You’ve probably heard the terms repairing or restoring your shoes, and we’ll explain what they mean and which one you should choose if you want to keep your favorite pair of leather shoes in tip-top shape.
What’s the Difference Between Restoring and Repairing Your Shoes?
If you’re thinking about getting your shoes restored, here are some things to keep in mind:
- restoring shoes is more work and more expensive. If your shoes need extensive repairs, it may be difficult to tell the difference between a fixed pair of shoes and a brand-new pair—but it’s certainly worth considering!
- restoring your shoes can often make them look better than new. This is because restoring experts take their time using only the best materials available on the market. They also know every little detail about what makes each shoe unique—which means they can ensure that every shoe’s component looks its absolute best before sending it home with you.
- repairs simply don’t compare when it comes to quality and longevity. For example, if you want new rubber soles installed on your old leather boots but don’t want to spend too much money doing so, then just think twice before taking them somewhere else!
Have you been told that your leather shoes need repairing or restoring? You might be wondering what’s the difference between restoring and repairing your shoes?
Restoring is more expensive than a repair because it involves a deeper level of care. A restorer will take apart every component of your shoe, clean every part with specialized materials, and then put it back together with new features where needed. Depending on their condition and complexity, this can take anywhere from 5 to 10 hours per pair of shoes.
Restoring Shoes Includes Replacing All Non-Leather Parts
- an essential part of restoring shoes is replacing all non-leather parts, including the insole and sole.
- the process also includes cleaning, conditioning, and polishing the leather.
- not only does this keep your shoes looking great for years to come, but it also helps you avoid having to repair them again.
A good restorer will use the same materials as the original parts. If that’s not possible, they’ll find high-quality replacement materials higher than anything you could find at a shoe store.
Repairing Only Fixes Broken Parts
Repairing your shoes costs less than restoring, but it’s not always as good as the latter.
This process is done by replacing broken or worn shoe parts with new ones, and this can be cheaper than restoring because you’re only replacing what needs to be replaced. But if your shoes are already in pretty good condition, repairing them may not make them look very different from how they did before—and that might not be what you want.
In general, we recommend getting a second opinion from an experienced cobbler before deciding to repair your shoes instead of restoring them completely.
More on Repairing
A repair shop can replace one or two parts of a shoe, and they might be able to replace a damaged heel or replace a worn-out insole. Many repair shops can’t do much more than that because they don’t keep enough replacement parts to restore shoes correctly in stock.
However, this option is worth considering if you just need one part replaced. It’s also less expensive than restoring your shoes and will give you more options for finding the right replacement part.
Restoring Shoes Requires Cleaning and Conditioning Leather
Shoe restoration is the process of cleaning and conditioning leather to make it look better, feel better, and last longer. This involves using special products that are made explicitly for restoring shoes. These products can be found at most shoe stores or online. You’ll want to take extra care when cleaning your shoes because you’re working with natural materials such as leather.
Repairing and Restoring Will Make Your Favorite Pair of Shoes Last Longer
Both repairing and restoring your shoes will make them last longer. But one does much more work than the other!
Repairing your shoes will give them a fresh look and make them feel better, but it won’t do much for their longevity. It’s possible that repairing your shoes might shorten their life span by causing premature wear on certain parts of the shoe.
Restoring your shoes, however, can bring back years of wear (and then some). It involves replacing parts that have deteriorated or become damaged beyond repair with new parts carefully chosen to match the original design as closely as possible. Restored shoes are built to last—not just cosmetically repaired to look good while they fall apart immediately after purchase! The process is also time-consuming and labor-intensive: in addition to sourcing every piece needed for rebuilding everything from scratch (which often involves searching through old factories), there’s also plenty of stitching involved: each hole must be measured out precisely so that when it’s filled in again with a new thread, they’ll sit exactly where they should be placed relative to one another, so nothing looks off balance when worn together physically later down the line.
If you’re looking for a quality pair of shoes that will last or questioning what’s the difference between restoring and repairing your shoes? we recommend seeking the advice of a professional cobbler. Come on into Dale’s Shoes, and we can help you with your repair and restoration needs!