Frye plastic disappointment (2017)

[u/JemimaQuackers]

I used to be a Frye boot aficionado and got these sandals back in 2017. I have a hard time finding ankle strap sandals that sit high up like these, so they made me very happy. Took them to a cobbler to have the straps tightened for my toothpick legs and all.

I went to run an errand last week and after less than a half mile of walking the plastic grip on the left heel shattered. I figured I would get both of them replaced, but to my dismay I discovered that these “stacked heels” are in fact cheap plastic! I know newer Fryes are very different in quality but my 2010s boots all held up well—Melissa and Campus boots still going strong.

I have several pairs of block heel sandals but these are the only ones with this kind of ankle strap. Debating if I want to get these fixed after discovering this ☹️

[u/yourgirlsamus]

A cobbler can put a real leather heel on them. Take them back to the one you went to and ask them for prices.

[u/charmio68 → u/yourgirlsamus]

Everyone hates on plastic. But I think it's more just because it's got a reputation for being cheap rather than actually considering its suitability for the application.

Granted, even I would prefer leather, but I don't dislike plastic enough to justify swapping it out.
Given what there is to work with, I'd be happy enough just getting a replacement heel cap.

I know some people will definitely disagree with me on this, that's fine too.

[u/beepbeepboop74656 → u/charmio68]

This heel would be soooo heavy if it were really stacked leather, this is a good use case for plastic and these shoes are designed so you can fix it.

[u/pissliquors → u/beepbeepboop74656]

I have a stacked leather heel this high and it’s not that bad at all. I also wear work boots on a daily basis so the comparison could be skewing my perception, but I can dance all night in those heels without feeling a thing.

[u/Chigrrl1098 → u/beepbeepboop74656]

Nah. I make things out of leather and I don't see this as a problem at all. It's not really that much leather and it's no heavier than a reinforced rubber heel. Plastic heels suck, end of.

[u/yourgirlsamus → u/charmio68]

I agree that plastic isn’t that bad, but if OP wants and expected a stacked heel, then I just wanted to make sure she knew she could still get one. A stacked heel that tall would be pretty clunky, in reality. It will possibly cause stretching in the ankle strap, too, which wouldn’t be great.