How to Tell If Your Shoes Can Be Resoled
Welted, cemented or molded? Learn to read a shoe's construction before you decide to repair or replace.
Look at the seam
Turn the shoe on its side and study the joint where the upper meets the sole. A visible line of stitching running around the perimeter means a Goodyear welt or Blake construction — both fully resoleable, often several times.
Cemented construction
No stitching, just a clean glue line? That's a cemented shoe. It can usually be resoled once or twice, but the upper has to be sturdy enough to survive the sole being pulled off.
Molded and injected soles
If the sole wraps up the sides in a single piece of foam or rubber with no seam at all, replacement is rarely practical. Most running shoes and many casual sneakers fall here.
Check the insole and lining
A shoe with a hole worn through the insole board or a collapsed heel counter may still be repairable, but the cost climbs. Bring it in and we'll quote both paths.
Need a professional to handle it?
If a repair is beyond home care, bring the pair to our Westminster shop. See our services or call (303) 427-8524 for a free estimate.
More Shoe Care Guides
- Leather Care in Colorado's Dry Climate
- Removing Winter Salt Stains from Leather
- How to Break In New Boots Without Blisters
- Vibram vs. Leather Soles: Which Should You Choose?
- Seven Habits That Double the Life of Dress Shoes
- Waterproofing Hiking Boots the Right Way
- Caring for Suede and Nubuck
- What Shoe Repair Actually Costs — and When It's Worth It
- Comfort Modifications: Lifts, Pads and Orthotic Fitting
Bring them in — we'll tell you honestly if they're worth saving.
Free estimates, no appointment needed. Most repairs finished in 3–7 days.