| Heel Problems. Heels often wear down before the | | | | is usually a job for a cobbler, but some people |
| rest of the sole. You can extend the life of your | | | | tackle this repair at home. Just make sure that |
| shoes if you repair the heels as soon as you | | | | the replacement heel is the same size as the |
| notice a problem. | | | | original heel! |
| • Wobbly Heels: Wobbly heels are a sign | | | | Sole Problems. Whether you suffer from a |
| that the nails or screws have come lose. It’s | | | | slippery sole or a hole in your sole, most sole |
| important to address this problem as soon as you | | | | problems are easily resolved with a little time and |
| notice a slight wobble as unstable heels can cause | | | | money. |
| you to lose your balance and fall. If the heels are | | | | • Slippery Soles: Slippery soles can be |
| in good condition, then the problem can be fixed | | | | fixed by applying a thin protective rubber sole on |
| simply by resetting the heel, or inserting a few | | | | top of the existing slippery sole. These extra |
| additional nails to anchor the heel in place. | | | | soles are sometimes referred to as “sole |
| • Worn-down Heels: Most heels come | | | | guards” and are used to protect soles from |
| with plastic or metal heel caps or tips. Try to | | | | wearing down too quickly. They are usually |
| replace worn-down heels before the entire | | | | slip-proof and waterproof. |
| bottom of the heel wears off. Replacement heel | | | | • Worn Soles: If you want to save |
| caps and tips can be purchased at most shoe | | | | money, resoling shoes that are otherwise in good |
| stores. You can either apply new heel caps | | | | condition is definitely worth it. The repair can be |
| yourself (be sure to remove the old, worn heel | | | | done at home or relatively inexpensively by a |
| cap first) or you can ask a cobbler to do this | | | | cobbler. It requires the old soles to be removed |
| simple repair for you. It shouldn’t cost more | | | | with a utility knife and then replaced with new |
| than 6 dollars. | | | | soles of the same size. (If you are doing the |
| • Broken Heels: Broken heels will need to | | | | repair yourself, look for self-adhering soles for an |
| be replaced. If it is a clean break, the heel can be | | | | easy fix.) Shoe guards are a good idea if you |
| glued back together and reinforced with nails. | | | | want to proactively protect your soles from |
| Sometimes an entirely new heel is necessary. This | | | | wear. |