How To Resole Climbing Shoes – Ultimate Expert Advice

In the 20th century, people climbed to explore new areas and seek adventure. This common scenario does not hold much longer because the modern climbing generation has turned the page into a different chapter. In the past 20-30 years, rock climbing has appeared as a new type of sports adventure.

Along with rock climbing, another subject has received popularity throughout the decade. Can you guess what it is? Yes, it is one of the vital accessories of rock climbing; climbing shoes, and a new variety of sports footwear made of high-quality rubber soles.

Depending on the shoe’s quality, a brand-new pair of climbing shoes will cost you a minimum of $200 every time. Normally, a constant rock climber’s shoe’s average lifetime is 3-9 months. After then, wear-down shoes need replacement or resoling. It is up to your affordability and preference what option you may choose but we recommend you resole your worn-out shoes.

Is it better? Let’s figure it out together. In this article, we will dive into a thorough discussion on how to resole climbing shoes properly and how many beneficiaries it will bring among us.

Key Takeaways

• Climbing shoes are made of high-quality rubber soles and use synthetic materials for the upper coverings. Constant rock climbing decays the rubber sole and then loosens the rand.
• A climbing shoe has three parts, the upper, the rand, and the sole. Any small or major decay of the hole is repairable 3-4 times and the rand can hold only one resoling. The damage in the upper is irreparable.
• The shoe resoling method saves money, is eco-friendly, and keeps sustainability of the environment.
• Professional climbers sometimes repair some minor holes on the sole by gluing but for some major problems, they prefer outsourcing.
• You can resole your shoes following a systematic process. This will cost you a bit of patience but less money.
• The DIY method can be applicable for repairing the sole but the rand needs professional caring. However, this method works for only first-time resoling and the fix-up only lasts for a maximum of a couple of weeks.
• Before doing any repair, you should visit your nearby resoling store. Professional cobblers can determine how much resoling your shoes can hold.

Climbing Shoes and Rock Climbing

Climbing shoes are specially designed for rock climbing. Generally, this type of specialized footwear is unfit for casual walking or hiking because of its sticky and pointy rubber soles. This type of sole holds the rock and helps the climber stick with the rock for a long time.

Climbing shoes are comprised of three different layers, the lower is made of a thick layer of smooth and sticky rubber. The middle part holds the whole structure; it is also rubber made but four times harder than the sole. The upper is made of semi-elastic synthetic fiber which fits very tightly and compresses the climber’s feet.

Most professional climbers prefer La Sportiva Solutions shoes for a better and smooth climbing experience. They refer to it as the best climbing shoe brand.

What is Climbing Shoe Resoling?

Climbers follow a certain process to keep their climbing shoe’s long-term effectiveness. Resoling is a part of that maintenance process. Usually, climbing shoes are worn down on scratchy bumpy terrain of rock mountains through regular climbing. Sometimes rough frictions decay the toe cap of the sole, sometimes making one or two holes in the sole. Major decadence of the sole finally affects the rand.

Some holes can be filled by gluing while some are not. Then climbers need to replace their shoes’ soles entirely or a half part. This sole replacing process is called resoling. This needs professional expertise to hide the shoe line properly. You can replace your sole at least three times.

The rand requires different procedures and extra care because it can affect the shoe’s original shape, effectivity, and comfortability. During a rand repair, the toe covering rubber is replaced. This can limit the resoling number and further repairing.

See Also: How Many Calories Do I Burn Rock Climbing?

When to Resole Climbing Shoes?

It is a common scenario for unprofessional climbers that most of them cannot identify their climbing shoes’ decadence. When the toe cap opens and they get hurt during a climbing session then they notice the problem. They are already late then!

After every climbing session, you should check your shoes carefully. If there is any damage you notice, take your shoes to the professional resoler.

There are some symptoms you should count:

• If the sole is worn out and has one or two holes. At that time it becomes obvious to resole.
• If the sole starts to loosen up and become thin, it will reduce your shoe’s shock absorbency capability.
• If the line between the rand and the sole becomes slightly visible near the toe cap. You should check the rand’s firmness, if the rand is okay then it will cost you less.
• If the sole is opened up and the rand becomes dented, it is the actual time to repair the rand without damaging the upper.
• If the upper material is damaged by a large hole, then there is less possibility that you can reuse your shoes. In such a situation, we recommend you buy new shoes. Maybe any expert resoler can provide a solution but that will cost a lot we can guarantee.

See Also: How To Wash Climbing Rope?

Can I Resolve My Shoes?

Professional climbers resole their shoes by using several resoling kits. If you are not a pro and still want to take the risk of resoling your shoes, then you can follow some steps.

We are going to provide you with the complete process in a systematic way:

1. First of all, you need a shoe repair kit before starting resoling. Though many climbers use barge cement, super glue, vulcanizing rubber glue, or shoe glue, a resoling kit always works the best. The resoling kit includes a knife, sandpaper, pliers and glue, etc.
2. But if you do not have these materials then you can give your shoes a quick fix by covering the holes with glue. And then smooth any uneven side using a sharp knife. Later you can peel off the extra part after drying up.
3. In the beginning, you need to remove the rubber of the sole by using a sharp knife slowly and carefully.
4. When the middle part becomes visible then you should stop removal and smooth the uneven area. Cut a thick rubber sheet according to the size of your shoes.
5. You can choose the same rubber sheet that your shoes have but you can try some alternatives. We will suggest you use stiffer and thicker rubber. It will cost more but is more durable and effective. Moreover, it will give an extra thin edge. The most common types of climbing shoe rubbers are Vibram Xs Edge and Stealth C4.
6. Then glue up both the rubber sheet and your shoe’s erased area. Heat them slowly at low temperatures.
7. After heating properly, you should adjoin both parts properly. You have to hit the lower part using a small hammer.
8. Finally, your work is done. You just have to keep the shoes untouched for 24 hours. They are ready for climbing now.

How to Resolve Climbing Shoes by a Professional?

Most people do not want to take the risk of damaging their climbing shoes and avoid the hustle. For them, professional resoling stores are the best option. However, major wear-down requires expert supervision and technical backup. Therefore, it is a good decision to consult a nearby resoler.

If you do not have any resoling store in your area, then you can mail them to your trusted hands. Some resoler take orders through the mail. You just have to contact them via their website and confirm your order by refunding an amount.

However, you should follow the shipping instruction of the resoler. Most of them recommend using Tyvek envelop for a single pair for shipment. You have to write down a return address on the envelope.

Some manufacturer companies also provide resoling facilities for their respected customers. You must check their website first if your shoe company is one of them. This will save some money for you and provide assurance.

How Much Does a Shoe Resoling Cost?

Generally, climbing shoes resoling costs between $30-$90. It depends on how much rubber you need to remove, what rubber you want to use, and another additional repair. Therefore, we can’t provide any fixed price list. But there are certain criteria which any resoler maintains.

Your shoe resoling cost may vary because of:

• Your shoe resoling costs may increase based on the repairs your shoe needs. A high number of repairs will charge high.
• A standard resoling means a half replacement of the soles. This will only make you spend $30-$40 plus the shipping charge. But the industry standard half-resoling price is $38.
• The major level of toe cap decadence will cost you an extra $10 per shoe.
• The full sole rubber replacement price is $40-$50. This is also varying according to the rubber quality and freshness.
• Climbing shoe replacement expenses highly depend on brand value and the construction type. For any top specialized model, you have to spend less. Some manufacturing company charges less than $100 for shoe resoling.
• Some climbers drag their feet so often that they made a hole in the rand area. That time, the rand replacement becomes inevitable. This will additionally cost you $8-$20. Keep in mind that severe holes cannot be repaired.
• If you send multiple pairs at a single time, you may get a small discount from most resolers.

How Much Time Does Shoe Resoling Take?

When you send your shoes to any resoler stores, you must remember that this is not a short time process.

Any small resoling takes at least 3-4 weeks. But during climbing season any type of climbing shoe resoling consumes 2-8 weeks. You may be aware of the fact that climbing’s growing popularity after the Covid-19 period has increased the unavailability of resolers’ appointments.

 If you luckily get any, remember that you are on the waitlist and this will take a longer time than you expect.

See Also:

Where to Go for Resoling?

European manufacturers offer the best deal. They always resole their customers’ shoes’ with the original sole mold. Isn’t it amazing?

If you live in America, then there are some resoler stores we can suggest for your convenience.

They are:

All of them are California-based resoling stores.

There are others also:

How Long Does a Resoling Last?

A standard shoe resoling will last for 2-3 months. There are exceptions also. Usually, any softer rubber is pressed into the ground because of the constant pressurization of every step you put onto your shoes.

The durability depends on some matters:

• Your weight.
• The distance you cross with your repaired shoes.
• Your walking speed and pattern.
• The type of your climbing mountain’s rocks.
• Your maintenance process.

Why Resoling is Better Than Buying?

It is okay if you want to buy a new pair of shoes, but we urge you to think twice before buying. When you buy a new pair that means you are going to reject the older one. When every time rejects a pair, you are making a new waste!

Resoling is not only an eco-friendly process but also it saves your wallet from being empty. You know how much a new pair costs compared to the shoe resoling.

A new pair of shoes is felt intoxicated when you wear them for the first time. They are tight and hard to use. So, resoling refrains you from breaking into a new pair of shoes. Repaired shoes are easy to use and comfortable.

Things That You Have to Keep in Mind

Climbing shoe resoling is a time-consuming process. It is wise to keep a backup pair during climbing season. You can rent also, but it can affect your climbing experience. Express shipping can save you valuable time, if you can afford extra money then it is a better option.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Only a perfect pair of climbing shoes give a smooth rock climbing experience. For getting a better experience it is essential to know the shoe maintenance procedure. Climbing shoes resoling is such a method that will keep your shoes longer durability and more comfortability. Have a memorable climbing experience.