Okay, so I’ve been playing tennis for a while now, and my favorite pair of tennis shoes were starting to look pretty beat up. The soles were worn down, especially around the balls of my feet (you know, from all that quick stopping and starting). I really didn’t want to shell out for a brand new pair, so I started wondering, “Can these things even be resoled?”
My DIY Resoling Adventure
First, I hit up the internet. I figured there had to be some info out there. I watched a few videos and read some articles, and it seemed like resoling might be possible, but it depended on the type of shoe and the extent of the damage.
Next, I inspected my shoes closely. The uppers were still in good shape – no rips or tears, just some scuffs. The soles were the main problem. They weren’t completely falling apart, but they were definitely smooth in spots.
I decided to take a gamble and try to find a local cobbler. I mean, they fix all sorts of shoes, right? So, I googled “shoe repair near me” and found a few places.
I called the place that seemed to be the best option. They said that if the shoes themselves are fit to be resoled, and if I can find the soles I want to use, they could help me do the rest.
Then I bought a pair of suitable outsoles that I found.
I took my shoes, with the new outsoles, to the cobbler. I explained what I wanted, and after a quick look, he said, “Yep, we can definitely resole these!” I was so relieved!
He explained that he would remove the old soles and glue on a whole new sole,I left my shoes with them.
A few days later, I got a call that my shoes were ready. I went to pick them up, and I was amazed! They looked almost brand new. The new soles were perfectly attached, and they felt great.
I tried them out on the court the next day, and they were perfect! The grip was fantastic, and I felt like I had a new pair of shoes, without the new shoe price tag.
- Moral of the story: It is possible to resole some tennis shoes!
- Consider this: Don’t give up on your worn-out tennis shoes right away! Check with a cobbler – you might be surprised at what they can do.
It saved me a bunch of money, and I got to keep my trusty, broken-in tennis shoes. Win-win!
