A GOOD BOOT IS ONLY AS GOOD AS ITS SOLE
Replacing the rubber on the bottom of your heel before wear extends to the leather heel stack is time and cost effective – your entire heel does not need to be replaced.
Replacing your sole before wear extends to the innersole is time and cost effective – your boot can be resoled without having to be relasted.
Innersoles are a very important component in footwear and should be in a reasonable condition at all times. A relast is required for a number of reasons but the most common reason is the poor condition of the innersoles. Moisture, heat or age can cause the innersoles to deteriorate and no longer be able to perform.
The heel stack is the stack of leather above the heel rubber that makes up the heel. Where the heel stack is worn or damaged, the complete heel stack requires replacing. The heel rubber can be replaced individually, without the additional cost of replacing the complete heel, where there is no damage to the heel stack.
Our boots are constructed with a sewn welt sole. For a resole, the shank (reinforces the shape of the boot and supports the arch), cork filler (increases comfort and adds insulation) and welt strip (stitched to upper, lining and insole) are replaced.
REPLACING TUGS & ELASTICS
Our boot tugs should perform for the life of the boots and will therefore be replaced at no cost unless they are damaged by the customer (e.g. dog chew, abrasion, cuts etc). These can be replaced individually or all four at the same time
Due to age and/or wear and tear, the elasticity in the elastics may diminish and the elastics will require replacing. These can be replaced individually or all four at the same time.
Allow the two ‘tugs’ to take the strain when pulling on your elastic sided boots; this will keep the back strong and spread the strain over the ‘tugs’ and the elastic.
BOOT RELASTING
Whether your boots require a resoling or a full relast, your boots are stripped down. During this stripping process, when the outer soles and heel are removed, further wear or damage may be discovered that wasn’t visible while the boots were intact. Additional work is required to enable the original repair request to be carried out, if this is found to be case, appropriate costs may apply.
A FULL RELAST (or FULL RELAST & BACK LINING) requires the re-manufacturing of the boot, only the upper leather, tugs, elastics and lining (except for back lining if being replaced due to damage) remain. The heels and outer soles (including the shank, cork filler and welt strip) and innersole are removed and replaced.
A relast requires the upper leather of the boot to be pulled back over the original last and will therefore remove any slack in the boot, returning it to its original size (prior to the leather giving to the shape of the foot). Once returned therefore, the boot may feel firmer on foot than before the repair.
In order to perform a relast, the boot linings need to be in a reasonable condition. Where the linings are worn or contain holes, they will also require replacing, resulting in a RELAST AND LINING repair
After the shank, cork filler and welt strip are replaced, the boot is ready for a new sole to be stitched on and a new heel nailed into place..
The new sole and heel are trimmed, scoured and buffed. All finishing is done freehand.
UNIT SOLE REPLACEMENT
A unit sole is glued to the upper, not stitched or screwed. Unit soles and heels are one complete component and can only be replaced together.
The sole and heel edges are hand painted with a special wax impregnated stain. Running the sole edge along a hot iron melts the wax, sealing the edge and creating shine.
The sole is stained and sprayed with laquer for sheen, followed by branding being stamped on. After a heel sock is inserted inside to cover the heel nails, boots are thoroughly cleaned and inspected, with any minor blemishes repaired.
Boots are then polished and buffed before another inspection before finally being packed in a box and despatched back to their owner.
KEEP YOUR BOOTS AS GOOD AS OLD
R.M.WILLIAMS CARE PRODUCTS
We offer a range of leather care products that have been specially formulated to protect and enhance your boots. And for those who prefer a polish and shine anywhere they go, our care kits are the perfect companion for your boots. Which polish is best for your boots?
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R.M.WILLIAMS REPAIR PRODUCTS
Repairing your boots in good time is a practice worth observing. Our Repair Service uses the same methods that were employed in the original making of your boots. Properly cared for and maintained, your boots can remain comfortable and look good for many years. Want to know more about the repair process?
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