The sole is the foundation of a shoe. Once it is gone — worn through, split, or simply past the point of function — the shoe is finished unless it gets resoled. And for a well-made shoe with a sound upper, resoling is almost always the right choice.
We replace soles at Angelz on Arlington Way, a short walk from Angel tube. Leather, rubber, and stick-on options are available for both men’s and women’s shoes. No appointment needed.
A full leather sole replacement for men’s shoes is £85.00. A half leather sole — covering the front half of the sole while retaining or replacing the heel separately — is £55.00.
Leather soles are the traditional choice for quality men’s dress shoes. They are quieter on hard floors than rubber, breathe better, and develop a natural patina over time that rubber does not. A well-fitted leather sole on a quality Oxford or brogue is part of what makes the shoe function as it should — the flex of the sole matches the flex of the shoe’s construction.
The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers — the livery company for shoemakers and leather workers, granted its first charter in 1272 — has maintained the standard for quality shoe construction and repair in London for centuries. A leather sole fitted correctly, to the correct thickness and profile, follows the tradition of craftsmanship that kept quality shoes in use for decades rather than seasons.
A half sole is appropriate when the heel is being replaced separately and the front sole has worn through but the heel section is still sound. A full sole replacement addresses the whole base of the shoe in one job.
A stitched rubber sole for men’s shoes is £40.00. Stitched rubber is more durable and water-resistant than a stick-on sole, and the stitching anchors the sole more securely to the upper than adhesive alone.
Rubber soles are better suited than leather for shoes worn in wet conditions regularly — the grip is more consistent on wet pavements, and the sole does not absorb moisture the way leather does. For men who walk significant distances across London daily, a rubber sole extends the functional life of the shoe considerably compared to leather in wet weather.
A stick-on sole for men’s shoes is £30.00. This is the lower-cost option and appropriate for shoes that are worn more casually or where the shoe itself is not of sufficient value to justify the higher investment of a stitched or leather sole.
Stick-on soles are attached using high-strength adhesive rather than stitching. They perform well under moderate use but are less durable than stitched soles under heavy daily wear. We assess the shoe before recommending — a stick-on sole on a shoe that gets hard daily use will need replacing sooner than a stitched option.
Women’s sole replacement is available in three types. A stick-on sole is £30.00 — suitable for casual shoes and light daily use. A rubber sole is £35.00 — better grip and durability for regular wear. A leather sole is £45.00 — the premium option for quality women’s shoes where fit, feel, and appearance matter.
Women’s shoes vary more widely in construction than men’s — heeled shoes, flat shoes, and wedge shoes all have different sole profiles and attachment points. We assess the shoe before starting to confirm which sole type is appropriate and how it will be attached.
For high-heeled shoes where the heel also needs replacing, sole and heel work can be done at the same visit. Our heel repair service in Angel covers women’s heels from £15.00.
The answer depends on the shoe and how it is used.
Leather is best for quality dress shoes worn in dry conditions where appearance matters — formal occasions, office wear, occasions where the sound and feel of a leather sole is appropriate. It breathes, flexes naturally with the shoe, and polishes well alongside the upper.
Rubber is better for shoes that take daily heavy use across London’s varied pavements — better grip in wet conditions, more resistance to abrasion, and longer-lasting under consistent wear. It does not breathe as well as leather but is significantly more practical for everyday city walking.
Stick-on is suitable for casual shoes, lower-priced shoes, or situations where the cost of a stitched or leather sole outweighs the value of the shoe. It is a functional option for the right shoe in the right situation.
We discuss this with you at drop-off. The aim is the right sole for the specific shoe, not the most expensive option.
The existing sole is removed cleanly from the upper. The welt — the strip of material that connects the upper to the sole — is checked. If the welt is damaged or worn, it is repaired or replaced before the new sole is fitted. A new sole attached to a damaged welt will not hold properly.
The new sole is cut to the correct profile for the shoe, attached by stitching or adhesive as appropriate, and trimmed and finished to the edge of the upper. The sole edge is finished and buffed. The shoe is pressed on a last to ensure the sole bonds fully before leaving the shop.
A sole replaced on a shoe with a sound upper and a good welt should last as long as the original.
The visible signs are straightforward. The sole has worn through to the insole — daylight visible at the ball of the foot. The sole has split across the width. The sole has separated from the upper at the toe or heel. Any of these means the sole needs replacing before the shoe is wearable again.
The less visible sign is thinning — the sole is still intact but has become so thin that it offers little protection from ground contact. A thin sole that goes untreated wears through quickly and often takes the welt with it when it goes.
We carry out the full range of shoe repairs. Our leather shoe repair service in Angel covers upper repairs, welt work, and structural issues beyond soles and heels. The full overview is on our shoe repair page for Angel.
We are at 18 Arlington Way, Angel, EC1R 1UY — two minutes on foot from Angel tube on the Northern Line. Customers come in from Islington, Clerkenwell, Pentonville, Finsbury, and King’s Cross throughout the week.
No booking needed. Bring the shoes in and we assess the sole condition and upper before recommending an option. Most sole replacements are ready within three to four working days.
Can you resole shoes that have a moulded or bonded sole?
Some moulded soles can be replaced — it depends on the construction. Shoes built with a welted or Blake-stitched construction are straightforward to resole. Shoes with a fully bonded moulded sole and no welt are assessed individually. Bring them in and we will tell you honestly whether resoling is feasible.
Is a half sole or a full sole better?
If the heel is sound and only the front sole has worn through, a half sole addresses the problem at a lower cost. If the full sole is worn or the heel is also being replaced, a full sole gives a more consistent result and better value.
How do I know when to repair rather than replace the shoe?
If the upper leather is sound, the stitching is intact, and the shoe fits well, repair is almost always the better choice. A sole replacement at £30.00 to £85.00 compares favourably to replacing a quality shoe. If the upper has significant damage, we will say so honestly.
Can you replace the sole on boots as well as shoes?
Yes. Boot sole replacement uses the same process as shoe sole replacement. Our boot repair service in Angel covers the full range of boot repair work.
Heel Repair · Leather Shoe Repair · Shoe Polish Service · Boot Repair · All Shoe Repair · All Services
Can Leather Shoes Be Resoled? · How Much Does Heel Repair Cost in the UK? · How Much Does Leather Shoe Restoration Cost? · How Much Does Shoe Repair Cost in the UK?
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