Resoling/repairing hiking boots

[SternWake]

I bought a pair of expensive Meindl boots 17 years ago in Auckland, and they are by far the most comfortable footwear I have ever owned.  Many miles in hiking foreign lands and here in the US too.

I busted them out during some of the recent rain events, and kept wearing them, and my Knee pain abated, then disappeared for the duration I kept them on, but now it is shorts and sandals or tennis shoes again.

The boots soles are  heavily worn, there is some broken stitching in the heel inside, but they were still waterproof to the very top.

I am not liking the prices on new boots of similar quality, nor do I want to break them in when these are so incredibly comfortable, and were from day 1 as well.

I also read current  reports that the Meindls sold in the USA are subpar compared to those in the EU, and seeing as how quality of many products has gone downhill to meet the modern American consumer's 'cheapest at any cost' mentality, well I do not want these destined for the landfill.

Anybody have good results having their favorite footwear resoled and repaired?

 

[rvpopeye]

I've had new Vibrams on hiking boots done by an old style cobbler.
Like new but fit like a glove.

 

[Gunny]

Yes, go to a quality Bootmaker or real shoe repair. I have a pair of Lucchese Boots on their third resole. Eventually you'll run out of material for the new soles, but two or three times, easy.

Rob

 

[bullfrog]

As far as sandals go Berkinstock Arizonas can be mailed in and resoled free as they have a life time sole. I had a heel spur that within an hour wearing these went from being crippled to able to walk. I didn't care for the looks but if it means I can walk I don't care.

 

[SternWake]

When I say sandals, I mean flip flops. Poor dilapidated flipflops. I suspected poor footwar could be responsible. The Knee pain disappearing wearing the Meindls was the wakeup.

I will be researching cobblers in this area, Found one not too far away. Hope they will work on my Meindls.

Need to get some other better casual footwear too. i spent a majority of my 20's barefoot. Could and did ride a skateboard with a thumbtack in my heel and not know it until I hear the tapping and felt the loss of traction.

That kind of dirty foot action does not lend itself to living in a van though.

 

[highdesertranger]

stitched on soles can be resoled, glued on can't. an old time cobbler can handle your resole. however they are getting harder to find. in this day and age it's throw the stuff out and buy new. quality went in the dumpster awhile back. some Harbor Freights sell boots. highdesertranger

 

[Queen]

I'd see an actual cobbler if you can find one. Sent my beloved Redwings in for resoling and they came back with a very different sole that weighed a ton, they were ruined.

As for awesome flip flops, get some Olu Kais (Ohana is my preference), I have major orthopedic issues and they are the most comfortable things I've ever worn.

 

[Ballenxj]

I bought a pair of expensive Meindl boots 17 years ago in Auckland, and they are by far the most comfortable footwear I have ever owned.  Many miles in hiking foreign lands and here in the US too.

<----snip---->

Anybody have good results having their favorite footwear resoled and repaired?

There is a cobbler in North Las Vegas named Willy, who owns and operates a business called Vegas Shoe repair.  His shop is on the Northwest corner of Las Vegas BLVD N. and Pecos, in a strip mall behind a Roberto's Taco Shop that is right across from the swap meet in NLV. 
About quality disappearing in the U.S., I have to agree. I have a pair of Merrill Water Mocs that are made in Vietnam, and a pair of Danner boots that I think are made there as well?

 

[IanC]

I also read current  reports that the Meindls sold in the USA are subpar compared to those in the EU, and seeing as how quality of many products has gone downhill to meet the modern American consumer's 'cheapest at any cost' mentality, well I do not want these destined for the landfill.

Doc Martins used to be made in England (developed for the German postal service). The ones sold in the UK might still be, but the boots for export to the US are made in Asia - a mailman couldn't get 6 months out of them. They are for 'urban wear' rather than service wear.

 

[wagoneer]

My old Herman Survivors I have all but given up on after 40 Years of service I even used Barge glue with conveyer belt cut outs, perhaps some Micheline radials next. Good luck
They turn into old friends and hard to throw away more faithful than most people.
Here in SF in the Mission Latino cobblers will do their best at a fair price.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I bought a pair of expensive Meindl boots 17 years ago in Auckland, and they are by far the most comfortable footwear I have ever owned.  Many miles in hiking foreign lands and here in the US too.

Yes!  Meindl,  I recommended this brand in another post awhile back, think it was on Debit's thread.  I don't know how many miles I put on mine but it had to have been thousands.  Wore them everyday for 6 years, they hiked all over, wore em back packing, to work, to everything.  Never owned a better pair of sneakers.  On my 2nd pair now and love them every bit as much as the first.

 

[wagoneer]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Meindl-Moun...588058?hash=item2cbb56c95a:g:82cAAOSwA3dYlBcg

 

[Weight]

Glue-on soles can be repaired, but the shoes are usually not worth repairing. The ones repaired most often have goodyear welts.