Shoe Repair vs. Replacement: When to Choose Which?

Generally, some people forget the importance of shoes and how it tends to make a massive difference to the entire look. Footwear is more than just an accessory. It protects your feet, supports your posture, and can even help you make a style statement, which is why you need to make sure that you choose your footwear with a lot of care. However, shoes, especially when they are worn on a regular basis are bound to undergo a certain amount of wear and tear and that will eventually lead to the question – should you replace them or consider repairing them? 

Let’s Start With When to Repair the Shoes

With shoes, the line is often quite clear between when to repair and when to replace. Well, in most cases, you should be able to figure out what needs to be done. However, it is knowing when to repair or replace them that can save you some money as well as ensure comfort. It is important to remember that repairing the shoes is often the more cost-effective option because when your shoes are expensive, you would want to look for ways to extend their life. 

When to Repair Men’s Shoes

Keep an eye out on these conditions, wherein repairing the shoes can be a good solution:

Loose or broken laces 

Laces are easily replaceable, and so if they are broken, frayed or have become loose, you need not replace the shoes; rather only the laces. 

Scuffed or faded leather 

One of the most common problems with men’s leather shoes is the fact that they get scuffed or start to look faded. It is easy to get leather restored using certain specific products and this should return the original shine. 

Worn soles 

In case, the soles are the part of the shoe that are worn down, then you can consider resolving, which can be done by experienced cobblers or at shoe repair stores. 

Minor stitching issues

Small tears in the stitching can often be mended by a cobbler, especially if the upper is still in good shape. Unless the tear is really large, there is no need to replace them. 

When to Repair Women’s Footwear 

You might be aware that women’s shoes are designed and created slightly differently, the requirements of repair will also vary, as compared to men’s footwear. However, there are several cases where repair is easy:

Heel damage

If you are accustomed to wearing heels, you would know that they are the ones that get damaged most often. For boots and pumps, repairing or replacing the heels is mostly easy and can be done without much effort. 

Loose buckles or straps

In case the buckles, zippers or straps have become loose or are not working properly or have broken, then you can get them repaired or replaced quite easily. 

Scuffed leather or suede

When you feel that your shoes have lost that newly bought sheen and shine, you can give your shoes for professional cleaning and a session of reconditioning could possibly restore the original glory. 

Worn insoles

Replacing insoles can refresh the shoe’s comfort and support and save you the cost of actually having to replace the entire shoe. 

      Here are the main benefits of repairing your footwear:

• Saves money compared to replacement
• Retains the comfort of a well-broken shoe
• Allows you to enjoy your favourite pair for a longer time
• Reduces waste by keeping shoes in use longer

Now Let’s Move to When to Replace the Shoes 

There will be times when repair will allow you to use a certain pair of shoes for a little longer; but there will be times where there will be no option to repair the shoes but to instantly replace them. Pay attention to the following:

Loss of structural integrity 

If the shoe has lost its structure and is no longer able to offer comfort or support to your feet, it might be time to replace them. 

Excessive wear in the upper material 

When the sole of the shoes gets affected, you can always get them replaced; however, when the upper material shows wear and tear, you might just have to throw them away. 

Separation of the sole  

When the sole is coming off and repeated glue attempts seem to fail, then you might want to look at replacing the shoe, rather than just the sole. 

Foot pain 

When your feet start to hurt incessantly because of the shoes, then you might want to change them as soon as possible. 

Water damage  

One of the times when you might want to consider replacing the leather shoes is when there is a lot of water damage and there is no way to resurrect the shoes. 

Just like repairing, there are some benefits to replacing as well: Investing in a new pair of shoes can ensure better support and comfort for your feet. Obviously when you are picking new shoes, you are staying updated with the modern trends, styles and materials. If your old shoes have been causing pain in your feet, your new shoes can help eliminate that issue if you pick a comfortable pair. 

Conclusion

Now that you know what to take into consideration while choosing to repair or replace the shoes, here are some more points to ponder. Consider the costs because higher-quality shoes are often worth repairing. Shoes that are versatile and frequently worn, such as your favourite pair of sneakers, you might want to consider repairing them. Repairing the shoes reduces waste and is an environmentally friendly choice; so you should opt for repairing.