Hello fellow ozbargainers,
I hope you're all doing well. I have a question regarding the longevity of RM Williams rubber soles and preserving them. I know that it's possible to put a protective overlay on top of the leather soles, but I'm curious if the same method works for the rubber soles too.
If any of you have experience with maintaining the durability of RM Williams rubber soles, I would greatly appreciate your insights and tips. Thank you in advance for your help!
You're better off saving your money and putting it towards the eventual resole.
Haha, this is a bit over the top
Anything you do will just rub off in the first wear. They're a part of the shoe built to take abuse and wear.
They should last 5-6 years before you need to resole
Don’t wear them.
Buy the leather soled styles
Wear 2 pairs of them is the obvious answer
The Comfort Craftsman soles last forever. The Dynamic flex, especially new models, last a very long time.
You'll likey replace the heel first, depending on how you walk. That's not expensive.
The sole on mine is alread becoming thin in the heel after under 10 wears
10 wears… You might want to get yourself booked in for a leg alignment :)
You need new heel rubber. Not a new sole. The heel rubber replacement is the most frequent maintenance. Costs $50ish depending where you get it done. I get mine done about twice per year.
Thanks yes that's what I need, rm does them for 55
You can get a new heel block at any cobbler. Cost me $50 a few years ago.
Asking how to preserve soles is like asking how to preserve tyres when the only answer is don't drive.
I had mine resoled and it was $80. You just want to do it before wear gets into the structure of the shoe
Where did you get it resolved?
You want to try to either go to the factory/send them or an authorised cobbler.
Whereabouts are you?
Rm can do them but they said it would take months. And told me to go to an independent place. They did it a few days. Seem to have the rm branded stuff.
@thatonethere: There are a few around.
For those in Adelaide, the old cobbler on Grenfell St is an authorised repairer.
Sydney
Work as a project manager.
Don't wear them
When I used to pay $75 for RM Santa Fe boots back in the late 70s I had no problem getting new soles and heel repairs. That would be the go, no protective stuff on the bottom. Maybe some dubbin on the uppers if they are not suede.
I wouldn't be putting an overlay or similar over rubber soles. Mine have lasted for a few years with reasonably constant wearing.
When they do wear, just re-sole them.