Do cobblers fit Vibram ?

[Shewie]

I could do with some new rubber on my spare pro boots and was thinking about getting some Vibrams fittted, are they common in high street cobblers at all ?

On the other hand does anyone fit their own soles ? I can`t imagine it to be that difficult. Maybe getting the old ones off first is the trick though ?

ta

 

[John Fenna]

You know of a real cobbler?
"Shoe repairers" down this way do no more than stick on thin rubber to existing soles, cut keys and sell key rings!

 

[mr dazzler]

I regularly repair my clogs with glued and nailed on industrial rubber belting, but i've not tried it on them or any other boots with vibram's that are stitched on are screwed on, stitching might be tough if you havent a machine? Not sure if it can be done by hand. Maybe take them apart very carefully and notice how they were done. Do they glue them and screw them on the screw on version's? I once had a good english pair of shoes with itshide commando soles they were stitched and screwed on
As for cobblers there dont seem to be many who are any good, or that you could safely entrust a decent pair of shoes or boots to; shoes are fashion led consumer disposables nowadays so people dont bother repairing and patching decent shoes (or even bother to pay for top quality long lasting ones) like they did at one time. Maybe someone like altberg at Richmond could do a trustworthy job?

 

[Weesi]

Getting Vibram resoles isn't gonna be cheap but there are a few places that'll do it

http://www.lsr.gb.com/walking_boot_repairs.htm

http://www.feetfirst.resoles.co.uk/walking_boot_repair.php

or even Tiso deal with an Edinburgh repairer

http://www.tiso.com/customer_service/repairs/

If you hunt for 'Vibram resoles' in google you might get something cheaper I'm sure

 

[joejoe]

the last qoute i got for soled and heeled leather shoes over 50 quid

 

[Steve27752]

I believe that Alt-Berg will resole your boots for you.

 

[SiWhite]

I've had my work boots done for about £35 - £40 a few times.

 

[The Cumbrian]

Rich,

I had a pair of Timberland work boots resoled with a Vibram sole by a local shoe repairer a few years ago for about £20. The Vibram soles were on display in his shop window, which was the only reason that I knew that he had them.

Cheers, Michael.

 

[rik_uk3]

The local cobbler in Aberdare does Vibram and its about £35, cheaper for non vibram soles though. In the 'Good Old Days' Vibram were screw on soles and you could have a go yourself; I've still got a pair of 30+ year old Montagne climbing boots with them fitted (but not fitted by me)

 

[Shewie]

Sounds like it`s going to be a fairly dear do, considering what I paid for the boots I think I`ll just get the existing ones replaced with the same.

 

[ForgeCorvus]

I'll ask my tame cobbler if you like, he half soled and hobnailed my kit boots for about 20ish quids a couple of years ago and renailed them last year....I think he has Vibram

 

[rancid badger]

I had a pair of Danner Acadia's resoled with like for like vibram units,about five years ago now.
I used the "shoe repair" kiosk in ,of all places; "The Metro Centre" ( Our local, "Largest in Europe", type shopping mall)
It cost me £32.50 and I dropped the boots off one day and picked them up 24hrs later.
I reckon that was a bargain
cheers
R.B.

 

[Shewie]

That sounds reasonable Steve

Were they just glue on Vibrams ? That`s what I`m after

 

[rancid badger]

That sounds reasonable Steve

Were they just glue on Vibrams ? That`s what I`m after

Yes, I spent a bit of time talking to the lad in shop, as I wasn't convinced he could do the job to be honest
He assured me he could have them looking and feeling like new, so I went for it.
He did a cracking job on them, I wore the boots (quite hard) for another three years, with no delamination and then sold the boots on to a colleague for £85!
best bet would be to take the boots along to a couple of repair shops and see what they say. I suppose it's a bit of a lottery, I was lucky and found a belter.
cheers
Steve

 

[Barney]

Rich

There is a very good old school cobbler in Leigh not far from middlewood.

He makes orthopedic footware by hand and knows both feet and shoes inside out. He fitted some Vibram soles to a pair of boots for me last year for £20. Might be worth an ask while you are up that neck of the woods

 

[foxtrot]

I always use "feetfirst.resoles". Doubling the life of a £150 pair of boots for £40 - £45 seems like agood deal to me.