If you have experienced your favorite pair of hiking boots becoming too worn down, you might be thinking, “can hiking boots be resoled?”

If you find that each time you wear your hiking boots, you feel a bit of dirt or water beneath your feet, reduced levels of traction underfoot, or the rough surface of the ground uncomfortably close to the skin of your feet, you know that your hiking boots’ soles have deteriorated. In such a case, you may be wondering whether you can save money by getting them resoled.

Before you go and spend a fortune on a new pair, we must tell you that not all hiking boots can be resoled. Only double-stitched or cemented construction hiking boots can be resoled. On the other hand, modern hiking boots don't offer the same benefit due to their design.

Some hiking boots that have a connection between the outsole, insole, and lower parts of the boot can be resoled as they allow a clean separation. However, this solely depends on how the hiking boots have been manufactured in the first place.

In this article, you will learn whether you can resole your hiking boots and the kinds of boots that cannot be resoled. We will also tell you the obvious benefits, as well as disadvantages of resoling boots so that you have a clearer picture of what to do.

Can Hiking Boots Be Resoled?

Now that you have a fair idea of the kind of boots that can be resoled, let’s find out more. Hiking boots made using a Strobel technique for shoemaking can be complicated to repair. This is because the sole is non-woven and is stitched on the upper with the help of the Strobel stitch. This forms a solid unit that can also be glued on. After this process, the outsole is sprayed on.

If you are looking to replace the sole, you can sand down the sprayed-on sole or get an outdoor heel pasted in its place. However, a 100 percent sole replacement will not be possible since the sprayed-on sale cannot be taken out without destroying the upper.

If you believe that your hiking boots can be resoled, repaired, or replaced, we would recommend asking the brand if they can accept the shoes and resole them. Even though you might have to pay a little extra, you do not have to worry as the original brand will take matters into its own hands.

Moreover, you should also look at the warranty for your hiking boots. Some brands will replace boots if they fall during the period of warranty or will give you a discount and ensure that you get new boots.

You will also find many independent hiking boot repair companies that will happily resole your boots for you. The easiest way to find local companies close to you is by researching and then trusting those brands to work on your boots. Before you send your boots for repair, ask the company whether they will include the cost of postage in the service charges so that you can evaluate whether the cost is worth sending your boots off.

Why You Should Resole Your Hiking Boots

If you own a great pair of hiking boots that can be resoled, here is why you should get them repaired rather than buy new ones:

Budget-Friendly

Usually, the cost of resoling your hiking boots will be significantly lower than the cost of investing in brand-new shoes. This makes repairing your old shoes a better, smarter option.

Eco-Friendly

Climate change has been destroying the planet, and the main culprit is the manufacturing industry. This is why you should try to conserve and reuse whenever you can. After all, the smallest step in the right direction can help.

If you are absolutely certain that your boots have a lot of life left in them, you can get them resoled. One less shoe that you buy may not make a big difference to you, but it definitely will to the environment you will grow old in.

Safe

Resoling your hiking boots will ensure that they last you for a longer period. This means that when you go hiking or take trips up the mountains, you do not have to worry about your safety.

A resoled pair of hiking boots will allow you a significant amount of traction, allowing you to remain safe on slippery and rough terrain.

No Trust Issues

If you go out to buy a new pair of hiking boots, you may not be too sure about the quality and may not understand how your new boots will work in dangerous areas.

However, since you have already been using your old boots, you know that you can trust them and that they are supportive enough to fulfill your needs. You will not have to look for a new shoe to replace it and face the dissatisfaction of it not reaching the previous boot's standard. By replacing the sole of your old pair of boots, you can continue using them whenever you need.

So, Should I Resole My Hiking Boots?

Keep in mind that most hiking and modern backpacking boots, trail shoes, trail runners, and hiking mids cannot be resoled. This means that you will probably have to throw them out once they become worn out. However, some hiking boots can definitely be resoled. The key is to make sustainable choices before you go out and get a new pair of hiking shoes.

If you want to be a responsible citizen, we would recommend buying hiking boots with the knowledge that they can be resoled. This way, you can own gear that can be reused with proper care and continue using your shoes with the comfort of knowing that once they get worn out, the manufacturers will be able to resole them. To do this, you have to buy boots with a durable upper half so that they can last through sole replacements. The main reason why trail shoes, trail runners, mid hiking boots, and light hiking boots cannot be resoled is that their uppers fall apart too fast.

This means that you will have to invest in synthetic, suede, or leather hiking boots made by companies that promise to resole your boots when you are buying them. However, this does not mean that you can get away with not caring for your boots. You must maintain them enough so that they can be resoled when the time comes.