How to Repair Damaged Rubber Shoe Soles
Easy, Reliable Shoe Sole Repairs
Our craftsmen have been repairing soles on shoes since 1955. Trusted by generations of Australians and a host of designer brands, we take care of the soles on thousands of shoes each year. If you are looking for a shoe sole repair near you, then look no further — we service all of Australia with an easy online service.
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How it Works
1. Order Online
Answer a few questions to get an instant quote and complete your order.
2. Drop off
Drop your shoes off at any local post office for free packaging and shipping to us.
3. We repair
A team of experienced craftsmen will carefully repair your shoes.
4. We return
We'll deliver your repaired shoes to you, wherever you are in Australia.
Shoe Sole Repair Services
Soles are often the first parts of shoes to show the effects of occasional accidents and everyday wear, but damaged soles are rarely beyond repair or (if necessary) replacement. Soles can also be protected in a variety of ways to help prevent common forms of damage or wear.
Read on to learn more about some of the shoe sole repair services we offer as well as other related services that may be of interest.
Shoe Sole Repair
Shoe sole repairs take a variety of forms depending on the damage involved, but they generally involve restoration or continued use of the existing soles without covering or replacing them. So a shoe sole repair is generally a good option where the wear or damage needing to be addressed is relatively minor or a shoe resole (i.e. sole replacement) is not feasible or economical.
Sole Reattachment
When soles have come apart from the body of the shoes, we reattach the soles by stitching and/or gluing them back into place. This is suitable when the soles are not too worn / thin — otherwise, the shoes would need to be resoled.
Pictured is a case where we reattached a pair of soles by cleaning off the old glue and then carefully re-gluing the soles into place.
Toe Piece Replacement
When soles wear or break away at the toes, we cut the soles and glue or stitch new pieces of carefully shaped rubber into place. Replacing toe pieces is a cost-effective alternative to a resole when the rest of the soles are in good shape.
Pictured is a case where we removed a broken piece of the sole at the toes and stitched a fresh rubber piece in its place.
Sole Colour Restoration
When leather soles are made with a signature colour, the loss of that colour after a few wears can leave the shoes lacking their original lustre. We restore the colours on these soles, carefully recontouring the leather before recolouring and refinishing it. However, because the new colour will only last about as long as the original colour did, a pair of sole protectors — which are often available in a matching or close colour — is generally recommended in these cases.
Repairing Holes, Splits and Cracks in Soles
We often see shoe soles that have split, developed cracks or holes, or even started crumbling or disintegrating. While a sole repair alone is sometimes possible in these cases, it is often necessary to perform a resole — whether involving complete replacement of the old soles or else repair of the old soles before reinforcing them with thin rubber soles over the top.
Sole Alterations
Whether for comfort or aesthetics or on the recommendation of a medical specialist, we alter soles as needed — shortening them, heightening them or modifying their shapes or gradients.
Related Services
If a sole repair is not feasible or economical, or if you are looking for extra protection for your soles, consider the following services.
Shoe Resole / Sole Replacement
A shoe resole involves covering shoes with new leather or rubber soles, with all or part of the old soles either removed or else repaired and then reinforced with thin rubber soles over the top. A resole or sole replacement is a great option when the soles on shoes are worn to the point where a sole repair alone would not be sufficient or economical.
Pictured is a full resole. In the case shown, that involved complete replacement of the old soles with new full-length leather soles.
Pictured is a half resole. In the case shown, that involved repairing the main soles before installing thin half-length rubber soles over the top.
Sole Protectors
Sole protectors are thin, hard-wearing rubber soles made to be installed over the main soles on shoes for significantly enhanced longevity and traction on otherwise slippery surfaces — without disturbing the original aesthetic of the shoes. These protective soles are generally recommended for shoes with main soles that are prone to wear (usually leather soles) and either brand new or not yet too heavily worn.
Pictured is a pair of half-length sole protectors made with a glossy red finish to reflect that of the original soles.
Pictured is a pair of half-length sole protectors in black with a matte finish and light anti-slip tread.
Toe Plates
Toe plates are installed on the front of soles (usually wear-prone leather soles) to protect them where they otherwise tend to wear fastest. These are available in rubber, steel or brass and either installed over the top of a new pair of soles or flush with the rest of the soles.
Looking for something else?
We also perform a variety of other specialist shoe repair services. If you do not see what you are looking for or you are not quite sure what your shoes need, learn more about our shoe repair services or select the 'Soles' option while completing our order form — you will then be able to describe and upload photos of your soles, which we will then review and recommend work for.
Trusted Shoe Sole Repairers Since 1955
What our Customers Think
Here is some of the feedback we have received from customers whose shoe soles we repaired.
I recently had my shoes' soles and heels repaired and the work was done superbly! I ordered during the COVID pandemic but the team kept in contact and my boots were returned to me in perfect condition.
Trisha, Sydney
Fantastic service and the results are far better than expected. The repaired soles and heels on my shoes look great and far better than I had hoped.
Gary, Brisbane
My boots had worn, broken soles. I thought they were past their use by date, but they were returned to me looking close to brand new. I am stunned by the quality of the craftwork.
Joanne, Perth
A great service and a great outcome — so happy with my repaired shoes! Convenient service and fast turnaround. Highly recommend!
Emily, Sydney
Had my shoes repaired recently. Really quick to turn around. I asked for the toe to be restitched and they did a great job of it. Highly recommend and will use again.
Jacob, Melbourne
Absolutely thrilled with the repaired soles on my leather shoes. Highly recommend this very convenient service.
Kerrie, Brisbane
Great service from SoleHeeled. The workmanship is top quality and exceeded my expectations. No hesitation in recommending.
Magali, Perth
I felt I had destroyed my shoes, which were coming away from the soles. In three quick days, my shoes were completely brought back to life. I couldn't be happier with the result and service!
Fra, Sydney
Great company to deal with. I was nervous about sending off my shoes which needed the soles repaired. Fast turnaround and the work is great. Thanks so much!
Jenny, Harvey Bay
Nobody here in Melbourne had the machine to restitch the broken sole on my boots. I just received my boots from SoleHeeled, within only 2 weeks, with a great repair. Very happy and highly recommend.
Avril, Melbourne
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Shoe Sole Repair Examples
Repair Case Studies
Here are a few examples of shoe sole repairs performed by our team of experienced cobblers, along with before and after photos.
These RM Williams Comfort Craftsman boots were beaten up and in desperate need of repair. We performed a full re-sole and re-heel, re-lined the heel counters and restored the leather uppers to effectively restore the boots.
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These Valentino Rockstud pumps were in need of repair, with soles and heels showing signs of wear. We replaced the heel tips and repaired the heel blocks as well as installed a pair of thin rubber sole protectors for improved longevity and traction.
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These Meermin Black Calf oxford shoes were in desperate need of a repair, with the inner lining disintegrating and the soles worn down — the rubber sole protectors having been fully worn through. We relined the shoes as well as performed a full resole and reheel.
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The soles and heels on these Prada oxford dress shoes were worn and in need of replacement. We reheeled the shoes as well as performed a half resole, with new leather soles that extended back to about an inch before the heels.
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The soles on these Salvatore Ferragamo loafers were heavily worn, with the soles in particular severely cracked and breaking apart entirely. We performed a full resole, replacing the heels and soles along the full length of each shoe with a new pair of high-quality rubber heels and soles.
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These Django & Juliette boots were brand new, but in need of a sole lift for them to be worn comfortably by their owner. We raised the soles and heels on the right boot by 1.5 centimetres.
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These ECCO shoes were in good shape after several years of wear, except that the soles and the velcro on the straps were heavily worn. We performed a full resole and replaced the worn velcro.
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These classic Timberland 6-Inch Waterproof boots were made to last years of regular wear, but the otherwise highly durable soles were showing significant wear around the back of the heels and centre of the soles. We performed a full resole, replacing the soles along the full length of each boot with a new pair of Vibram 100 Montagna rubber soles.
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The soles on the Timberland hiking boots were made to be highly durable in the sense that the tread should not be expected to wear away despite years of regular wear. However, one of the soles on these boots had started coming apart from the body of the boots at the toes. We re-secured the soles to the uppers.
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These Birkenstock Arizona Birko-Flor shoes were holding up well after years of wear, but the soles were worn down and the synthetic leather uppers had lost much of their colour. We resoled the shoes and then restored the uppers.
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The heels and soles on these Valentino Rockstud Ankle Strap Pumps were heavily worn, with the heel tips missing, the leather around the heel blocks torn and hanging loose, and the soles worn right through at the toes. We replaced the heel tips, repaired the heel blocks and repaired the soles before installing a pair of rubber sole protectors.
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These RM Williams Gardener boots were looking far from fresh, with the uppers looking dry and discoloured and the soles and heels heavily worn down. We performed a full resole and then cleaned, conditioned and polished the leather uppers to help get them looking and feeling fresh.
Read More →
Recent Orders
Here is a list of recent shoe sole repair orders we have received from customers across Australia.
Shoe Sole Repair
Description
Restore red leather / lacquer of the soles.
Shoe Sole Repair
Description
The leather on the soles has been damaged and needs reattaching at the toes.
Shoe Sole Repair
Services
Clean / restore, Water / stain protect, Soles
Description
Touch up colour on the leather, including the sides of the soles where the colour has faded. Also add rubber soles.
Shoe Sole Repair
Description
I would like to restore the rough and discoloured leather on the front half of the shoes.
Shoe Sole Repair
Services
Soles, Clean / restore
Description
Shoes are very dirty, worn and the sole has detached.
Shoe Sole Repair
Description
Repair worn soles and broken cork.
Shoe Sole Repair
Description
Attach boot to detached sole.
Shoe Sole Repair
Description
Need to replace the toe pieces on my rubber soles.
Shoe Sole Repair
Description
Looking to add 0.5cm to the height of the soles / platforms on my sneakers, hopefully without affecting the appearance.
Shoe Sole Repair
Description
The sole is coming off my left boot and potentially the right boot. They are new boots but I may not have worn them in right.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's all very quick and easy — promise!
- Complete our online order form, where you'll be able to upload photos and describe the work you'd like done to the shoes. You'll get an instant quote based on your selection and then choose to either proceed with an order or request a custom quote.
- Once we've reviewed your order, we'll email you instructions for getting your shoes to us. If you live in Sydney, you'll have the option to drop the shoes off at our workshop. Otherwise, you'll be able to drop them off at a local Australia Post office, where they'll be packaged and shipped over to us for free.
- Once we receive your shoes, we'll repair and return them to you by courier.
The cost to repair the soles on shoes varies widely depending on the actual work performed.
A straightforward sole repair can cost as little as $49, while a complete replacement of the soles can cost as much as $229. Further work on the soles, such as the installation of sole protectors or toe plates for enhanced longevity, could add anywhere between $49 and $99 to the total cost of the repair.
In all cases, the exact cost depends largely on the materials used and factors affecting the amount of time required to perform the work, such as how the soles are constructed and attached to the uppers and how damaged the existing soles are.
Simply complete our order form to get a free diagnosis/quote based on your particular requirements.
We're generally able to turn around sole repairs within about 2–3 business days of receiving shoes at our workshop. This extends to 1–2 weeks for most specialist repairs and sometimes longer for more complex repairs and restorations.
If you will be using our free shipping service (rather than dropping off and picking up your shoes at our workshop), then you should also factor in shipping time via Australia Post. This varies depending on your location, but generally takes no more than a few business days if you're in a metropolitan area and otherwise up to 5 business days.
Once you submit your online order form, you'll be given a token that allows you to track everything online, throughout the process of getting your shoes soles repaired.
And whenever your shoes are in transit (whether on their way to our workshop via Australia Post or on the way back to you via courier), you'll have a parcel tracking number and receive real-time shipping notifications by email.
Yes, you can drop off and pick up your shoes at our workshop in Martin Place, Sydney provided that:
- You first complete your order online;
- You let us know (in the order form or by follow up email) that you'd like to drop off and/or pick up at the workshop; and
- We have emailed you a ticket that you'll need to print out and hand over at the workshop for ID and proof of payment.
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How to Repair Damaged Rubber Shoe Soles
Source: https://soleheeled.com.au/services/shoe-repair/sole-repair
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