|
Think it's time for new hiking boots? Don't throw out your boots just because the tread is shot or the liners are torn. Now that you've taken the time to break the old dogs in, you might as well have 'em repaired. Alas, with the widespread adoption of things like cemented unit soles and Gore-Tex liners, most boot cobbling today has moved beyond the reach of your local shoe repair shop. But don't despair: There are qualified cobblers around the country who specialize in re-soling lightweight hikers, mountaineering boots and rock shoes -- even Birkenstocks. Give them a week or two (and some money, usually $40 to $80 depending on the work needed) and they can send your boots back to you as good as new - better if you consider that they probably won't give you blisters anymore. While you may have your own favorite cobbler, here are three shops around the country that come highly recommended: Dave Page, Cobbler A veritable legend in the business, Page's 32-year-old Seattle operation is the largest repairer of outdoor boots in the country. Ailing footwear comes to him from far and near, including European manufacturers, Raichle and Asolo, and all 60 REI outlets around the country. Komito Boots Steve Komito's repair shop in Estes Park, Colorado, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, has been around nearly as long Page's. He does warranty work for manufacturers such as La Sportiva and Five Ten. And while he estimates that nearly 80 percent of his work is on climbing shoes, he can handle just about anything. The Cobbler and Cordwainer According to Webster's, a cordwainer is a "worker in cordovan leather" or "a shoemaker." This shop in upstate New York is authorized by numerous boot makers including Asolo, Lowa, and Vasque and claims to have the largest collection of boot soles in the Eastern U.S. 
Want more options? Check with your boot manufacturer or try this site for a longer listing of boot repair shops in the U.S. and Canada. Up to Top |
