Shoe Repair Done Right | How to Make Them Last Longer
I was faced with the dilemma of buying a new pair of dress shoes, replacing my dear Ecco‘s, or having them repaired. I first bought them about four years ago because I was developing plantar fasciitis, caused by wearing poorly designed dress shoes while pounding the city streets to and from work. My doctor prescribed insoles and recommended I get a pair of Ecco’s: my feet haven’t stopped thanking me since
I finally decided to get them repaired. They were already broken in and it would save me some cash instead of buying a new pair. I also didn’t want to throw them away because the issues were only cosmetic. I skipped the local shops and wanted to see what repair services Ecco would offer. They make a great product and have a loyal following so I figured they’d know best on how to fix them. What better way to retain customers, that already have your product?
I went online and quickly found them. I was somewhat disappointed that they’d outsourced the repair to NuShoe, but they’re a reputable company, providing their services to others as well. Their support team explained they would ship me a bag to put my shoes in, which included my order form and receipt. My shoes definitely needed the outer soles replaced along with leather repair. That would cost $75 along with new insoles, laces and anything else. So here’s the damage prior to shipment.
Left shoe: scratches and general wear and tear on leather
Right shoe: noticeably worn out leather near sole
Following is where most of the damage was on my shoes. It ain’t easy living in the city.
Left shoe front: sole is thinned out, leather rubbed off
Right shoe front: this is pretty bad. Sole is rubbed off and the leather is screaming for a new hide
I was able to keep track of the repair online, checking when they were received, expected return date, etc. A very smooth process. Also, their support staff was responsive. After about two weeks, I got them back and couldn’t be happier.
Right shoe
Left shoe
Now the real test
Left shoe front
Right shoe front: definitely an improvement. The leather looks reconditioned
I really like these shoes and was able to restore them, adding another 4 or 5 years to them, and didn’t compromise with its previous quality and comfort. I could have bought a new pair of the same model, but these weren’t that bad off, not worth tossing to the trash heap. Also, choosing Ecco’s repair service was definitely the right choice rather then a local cobbler. Ecco knows their product and are best trusted to repairing it.
If you’re looking to do get your shoes repaired, I’d recommend checking first with whoever your brand is. They probably offer this service as well. So think twice when you’re about to toss out those $100 shoes, they may have something left in the tank.
