what can a shoe cobbler fix

11 Common Shoe and Boot Problems a Cobbler Can Fix

• Pinched Toe or Tight Heel If you’ve bought a pair of shoes or boots that are a bit too tight, a cobbler can stretch them out with a stretching machine. ...
• Slippery or Worn-Out Sole ...
• Broken, Ugly, or Wobbly Heel ...
• Stiff Insole ...
• Smelly Shoes ...
• Not Water/Weatherproof ...
• Too Wide or Too Narrow ...
• Straps Too Long or Too Short ...

Full Answer

How can a cobbler fix your shoes and boots?

How a Cobbler Can Fix Your Shoes and Boots A pinched toe or tight heel: Stretch them. If you’ve bought a pair of shoes or boots that are a bit too tight, a cobbler can stretch them out for you with a stretching machine. A slippery sole: A cobbler can fit your shoes and boots, with a rubber, non-skid soles.​​​

What can a cobbler do for You?

A cobbler can fix the rubber on your shoes, heels, and boots. Shoes are worn more comfortably with rubber caps, soles or heels. A cobbler can fix peeling shoe wear, shoes, sandals, heels, and boots. A cobbler can repair a broken heel, bent heel or shaky heel. They can also fix a broken heel cap or cup and a collapse heel collar.

Can a cobbler resole shoes with rubber soles?

A cobbler can add resole shoes with rubber soles, even if the shoe were damage at the bottom. A cobbler can add replace the soles on your shoes or heels.

What can a cobbler do for a pinched toe?

A pinched toe or tight heel: Stretch them. If you’ve bought a pair of shoes or boots that are a bit too tight, a cobbler can stretch them out for you with a stretching machine. The best part? A cobbler doesn’t need to stretch the entire shoe; if only one part is hurting you, they can stretch just that spot.

What does a cobbler repair?

Cobblers mend shoes, tidy them up, and even replace damaged parts. So, if your shoes are very expensive or are just a little scuffed on the soles, you might not want to throw them away and instead practice some shoe care.

What does shoe cobbler do?

Cobblers mend shoes. If your heel is falling off or there's a rip in your shoe, a cobbler can help you out. These days, people are more likely to buy a new pair of shoes than fix an old one, but cobblers used to be very common.

What can be repaired on a shoe?

We'll start basic: Most shoes with leather or faux leather soles can be re-soled when they begin to show wear. Your cobbler may suggest a sturdier sole style than the shoe came with to extend its life. Some rubber-bottom shoes and boots can be re-soled, too. Vibram soles are often recommended.

Can a cobbler fix ripped leather?

A shoe repair shop can repair straps, cuts and tears! A shoe repair shop can skillfully replace broken hardware and make tricky repairs even on leather and suede goods. Even stubborn stains can be removed. But it's important to leave stain removal to the professionals, especially on leather and suede.

Can a cobbler fix a cracked sole?

Resoling. Depending on how bad the damage is, a cobbler can do a half or full resole which involves replacing the soles of your shoes with new ones. You can also preemptively replace the soles of new shoes with rubber or Vibram versions, making them more resistant to wear and tear in the long run.

Can a cobbler fix a broken heel?

Broken, Ugly, or Wobbly Heel A cobbler can repair or change the heel of your shoe.

Are shoe repairs worth it?

If the soles are ruined, on the other hand, that's easy to fix. A repair in the range of $20-$30 can give them several extra years of life, and leave you feeling like you have a brand new pair of shoes. That's why finding a good shoe repair shop is a simple and easy trick for saving money.

Can a cobbler fix a chewed shoe?

Oftentimes, we can still fix the damage and get the shoes as-close-to-fixed as possible. This may be a fine option for many people who can't bear to lose their beloved shoes, and the fix may ultimately not even be very noticeable after all, such as a stitched tear in the leather.

Is it worth getting shoes resoled?

With premium footwear, the outsoles can often be replaced by a process called resoling. Resoling is a cost-effective way to prolong the life of high quality shoes and boots, while keeping perfectly good uppers out of the landfill.

How much does shoe restoration cost?

If you just want your shoes shined up and lookin' fresh, expect to pay about $8 to $15 for shoes and $10 to $20 for boots for a simple shoe shine and leather conditioning. If you want suede brushing and a color refresh, expect to pay between $15 and $25. Cleaning more delicate fabrics will go up from there.

Can you repair scuffed shoes?

For removing scuff marks from shoes, combine 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda and enough warm water to create an evenly consistent paste. Apply the paste directly to the scuff marks. Using a cloth, polish the shoes and remove the excess paste with a second clean, damp cloth.

Can damaged leather shoes be repaired?

For minor scratches, use things like petroleum jelly, white vinegar, or recoloring balm to fix the leather. If your shoe has a deeper scratch, fill it in using a leather cream polish that's the same color as your leather shoes.

What is the difference between a cobbler and a shoemaker?

Shoemakers were the skilled artisans who made shoes, and cobblers were the shoe repair men. It was a grave insult to call a shoemaker a cobbler, in fact, the Oxford English Dictionary gives a secondary definition of cobbler as a person who works clumsily, so it was a general insult as well.

What are people who fix shoes called?

In this usage, a cordwainer is someone who makes new shoes using new leather, whereas a cobbler is someone who repairs shoes.

Can a shoe cobbler make a shoe smaller?

A cobbler can't make most types of shoes smaller. Heel grips, gel pads, thick insoles, and toe inserts are the most viable options. A cobbler is restricted by the sole and materials used for your footwear.

Can a cobbler make shoes longer?

Cobblers have stretching machines that can increase length and width. They can even stretch the front of a shoe where it squishes your toes. For shoes that are too big, they can insert thicker soles, tongue pads or heel grips.

YES: Re-sole Leather-bottom Shoes

We'll start basic: Most shoes with leather or faux leather soles can be re-soled when they begin to show wear. Your cobbler may suggest a sturdier sole style than the shoe came with to extend its life. Some rubber-bottom shoes and boots can be re-soled, too. Vibram soles are often recommended .

NO: Re-sole Sneakers

There will be a few exceptions, but overall sneakers are nearly impossible to re-sole. Their soles are typically integrated into their overall design and cannot be replaced. Some repairs are possible, though, so ask to be sure.

YES: Replace Heel Tips

Most high heels have hard plastic ends called heel tips and they wear out and fall off fairly frequently. You can extend their life by taking brand new shoes in and having high-quality tips put on immediately, but when any tips wear out they can be easily replaced.

NO: Make Heels Taller or Shorter

OK, very, very occasionally heeled shoes can be made slightly shorter in the heel and capped with a new tip. But most heels are designed with the footbed at an angle that accommodates a specific heel height, and monkeying with it will make the shoe unsightly and uncomfortable. Making heels taller is virtually impossible.

YES: Stretch Leather Shoes That Are Too Tight

If you've got a pair of leather flats or boots that are just a smidgen too tight across the bridge of your foot, this will be the best news you've heard all day. There are lots of methods and tools for stretching your shoes at home, but a cobbler can get it done at a lower risk.

NO: Make Shoes Smaller

There are a number of pads and insoles you can use to make loose shoes fit a bit tighter, but no reliable way for a shoe repair person to "take in" your shoes.

YES: Dye Light Shoes a Darker Color

Thinks those old tan boots would get more use if they were black? Many cobblers can over-dye leather shoes for you. Some leathers take dye more easily than others so this isn't always possible, but it's worth asking.

Pinched Toe or Tight Heel

If you’ve bought a pair of shoes or boots that are a bit too tight, a cobbler can stretch them out with a stretching machine. The best part is that a cobbler doesn’t need to stretch the entire shoe; if only one part is hurting you, they can stretch just that spot.

Slippery or Worn-Out Sole

A cobbler can fit your shoes and boots with rubber, non-skid soles.​​​ Rubber soles are also more comfortable. High-quality shoes can be resoled multiple times. However, cheaply made shoes that usually wear out on the balls of the feet first are much harder (or impossible) to re-sole.

Broken, Ugly, or Wobbly Heel

A cobbler can repair or change the heel of your shoe. For example, a cobbler can change a wide heel into a stiletto, or widen a stiletto into a traditional heel.

Stiff Insole

A cobbler can add padding to the insole and arch. Apparently, this is how Kate Middleton manages to effortlessly walk up and down cobblestone roads and paths all over the UK in super skinny heels.

Smelly Shoes

Yes, a cobbler can clean and recondition your shoes and boots. While there are commercial products (and DIY solutions) you can try at home, sometimes the problem is too severe for at-home remedies.

Too Wide or Too Narrow

If you have wide or skinny calves, a cobbler can stretch or tighten the shaft of a boot. They can also shorten the boot's shaft if you found the perfect pair of boots but they seem to be designed for someone a few inches taller than you. This involves moving the zipper, cutting down the shaft, and adding or replacing elastic.

Straps Too Long or Too Short

If the straps on your strappy sandals or slingbacks are too long or too short, a cobble can tighten or lengthen them so they fit just right. They can also add inserts so the straps won't rub your skin.

What Is A Cobbler?

Stitching repairs and new soles on a pair of sandals. Image via Dr Sole

What Services Do Cobblers Offer And How Much Are They?

A pair of Red Wings during the re-welting process. Image via: Original Cobblers Ltd

Why Should I Use A Cobbler?

Frye boots before and after their fifth resole. Image via: Reddit user Tukayen.

How Can I Find A Good One?

Depending on where you live, there’s probably a cobbler stationed in your nearest town center, high street or train station. But is taking your prized boots to the closest spot the best idea? Well, it really depends on the job that needs doing and where your shoes are from.

Find the Nearest Shoe Repair Shop

Use the search box below to find shoe repair locations by city. In addition, you can use the map below to find the nearest shoe cobbler in your area.

Find a Shoe Repair Shop Nearby in a Different City

In addition to doing a local shoe repair search, you can find where to fix your shoes in another city. You can use the map the same way as described above. The only difference is that you would have to move your mouse or point to the city that you are interested in and you will see all local shoe repair listings in that area.

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