[ThomGault]

Multiple sources indicate that when shoes are resoled, they lose a bit of size because of the need to avoid previous holes when attaching the uppers. Is there an estimate of how much size is normally lost? I had a pair of shoes resoled, and they went from being a bit loose to being uncomfortably snug; if felt like losing an unreasonable amount of leather. If I'd known the size would shift so dramatically, i would've donated them instead of paying for resoling because I I no longer enjoy wearing them. Should I expect the resoling of all shoes to be similar, or is it possible that the resoler was just too aggressive?

 

[eagle2250]

Over a period of 50+ years I cannot tell you how many resolings I have had done on my shoes and boots. All have been resoled in the same size as the original size of the footwear in question. Occasionally loafer designs would feel a tad tighter after resoling, but from a practical perspective resoling didn't affect the sizing of the shoes/boots.

 

[mlenecare]

I have never had this problem personally. I have one pair of good year welted shoes I have resoled I think 4 times.

I also don't think this should be a concern for the reasons you have specified.
First the welt is connected to the upper and the outsole. The stitches that connect the welt to the outsole are what is removed. When the cobbler resoles they usually try to use the same holes on the welt. The new sole has no holes so there is no issue there.
to actually change the size of the shoe without contorting it you would have to remove the welt from the upper and the insole and then reattach the welt to a different position.

There could be fit issues if the cobbler doesn't attach the welt to the outsole in the same shape. This could make parts of the shoe fit improperly. If this did happen to any significant degree you would notice that the insole would be bent, twisted or warped.

I would resole away if I were you.

 

[Matt S]

I've had a number of pairs of shoes resoled, both Goodyear welted and Blake stitched and never experienced any noticeable change in size.

 

[ThomGault]

Thanks for everyone's replies. My resoling experience involved B. Nelson shoes, so I assumed that, based on his forum reputation, quality work was performed on my 'shrinking' shoes. I'm at a loss to explain the very different fit of my shoes after the work was completed.

 

[Matt S]

Thanks for everyone's replies. My resoling experience involved B. Nelson shoes, so I assumed that, based on his forum reputation, quality work was performed on my 'shrinking' shoes. I'm at a loss to explain the very different fit of my shoes after the work was completed.

That is odd, as I haven't had that problem with them. I would even welcome it since I lost a lost of weight in the past decade and shoes that were too tight when I bought them are now too large.

 

[MarcDavidMiller]

Like others here, I haven’t noticed resizing being an issue in perhaps 20 re-soleings over four decades (and I would probably welcome a slight tightening as I think the leather gets looser over the years).

This might be an issue for particular shoes or shoe brands, though.

 

[peterc]

On my 2000 era AE Sanford, re-soling was not an issue. On every other shoe I have ever had re-soled, sizing was indeed an issue and a BIG one. In addition, the shoes have never felt the same overall, especially when I get caught in the rain - all of my resoled shoes are dangerously slippery when the soles get wet, almost like an entirely different type of leather was used. I have several pairs of shoes that need re-soling and frankly, they are all just sitting here in my office until I can figure out what to do.

I am glad someone started this thread.

 

[eagle2250]

On my 2000 era AE Sanford, re-soling was not an issue. On every other shoe I have ever had re-soled, sizing was indeed an issue and a BIG one. In addition, the shoes have never felt the same overall, especially when I get caught in the rain - all of my resoled shoes are dangerously slippery when the soles get wet, almost like an entirely different type of leather was used. I have several pairs of shoes that need re-soling and frankly, they are all just sitting here in my office until I can figure out what to do.

I am glad someone started this thread.

Any leather soled shoe can prove a bit slippy when walking on a wet surface. Brand new soles are particularly prone to such slips. However, to reduce any such threat, you could lightly sand thew bottom of your resoled shoes or you could spend $20 and have a thin pair of Topys applied to your new soles. Just a thought!

 

[peterc]

Thank you, but it is the leather itself on the re soled shoes that feels entirely different when wet than the original soles felt like.

 

[Adelantado]

I did have one pair of McAllisters resoled at BNelson that came back a little tight...

 

[Matt S]

I would guess that the new cork footbed that is put in when resoled could make a pair of shoes feel slightly tighter, but with wear that will quickly break in.

 

[challer]

But you can asked they be tightened a bit. Agree, a new footbed will make the shoe feel small. I couple of miles will fix that.

 

[suitman19]

I have re-soled many pairs of Aldens and never had an issue with sizing..

However:
2 points come to mind.
1) Alden refurbishes with their OWN product, so you are getting the EXACT same soles that were on before. Keep in mind that as you wore the shoes for year(s)... they molded to your feet, and they may seem stiffer at first until you 'break' them in again.

2) I had a client with a Zelli shoe want to change from the ribbed rubber sole that was in it - to a dress sole (leather). Zelli ordered the soles from Italy and the shoes fit larger with the new leather soles than the replaced rubber ones. we had to use an insert to make them fit properly. That is why replacing with the EXACT same original that was used in the first place is important.