The Guide to Resoling: Save Your Shoes and Your Performance

For any dedicated climber, the sound of rubber scraping against a gym wall is the sound of money burning.

If you are climbing one to three hours per session, several times a week, you know how quickly high-performance rubber disappears.

This is especially true for ultra-soft models like the Scarpa Drago, which offer incredible sensitivity but wear down rapidly under heavy use.

However, the smart climber knows that a worn-out sole doesn't mean a dead shoe. 

By choosing to resole, you are engaging in a circular economy that is better for the planet and significantly better for your wallet.

In fact, resoling your shoes can save you between two to four times the cost of purchasing a brand-new pair.

Why Resoling is a Smart Business Move

According to the Climbing Business Journal, there are compelling reasons why both individual climbers and climbing gyms should prioritize resoling:

  • Sustainability: Resoling keeps non-biodegradable rubber and synthetic materials out of landfills.

  • The "Perfect Fit": Once a shoe is broken in and molded to your foot, it becomes a precision tool. Resoling allows you to keep that custom fit without the pain of breaking in new leather.

  • Circular Economy: Supporting specialized artisans keeps craftsmanship alive in the community and encourages climbers to invest in high-quality gear that lasts.


Why a Resole Matters for the Planet

To understand why resoling is a critical practice, we have to look at the scale of the global climbing community. In 2018, the International Federation of Sport Climbing estimated there were 40 million climbers worldwide.

Given the explosive growth of the sport and its Olympic debut in 2024, that number is now significantly higher.

Even using a conservative low estimate, assuming only 5% of those climbers are dedicated regulars who retire just one pair of shoes per year, we are looking at over 2 million pairs of climbing shoes potentially entering landfills annually.

Anatomy and Construction: Drago vs. Solution

Understanding how your shoes are built helps you understand why they wear out. When you deconstruct these shoes using a heat gun to loosen the toxic, industrial adhesives, the differences are striking:

  • Ultra-Soft Construction (e.g., Dragos): Once the base sole is removed, there is almost nothing underneath, just a flimsy piece of microfiber. This lack of a midsole is why you get such high tactile feedback, but it also means there is no "skeleton" to protect the shoe once the rubber is gone.

  • Stiff Construction (e.g., Solutions): These shoes feature an extra stiffening piece—often a specialized rubber or plastic insert—underneath the sole. This maintains the aggressive "cup" shape and provides the support needed for standing on tiny chips.

When to Resole: The 4 Stages of Wear

Timing is everything. If you wait too long, the internal structure of the shoe, the leather or fabric upper, will tear, making it impossible to repair. Follow these four stages to diagnose your shoes:

  1. Stage 1: The Line of Carre. This is the junction where the sole meets the rand (the thinner rubber wrapping the toe). When this line recedes or rounds off under the big toe, it is the ideal time to send them in.

  2. Stage 2: Soft Spots. If the tip of the shoe feels "mushy" or looks like it has "road rash" (rough, frayed texture), you are about to blow through the rubber.

  3. Stage 3: The Rand Hole. If you see a tiny puncture in the rand rubber, you have officially climbed through the sole. You will now need a toe cap in addition to a resole.

  4. Stage 4: Fabric Damage. If the leather or fabric has a hole, stop climbing immediately. While a cobbler might be able to add a few stitches, the shoe’s structural integrity is compromised.

Warning: Do not attempt to deconstruct or repair your shoes at home as toxins might release.

The Artisan Process

A high-quality repair from a specialist is a labor-intensive craft. The process involves:

  • Deconstruction: Using a heat gun to reactivate the glue and peel away the old rubber.

  • Lasting: Placing the shoe on a "last" (a foot mold) to ensure it maintains its downturn and tension.

  • Grinding: Using a "finishing machine" (an industrial sander) to remove old glue and prepare the surface.

  • Gluing & Pressing: Applying specialized neoprene glue that remains flexible, then using a pneumatic press to bond the new rubber (like Vibram XS Grip 2 or Edge) to the shoe.

Pro-Tips for the Savvy Climber

  • Manage Turnaround Time: Good quality repairs take time, often several weeks. Smart climbers keep a "collection" or rotation. When one pair wears out, send it to the reseller while you switch to your backup.

  • Avoid "Slipper" Mode: Never fold down the heels of your shoes to wear them like slippers. This ruins the tensioner and the heel's structural integrity.

  • Precision Footwork: Be mindful of "toe dragging" on the wall, which thins out the rand unnecessarily.

Resoling is a specialized skill that brings your gear back to life. By catching wear early, you can keep your favorite shoes in your bag for years while spending a fraction of what you would on new gear.

Are you ready to give your shoes a second life?

Would you like your shoes to be resoled so you would be ready to climb hard on the wall again? 

Let us fix them for you!

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