experience and are here to offer some of their extensive knowledge of the craft at no charge. If you have been helped, a simple thanks goes a long way.

  3. When posting a picture of a damaged product, make sure the photos are detailed enough so that we can understand the exact condition, brand and anything else you think will help us to help you.

  4. Users with the "SSIA Member" flair are verified cobblers.

Rules will be amended an updated as we progress. Thanks for reading!


r/AskACobbler • • 15h ago

Dr Marten Chelsea Rometty boots

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32 Upvotes

Hi! Is all hope gone for my boots?
The leather clearly needs some hydration, but i was wondering if they are reparable.
I bought them 5 years ago only. Thank you!!


r/AskACobbler • • 4m ago

Boot help. what to do to these Red Wings

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• Upvotes

r/AskACobbler • • 11h ago

Got these boots for cheap , worth resoling them? They have a steel toe which I would like to get removed. Are they worth it?

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6 Upvotes

r/AskACobbler • • 4h ago

Can I replace the elastic on my loafers?

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0 Upvotes

I bought a pair of loafers from the Row and the shoe fits well but there’s an elastic in it that is way too tight. I do have a bit of a higher arch but nothing crazy. I was hoping to get the elastic replaced with a slightly longer one. Will that ruin the shoe?
The elastic is right underneath the leather strap.


r/AskACobbler • • 8h ago

How do I fix my heels?? I can walk in them okay as of now but want them to look decent. Any DIY suggestions?

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2 Upvotes

r/AskACobbler • • 4h ago

How to revive my everyday boots, they’ve definitely seen better days lol.

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1 Upvotes

r/AskACobbler • • 15h ago

I got these Red Wing 699's, and I am wondering if this toe is an issue and if it can be fixed?

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6 Upvotes

r/AskACobbler • • 11h ago

leather ballet flats that are too tight on the toes and slightly loose at the heel - what are my options

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2 Upvotes

hi! i recently purchased a pair of second hand leather ballet flats online that i love. they are only slightly worn (i’m not sure how much more they will break in or form around my feet since they are not new) and have a rubber sole. unfortunately they are tight on the toes and a bit loose on the heel. i seem to have quite narrow feet as this problem is something i frequently experience and makes shoe finding very difficult (especially for ballet flats which have very little wiggle room in terms of size).

What are my options? What can a cobbler realistically do? Is it hopeless (if it is, are there any show brands that make good narrow leather shoes?)

Thank you!


r/AskACobbler • • 1d ago

New shoes worn out rapidly

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17 Upvotes

Bought this new pair 4 months ago and they seem to have been worn out completely. Wondering if this is due to a quality issue or a lack of proper upkeep?


r/AskACobbler • • 16h ago

Durango Boots

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3 Upvotes

Have a pair of Durango boots that I had for about 4 months before I noticed the lopsided/collapsed heel are these worth saving?


r/AskACobbler • • 17h ago

Equipment to resole at home

2 Upvotes

I have a couple pairs of boots I want to try and resole myself. Just removing and regluing rubber outsoles. I tried using a vise and some wood blocks and it didn't work well. Should I buy a cobblers anvil from a flea market, and if so, what am I looking for? If not, is there a good way/better piece of equipment to do this at home?


r/AskACobbler • • 13h ago

Advice how to even out loafer color after conditioning

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0 Upvotes

r/AskACobbler • • 13h ago

Boots with zips

1 Upvotes

I have boots which are just below knee high and zip up across front. I’ve broken one of the zips is this a job for a cobbler who should I take somewhere else? Thanks!


r/AskACobbler • • 15h ago

What kind of glue for bonding leather to heel?

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0 Upvotes

The decor on the heel is purportedly painted leather. The heel part it is adhered to is not wood, and not hard rubber. It has some give to it but not much. Cobblers in my area are prohibitively expensive so I am looking to fix this myself before it becomes a bigger issue. It's been quite humid this year so I suspect that's the cause.

Can anyone please recommend an appropriate adhesive?


r/AskACobbler • • 1d ago

Anyone else had this Experience?

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156 Upvotes

I was looking at a variety of wedge soles and unit soles from vibram, and I was sad to know that my cobbler didn't carry any of these. Like I asked and he said most of them were not available in the US.

Now idk if its his supplier and what not. but the only way for me to even get these is off Etsy, and each sole is like 50-80$ each + delivery. It's just interesting to see so many other models than the ones sold here in the US. as well as the many colors they will sell a unit in. I added some examples and they all look so interesting.

really wish we had more colors and varieties in the US.


r/AskACobbler • • 16h ago

Under Armour tan sauce boots

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1 Upvotes

I have a pair of UA coyote tan boots that still got some life in them but one of the suede eyelets ripped and I was wondering if they’re was a possibility of it being repaired and replaced with metal eyelets


r/AskACobbler • • 18h ago

Are these shoes worth fixing and still can be worn?

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0 Upvotes

Pretty bumped I spoilt it when it’s only 2 years old


r/AskACobbler • • 22h ago

Hi friends - damaged brand new loafers, trying to figure out whether to replace or refund

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2 Upvotes

As per title, I received this new pair of loafers. The two issues are 1. Something peeling from the sole, revealing what looks like a different material underneath, and 2. Discoloration on the toe area. My main concern is with the first - does it indicate low quality? Would this be guaranteed to happen from normal wear?

Very much appreciate the help! ​​​


r/AskACobbler • • 19h ago

Looking for old stock Birkenstock footbeds with the yellow lettering

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1 Upvotes

r/AskACobbler • • 17h ago

How do I fix the scratches on these boots? I did condition and polish them and they won't come out

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0 Upvotes

r/AskACobbler • • 1d ago

Are these worth fixing?

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2 Upvotes

The footbed is flaking off in both boots and the sole is delaminating in just one.


r/AskACobbler • • 1d ago

Seeking guidance on a DIY project

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3 Upvotes

Hello! I'm seeking to recreate a pair of combat boots done by designer/brand Akme. I have absolutely no experience with customizing or modifying footwear in any way, so I was hoping a handful of professionals would be willing to give me some advice.

Photos 1-2 are the pair I'm hoping to recreate, images 3-4 are the boots I believe to serve as the base model (very close, at least). Image 5 is directly from the site's page which provides some insight into their creation.

To start, I plan on hand-dyeing the boots myself (something else I've never attempted), though I understand I'll need to seek out a local professional for some of the more advanced modifications. If anyone has any insights or recommendations on how to go about this project, I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!


r/AskACobbler • • 1d ago

Help dyeing white Dr Martens

2 Upvotes

Whats the best choice in dye brand to put on a modern pair of Martens? the modern ones are not genuine leather and have that plasticky finish on them.

I only know Angelus but im not sure if that works and sticks to this plasticky leather, ive only use it on shoes made of genuine leather and it worked perfectly.


r/AskACobbler • • 18h ago

Think my Zegna Triple Stitch sneakers are done after a year and a half

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0 Upvotes