I have a pair of Florsheim dress shoes that have the tread almost completely separated from the shoe. Should I use shoe goo or have them repaired professionally, or does it even matter? I really like these shoes when I wear a suit.
Glad to hear shoemakers are still in business. None where I live. THey had a shoemaker on campus when I was in college and he was busy all the time. Shoe repair is a profession not a do it yourself thing. When I was a kid my Dad would take us to this place that did shoe repair and sold high quality shoes with slight defects. It was a Jewish establishment so we always went on Sundays. Those shoes lasted forever.
Posts: 17695 | Location: Stuck at home | Registered: January 02, 2015
One word of advice on a shoemaker….I took a pair of shoes in once that the soles were coming apart… unknown to me, he used nails and some glue. I found out once I started wearing them, I could feel the nails poking me. Which irritated me, as he was who my mom used to use for her dress shoes. I never went back. I’d ask first on how they would repair the shoes before leaving them for repair, just in case.
I purchased a pair of Florsheims in the 70's, maybe '75. The Imperials in that video look a lot like them. Comfortable as all get out and lasted many years, maybe into the early 90's. When the soles wore, I stupidly tossed them. I have not had a pair of dress shoes since that have lasted as long. Currently shopping for a new pair. What has really surprised me is how hard it's been finding genuine leather shoes anymore. I'm not looking to spend 500 bucks anymore, as at my age, dress shoes are now for funerals and weddings, not every day wear like they were when I was working.
That is the beauty of Chicago. There are still craftsmen in business who brought the trade from the old country. My grandfather was an immigrant and made good money as a tailor for mens suits.
Posts: 17695 | Location: Stuck at home | Registered: January 02, 2015
Originally posted by 400m: I have a pair of Florsheim dress shoes that have the tread almost completely separated from the shoe. Should I use shoe goo or have them repaired professionally, or does it even matter? I really like these shoes when I wear a suit.
Old Florsheims with Goodyear welts can be repaired, and it would be worth it. Newer ones made with modern methods may not be repairable at all, or the cost may not be worth it. I'd find a local cobbler and take the shoes in. He'll tell you if they can be fixed.
Unfortunately, judging by the price of Florshiem shoes, the cost of a rebuild may not be worth it. But maybe a simpler repair makes sense.
The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
Posts: 53408 | Location: Texas | Registered: February 10, 2004
