Shoe repair: give good shoes a second life

Resoling, heels, stretching and winter care, so your favourite pair lasts years.

What a cobbler can do

• Resole shoes and boots with stitched soles, often several times.
• Replace worn heel tips.
• Re-glue separating sneaker soles.
• Stretch tight leather shoes a little.
• Fix bag straps, zippers and handles.

When to go

Before you wear through to the upper. Once the leather above the sole is damaged, the repair is bigger.

Winter care in the GTA

Road salt eats leather. Wipe boots with a damp cloth after salty days, dry them away from heaters, and condition and waterproof them a couple of times each winter. Ask about a rubber topper to protect leather soles.