What may seem an impossible task at first, resolving your cowboy boots can actually be easier than you thought.
Why should you re-sole your cowboy boots though if you can just go out and buy some new ones? It’s worth re-soling the cowboy boots you already own since you will have already worn them in, and you know how well they fit your feet and how comfortable they are to wear.
Not to mention how long cowboy boots are made to last. A quick fix is nothing for a few more good years of wearing those special cowboy boots.
What’s more, you’ll save yourself some money fixing up your cowboy boots, as buying them new can work out to be pretty expensive.
So how do you re-sole cowboy boots? The best way to re-sole cowboy boots is by using a sole repair kit complete with everything you need to properly re-sole your boots. This includes leather soles, a heel base, and liner, as well as stitching that you’ll need to complete your project.
Keep reading for step-by-step instructions for re-soling cowboy boots.
How To Re-sole Cowboy Boots – 3 Methods
Now that you’ve decided to give the resoling route a go, let’s dive into some of the best ways you can do so for your beloved cowboy boots.
Method 1: Find a good cobbler
The most obvious, and most professional option available to you if you’re looking to resole your cowboy boots is to find a good cobbler near you.
Sometimes you want something to be done right, and you are willing to pay a bit extra to have it done professionally. If that’s the case, then you should take your cowboy boots to a cobbler, and ask them to repair their damaged soles.
However, the most common pitfall people tend to make when getting their cowboy boots resoled is taking them to the wrong cobbler. What I mean by the wrong cobbler, is someone who is not accustomed to working with cowboy boots.
If the cobbler isn’t familiar with the differences between cowboy boots and regular boots for example, then you could end up unsatisfied with the end result. For this reason, it’s imperative that you seek out someone who has experience with cowboy boots if you take this route.
To guarantee you are sending your cowboy boots to the right cobbler, you can even use online services such as myshoeshospital, which deals specifically with Western-style boots.
All you have to do is put your shoes in a box and mail them off to their repair facility, once you have settled on the price, they will get to work on resoling your boots. Then you just have to wait until they ship the repaired boots back to your home. A highly convenient option that will make everything a whole lot easier.
Method 2: Whole sole vs half-sole
Depending on the boots and the length of time you have been wearing them, it might be the case that you need either a whole sole replacement or a half-sole.
Essentially the difference between the two is the extent of damage to the soles of your cowboy boots.
If you’ve waited a long time to get the soles looked at, or you have managed to damage them considerably, then the chances are you’re going to need a whole sole replacement.
Whereas on the other hand, if you have just started to notice some wear and tear on the sole and you’d like to freshen it up, then a half sole replacement should suffice.
It’s worth knowing before you go to the cobbler what type of repair you are going to need, that way you will be prepared and can make a decision if you want to still go for the repair or if it makes more sense to buy a new pair.
Method 3: Use a cowboy boot repair kit
If you feel more inclined to take on the job yourself, then one of your options is to make use of a cowboy boot repair kit.
A cowboy boot repair kit can come with everything from new leather soles, to replacement heel bases and even leather heel pads to provide extra comfort as you walk around.
One of these kits can be very handy if you own a pair of cowboy boots, so you might want to get your hands on one.
An example of such a kit can be found on the website of NuShoe, and you might find that there is one available on the website of the manufacturer of your particular cowboy boots.
In some cases, you can even send your cowboy boots back to the manufacturer, and they can take care of the resoling process for you.
How to Prevent Damage to Your Soles
Often the best way to take care of your cowboy boots is to take measures before they get to the point at which they need to be repaired.
One very easy way you can keep the soles healthy is to dust them after every use. While this might sound like a lot of work, once you do it a couple of times, it should become habitual and will feel like no work at all.
By wiping the bottom of your cowboy boots off, you will prevent the build-up of dirt and other muck in the creases of the soles, which can eat away at and erode the leather over time.
There are even some products you can use to keep them especially clean on the soles. Lotions made especially for Western-style boots can prove effective when it comes to keeping the soles not only clean but looking neat and stylish. This is my favorite leather dressing for protecting cowboy boots.
This preventive action is especially important if you live somewhere with a dry climate, as dust will kick up in your wake and you are likely to get mud stuck to the bottom of your boots.
You can also get a thin rubber inlay sole protector to apply to the bottom of your cowboy boots. These sole protectors can provide some much-needed protection for your soles, and delay the process of wear and tear.
Related Questions
Can you fix the heels of your cowboy boots?
To give you the short answer, yes!
Luckily for you, there is a way you can take care of the heel of your cowboy boots, and replace them if necessary. Much like the soles, the heel are likely to wear down over time, so eventually, it’s going to be worth looking into some of the best ways to repair or replace them to save yourself the money you’d spend on a new pair.
One of the first things you should look out for if you’re looking for a cowboy boot heel replacement, is if the heels are attached to the sole with nails. If this is the case, then these heels can easily be replaced.
However, if the heels of your cowboy boots are glued on to the soles, then you’re much less likely to be able to replace them, unfortunately.
In general, the more expensive boots will have nailed-on heels, and the lower cost boots will be glued on, so this is something to bear in mind when you look to invest in a pair of cowboy boots in the first place.
If you find that your cowboy boots have nailed-on heels, then your best bet is to take them to the best cobbler in the area, and ask them to replace them.
Again, when it comes to cowboy boot maintenance, make sure you keep the surface of the heel free of dirt and dust by using a brush and some lotion made for leather.
Speaking of heels, if you also wear high heels and need a new heel tip, check out my article about the best heel tips for stilettos.
How can you ensure your cowboy boots look great over time?
I’m sure you’d agree when I say that cowboy boots are quality footwear which deserve to be kept looking their best at all times.
If this is true for you, then allow me to divulge some tips and tricks to keep them looking as good as the day you bought them. Like with the soles and heels, it’s important to keep the boot free of dust and dirt, especially after trekking over dirt, mud, or dust.
Cleaning the tops of the boots can be done with a damp cloth and brush, or toothbrush if there is mud caked onto the surface.
Aside from cleaning and general maintenance though, you can regularly polish the boots up to make sure they shine whatever the weather. Find one that will compliment your cowboy boots, and then apply a layer whenever you want them to really look the part.
As well as polish, you might consider using a special oil-based conditioner to bring out the best in your cowboy boots.
Finally, make sure you keep your cowboy boots upright and in a cool, dark place to ensure maximum freshness, and help preserve the pristine leather finish. If you come home and your boots are wet, then the best thing to do would be to wipe them down with a towel and leave them to dry on their own. Using a hairdryer or radiator could damage the leather, so try to let them dry out naturally.
