Can the Inside Lining of Shoes be Repaired? – Detailed Explanation
Any leather shoe you own comes with linings on the inside. And like any other part of the shoe, it can start to wear out. In fact, inner linings in leather boots are more susceptible to disintegrating than other parts of the shoe.
Although most shoemakers these days try to make higher quality linings, they can still start wearing out after some time.
Can the inside lining of shoes be repaired, you may ask? Thankfully, yes. However, there is a lot more to know about the subject before you start going at it.
In this article, we will give you a detailed explanation about how you can repair your inner shoe lining and also help you understand the importance of this element.
Why do Boots Come with Inner Lining?
The main purpose of linings inside the boot is comfort. High-quality, expensive shoes often come with leather lining, while more affordable options come with synthetic lining. Leather linings as you might expect are much more durable and comfortable compared to synthetic ones.
The lining inside the shoe also increases its overall durability. Since this is the part that has direct contact with your feet, it contributes entirely to how you feel while wearing the boot. However, as time goes by, the friction from your feet can cause the lining inside to wear out.
Is it Important to Repair the Inner Lining?
Crumbling inner lining in your shoe is a common problem and one that should be dealt with promptly. Since it is in direct contact with your foot, it can be extremely uncomfortable to wear a shoe with a disintegrating inner. If left unchecked, this issue can also spread to other areas of the shoe.
It is best to replace the inner lining or repair it as soon as possible. Almost any shoe luthiers can repair your inner lining at a small cost. And since the cost of replacement is quite minimal, there is no reason to put it away for later. Neglecting to replace your inner lining can severely impact the longevity of your shoes.
How To Repair the Inner Lining of Shoes?
Repairing the inner lining of shoes does require a bit of skill. So if you do not feel confident about your abilities, we would recommend taking it to a luthier to get it done professionally. However, if you want a pick up a new skill, then this can be a good place to start.
Before you begin, make sure you have the following few items gathered.
- Silicon glue
- Inner fabric
- A pair of scissors
- Gloves
- Adhesive tape
- The shoe that you need to repair
Here is a step-by-step rundown of what you need to do to repair the inside lining of your shoes.
Step – 1
Start off by removing the old lining. Be as gentle as you can with this step. You do not want to pull too hard and rip off other sections of the shoe. In addition, try to notice how the original lining was attached to the shoe in the first place.
Step – 2
For the next step, you want to take the adhesive tape and apply it to the affected area. You want to cover the entire surface where you will replace the inner lining. So, take small portions at a time and apply the amount of tape you need. Try to keep the surface level.
Step – 3
Then take your inner fabric and apply it over the adhesive tape. Even out the fabric. When choosing the fabric, go with whatever feels comfortable and durable if you cannot find real leather. The fabric should also be slip-resistant.
Step – 4
Wait for the glue to dry. Do not use a hair dryer or any direct heat source. Store the shoe in a well-ventilated area for 24 to 36 hours and your shoe should be ready to wear.
What Causes the Shoe Lining to Get Damaged?
There can be many reasons behind why your shoe linings got damaged. If you use the shoe regularly, it will face a lot of friction from your feet moving around inside it all day. The increasing friction will cause heat to build up which will start wearing out the inner linings over time.
Besides, a lot of affordable shoes in the market come with low-quality insoles that are not very abrasion resistant. This is one way that a lot of manufacturers try to cut costs. A low-quality inner lining does not last very long even if you do not use the shoe very often.
Can You Replace the Inside of a Shoe?
Maybe the process we mentioned seemed a bit overwhelming, and you are looking for an easy way out. In that case, you can simply replace the inner lining of your shoe. Sure, it might run you some money, but you will be saving yourself from a lot of hassle in the process.
Besides, replacing the inner of your shoe has some advantages too. For one thing, the new inner will last a long time without requiring further maintenance. Another advantage is you have a lot of options. And since inners are not that expensive, you should have nothing to worry about if your budget is low.
However, you do not want to push your shoe to the brink of destruction before you replace the inner. The moment you notice the inside of the shoe is failing, you need to stop using it. You do not want to put any extra pressure on the shoe before you get a replacement.
When a part of the shoe gets damaged, continuous use can extend the damage to other parts. So once your inner is ruined, if you keep using it, there is a chance that you will cause damage to the sole or toe area if you keep wearing it. The best idea is to wait until you can replace the interior completely.
Is It Better to Replace the Shoe Lining Instead of Repairing?
If the shoe or boot lining is too far gone, fixing it might not be the best choice. Since you can find brand new insoles for your shoes at an affordable price, replacing the lining entirely could be a viable solution. In the end, it comes down to whether you think it is worth the hassle to repair it.
For people who do not have a lot of time, or prefer not to tinker around with shoes, replacing the insole entirely is the better approach. However, if you have a lot of old shoes that you want to renovate, you can repair the inner linings of the shoes one after another using the process we mentioned above.
Here we add a video for you on how to repair & replace leather shoe lining
Final Thoughts
Though it might seem hard and challenging at first, replacing inner linings in shoes becomes a lot easier. Sure, as a beginner, you might require a bit of practice, and you will definitely make a few mistakes.
But after learning this skill, you will be able to extend the lifespan of your shoes by a lot. We hope our article could answer your queries. So next time if the inner lining of your shoe shows signs of wearing, you can fix it up yourself.
And wanna know how to prevent your shoes from peeling? Then let’s check this article for details.
