When Is the Best Time to Service Your Shoes?

At Cobbly.co, the new online leather repair destination built for people who value craftsmanship without the commute, we get one question more than any other:

When is the best time to service your shoes to maximize their lifespan?

It’s never too early, it’s rarely too late.  

Day 1: Protect to Preserve.  Excited about new boots you want to keep for the long haul?  Cobbly can set you up with the protective barriers to keep them looking like new before they kiss the pavement.  We’re not trying to upsell you, adding a  protective outsole to new shoes is actually half the price of replacing a damaged sole, and provides a better barrier against the weather, and a more seamless refresh when you start to see wear and tear.  Uppers and handbags can benefit as well, our weatherproofing services can help protect your shoes and handbags against stains.

Early:  If you have a dentist, a mechanic, a dermatologist, you know the feeling.  The look of judgment and forbearance as a passionate expert inspects needlessly extensive repairs that regular maintenance would have avoided.  While Cobbly’s fully online experience means you won’t be there as the cobbler winces, the lesson still holds true, maintenance is more effective and affordable than remediation.  We’d all be happier if you immediately replace a lost heel cap for ⅓ the price of repairing a heel that’s been worn down past the pin.  

Preventative shoe repair is dramatically more affordable than full restoration and can double or even triple the lifespan of quality leather footwear.

A little late: so we didn’t wear our sunscreen or floss every day.  It doesn’t mean it’s time to throw out our old teeth and buy new dentures.  The more extensive the work needed is, the more difficult it becomes to accurately price your service without seeing the item, that’s why we recommend using the https://www.cobbly.co/repair-estimate to confirm what services are available for your specific items, and what the customized cost will be. 

A Cobbly.co Guide to Making Great Leather Live Longer

How Often Should You Really Service Your Shoes?

Daily wearers:
Inspection every 3 to 4 months.

Rotational pairs (worn 1 to 2 times weekly):
Inspection every 6 months.

Occasion shoes:
Condition annually, even if unworn. Leather dries even in closets.

Sound like a lot?

If you were schlepping to a traditional cobbler, it really would be.  We designed cobbly to help keep you on schedule and on your way with streamlined checkout, repair reminders, and loyalty rewards.  We get that the shoes on your feet may not always be top of mind, but we’re excited to be the reason that you keep loving them as much as day one (or even more for that perfectly broken-in boot).  

Have more questions? hello@cobbly.co would be thrilled to answer them!