It’s sad that so few things are deemed worthy of repair. It’s not just that so much of our material lives have become disposable, there’s also the lack of skill to actually do the repairs because so much manufacturing has consolidated in so few countries. I’ve always found factories fascinating. As a child I remember looking up to the towering steel mills in Cleveland and wondering just what goes on inside those huge buildings. That curiosity never left me and over the course of my career I’ve been lucky to walk the workshops of some of my favorite brands. I would inevitably find my way to the repair shop and hang around to see how these expert artisans can revive a pair of shoes or a jacket that is obviously beloved. These people doing the repairs are always some of the most highly skilled in the entire company. They’ve seen it all and can do it all. Watching that work being done is like falling down a rabbit hole in real life.
Michael: a couple of other brands that offer amazing repair work are Edward Green Bootmakers and Russell Moccasin Co. I’ve mailed them both shoes with 15 plus years of wear for refurbishment and have received shoes/boots that are as good as new!
We also offer a Factory Recrafting Service, which not includes a complete re-lasting and re-sole, but the work is done by the same crew who made the footwear. Several styles allow customers to change the type of outsole as part of the process:
Additionally, every pair includes a Care Card in the box, with simple instructions on basic cleaning and conditioning instructions using nothing but items likely found around the house and a $5 bottle of cream. Of course, we offer professional care accessories as well, but even those are sold at minimal margins because we want to encourage our customers to take care of the things they buy. A properly-made pair of shoes or boots will easily last a decade or more with even a modest level of maintenance—and a lifetime for little more than that.
None of this takes much time—10 minutes to brushing and conditioning once or twice a year. It only requires that you remember to do it.
Hi George. I can personally attest to this program, I’ve had a pair of Chukka’s refurbished (oxblood) and I have a pair of the natural CXL loafers AND my favorite pair, my loden beef roll loafers.
Michael, We just want to chime in here and mention that Drinkwater's is the authorized shoe repair service for Paraboot in North America. All inquiries for service can be sent to gary@drinkwaterscambridge.com.
In London a number of years ago I found and bought a used Gamefair jacket, a style which was no longer made. Since then Barbour has lengthened the sleeves (which had pretty clearly been shortened previously), replaced the zipper (two-way/dual, the only style for a car coat imo), made innumerable patches, replaced lining and pocket interiors, and rewaxed it any number of times. I look forward to fall weather in large part because of my Barbour. The replace-and-repair aesthetic is alive and well with Barbour, who do amazing work. I applaud them and others doing the same.
Michael: a couple of other brands that offer amazing repair work are Edward Green Bootmakers and Russell Moccasin Co. I’ve mailed them both shoes with 15 plus years of wear for refurbishment and have received shoes/boots that are as good as new!
Thanks for mentioning these companies. I know there are a lot more out there than what I included.
We also offer a Factory Recrafting Service, which not includes a complete re-lasting and re-sole, but the work is done by the same crew who made the footwear. Several styles allow customers to change the type of outsole as part of the process:
https://oakstreetbootmakers.com/factory-recrafting-service
Additionally, every pair includes a Care Card in the box, with simple instructions on basic cleaning and conditioning instructions using nothing but items likely found around the house and a $5 bottle of cream. Of course, we offer professional care accessories as well, but even those are sold at minimal margins because we want to encourage our customers to take care of the things they buy. A properly-made pair of shoes or boots will easily last a decade or more with even a modest level of maintenance—and a lifetime for little more than that.
None of this takes much time—10 minutes to brushing and conditioning once or twice a year. It only requires that you remember to do it.
Hi George. I can personally attest to this program, I’ve had a pair of Chukka’s refurbished (oxblood) and I have a pair of the natural CXL loafers AND my favorite pair, my loden beef roll loafers.
Michael, We just want to chime in here and mention that Drinkwater's is the authorized shoe repair service for Paraboot in North America. All inquiries for service can be sent to gary@drinkwaterscambridge.com.
In London a number of years ago I found and bought a used Gamefair jacket, a style which was no longer made. Since then Barbour has lengthened the sleeves (which had pretty clearly been shortened previously), replaced the zipper (two-way/dual, the only style for a car coat imo), made innumerable patches, replaced lining and pocket interiors, and rewaxed it any number of times. I look forward to fall weather in large part because of my Barbour. The replace-and-repair aesthetic is alive and well with Barbour, who do amazing work. I applaud them and others doing the same.