Option for Re-Soling Approach Shoes?

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JacerJack
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Option for Re-Soling Approach Shoes?

Post by JacerJack »

I have a pair of La Sportiva TX Guides that need a new sticky rubber sole... I've heard folks mention some local shoe repair places who have the capability of re-soling trail runners and approach shoes. There is one guy in Boulder who I have heard people recommend for this sort of thing several times in the past, but can't recall his name. For reference, I'm in the Evergreen/Golden area. Any leads would be appreciated. Hope everyone is have a fun and safe start to the season. See you out there!

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JacerJack
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Re: Option for Re-Soling Approach Shoes?

Post by JacerJack »

Thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for. Reached out to them and will definitely be using them.

I'm impressed with their capabilities -- Might even have them put an approach sole on an old pair of Hoka Speedgoats... Could that combination result in the perfect Class 3/4 14er shoe?? :-k
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Re: Option for Re-Soling Approach Shoes?

Post by justiner »

They make Hokas with Megagrip out of the box, which in theory is the same rubber used in your TX's,

https://www.rei.com/product/165470/hoka ... shoes-mens
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Re: Option for Re-Soling Approach Shoes?

Post by Brian C »

FYI - Their current projected turnaround time at R&R is 8 weeks.
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Re: Option for Re-Soling Approach Shoes?

Post by Monster5 »

R&R went downhill a few years ago and they're too busy in their location to care about quality or customer service. At least half of the approach shoes I've sent through them fell apart before the dot rubber wore down, and they refused to warranty for some excuse or another (e.g. "how do we know you didn't just leave your shoes in a sunny car?"). Most of the climbing shoes I send through them delaminate early and they always up-charge for a toe cap. One particular scrambling-based Boulder group sends dozens of approach shoes through R&R with some serious quality issues.

Recently, I've had good experience shipping to Yosemite Bums and so-so with Stone Mountain.

--
Bigger picture though, approach shoe dot rubber is both not necessary and more of a detriment on 14er scrambling with scree over hardscrabble. A sticky mega-grip type compound with actual lugs is much better. I could say the same about approach shoes in general, and mostly go with a sticky low-cushion trail runner nowadays (e.g. VJ Maxx or other LS trail runners). I'm a fan of the TX Guides (upsized ~1/2 size than usual), though LS in general had some rubber compound issues for a few years. They've claimed to have fixed that.
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Re: Option for Re-Soling Approach Shoes?

Post by justiner »

I haven't had a problem with R&R but I can see how it could be hit or miss and I've just missed out on the problems but also some shoes do resole better than others - my go to shoes came out in 1996 - the same year I started climbing, and I feel their design works better for resoling. The new LaSpo TX2s should be easier for cobblers to resole, so hopefully that equates to a more successful resole more times than not - no direct experience with them, tho but the marketing material seems like an improvement.
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Re: Option for Re-Soling Approach Shoes?

Post by Monster5 »

^I've specifically had 2 of 3 pairs of TX2 resoles fall apart. One of the major implosions might be attributed to Adidas pulling 5.10 resole rubber and R&R experimenting with new rubber. The shoes delaminated 360 degrees around both shoes after taking 6 months to turn around, and they refused to warranty. In the Minion races, it seems one or two people drop a stage every tour because of resoles failing.
I've given up with R&R shoe resoles and instead go buy discount or REI Used.

As far as climbing shoe resoles, I have a feeling most climbers can't tell the difference between a good resole and a bad one. The toe should wear down evenly, not delaminate. Even a couple mm of delamination will wear down the toe cap and rubber prematurely. It's also a simple thing to prevent; pure workmanship laziness in brushing the glue on. Either way, I'm comfortable with a 50/50 bad/good result on this, but R&R is more of a 90/10 split the past 5 years.
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Re: Option for Re-Soling Approach Shoes?

Post by curt86iroc »

greg doesn't do approach shoes, but i've switched all of my climbing shoe resoles to him several years ago. great resoles and drop off bins at all of the area gyms. no better option!

https://www.type2repairs.com/
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Re: Option for Re-Soling Approach Shoes?

Post by JacerJack »

Monster5 wrote: Thu Jun 02, 2022 2:18 pm I'm a fan of the TX Guides (upsized ~1/2 size than usual), though LS in general had some rubber compound issues for a few years. They've claimed to have fixed that.
This is what prompted my initial question... I have a pair of TX Guides that I love, but as you've pointed out, they have the infamous rubber compound issues and the sticky rubber on the toe has completely ripped off on both shoes. It almost seems like there is a glue issue there too.

I was (mostly) joking about the Hokas. I climbed the Grand Teton last summer and saw several people (including guides) with Hoka Speedgoats retrofitted with dot rubber soles, as they supposedly climb class 4 and 5.easy better with that sole. Kind of a cool idea, but I'll sticky to my TX Guides for that kind of stuff :)
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Re: Option for Re-Soling Approach Shoes?

Post by supranihilest »

Monster5 wrote: Thu Jun 02, 2022 2:18 pmLS in general had some rubber compound issues for a few years. They've claimed to have fixed that.
Slightly off-topic, but I'm curious if you know more about this. I go through multiple pairs of LS trail runners a year, mostly Bushido II, and for a while the front lugs would shear off after 20-40 miles, sometimes as early as the very first use. Sticky still, but the durability was crap. I RMAed a few pair and eventually just accepted it as me being real hard on them. I don't think that's happened recently though. Was the problem you mention only applicable to their dot/climbing rubber, or all rubber they used? It'd sure explain a lot...
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Re: Option for Re-Soling Approach Shoes?

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