Pro tip: Check your work boot soles for delamination before it rains

I was swapping laces on my Red Wings last night and noticed the rubber sole was peeling away from the leather near the toe on both boots. Turns out a 2019 study from a footwear repair shop in Portland found that 1 in 3 boots over 3 years old has hidden delamination that gets worse once water seeps in. I almost wore them to work today in the rain and would have had soaked feet for a 10 hour shift. Has anyone else caught this early before it ruined a pair of boots?

2 comments

2 Comments

phoenix_singh4d ago

That "1 in 3 stat is wild" bit made me laugh, but I actually see it differently. I think most guys just don't look close enough or wait too long. The thing is, delamination usually starts tiny along the edge where the sole meets the leather, and if you're not bending the boot and checking with a flashlight you'll miss it until it's too late. I've had boots where the sole looked fine standing still but popped open as soon as I crouched down. So that stat doesn't surprise me at all, honestly. A lot of people don't realize how much moisture and salt from sweat can eat away at the glue line over time, even indoors. Better to catch it early than end up with a soaking wet sock halfway through your shift lol.

williams904d ago

That 1 in 3 stat is wild, I always figured you'd notice sole separation way before it got bad. Definitely making me check my boots this weekend.