When and How to Resole Climbing Shoes

Knowing when to resole your climbing shoes is critical – too early is a waste of money, too late may mean your shoes are beyond repair.

Ideal Time for Resoling

The perfect time to resole is when the rubber is worn but hasn't yet damaged the rand (the rubber that wraps around the side of the shoe) or the shoe's upper material.

Signs Your Shoes Need Resoling

• Thin spots - Areas where the rubber has thinned but hasn't worn through completely
• Smooth edges - The normally sharp edges around the toe have become rounded
• Loss of stickiness - The rubber feels harder and less grippy than when new
• Small holes - Beginning to see small holes forming, but they haven't reached the rand

Too Late for a Standard Resole

If your shoes have any of these signs, they'll need more extensive (and expensive) repairs:

• Holes through to the rand - The colored rubber layer beneath the black sole rubber is visible
• Damaged rand - The rubber around the edges of the sole is worn through
• Exposed upper material - You can see the leather or synthetic upper through holes in the sole
• Delamination - The sole is separating from the rand or the upper in places

Beyond Repair

Unfortunately, some shoes are past the point of economical repair:

• Extensive rand damage - Large holes through both the sole and rand
• Damaged upper material - Holes through the leather or synthetic upper
• Structural damage - Shoes that have lost their shape or structural integrity
• Multiple previous repairs - Shoes that have been resoled multiple times may not hold another resole well

Frequency Guidelines

How often you'll need to resole depends on several factors, including:

• Climbing frequency - Regular climbers might need resoling every 3-6 months
• Climbing style - Aggressive footwork wears rubber faster
• Environmental factors - Rough rock types like granite or sandstone wear shoes faster than polished limestone or gym walls
• Foot dragging - Climbers who drag their feet when repositioning wear through rubber faster

Understanding the resoling process helps you appreciate what goes into quality resoling and why proper timing matters.

Standard Resoling Process

1. Assessment - The resoler examines the shoes to determine if they need a half or full resole, rand repair, or other work
2. Preparation - The old rubber is carefully removed using specialized tools and heat to soften the adhesive
3. Surface preparation - The shoe's base is sanded and cleaned to create a proper bonding surface
4. New rubber application - Fresh rubber sheets (typically 4mm thick) are glued to the shoe
5. Curing - The new soles are heat-cured to ensure proper adhesion
6. Finishing - Excess rubber is trimmed away, and edges are shaped and finished

Common Resoling Options

Half Resole

Replaces just the front portion of the sole, from the arch forward. This is the most common resole for climbing shoes.

• Less expensive than a full resole
• Addresses the area that wears fastest (toe and ball of foot)
• Retains more of the shoe's original feel and performance

Full Resole

Replaces the entire sole from heel to toe.

• Necessary when heel rubber is also worn or for certain shoe models
• More extensive procedure
• Can slightly change the feel of the shoe compared to original

Rand Repair

Required when the rubber strip that wraps around the shoe is damaged.

• More complex and expensive than standard resoling
• Involves removing damaged rand sections and replacing with new rubber
• Critical for protecting the shoe's upper material

Rubber Options

Most resolers offer several rubber options, allowing you to customize your shoes:

• Vibram XS Edge - Firm, durable rubber excellent for edging
• Vibram XS Grip - Softer rubber with excellent friction, popular for steep climbing
• Stealth C4 - From Five Ten, known for outstanding friction
• Original rubber - Some resolers can match your shoe's original rubber type

Professional Resoling

Advantages

• Specialized equipment - Access to proper heat curing, grinding, and trimming tools
• Experience and expertise - Knowledge of different shoe models and construction techniques
• Higher quality results - Professional finish with proper edge shaping
• Warranty - Many resolers guarantee their work
• Access to quality materials - Professional-grade adhesives and rubber options

Disadvantages

• Cost - Typically $40-80 for a half resole, $60-100 for a full resole, plus shipping
• Turnaround time - 1-4 weeks depending on the service and their backlog
• Shipping risks - Potential for shoes to be lost or damaged in transit

DIY Resoling

Advantages

• Cost savings - Materials might cost $20-30 for multiple resoles
• No waiting - Complete the process on your schedule
• Learning experience - Gain knowledge about shoe construction
• No shipping necessary - Avoid shipping costs and risks

Disadvantages

• Risk of damage - Easy to damage the rand or upper during rubber removal
• Limited equipment - Household tools can't match professional results
• Quality inconsistency - Difficult to achieve even pressure and proper curing
• Material limitations - Consumer-grade adhesives may not hold as well
• Learning curve - First attempts are likely to have issues

DIY Resoling Tips

If you decide to try DIY resoling, here are some tips to improve your chances of success:

• Practice on old shoes - Don't risk your favorite pair on your first attempt
• Research thoroughly - Watch multiple tutorial videos specific to climbing shoes
• Use quality materials - Purchase proper climbing shoe rubber sheets and adhesive
• Take your time - Rush jobs almost always lead to poor results
• Use heat carefully - Too much can damage your shoes, too little won't properly activate adhesives

Proper care and climbing technique can dramatically extend the life of your climbing shoes between resoles.

Proper Climbing Technique

• Precise foot placement - Place your feet deliberately rather than dragging or adjusting
• Use your edges - Climbing on the edges of your shoes distributes wear more evenly than smearing
• Avoid unnecessary foot movement - Extra adjustments cause additional wear
• Keep feet on the wall - Avoid cutting feet and then reestablishing contact repeatedly

Day-to-Day Care

• Clean regularly - Brush dirt and chalk off your shoes after climbing
• Air out after use - Allow shoes to dry completely to prevent mildew and deterioration
• Avoid excessive heat - Never leave shoes in hot cars or direct sunlight
• Use approach shoes - Avoid walking on abrasive surfaces in your climbing shoes

Minor Repairs

Address small issues before they become major problems requiring full resoling:

• Rubber cement for tiny holes - Can temporarily patch very small holes or delamination
• Seam Grip or Shoe Goo - Good for small rand repairs or to reinforce areas starting to wear
• Edge maintenance - Carefully sand rounded edges to restore some grip
• Shoe cleaning products - Specialized cleaners can remove built-up dirt and restore some grip

Storage Best Practices

• Cool, dry location - Avoid damp or excessively hot areas
• Out of direct sunlight - UV exposure degrades rubber
• Shoe trees (optional) - Can help maintain shape, especially for leather shoes
• Breathable bag - Store in a mesh or fabric bag, not plastic

Rotation System

If possible, rotate between multiple pairs of climbing shoes:

• Different shoes for different purposes - Technical face shoes, gym training shoes, etc.
• Extends life of all pairs - Each pair gets more rest between uses
• Always have a backup - When one pair needs resoling, you're not without shoes
• Performance benefit - Using the right shoe for the right terrain improves climbing experience

How to Choose a Resoler

Not all resoling services are created equal. Here's what to look for when choosing a resoler:

• Experience - How long have they been resoling climbing shoes specifically?
• Specialization - Do they focus exclusively on climbing shoes or are they a general cobbler?
• Reviews - Check online reviews and ask for recommendations at your local gym
• Photo examples - Look for before/after photos of their work
• Rubber options - Do they offer various rubber types to match your preferences?
• Turnaround time - How quickly can they complete the work?
• Communication - Are they responsive to questions?
• Warranty - Do they stand behind their work?

What to Expect: Pricing

Resoling prices vary based on several factors, but typical price ranges are:

• Half resole: $40-65 (front part of the shoe only)
• Full resole: $60-90 (entire sole)
• Rand repair: $10-30 additional (depending on extent)
• Rush service: $10-25 additional
• Shipping: Varies by distance and speed

Additional factors that may affect pricing:

• Premium rubber choices may cost extra
• Specialized or unusual shoe models may cost more
• Very damaged shoes requiring extensive repair will be more expensive
• Some resolers charge different rates for different shoe sizes

The Resoling Process: What to Expect

1. Contact the resoler - Check their website for their preferred process
2. Clean your shoes - Remove dirt, chalk, and debris before sending
3. Fill out work order - Most resolers have a form indicating what services you want
4. Ship your shoes - Use a trackable shipping method
5. Assessment - The resoler will evaluate your shoes and may contact you if there are issues
6. Completion and return - Your resoled shoes will be shipped back when complete

Shipping Tips

• Clean thoroughly - Resolers may charge extra for dirty shoes
• Include work order - Clearly indicate what services you want
• Include contact info - Phone and email in case they need to reach you
• Protect your shoes - Package securely to prevent damage
• Use tracked shipping - USPS Priority, UPS, or FedEx with tracking

Breaking In Your Resoled Shoes

After getting your shoes back from resoling, they may feel different than before:

• New rubber is slicker - It may take a few sessions to develop proper friction
• Edges may feel sharper - These will naturally round slightly with use
• Different rubber means different feel - If you changed rubber types, allow time to adjust
• Gradually build up usage - Start with easier climbing to get used to the feel