When To Replace Leather Soles: (Complete Guide)

When To Replace Leather Soles

Leather soles are one of the more important parts of a shoe. They provide support and stability for your foot, but they also need to be replaced every so often. If you want to know when it is time to replace leather soles, then read this article!

So how do you know when to replace leather soles? There are many tell-tale signs that you should change your shoes’ soles. Some of these include: when you lose support and stability, if the leather is wearing down too quickly, or if you are feeling discomfort.

In the rest of this post, we’ll discuss these signs and more about when to replace leather soles.

What Is A Leather Sole?

A leather sole is the part of a shoe that provides support for your foot. It rests between your foot and the ground, which makes it quite important!

If you are looking at shoes in a store or online, then look at their soles to see what they are made from. You will be able to tell if they have leather soles by looking at them.

If you can see a leather piece on the bottom or a leather symbol on the bottom, then they probably have a leather sole.

This means that not all shoe soles will be made of leather. There are other materials such as rubber and plastic that can be used to make soles.

All the different types of leather soles will have different properties in terms of how long they last and how easy it is to change or replace them.

Of all the materials, Ieather soles are often the least durable but the good news is it is a lot easier to change or replace leather soles when compared to other materials.

All you need to know is when to change those leather soles and I will tell you below!

When To Replace Leather Soles?

There are many signs that it is time to replace your shoes’ soles. These include:

1. When You Have Less Support And Stability

When you feel like your shoes are becoming less supportive and stable, then it is time to change your soles.

The support and stability that leather provides can be quite effective but they will wear out over a period of time.

Even if your shoes do not feel like they are that worn out, then it is probably a good idea to change the soles so you can get even more life out of them.

This means that in some instances you may not be able to see any wear on the leather soles but will feel a bit of discomfort when you are walking. That is a sign that you should get new soles!

If you want a long-lasting pair of shoes, then it is important that you change the soles when you start to lose support and stability.

2. If The Leather Sole Is Wearing Down Quickly

Another common way of knowing when to change the leather soles is if they are wearing down quickly.

Leather can wear down just like any other material but it wears down at a much slower rate.

This means that if you are noticing your shoes’ leather soles wearing down fast, then it is time for a new pair.

For example, the toe of the shoe may begin to wear down more quickly than other parts of the shoe. Or the sole of the shoe may not be as thick or durable as it used to be.

This typically happens when your shoes are not incredibly well-made, to begin with.

If you buy some expensive, high-quality shoes, then they should last you a long time.

If you are buying cheaper ones that wear out easily, then it is probably a good idea to switch out the soles.

3. Change In Leather Sole’s Texture And Feel

The leather’s texture and feel are important because they can change over time. This means that if you notice your shoe soles’ texture or feel changing, then it is time to get new soles.

Leather shoes are expensive but they should last you a long time if they are well-made.

If you notice the leather soles feeling different or having a weird texture, then it is probably time to get new ones.

For example, if your leather soles are not as smooth or do not feel structurally sound anymore then you should definitely get new ones.

This is because you may cause damage to your feet if the sole of the shoe starts to wear down.

4. Soles Splitting

Another common way to know when you should change the leather sole is if it starts to split and peel. This could be at the seams or anywhere on the shoe.

If you notice any part of your shoes’ leather sole splitting and peeling, then it is time to get new ones.

This is because the splitting and peeling will only continue until you make this change, so it is best to do it sooner rather than later.

5. Hole(s) In The Leather Sole

When your leather sole begins to have holes in them, then it is time to get new ones.

This may be the most obvious sign that your shoes need a switch in their soles but it is definitely the most important.

If your leather soles have holes in them, then it can be very unsafe to wear those shoes again.

You may even find that water or snow can leak into your shoe through the holes which will definitely damage them further.

This means it is best to change the soles as soon as you notice a hole to make sure your shoes are safe and effective.

6. When You Have Health Problems Or Injuries

If you have any health problems or injuries that may be affecting your feet, then it is a good idea to change the soles even if you don’t notice anything.

Why Would You Replace Your Leather Soles?

There are many reasons why you would want to replace your leather soles as timely as possible.

Makes Your Shoes More Comfortable To Wear

The quickest way to make your shoes more comfortable is by changing the soles. If you are walking in uncomfortable or worn-out shoe soles, then you will not be able to enjoy your day as much.

For example, if you are experiencing discomfort or pain in your feet because of the soles then it is time to get new ones.

To Prevent The Shoe From Further Damage

If you notice any part of your shoe’s leather soles splitting or wearing down, then it is a good idea to make the change as soon as possible.

This is for two reasons: one, it will help prevent the shoes from continuing to damage, and two, you can avoid causing damage to your feet.

Improve The Aesthetic Appeal Of Your Shoes

Leather soles are typically the part of your shoe that gives it its “pop” or aesthetic appeal.

They can change how your shoes look and feel so it is a good idea to make sure the soles are in great shape.

For example, if you have shoes that have worn-out or damaged leather soles then you should probably change them.

This is because it will make your shoes look better and feel more comfortable.

Increase The Life Of Your Shoes

If you take care of your leather soles and change them as soon as they appear to be damaged, then you will notice that your shoes last longer. It also to prevents more expensive fixes down the road.

What Are The Dangers Of Not Replacing Your Leather Soles?

If you continue to walk in shoes that have damaged soles, then it is very dangerous.

Fatigue

If you continue to wear shoes that need re-soling then it will become more and more difficult to walk and you will suffer a lot of fatigue.

This is because the soles of your shoes may be worn down unevenly which means you will put a lot of strain and pressure on certain parts of your feet. This, in turn, will lead to a lot of tiredness and fatigue.

Injuries

If you do not replace or change your leather soles that are damaged, then it can also cause injuries.

For example, the uneven soles or worn out surface of the soles of your shoes can make them very slippery leading to you tripping and falling.

Expensive Repairs Down The Line

If you continue to walk in shoes that have damaged soles, then down the road it can lead to more expensive repairs.

This is because the damage to your shoes can lead to other problems which will need fixing.

How To Prevent Leather Soles From Damage

Frequently Check The Leather Soles

It is important that you frequently check the leather soles of your shoes. This will help ensure they are in good shape and it also helps you to catch the damage early on.

You can check your leather soles every few months or so. By doing this, you will be able to timely replace them or install sole protectors so that you do not damage your expensive leather shoes.

Keep Them Clean

You should also make sure that you keep your leather shoes clean. This means frequently cleaning the leather soles so they do not look dirty or worn down.

For example, if you are wearing leather shoes in the rain then these can soak up some water and get dirty which will make them look bad.

To avoid this, make sure you clean your leather soles with a damp cloth at least once per week.

Also, check the label of your shoe to see if the manufacturer recommends a specific leather cleaner.

Use Protective Sole Covers For Heavy Use Areas

If you have a pair of shoes that you wear regularly and use for heavy-duty, then it may be a good idea to have protective sole covers installed so they can handle the extra use.

There are also leather sole protectors like sprays, stick-on protectors, etc you can use to protect the soles of your shoes from damage.

Using these will help you avoid costly repairs later on and make sure that your leather shoes last as long as possible.

Make Sure Your Leather Soles Are Dry All The Time

Another good idea is to make sure your leather soles are dry all the time. Water or moisture can damage the leather soles of your shoes quickly.

This is because leather is a porous material and water and moisture can soak into the soles of your shoes which will cause damage to them.

Kwabena

Hi! I’m Kwabena, the owner and founder of Favored Leather. I’m a huge Leathercraft enthusiast and I’ve been that for almost 13 years now. I'm excited to share my experiences and all the new stuff I learn each day about leather craft, leather cleaning & care, and everything in-between!

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