Cowboy boots are one of the few boots manufactured of high-quality, long-lasting materials. The sole of the boot, on the other hand, is the most exposed section and requires the most significant effort. As a result of this exposure, you will notice that it is not as durable as the other components, necessitating occasional resoling.
You can save money by resolving your cowboy boots yourself. Doing so is quite simple and requires only a minimum of effort. With a few supplies and a little know-how, you can have your cowboy boots looking like brand new in no time!
How To Resole Cowboy Boots At Home?
If you are determined to accept the assignment, consider the following suggestions.
Before you begin, make sure you have the right supplies on hand. You will need base material, thin foam, strong thread or wire, leather glue, a thin flat-head screwdriver, and a hammer.
Using thin foam as a cushioning material will keep your sturdy boots light and airy. However, remember that not all foam is created equal. For best results, use thin foam a little below the height of your cowboy boot. The thinner the foam, the better the results.
This foam is available at craft stores and can be easily cut to fit your cowboy boots. The area to be filled should be clean and dry before you begin. And after preparing all the tools, follow these steps:
Step 1 Cowboy Boot Kit Preparation
The first step is to prepare your cowboy boot repair kit. It would be best if you had the following materials ready:
• Old newspaper
• Cotton swabs
• Alcohol-based hand cleaner, such as Purell® or bleach • Neosporin® cream • Duct tape
• Scissors or knife
• Wax paper or waxed paper towels
• Flat-head screwdriver (most needed). Canvas needle tip and sewing thread in brown and black color schemes is recommended. You can find these at your local sewing store.
Step 2 Break Down The Cowboy Boot
To open the heel cap:
- Use pliers. The metal scraper can be used to activate the heel sole.
- Remove all of the studs from the cowboy boot’s heel.
- Cut off the old base with a tiny knife while pulling it out with pliers.
- Scrape the heel carefully, being careful not to scratch the boot’s surface.
To remove all of the parts, take a knife and carefully scrape off any protruding material. For example, if the cowboy boot is leather, scrape it off to reveal its original color. To do this, take an old toothbrush or piece of cloth and rub it on the cowboy boot’s surface for about three minutes to remove dyes or stains.
Remove the loose parts by using pliers and carefully prying them out. To ensure the heel doesn’t crack, we suggest inserting a wood wedge to keep it closed.
Step 3 Sanding
The boot’s sole needs to be sanded to give it a smooth, even surface for the new sole. It’s best to use an SOS pad or steel wool for this part. You’ll want to go over the entire surface lightly, removing any scratches that haven’t come out.
The boot needs to be oiled, and soap will do this job perfectly. Next, you must use a good quality shoe cream (not the cheap stuff) such as Bostik. A lot will go on, so be sure to measure it out and pre-mix some in a clean jar.
I have found that rubbing some Vaseline on the sole before applying the shoe cream helps prevent the wax from flying everywhere when I rub it in.
Cheap shoe cream will gather at the “corners” of the boot, which is precisely where you want it. Mix the cream with some Vaseline to prevent this, and also add a little more cream to your mixture if needed (just a little bit extra helps).
Step 4 Clean the sole
Place the base of the cowboy boot on newspaper or an old towel.
- Use a brush to remove dirt, mud, blood (if any), and other foreign objects clinging to the sole of the shoe.
- Fill the bucket with water and add baking soda. Soak boots in this mixture for at least half an hour before scrubbing with a toothbrush or using a soft-bristled brush to clean hard-to-reach areas of the sole.
- Next, put a sufficient amount of toothpaste on the scrub brush. Be sure to test the brush first on the inside of your wrist or in a hidden spot on your jeans before continuing with it to brush. Wearing gloves will help protect your hands from any residue left on your hands
- Using a stiff bristle brush, scrape off the dirt clinging to the sole. If your soleplate has a tear, be sure to clean the sole edges and between the welds.
- Rinse boots with hose and let dry completely. Once the sole is dry, you can use a soft rag or silicone brush to coat the sole with mink oil or soap lightly.
- Let the soles dry for 24 hours before reinstalling them.
In addition to using toothpaste, baking soda powder to clean the soles of cowboy boots, you can also use acetone to do it.
Step 5 Make the Sole rough
Lightly roughen with 1000 grit sandpaper by hand or use a coarse sander. Most boots are made of very smooth calfskin. The longer the leather is left, the more it will cost you. To prolong the shoe’s life, you can use a file or sandpaper to roughen the inside of the sole to give the leather more surface tension and protect the shoe from cracking when the sole is worn. This will also make your boots more comfortable and grip more firmly to the surface as you move.
Step 6 New Sole Attach
Apply special glue to the soles of cowboy boots after the surface has been thoroughly sanded and polished. Then, carefully attach the base to the boot, making sure it is secure. Next, cut the part in contact with the new sole with a sharp knife or sharpener. This procedure is challenging due to the stiffness of the replacement sole. Therefore, it is recommended to do this work in a quiet area and be very careful.
Make sure the new sole fits snugly against the shoe. If you touch the boot’s sole with your finger, it means you have a good fit. To check your fit, place some paper over the sole of your shoe. If you can see the marks on the paper, then you have a good fit. If not, you just got it wrong, and you should try again. If everything goes right, use a particular sewing thread to sew the sole to the cowboy boot, then carefully hammer into the sole to stick to the boot, do so gently and patiently.
Step 7 Attaching the Heel with the Leather Piece
The back of your heel should now be secured. Use your needle and thread to stitch the leather piece on the right side of the boot with one vertical stitch that is approximately 1/8 inch from the bottom of the leather piece. Next, do a diagonal stitch that is about 3/4″ long by starting on one edge of the leather piece near where it attaches to your boot. Then, turn inside out and go across the top of the leather piece at the other edge.
Then, bring your needle back down on top of the leather piece about 1/2 inch below where you started the first stitch.
Please do this for all three edges of your heel until they are securely attached. Then, stitch them on about 1/8 inch from each edge using diagonal stitches to prevent fraying. Lastly, go around the back of the heel and stitch the other three corners together. Finally, you can use either a running stitch or a backstitch to close the hole.
Step 8 Attach the Heel with the Outsole
The heel is the part of the boot that receives less weight and is, therefore, easier to attach. Place the heel on top of the outsole, lining up with your sewing line, and trace around it with a sharpie line.
- Cut off any excess material (leather) you need to cut or remove to adhere your
- outsole directly on top of your heel.
- Trace around both sides of the heel again with sharpie lines.
- With a utility knife, carefully cut along your sharpie line.
- Carefully pull the outsole off the bottom of your boot and replace it with your new sole so that they are roughly lined up.
- Make sure the heal is perfectly centered in the footwear.
- Glue down each side of the heel so they do not shrink and move out of line during the adhesion process.
- Let dry for at least 30 minutes before wearing a boot.
Step 9 Dye the New Sole
This is the finishing step, and it involves dyeing the new sole of a pair of standard black cowboy boots. The process is quick and easy, and you can choose any color you like. The results will be astounding. Next, apply your choice dye to the entire new sole and buff to shine the bottom of the boot, depending on the color of the cowboy boot. After that, you’ll be able to clean your cowboy boots.
When To Resole Cowboy Boots?
Cowboy boots will need to be addressed when the rubber soles wear out, and your boots start to leak. They can also wear out if you have a habit of kicking rocks, raking fences, or kicking things in general. You should wear a pair of cowboy boots every 12-18 months if needed to make them last longer. And here are the points you need to pay attention to in your cowboy boots to be able to identify and correct them:
- The outsole is soft, wrinkled, and you can use your hand to press the sole to detect it.
- If there are any holes on the outside of the boots, you need to fix them, or they will lose their waterproof function.
- Always check around the outsole for any unsightly stitches.
If you are looking to fix your cowboy boots by resoling them at home, check out our guide on the cost of resoling your boots. Understanding the cost can help you budget for resoling and determine if it’s worth it for your boots.
Notes When You Resole Cowboy Boots At Home
Make use of a boot repair kit designed for professionals. This is significant since a professional beginning kit includes all of the cowboy boot repair supplies you’ll need to fix your boots at home.
Make sure you use a broader sole than the old one while removing cowboy boots. Then, after you’ve attached the new base, trim the excess. This is critical in preventing boot shrinkage during processing.
Nail the sole of the shoe securely into the sole with nails. The sole will be solid and supportive for the foot as a result of this. Before applying adhesive and fastening, sand and roughen the base surface. The heel sole will be terrific and robust as a result of this.
How To Prevent Sole Damage?
When it comes to shoes, boots, and other forms of footwear worn outside, there are a few things you can do to prolong the life of your soles. With proper care, your cowboy boots can last for years while still providing ample protection from the elements.
When you’re not wearing your boots, store them in a place that allows the leather to breathe. This will prevent moisture from building up inside of them and damaging the soles. You can use boot trees to store your boots while they are not on your feet.
Your soles are essential when it comes to preserving your cowboy boots. However, if you want them to last, you need to ensure that you take good care of them. To keep them looking nice and prevent damage, cleaning is essential. You can use a soft-bristled brush to clean the soles. The brush will remove any dirt, dust, and other debris from the surface of your boots. It would help if you also wiped your boots down with a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture or water that was left on them.
The soles of your cowboy boots can be protected with unique products designed for this purpose. You can find soling creams that help preserve the leather and keep it protected. These creams will prevent the soles from drying out and cracking. You can also use a particular pair of boot trees to store your boots when they are not on your feet and keep the leather protected. There is a variety of products you can buy to keep your soles in tip-top shape.
To prevent sole damage and avoid the need for resoling, check out the ways to make boots slip-resistant on Hood MWR. By incorporating tips like adding grip pads or using a non-slip spray, you can prevent slips and falls while also extending the life of your boots’ soles.
FAQs
How long will it take to get my cowboy boot resoled?
That depends on what kind of replacement parts you want. It will take about 10 to 12 weeks for an essential replacement before shipping your new boots back to you. This would involve two or three pairs of soles and leathers for each boot, with shipping times that may exceed the time needed to do the work.
Once we know what kind, quantity, style, and quality of replacement parts you want, we can estimate more accurately.
How do I know what is wrong with my boot?
First, check for any loose or broken parts. If any part of the boot is broken, such as the heel is falling off, the spur strap missing (on a spur strap type boot), or if there was a problem with the stitching on your boots, then you have a severe issue that will need to be taken care of before you resole your boots. Broken footwear can be dangerous and may cause injury to your feet. In addition, broken footwear may not be covered by the warranty of your boots.
Second, check to see if any of the buckles or fasteners are missing. If any of these pieces are missing, it is essential to make sure you replace them before resolving your boots.
Third, if you can look inside your boot, you should check that there is nothing wrong with your innersole and that the innersoles and heels match in color and style.
Ensuring your boots fit correctly is important before considering resoling them at home. Check out our comprehensive boot fitting guide to guarantee maximum comfort and long-term wear. Remember, a poor fit can contribute to foot, ankle, and knee discomfort, and even back pain.
Can you resole boots yourself?
Yes! But it’s not easy.
If you’re trying to figure out how to resolve cowboy boots at home, that’s an easy enough question. But, unfortunately, resoling your boots is something that most people don’t bother doing themselves because they’re not sure how to get started and find the right type of materials.
How much does it cost to replace soles on cowboy boots?
It costs around $30 to replace simply the sole. Similarly, if you’re replacing half of the sole, you’ll probably pay a little more but save $100. However, replacing the entire sole could set you back $100 or more.
Also, keep in mind that the cutter is the one who will accept the money to repair the shoe’s sole. As a result, professionals will lose varying amounts of money.
If you are looking for a new pair of boots, you may be wondering about the pros and cons of leather versus synthetic materials. Check out this article on leather vs synthetic materials to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of each material and make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
What causes the sole on my cowboy boot to wear down?
After about six months of use, most cowboy boots will begin to show signs of excessive wear on the heels and soles. This is because cowboy boots are designed for repeated motion, such as walking and dancing. The design doesn’t allow for too much protection around those points. Additionally, what you do in your boots matters. If you’re working on a ranch or driving a truck, the bottoms of your boots will suffer more abuse than your average boot-wearer.
Are there any tools that I need to resole my own cowboy boots?
There are no special tools you need to resolve cowboy boots at home. However, you’ll need needle-nose pliers, screwdriver or vise grips, and an old towel. If you don’t have these items already in your vehicle, get them before starting this project because it takes some time to complete.