How to Repair Climbing Shoes
Repairing your climbing shoes can be done at home, but it takes some time and concentration. Simple repairs can be done with glue, needle and thread. Sometimes the repairs aren't simple, and you need to resole your climbing shoes. You can send your shoes in to be repaired, or you can purchase a resoling kit and repair them at home.
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Things You'll Need
- Resoling kit
- Heat lamp or electric stove
- Pliers
- Marker or pen
- Utility knife
- Sander
- Hammer
- Rag, sock, or newspaper
- Tape
Instructions
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Directions
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Buy a resoling kit online or at an outdoor outfitter store. The resoling kit will contain the rubber and glue you need to repair your shoes.
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Remove the old rubber by heating it with an electric stove, heat lamp or other source of heat. Hold it under the heat for at least 30 seconds, then peel away the soles with your pliers.
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Trace out the pattern of your shoe on your new rubber, leaving an extra 1/4-inch all around. Cut the pattern out of the rubber with a knife. It is recommended that you grind down the edges with a sander to bevel the edges like your previous soles.
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Stuff something into the shoe (sock, newspaper) to help it keep its form.
Apply glue onto the new rubber, and attach the rubber to the shoe, leaving an even overlap all around. Pinch on the new soles with pliers and a hammer, then heat the new soles and glue together for at least 30 seconds per shoe.
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Wrap the shoes tightly with tape or other materials. Leave this on overnight, and remove it in the morning. Cut any excess rubber off, and sand the shoes again.
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Tips & Warnings
The most important thing about extending the life of your climbing shoes is to make sure you let them air dry and to clean dirt off them after each climb.
Use glue to fix the rubber when making simple repairs.
Stitch any holes in the uppers of your shoes with a needle and thread.
