Can The Inside Lining of Shoes Be Repaired?

If you own a leather shoe, you may or may not have noticed the inner lining on the inside of the shoe. I, for one, never knew about it before it started wearing out and my feet started getting sore. The main purpose of this section after all is to ensure your comfort.

Any quality leather shoe comes with a leather lining on the inside. Though it is quite durable, it is not invincible and with regular use, it tends to wear out. Because of its direct contact with your skin, the moisture and pressure that builds up inside cause it to crumble over time.

But what do you do when that happens? Do you throw it away? A good leather shoe can cost quite a lot, and the thought of throwing it away does not sound that appealing. Thankfully, there are ways to repair or even replace the inside lining of shoes. You can take it to a shoemaker, or fix it yourself.

In this article, I will give you a step-by-step walkthrough of how you can repair the inside lining of your worn-out leather shoe so that you do not have to let go of your precious leather.

Can You Replace the Inside of a Shoe?

The good news here is that it is not only the inside lining of a shoe that can be repaired. In fact, you can replace the entire interior of the shoe if you ever need to. Any cobbler worth his salt can work on the inside of the shoe and breathe in fresh life into your old worn-out shoe.

However, if you notice anything wrong with your shoe, make sure you do not increase the damage. You should stop wearing it and take it to a shoemaker for repairs immediately. If you keep wearing the shoe, you can further ruin the shoe to a point that even a cobbler can’t fix it properly.

Can You Resole Your Shoes and Is It Worth It?

Similar to replacing or repairing the inside of the shoe, the outsole can also be replaced or fixed. There are a few distinct signals that you can watch out for to determine whether your sole needs a replacement. For instance, if you notice that the shoe feels slippery, the sole might be the culprit.

Other signs of worn-out soles include joint pain while walking for a longer period, less shock-absorption capabilities of the shoes in every stride, or the shoe suddenly feeling uncomfortable for no reason. If any of these happen, you might want to take it to a shoemaker for repairs.

Whether it is worth resoling the shoe or better to just replace it, however, is entirely up to you. If you are the well-off kind, who can just buy a new pair of leather boots, then, by all means, go for it. However, I like to squeeze out every ounce of value I can out of my investments. So, to me, resoling is almost always worth it.

Typically, the cost of resoling is a lot less than buying a new pair of leather boots. However, if it were a Vans or a Converse, I would strongly think about just replacing it. Besides, resoling the shoe will enhance its durability. You would essentially be extending the lifespan of the shoe tenfold by resoling it.

How to Repair the Inner Lining of Shoes?

It is pretty common for the inner linings of shoes to get damaged. Since this part of the shoe is in direct contact with your feet, it sees a lot of friction. As a result, the lining starts to deplete until it starts crumbling. If you have a running shoe, you should have already faced it a couple of times.

Thankfully though, you can fix it easily by taking it to a professional cobbler. In most cases, the cobbler will not replace the entire lining but would rather just work on the affected area. But if the lining is damaged beyond repair, they will completely get rid of the old one and insert a different lining on the inside.

If for some reason, you want to avoid taking your shoe to the cobbler, you can always take on the task yourself. I have always been a firm supporter of the “Do It Yourself”- attitude, and if you have the courage to mess around with the shoe, then kudos to you.

You do need a few materials to get started, though. Make sure you have some silicon glue, adhesive fabric, and adhesive tape ready to work on the torn shoe. You also want a pair of scissors and protective hand gloves. As for the padding of the shoe, you can go with anything you want.

Once you have everything ready, here are the steps that you want to follow.

Step – 1

Start off with a thorough inspection of the old lining in the shoe. It would help you attach the new padding the right way. When you have it in your mind, start peeling off the old lining. Do not rush, or do not pull too hard on the lining. Being gentle is the way to go as you do not want to damage other parts of the shoe.

Step – 2

Take your adhesive tape and paste it over the affected surface of the shoe. Make sure you get the entire surface. If needed, cut the tape in small portions and apply it one area at a time. You need to cover the entire surface where you would later apply the new padding. Also, make sure that the surface is level.

Step – 3

Take the fabric that you want to use as a liner and apply it over the tape. If you notice any bumps, smoothen it out right now. In my experience, going with an anti-slip fabric is a good idea. You do not necessarily need to use leather. As long as the material is comfortable and durable, you are all set.

Step – 4

You can apply a bit of glue over the area to further strengthen the bond. However, you do not want to get carried away with it. Just a dash of glue here and there should suffice.

Step – 5

Let the glue dry on its own. It can take anywhere between 24 to 36 hours depending on the material and the type of glue that you are using. With shoe goo, it typically takes around 24 hours for me.

You might be tempted to apply heat to speed up the process. However, resist the temptation and let the glue air dry for best results. Placing the shoe in a well-ventilated area with good access to fresh air can help it dry faster. You can take this moment to patch up any damages or holes outside the shoe with the glue.

Can You Repair an Uncomfortable Heel Counter in Boot?

If the heel counter in your boot feels uncomfortable, you will be happy to know that it can be repaired. However, it is not a job that you want to do on your own. Not only does it take a bit of skill and know-how, but it also requires a few pieces of equipment that you may not have. The best course of action is to take the shoe to a cobbler and get it serviced professionally.

Final Verdict

I love each and every pair of shoes that I own. That is why throwing them away for no good reason is not exactly an option that I go with. My motto is simply; if it can be fixed, it isn’t broken. And as long as the inner lining of the shoe is the only problem, it can be fixed quite easily.

Hopefully, my extensive guideline could be of some help to you if you are struggling with the failing inner lining of your favourite leather shoe. Good luck!