My shoes are very old and/or in bad condition. Can they be resoled?
I do my best to offer resoling and repair services for as many situations as I can and I am happy to take a look at your shoes. That said, there are some cases where repair is not possible. Occasionally, an old pair of shoes will fall apart while attempting to remove the sole and cannot be repaired. I cannot predict these situations before I begin working on the shoes.
When is a Half Resole needed?
The best time to get a Half Resole is when the front edge of your sole has become rounded, but you have not yet started to climb directly on the thinner Rand rubber that wraps under the sole and over the toe. You can usually notice a decrease in performance when a Half Resole is needed.
When is a Rand Toe Cap needed?
When the piece of rubber on the top and sides of the toe becomes thin or damaged. Feel around the seam where the sole and rand meet (White line in image on the top left), if it feels thinner around the toe you need a Rand Toe Cap. Additionally, if you see visible damage to the Rand (image to the bottom left) or have a hole clean through, you need a Rand Toe Cap.
When is Hole Repair Needed?
When you can see the fabric of the shoe at the point of the toe where the Rand should be, Hole Repair is usually needed. For a small hole, such as the one pictured below, you can expect the cost to be $7.
For a large hole, like the one pictured left, expect a cost around $20. When a hole this large is repaired, you may find the toe is a bit loser than it was originally since I have to add material to repair this.
I’m still not sure what services I need. What should I do?
I evaluate every shoe that comes in after removing the sole, but before invoicing or completing further work. If you decide the needed work is to, extensive after receiving the itemized invoice, I can return the shoes in their de-soled state at no charge. If you would like an estimate before dropping off your shoes, feel free to email me an image. Just keep in mind it is very hard to tell if a rand needs repair via email unless it is obviously worn to the point of seeing fabric underneath.
I don’t climb at First Ascent. Can I still use the drop box at First Ascent Avondale?
Yes! The drop box is located near the front desk and can be accessed without entering the climbing area. If you are stopping by just to drop off shoes, I do recommend aiming for within 48 hours of a bag restock.
I am looking for a repair or modification you do not advertise. Can you do it?
Maybe! Send me an email and I will let you know.