Slipper Repair

[kalmatthew]

Right, I have flat feet and suffer when I've stood to long in shoes without arch support, I've tried many different pairs of slippers of the years and most of them caused me issues. I've finally found Birkenstock slippers that are amazingly comfortable and I can stand in all day..... However they are pricy and my winter pair ice worn for a cumulative 10 months over 2 years and the soles are failing. They are currently a painted rubber style over felt (picture attached) how does the (sub)Urban community suggest I extend the life of them?

 

[Pickman's model]

Duct tape. Wrap them in duct tape.

 

[kalmatthew]

Duct tape. Wrap them in duct tape.

Well obviously but I was hoping for something a touch less industrial...

 

[Pickman's model]

Well obviously but I was hoping for something a touch less industrial...

You could use acrylic paint to make it look artisanal

 

[8ball]

Just looked up the prices - you’re not wrong!

 

[Throbbing Angel]

in lieu of asking ChatGPT, why don't you have a look at Youtube

 

[farmerbarleymow]

I had flat feet as a kid and all new shoes were sent to some NHS unit at the hospital to have custom-made insoles built. Used to take a few weeks to get them back.

It worked though. I still notice people who have flat feet now.

 

[kalmatthew]

in lieu of asking ChatGPT, why don't you have a look at Youtube

The existing soles are more painted on rather than stitched in as the whole slipper is felt. I guess I could glue a rubber insole on the bottom

 

[bmd]

Welcome to my motherfucking wheelhouse, baby! Just generally extending the life of stuff, rather than a specialist slipper repair wheelhouse but still.

You can take them to a cobblers and they will stick a sole on them. This seems easiest but not cheapest.

Buy soles from wherever and glue them on yourself. This is more skilled but cheaper. Realistically, it's a piece of piss if you can handle a sharp knife without hurting yourself or others.

 

[kalmatthew]

Welcome to my motherfucking wheelhouse, baby! Just generally extending the life of stuff, rather than a specialist slipper repair wheelhouse but still.

You can take them to a cobblers and they will stick a sole on them. This seems easiest but not cheapest.

Buy soles from wherever and glue them on yourself. This is more skilled but cheaper. Realistically, it's a piece of piss if you can handle a sharp knife without hurting yourself or others.

Any glue recommendations?

 

[bmd]

Evo-Stick. Or any impact adhesive really.

 

[kalidarkone]

Right, I have flat feet and suffer when I've stood to long in shoes without arch support, I've tried many different pairs of slippers of the years and most of them caused me issues. I've finally found Birkenstock slippers that are amazingly comfortable and I can stand in all day..... However they are pricy and my winter pair ice worn for a cumulative 10 months over 2 years and the soles are failing. They are currently a painted rubber style over felt (picture attached) how does the (sub)Urban community suggest I extend the life of them? View attachment 367865

pinkmonkey

Is a shoe designer and may be able to offer some practical advice?

 

[A380]

...Buy soles from wherever ...

Light weight.

 

[pinkmonkey]

I think they’re dipped in the rubber coating, I can try find out what it is for you- you can just paint it on, or get a cobbler to put a sheet rubber outsole on for you. They’ll cut it to size

 

[pinkmonkey]

This https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plasti-Dip...ocphy=9046336&hvtargid=pla-450680843204&psc=1

 

[danski]

This https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plasti-Dip...ocphy=9046336&hvtargid=pla-450680843204&psc=1

That’s useful, knowing such a thing exists and is easily available. Ta

 

[furluxor]

I don't have any advice beyond what people have already said but I'm a fellow flat-footed person with a need for arch support and have been looking into Birks as well. Bit of a fancy option to knock around the house but some people report 10+ years and still going, so might be worth it. Do you know whether the comfortable Birks that you've found were regular or the soft-footbed kind?
Ed: nevermind my question, I realised that I was thinking wearing Birkenstock shoes as slippers and you were talking about their actual slippers, which probably don't come with different footbeds

 

[bmd]

Light weight.

View attachment 367966

View attachment 367967

That knife he's using is one of the best sheath knives I've ever had. £8 on Amazon and holds an edge like Bono.

 

[bmd]

pinkmonkey

Is a shoe designer and may be able to offer some practical advice?

I did not know this about you, pink monkey. I thought you were a graphic designer of website shiz.

Sooooo... you don't know of any miliners who make men's hats and/or repair vintage women's, do you? I realise that's the other end of the human from your area of expertise but still, you are the closest I've ever come to anyone who does this kind of thing.

 

[kalidarkone]

I did not know this about you, pink monkey. I thought you were a graphic designer of website shiz.

Sooooo... you don't know of any miliners who make men's hats and/or repair vintage women's, do you? I realise that's the other end of the human from your area of expertise but still, you are the closest I've ever come to anyone who does this kind of thing.

Maybe a thread would be better? and that way all the milner type people might appear, especially if you put it in Suburban /threads and dreads......wider coverage...

 

[pinkmonkey]

Maybe a thread would be better? and that way all the milner type people might appear, especially if you put it in Suburban /threads and dreads......wider coverage...

I did not know this about you, pink monkey. I thought you were a graphic designer of website shiz.

Sooooo... you don't know of any miliners who make men's hats and/or repair vintage women's, do you? I realise that's the other end of the human from your area of expertise but still, you are the closest I've ever come to anyone who does this kind of thing.

Millinery is one area I don’t think I have contacts in. They exist. You could try finding a uk supplier of millinery components and ask them for recommendations?

 

[kalmatthew]

I don't have any advice beyond what people have already said but I'm a fellow flat-footed person with a need for arch support and have been looking into Birks as well. Bit of a fancy option to knock around the house but some people report 10+ years and still going, so might be worth it. Do you know whether the comfortable Birks that you've found were regular or the soft-footbed kind?
Ed: nevermind my question, I realised that I was thinking wearing Birkenstock shoes as slippers and you were talking about their actual slippers, which probably don't come with different footbeds

The foot beds are replaceable but I think the only otoin is standard or fluffy.

I think they’re dipped in the rubber coating, I can try find out what it is for you- you can just paint it on, or get a cobbler to put a sheet rubber outsole on for you. They’ll cut it to size

Any advice on which route is best? I'm currently leaning towards getting thay stuff to paint the sides and repair the wholes then getting a cobbler to do the outsole. I'd do it myself but I suspect it won't be a massively expensive job and I'm sure they will do it more neatly than I can. Thanks for your help.