Resoling mountain, hiking and climbing shoes

Mountaineering, hiking, and climbing boots are faithful companions on our outdoor adventures. Wear and tear, mishandling, and the natural aging process of the material can make it necessary to replace the sole. The good news: Replacing soles is usually possible, especially on high-end footwear, extending the life of your footwear and saving you money. After all, who wants to give away perfectly worn-in, beloved outdoor shoes?

In this article, we look at the resoling and repair services offered by the brands we stock, list the signs that you need a resole and give you some good reasons why you should have them resoled instead of buying a new pair.

All you need to know about resoling

Signs that your shoes need a new sole

There are some clear signs that a mountaineering, hiking, or climbing shoes needs a new sole:

> Worn sole

> Thin tread for mountaineering and walking boots

> Midsole material is hardened or crumbly

> Separation of the sole from the midsole

Most manufacturers recommend that hiking and mountaineering boots should be checked by a specialist no later than six years after purchase. This is the period during which hydrolysis - the natural decomposition of the PU material through contact with water - of the midsole can typically begin. Hanwag has prepared information on how to slow down the hydrolysis process.

Resoling climbing shoes

Climbing shoes should have a minimum sole thickness at the toe. Ideally, the edge rubber is still intact as this represents an additional repair step that incurs additional costs. There should be no damage to the upper material. So don't wait too long to re-sole your climbing shoes. Good to know: Climbing shoes are always resoled in pairs. Depending on the type of sole, the cost is between €20 and €40.

What kind of shoes can I have resoled?

In addition to climbing shoes, high-quality, double-stitched, or lasted hiking and mountain boots can usually also be resoled. This is provided that the rest of the shoe is in good condition. Ultimately, only a professional can decide whether a repair is possible. Ask our staff in one of our three stores or contact the manufacturer directly. See below for contact details.

Picture © Meindl

Which footwear cannot be resoled?

Not all hiking and outdoor footwear can be resoled. Lightweight hiking boots often cannot be resoled because their sole construction is not designed for it.

Is it worth it to have shoes resoled?

Absolutely. Resoling saves money and is good for the environment. La Sportiva claims that resoled climbing shoes save 90% of the CO2 emissions compared to making a new pair. This also makes sense for hiking and mountaineering boots. The sole usually wears out much faster than the rest of the shoe. Resoling also costs significantly less than buying a new pair of shoes.

Below you will find the price lists (as of 12 March 2024) for the brands Meindl, LaSportiva, Hanwag and Lowa.

How does resoling work?

It is a purely manual process and is carried out by experts:

> Inspection of the shoes: The shoemaker checks the condition of the footwear to determine if it needs to be resoled and what parts need to be replaced.

> Removal of the old sole: The old sole is carefully removed to make room for the new sole. The stone protector is also removed.

> Fitting the new sole: The new sole is cut to the size and shape of the shoe and the stone guard is reattached.

> Finishing: Finally, the shoes are given the finishing touches. Some manufacturers offer this service free of charge.

RESOLE TURNAROUND TIME

Depending on the manufacturer and the workshop's workload, the resole will take approximately 3-4 weeks to complete.

How often can shoes be resoled?

According to LaSportiva, the soles of high-quality climbing shoes can be replaced a maximum of three times. How often hiking and mountaineering boots can be resoled depends on the condition of the upper material and the general condition of the shoe. It is also important to note that resoling voids the GORE-TEX® (Guaranteed to Keep You Dry) warranty.

How can I preserve shoes for as long as possible?

Your boots will last longer if you dry them properly, store them in a dry place and care for them regularly. You can slow down the aging process by always letting your shoes dry well after multi-day trips and after day trips - never leave them near an oven, radiator or in the sun to dry. Extreme heat and UV rays can cause unnecessary damage to the material. Regular care, as described in this article, will maintain the upper material and ensure that your footwear will serve you well for a long time.

What other parts can be repaired?

In addition to sole repair, other parts of walking and mountain boots can be repaired. These include:

> Torn seams, hooks and eyes

> Heel, cuff and tongue linings

> Broken zips

What do I do if I have a complaint?

If you bought your shoe from us and your sole is damaged within the warranty period and you feel that this is a defect or manufacturing fault, please contact our customer service department. You will find the contact form on this page.

This is how Hanwag's resoling process works:

How much does it cost? And how do I arrange it?

Hanwag resoling

You have the following options:

> If you are from Germany, you can send your Hanwag shoes directly to Hanwag.

> You can also visit one of our three stores and we will take care of everything.

> If you bought from us online, please contact our customer service using our contactform and describe your problem. You will receive a reply with an approximate cost estimate. If you agree, we will provide you with a free shipping label to send the shoes. We will take care of the rest.

> Approximate cost of resoling: 110 - 170 EUR, depending on the type of shoe. Other repairs such as seams, hooks or eyes will incur additional charges.

> The Hanwag price list for new soling and repairs can be found here (German only).

LOWA resoling

You have the following options:

> Have you bought your LOWA shoes from us? Then we are your first port of call! Bring your shoes to one of our stores, we will assess the situation and send the shoes out. Once the shoes have been resoled/repaired, we will contact you and you can collect them from the store.

> If you have purchased from us online, please contact customer services using ourcontact form and describe your concern. You will then receive a response with an approximate cost estimate. If you agree to the repair, we will provide you with a free shipping label to send the shoes to us. We will take care of the rest.

> Or you can send the boots directly to the LOWA repair service.

> Approximate cost of repair: About 100 EUR, depending on the type of shoe. Other repairs such as seams, hooks or eyes will be charged separately.

La Sportiva resoling

You have the following options:

> Bring your shoes to one of our stores, and we will assess the situation and send the shoes in; once the boots have been resoled/repaired we will contact you and you can collect them from the store. The cost will vary depending on the fault and the type of shoe.

> If you have purchased from us online, please contact customer services using ourcontact form and describe your problem. You will receive a reply with an approximate cost estimate. If you agree to the repair, we will provide you with a free shipping label to send the shoes to us. We will take care of the rest.

> Approximate cost of resoling: 100 - 180 EUR, depending on the type of shoe. Other repairs such as seams, hooks or eyes will incur additional charges.

Meindl resoling

You have the following options:

> Bring your shoes to one of our stores, we will assess the condition, give you a price and send the shoes in. Once the shoes have been resoled/repaired we will contact you and you can collect them from the store.

> If you have purchased from us online, please contact customer services using ourcontact form and describe your concern. You will then receive a response with an approximate cost estimate. If you agree to the repair, we will provide you with a free shipping label to send the shoes to us. We will take care of the rest.

> You can also send the boots directly to the Meindl repair service.

> Approximate cost of repair: Approx. EUR 119.90 - EUR 149.90, depending on the type of shoe and the defect. Additional repairs such as seams, hooks or eyes will be charged separately.

Scarpa resoling

> If you bought Scarpa shoes in one of our stores and want them to get resoled, you need to do this through our channels. Please take your Scarpa shoes to our store. We will let you know the price of the new soling based on Scarpa's estimate and handle everything for you. You can pick up your resoled pair of shoes from the store.

> If you bought from us online, please contact our customer service using our contactform and describe your problem. You will receive a reply with an approximate cost estimate. If you agree, we will provide you with a free shipping label to send the shoes. We will take care of the rest.

> Scarpa can only quote the cost of resoling and other repairs upon request.

Salewa resoling

> If you bought Salewa shoes in one of our stores and want them to get resoled, you need to do this through our channels. Please take your shoes to our store. We will let you know the cost estimate and handle everything for you. You can pick up your resoled pair of shoes from the store.

> Salewa can only quote the cost of resoling and other repairs upon request.

Garmont resoling

> Unfortunately, Garmont does not offer a resoling service. If you need to replace a Vibram sole, you can contact a certified Vibram resoler: https://www.vibram.com/de/store-locator?cobbler=cobbler