Extended mileage from boots

[Biggles]

If your bike  (or any other) boots have done over 120 thou like mine, they might be needing some TLC.
Before you resort to a bootmaker (if you can find a decent one), you could buy a tube of Sole Grip.  It used to be called Spred Sole, but is the same formulation.  Ostensibly it is to make your shoes grip the ground better, but it's also a tough filler of worn heels, toes and soles.  An application might only last a few months, but the tube will do dozens of applications.  Around $14 at Bunnings.  Selleys recommend you prepare the surface with acetone.  That used to be $10 for a litre but the last bottle I got was a fair bit more than that.  You might check other suppliers besides Bunnings for that.

[Brian]

I'm thinking I may need to decommission mine after 10yrs of service

[Williamson]

Nice find ......

..... a bootmaker (if you can find a decent one) ....

I found a good boot repairer to sole and heal my Thomas Cook Rebel boots.  At $120.00 walk-in / walk-out (literally), it wasn't cheep (just under half the cost of a new pair), but I reckon I'll get at least another 15 years out of them.  Not sure that'll I'll be needing them at 78, but I'm hoping.

[Brock]

My last pair had the soles refilled a couple of times, but then the uppers cracked and let the water in.

[Sicman]

Hey Biggles - I know it might be a bit hard for you old fellows from the flintstones days to break a habit, but why dont you use the brakes instead of just putting your feet down 

[Biggles]

Hey Biggles - I know it might be a bit hard for you old fellows from the flintstones days to break a habit, but why dont you use the brakes instead of just putting your feet down 

What are these breikes of which you speak?

[ST.George]

G'day Biggles,
Will Solegrip also do a better job than contact adhesive and repair a heel that has separated like this one?

[Biggles]

I'd give it a go.  Contact isn't actually very strong on relatively small areas like that.  This stuff will go in, you open and shut it a few times to build the tack and spread then clamp it for 24 hours and I'd reckon it'll hold much longer than Contact.  You'll need to clean out any residual Contact, dirt, etc to get the absolute cleanest surfaces.