Is your favorite pair of shoes showing signs of use and/or deterioration? Are you still not ready to let go of them or buy a new pair? If you want to save money and keep a nice pair of shoes in use, visit a shoe repair shop.
Every pair of shoes has a lifespan. Everyone should replace their fitness walking shoes every 3-6 months, for example. Yet, they end up getting tears or holes earlier than expected sometimes.
If your shoes still have a lot of miles ahead of them, then you may want to keep them. A great way to keep a good pair in commission is to commission shoe repair services. Below, we’ve got a guide on shoe repair shops and how to find the right one.
1. What Is a Shoe Repair Shop?
A shoe repair shop is a business that offers repair and remodeling services on footwear. Some shoe shops offer shoe repair services in-store or partner with a shoe repair service. In other cases, a repair shop is an independent business.
2. What Can a Shoe Repair Shop Do for You?
Repair shops offer an array of services revolving around giving you a better shoe-wearing experience. They can fix the fit of your shoes to make them more suited for your foot size. A repair shop can raise an instep or fix up torn stitches.
Are there holes in the soles of your shoes from overuse? Has it been a long time since you used your running shoes and now feel uncomfortable in them? A shoe repair person can help fix the fit of your shoes as well as replace its soles.
Other services a shoe shop offers include:
- Dying
- Patching holes or cuts
- Cutting out holes
- Replacing straps
- Re-securing uppers to soles
- Waterproofing
- Adjusting the fit
Some shoe repair shops also custom-make orthopedic shoes. If you have arthritis, flat feet, or plantar fasciitis, you’ll need orthopedic shoes. You can also bring a preferred pair of shoes to a shoe shop and have orthopedic features added to it.
3. Why Go to a Shoe Repair Shop?
There are a lot of reasons to visit a shop. The average person knows how to repair clothes but not how to repair shoes. A specialist in shoe repair can do the job from his or her knowledge and experience with shoes.
Visiting a shop is also cost-effective and can get you the most out of the shoes you bought. When you get your shoes repaired, the cost will be much lower. You can also get your old shoes to fit you better to avoid common foot problems, like blisters and bunions.
Compare this with buying a new pair of shoes, which will take more time, money, and effort.
Do you have a precious pair of boots that your grandmother handed down to you? Shoe repair shops can give any pair of shoes an extended lifespan, especially those that have sentimental value to you.
Finally, shoes are difficult to recycle and reuse because of their different materials. This means they aren’t the eco-friendliest of clothing items. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, then get your shoes repaired rather than dispose of them.
4. How to Pick the Right Shoe Repair Shop
Now, you’re likely thinking of getting your shoes repaired. Let’s talk about how you’ll find the best shoe repair shop in your area. Consider four things: experience, shoe repair cost, client referrals, and services offered.
Experience
If you’re entrusting a pair of valued shoes to a repair person, you want to be sure of their expertise. When you look online or go to different shoe repair shops, ask about their experience. Ask how long they’ve been doing shoe repairs.
Let’s say you have a pair of vintage pumps that need mending. You can ask the shoe repair shop if they’ve had to fix similar shoes. Depending on the reply, you may want to use their services or look for a more experienced shop.
In some shops, you don’t get to talk to the person who will do the repair work. Repair shops where the shoe expert isn’t on-site won’t take rush jobs. It’ll be harder to get the services you need if you’re only looking for a quick dye job or a sandal strap repair.
Repair Cost
The cost of a shoe repair job will differ by shop and depending on how big the problem is. The standard jobs, like a sole replacement or new heels, must follow fixed prices. If you need an unusual repair job, expect that you’ll need to pay a higher price.
If a repair shop’s rates seem too high, try checking a different establishment. You might find big price differences.
Client Referrals
The next step is to ask for the shop’s client referrals.
Use these referrals to talk to the shop’s past clients and learn more about its services. You’ll get a clearer picture of the quality of its services. You also get to assess how reputable the shoe repair shop is from what their past clients have to say.
Services Offered
Finally, take a look at the other services that the shoe repair shop offers. This lets you know what other services they offer. Some shops also repair luggage, baseball mitts, leather garments, belts, and bags.
5. How to Know If Your Shoes Are Worth Repairing
Before you visit a shoe repair shop, you need to know if your shoes are worth repairing. Do you feel attached to the pair of shoes that need immense fixing? Do you think that a repair worth $20 is enough to save a pair of boots worth $120?
Asking yourself these questions can help you decide if the shoes are worth the price of repairs.
Get Your Shoes Repaired by a Professional
That is the end of our guide on how to find a good shoe repair shop and how to get your shoes repaired. We hope you learned something useful and informative from this guide. Next time you come across an old, worn, or ill-fitting pair of shoes, you know where to go.
Did you enjoy reading about the place where your shoes can become perfect pieces of footwear again? Do you want to learn more about other topics related to shoe repair services? If you do, don’t hesitate to go over more of our in-depth guides right here.
