Climbing shoes are an essential piece of gear for every climber, offering grip, precision, and support on challenging routes. However, the demands of regular climbing can wear down the soles quickly. Instead of replacing your shoes as soon as the rubber shows signs of wear, you can opt for a resole to restore their performance and extend their lifespan. Here’s everything you need to know about the process of resoling climbing shoes—from when and how to resole to choosing the right rubber and caring for your newly resoled shoes.
Why Resole Your Climbing Shoes?
A climbing shoe resole replaces worn-out rubber, restoring the shoe’s original grip and edging capabilities without needing to invest in a new pair. Here’s why resoling is often a great choice:
- Cost Savings: Resoling costs a fraction of buying new shoes, allowing you to save money over time.
- Environmental Impact: A resole extends the life of your shoes, reducing waste by keeping more materials in use.
- Comfort and Fit: New shoes can take time to break in, so keeping a pair that already fits well means you can avoid the discomfort of starting fresh.
How to Know When to Resole Climbing Shoes
Timing is crucial in ensuring a successful resole. If you wait too long, damage to the rand (the rubber surrounding the toe) or the upper material can make repairs more costly and less effective. Here are some signs that it’s time for a climbing shoe rubber replacement:
- Visible Wear on the Rubber: Smooth patches or thinning areas on the sole are early signs that you may need a resole.
- Small Toe Holes: Minor holes in the toe area indicate the rubber has worn through, and quick action here can prevent further damage to the rand.
- Loss of Grip and Edging: If you notice reduced grip or less secure edging, it’s likely due to worn rubber that’s no longer functioning as it should.
If you catch these signs early, a simple resole can prevent the need for more extensive repairs like rand replacement, which can be more complex and costly.
Types of Climbing Shoe Resoling
Not all resoles are the same, and the type of resole needed often depends on the extent of wear and your climbing style. Here are the main types of resoles available:
- Half Resole: This is the most common type of resole, replacing only the rubber on the front half of the shoe where most of the wear occurs.
- Full Resole: This type involves replacing the entire sole, including the heel, and is generally recommended for shoes that have wear across the whole foot.
- Rand Repair: If the toe rand is worn or damaged, a rand repair may be required in addition to a resole. The rand supports toe hooking and helps maintain the shape of the shoe.
The type of resole you need will depend on the condition of your shoes and the wear pattern based on your climbing habits.
Choosing the Right Rubber for Your Resole
One benefit of a resole is the chance to choose the type of rubber best suited for your climbing needs. Different rubbers offer unique performance characteristics, so you can customize your shoes for specific styles:
- Vibram XS Edge: Durable and known for excellent edging abilities, making it a favorite for technical face climbing.
- Vibram XS Grip2: A softer rubber offering superior grip, ideal for bouldering or steep routes requiring maximum friction.
- Stealth C4: A versatile and durable rubber that’s commonly used for both sport climbing and bouldering, striking a balance between grip and longevity.
- Trax SAS: Popular for a variety of climbing styles, this rubber (used by Evolv) offers durability with strong grip.
Your choice of rubber will impact durability and performance, so think about your climbing style when making your selection.
Understanding the Resole Process
Knowing how a professional resole works can help you make informed decisions and set realistic expectations for the results. Here’s what typically happens during a resole:
- Rubber Removal: The old rubber on the sole is carefully removed, often only in the forefoot area if it’s a half resole, to maintain the shoe’s structure.
- Surface Preparation: The shoe is cleaned, and any old adhesive is removed to ensure proper bonding of the new rubber.
- Application of New Rubber: Fresh rubber sheets are added to the shoe, cut and shaped to match the original profile.
- Heating and Pressing: The new sole is heated and pressed to ensure secure adhesion, maximizing durability and performance.
- Finishing Touches: The cobbler trims excess rubber, smooths edges, and may perform additional services like toe cap repairs or rand replacement if necessary.
Depending on the cobbler’s schedule and any additional repairs required, a resole can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
How to Find a Quality Resole Service
Choosing a reputable cobbler for your resole is essential to ensure quality results that will last. Here are a few tips to find the best service:
- Look for Specialized Experience: Not all cobblers work on climbing shoes, so seek out those who specialize in resoling for climbers and understand the performance needs of the sport.
- Check Reviews and Recommendations: Look for online reviews or ask fellow climbers for recommendations to ensure you’re working with a trusted cobbler.
- Ask About Rubber Options: A quality service should offer different rubber options and help guide you in choosing the best one for your needs.
- Inspect Before-and-After Photos: Many cobblers share photos of their work, which can provide insight into the quality and care of their resoling process.
Investing in a reputable cobbler may be slightly more expensive, but the durability and performance of a professional resole make it well worth the cost.
DIY Resole: Is It Possible?
While you can find resole kits for a DIY attempt, it’s generally not recommended. Resoling climbing shoes requires specialized skill, tools, and knowledge of shoe construction. Attempting a DIY resole without experience may lead to poorly adhered rubber, reduced performance, and even potential injuries due to compromised shoe structure. For most climbers, leaving resoles to the professionals ensures quality results.
Caring for Your Resoled Climbing Shoes
Once your shoes are resoled, maintaining them properly will help maximize the life of the new rubber. Here are some tips for care:
- Avoid Walking on Hard Surfaces: Walking on rough ground, like concrete, wears down climbing rubber quickly. Use approach shoes or sandals until you’re at the climbing spot.
- Clean After Each Climb: Dust and dirt can break down the rubber faster. Wipe your shoes with a damp cloth after climbing, particularly if you’ve been outdoors.
- Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Heat can degrade both rubber and adhesives, so avoid leaving your shoes in hot environments, such as a car on a sunny day.
- Rotate Between Pairs: If you climb often, rotating shoes can extend each pair’s life, providing flexibility for different types of climbs as well.
Proper care can greatly extend the life of your shoes, allowing you to make the most of each resole.
Benefits and Limitations of Resoling
Resoling is a fantastic way to extend the life of your shoes, but it does have some limitations. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
- Benefits: Resoling is more cost-effective and eco-friendly than purchasing new shoes, plus it gives you the chance to keep shoes that are already broken in and comfortable.
- Limitations: Shoes typically withstand about two to three resoles before the upper or rand starts to wear out. After that, replacing the shoes may be more practical.
Even with limitations, resoling is an excellent option for getting the most from your favorite pair of climbing shoes.
Resoling your climbing shoes is a practical, cost-effective way to keep your favorite shoes performing at their best. By knowing when to resole, choosing the right rubber, and selecting a reliable cobbler, you can extend the life of your shoes while also enhancing their performance. Whether you’re sport climbing or bouldering, a quality resole can help your shoes feel like new, so you can keep climbing with confidence.
FAQs
How often should I resole climbing shoes?
The frequency depends on usage and climbing style. For most climbers, a resole every 3–12 months is common.
Which rubber should I choose for my resole?
Your choice of rubber depends on your climbing preferences. Softer rubber like Vibram XS Grip2 is great for bouldering, while harder rubber like Vibram XS Edge is preferred for edging on sport climbs.
Can all climbing shoes be resoled?
Most climbing shoes can be resoled, but if they’re severely damaged, a new pair may be a better investment.
How many times can I resole a pair of climbing shoes?
Shoes typically withstand two to three resoles before the upper or rand becomes too worn.
Is it possible to do a DIY resole?
DIY resoling isn’t recommended, as it requires specific tools and skills for a quality, durable outcome.Will resoling change the fit of my shoes?
A good resole should maintain the fit and feel of your shoes, although the new rubber may feel a bit stiffer at first.
