Western Boots
Dress Boots
Work, Hiking, Military
Men's Dress Boot Repair
in Austin, Texas
Men's Dress Boot Repair by Austin Shoe Hospital
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Chukkas. Chelseas. Lace-ups.
Sleek, Casual and Sporty All-in-One.
Not unlike the classic go-to oxford or loafer, the men's dress boot is taller, more versatile alternative that pairs flawlessly well with a suit or pair of jeans.
Once you've discovered the right color, fit, and style, a nice pair of dress boots is an investment that can (and should!) last you a lifetime.
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That’s where our cobblers come in.
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The craftsmen at Austin Shoe Hospital know how to re-craft men’s dress boots just as the brands originally manufactured them.
Whether your boots just need a new sole or a full factory recondition to make them look like you just took them out of the box, we’ll get them back on your feet and ready to sport in no time.
"Repairs are our passion. We fix all brands, all styles, all shapes, and all colors. If you can wear it, we can repair it!"
1901
BP.
Mezlan
And so many more...
The Anatomy of a Dress Boot (Oxfords & Loafers)
When we approach a shoe or boot repair project at Austin Shoe Hospital, we focus on structural preservation. There are 5 primary areas of concern when we evaluate any damage:​
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The Upper is the top of the boot.
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The shoe Insole is the part your foot actually sits on.
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The Welt or Midsole lies in between the sole and the upper. This is a critical component that is stitched or glued directly to the upper and serves as the foundation for the sole to attach to.
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The Heel Base lies in between the heel cap and the sole. Similar to the welt, the heel base is attached directly to the sole and serves as the foundation for the heel caps to attach to.
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The Sole and Heel Cap are the components of the shoe that make contact with the ground and give you the traction and support you need while walking. The majority of your wear and tear occurs here, and basic repairs can be maintained. However, if you wait too long wear through these layers, you risk damaging the welt, insole and/or upper, which will result in more extensive repair needs.
Heel Cap Repair
One of the most common repairs on men’s dress boots is heel replacement. The heel is an integral part of the whole shoe and should always be protected from wear.
After carefully evaluating your dress boot, we’ll replace and install new, protective rubber heel caps in order to preserve the heel base shape and integrity.
These rubber caps also provide extra comfort, durability, and traction—similar to a brake pad that protects the rotors and calipers on a car.
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If you have heavy wear on the heel, you’ll most likely have significant wear on the sole as well.
Read on to learn more about how our Austin Shoe Hospital cobblers diagnose and repair your soles.
Sole Repair & Replacement
If the soles of your dress boots have been worn down into the welt or midsole, it’s time for a sole replacement!
Boots that have a severely worn sole or even a hole in the sole can be replaced with a new sole and a new heel. We can complete a half-sole repair without replacing the heels, or a full-sole repair which requires a new heel. Usually, if the sole is heavily worn, the heels are as well.
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There are several reasons a sole replacement is so important. Once a hole has been worn into the sole, it can mean that the insole of the shoe is getting damaged. The insole, which every shoe is built around, is very critical to protect and preserve, because unfortunately, it can’t be replaced if damaged.
Additionally, when soles are heavily worn at the toe or sides of a dress boot, it’s likely that the upper itself is getting scuffed and damaged with each step.
To repair a sole, our Austin Shoe Hospital cobblers will remove the old worn out sole, re-cork the inside filler when necessary, and then cement and/or carefully stitch a new leather or rubber sole onto the boot.
Since most dress boots are level with a flat arch, we prefer doing a full sole with no half-sole splice so that your boots look fantastic.
Sole & Heel Color Customization
If your sole is worn down and needs to be replaced, how about a new color or tread? Depending on the type of dress boots you have, we can completely replace the tread, and even give it a new color if want to change things up.
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If you’d like us to take a look at your dress boots to see if we can replace your tread, please visit us in store or chat with us discuss your re-treading options.
Boot Shine, Cleaning & Factory Refinish
We can beautifully shine, clean, and/or completely refinish your dress boot uppers whether they're leather, suede, nubuck, or any other fine finish at Austin Shoe Hospital.
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Boot Shine: A boot shine consists of first cleaning off all the dirt, grime, and old polish, and then deep conditioning the leather until its buttery soft. Next, we hand rub a wax or cream polish to provide stain and color, and last, we buff the boot to bring out the highest shine possible. The friction and heat we produce with rigorous buffing activates the boot polish and produces a gorgeous sheen that makes your boots look fresh and new.
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Deep Clean & Refinish: If you want your boots to look like the day you picked them off the shelves (or likewise, if they are made of suede, nubuck or fabric and can’t be “shined”), you’ll want what’s called a Deep Clean & Refinish.
At the time new shoes and boots are manufactured, they receive a special custom finish that is applied at the very end of the process. This provides a beautiful long-term coating. When our cobblers complete a refinish on your shoes, we reapply the same gorgeous finish the shoe or boot had when it was made new.
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For a full refinish, we first deep clean to remove any stains. Next, we’ll generously condition the shoe leather with pure lanolin (when needed), and then apply permanent color over worn and damaged areas. Lastly, we put on a new-boot custom topcoat.
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Suede and nubuck must be dry cleaned or finely sanded when cleaning to ensure dirt and stains can be removed. By using special suede-cleaning stones or our delicate sand-blasting booth, we remove the stains gently without harming the suede or nubuck. After cleaning, the suede or nubuck is lightly brushed and waterproofed for longer protection.
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Voila! Your shoes are like-new, and this process outlasts a regular shoe shine up to 10 times.
Boot Stretching and Liner Replacement
Our cobblers can provide stretching if your dress boots feel too tight. Leather shoes can be stretched up to ½ size and are stretched in the width, which helps with length as it allows the toe portion of the foot to spread out, relieving pressure.
Fabric and other materials can also be stretched, just not always as easily.
up to
1/2 size
We can also replace the inside shoe sock liner if it gets rumpled. We’ll install a brand new leather sock liner - unwrinkled and fresh - in your dress boots that will provide both extra comfort and a clean new smell.
Dress Boot Custom Repairs
Our cobblers can also provide a myriad of custom repair work for any damage that you have on your favorite dress boots. Here's just a glimpse of some of the things we can do:
- Toe and Heel plates
- Pull straps and loops
- Custom stitching / rips / tears / patchwork
- Zipper repair
- Elastic repair
- Hardware (e.g. rivets, buckles, hooks, rings, etc)
- And so much more...
My Dog Ate My Chukkas!
So your dog thinks those awesome dress boots are chew toys, does she? Don’t panic!
You’d be surprised how often we see boots that have been chewed up by dogs at Austin Shoe Hospital. Let us take a look.
9 times out of 10 we can fix them right up. No need to be upset at Lassie for long.
Austin Shoe Hospital
Dress Boot Repair & Services Re-Cap:
- Sole and Heel Repair
- Sole and Heel Customization
- Reconditioning
- Factory Finish Top-Coat
- Boot Shines
- Stretching
- Heel and Sockliners
- Custom Repairs
- Dog & Puppy Damage Repair
We look forward to meeting your favorites and getting them fixed up and back out to you to enjoy!