Frequently Asked Questions

Repair Services

  • Yes, we currently only repair climbing shoes. Hopefully, in the future, we can expand to include hiking and approach shoes!

  • Yes! We can resole any make and model of climbing shoes, so long as they are still in repairable condition.

    Brands such as: La Sportiva, Scarpa, Unparallel, Tenaya, Evolv, Butora, Adidas Five Ten (5.10), Ocún, So iLL, Mad Rock, Black Diamond, Red Chili, Boreal, EB, Saltic, and more.

    We are also a Scarpa Authorized Resole Center, La Sportiva Authorized Resoler, and Unparallel Official Resoler.

  • We do not resole singular shoes, except for adaptive climbers.

  • If you can see your toes, it's probably a no-go!

    Typically, the threshold for resoling is when the material under the rubber is exposed but largely undamaged. Once there is a hole going all the way through the shoe with material missing, it's unlikely that we can repair them.

    If you want to be sure, send us an email with a couple of photos and we’ll let you know!

  • We repair your shoes based on their level of wear. There are two main levels of repair we perform:

    • ½  Sole Resole

    • ½ Sole Resole with Rand Replacement

    We may also perform additional repairs to the internal seams and midsoles free of charge if the repair process requires it. IIf there is any peeling (delaminating) rubber outside of the repaired areas, we will also re-adhere these areas at no additional charge.

    If there is a significant additional repair required to complete the resole process, we will reach out with a quote prior to finishing the repair.

  • The rand is the rubber that wraps around and under the toes of your shoes. During manufacturing, this rubber is applied to the shoes before the soles. The soles are pressed on last and overlap the rands around the edges typically by about 1cm on all sides.

  • Most of the shoes we receive will require a ½ Sole and Rand Replacement, but anytime we can resole a pair of shoes with a ½ Sole only, we will.

    We only replace rands when the resole process deems it necessary.

    If you would like to know what type of repair will be required ahead of time, you can request a quote via email if you include a couple of photos of your shoes.

  • ½ Sole Resole is $75 and Rand Replacement is an additional $35 per pair, for most models.

    For a full price list please see our ½ Sole Resole is $75, and Rand Replacement is an additional $35 per pair for most models.

    For a full price list, please see our Services & Rates page.

    If you are still unsure of the cost, you can request a quote via email if you include a couple of photos of your shoes.

  • Our shop turnaround typically ranges from 2–4 weeks but can vary depending on how you are getting your shoes to us.

    Drop Boxes are the easiest way to get your shoes to us. However, because each collection of shoes is treated as one batch that is returned all together, shoes are not returned or invoiced until all the shoes in that batch have been repaired. This can add a bit of extra time to the turnaround.

    Shop drop-off and pick-up will always be the fastest way to get your shoes repaired, as we can invoice and notify you that your shoes have been repaired as soon as they are completed.

    Directly mailing us your shoes is also another great way to speed up the process. Just like dropping off at our shop, you’ll be notified as soon as your shoes are ready.

    Climb On Express is convenient way to get your shoes to us quickly without the hassle of shipping them yourself! Climb On Squamish ships the collected shoes to us 3x per week and, unlike our regular Drop Boxes, once the shoes are repaired, we ship them back right away instead of keeping each batch of shoes together.

    For more information on getting your shoes to us, check out our How It Works page.

  • Yes, absolutely.

    We carry a selection of La Sportiva Official No Edge parts along with 2.5 mm Vibram XS Grip 2. If we don’t have the specific part available in your size, we will custom-make the No Edge part at no additional cost.

  • You’ll receive a notification from us letting you know we cannot repair them and why they are beyond repair.

  • The short answer is no.

    There is a lot of variety when it comes to how the heels of climbing shoes are constructed and, for the most part, we cannot make structural adjustments to the heels of shoes. 

    We can, however, decrease the size of shoes by a ½ size EU. So if the heel is too loose because the shoe is too big, this may be a helpful option. The overall size and shape of the heel specifically will not be changed, but the overall size of the shoe will become smaller.

  • We love doing custom work!

    We can do No Edge conversions, custom toe-hook patches, heel rubber replacement, and more. That being said, if you want something custom, we ask that you reach out to us before sending in your shoes, as not all projects can be accommodated depending on the shoe model and level of wear.

  • If your shoes are new, it may be worth seeing if they are still covered under a manufacturer warranty.

    If not, the best solution is to use a solvent-based contact adhesive. The most readily available option is Barge’s All-Purpose Cement.

    When applying the adhesive, ensure the material is clean and keep the layer as thin as possible. Be sure to apply significant pressure when adhering the surfaces.

    While this may be an ongoing maintenance process, using a product like Barge’s will not damage the shoes, unlike other options such as Shoe Goo or AquaSeal.

  • Unfortunately, we can only receive and ship shoes from within Canada. 

    If you are able to drop off and pick up your shoes at either our shop or one of our Drop Boxes, we can definitely resole your shoes. Otherwise, we unfortunately won’t be able to accommodate the repair.

Want to see some examples of our work? Check out our gallery to get a better idea of what your shoes will look like post-resole.

Gallery
Gallery

Rubber

  • “Match to Original” means that for your resole, we will either use the same rubber that the soles of your shoes were originally manufactured with, or the closest matching rubber we carry in terms of performance and characteristics.

  • We carry a variety of Vibram, Unparallel, and Davos rubber, along with a selection of La Sportiva Official Spare Parts, including Theory, Mandala, Mantra, and Futura.

    Scroll to the bottom of our Services & Rates page for a full description and tech specs for each rubber option we carry.

  • Shore A is a scale used to measure the hardness of rubber. Lower numbers indicate softer rubber, while higher numbers indicate harder rubber.

    Hardness is only one factor that affects how a rubber performs. Abrasion resistance, elongation, tensile strength, rubber formulation, and even how the rubber is prepared and used all play a role. Softer rubber can offer more sensitivity and friction, while harder rubber can provide more support, edging, and durability, but there are plenty of exceptions.

    In other words, Shore A is useful for comparing rubbers, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. There’s no single “best” rubber. The right choice depends on what you climb, how you climb, and what you want from your shoes.

  • If you liked how your shoes performed in the past, then “Match to Original” would be our top suggestion and is what the majority of people choose for their resole.

    If you want to try something new, we suggest picking a rubber that either suits the style of climbing you will be using your shoes for or suits the model of shoes you want resoled.

    For example:

    TC Pro and similar – we suggest sticking with a medium to hard rubber (RH or stiffer).

    Instinct VS Mens – the original rubber is Vibram XS Edge, but if you choose Vibram XS Grip 2, then you will essentially have an Instinct VS Womens, VSR, or VSR LV.

    Solution or Solution Comp – if you want to try a softer/stickier rubber than the original Vibram XS Grip 2, then Davos Super Stick or Unparallel RS are great options for extra performance on smearing, volumes, and Dual-Tex.

    For more information on all our rubbers, scroll to the bottom of our Services & Rates page for a full description and tech specs for each rubber option we carry.

  • We carry a selection of La Sportiva Official No Edge parts along with 2.5 mm Vibram XS Grip 2. If we don’t have the specific part available in your size, we will custom-make the No Edge part at no additional cost.

    Due to the thinner Vibram XS Grip 2 used on all No Edge and Theory shoes, and the other rubber types we carry being 3.5–4.2 mm thick, we are not able to custom-make parts for these shoes using different rubber options. The additional thickness does not allow enough pliability in the rubber to perform the No Edge “wrap” around the shoes.

  • Typically, softer rubbers are preferred as they have better performance for smearing, standing on low-angle volumes, and Dual-Tex holds.

    Examples include: Vibram XS Grip 2, Vibram XS Grip, Unparallel RH and RS, Davos Super Stick.

  • It depends!

    If you are doing trad, crack climbing, or long multipitch routes where durability and support are important, then Vibram XS Edge is the gold standard. If you are looking for something even more durable and are climbing these routes in the summer on hot granite, then Davos Stick Evolution Hard has proven to be a great option.

    For bouldering, especially when it's cooler, a softer rubber is typically preferable. Unparallel RH and Vibram XS Grip 2 are the general go-tos. Super-soft options such as Unparallel RS and Davos Super Stick are excellent choices for maximizing friction while smearing. That said, many Squamish tech wizards swear by Vibram XS Edge for standing on small crystals.

    If this answer has caused more confusion than enlightenment, feel free to reach out by email for your Free Custom Rubber Consultation.

  • If durability is the most important, Davos Stick Evolution Hard would be the top choice.

  • Officially, no. Technically, yes.

    We do have a small amount of Eco rubber in stock, similar to that found on the La Sportiva Mythos Eco. However, we are still testing the performance of this option before officially adding it to our roster of rubbers.

    If you are interested in having this rubber used for your resole, email us! We can likely make that happen.

Want to know more about the rubber types we carry? Check our Services and Rates page for a description of each option.

Services & Rates
Services & Rates

Drop Boxes

  • We always return shoes to the same Drop Box location that we received them from unless specifically requested otherwise.

    If you would like your shoes returned to a different location, please include a note in the comments section of your Resole Order Form letting us know.

    Returning shoes to a different Drop Box location is free of charge but will likely add a bit of extra turnaround time to your order.

    We can also ship your shoes directly back to you. The cost of shipping will be added to your resole invoice.

  • Nope!

    There are no additional charges for using our regular Drop Boxes, just the cost of the repairs.

    The only exception is our Climb On Express service, which has an additional fee paid at the time of drop-off.

  • Not at all!

    All our Drop Boxes are open to the public, and anyone can drop off and pick up their climbing shoes at any location. No membership, punch pass, or drop-in admission required.

  • We only send out notifications once we receive your shoes at our shop and have processed them into our queue for resoling.

    If you have dropped off your shoes at one of our Drop Box locations and have not yet heard from us, it is likely that we have not collected them yet. Once we have either picked them up in person or they have been shipped and we have received them in our shop, we’ll let you know by text and email.

    If we have collected your shoes in person (typically all Metro Vancouver, Squamish, and Victoria locations), we should have them in our shop within 1–2 days. If we are shipping your shoes to us (rest of Vancouver Island, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba), it can take approximately 3–5 business days for us to receive them.

    Please check out our full Drop Box Pick Up Calendar here or on our How It Works page.

  • All invoices can be paid online via the link on your email invoice or by e-transfer to info@westcoastresoles.com.

    Shoes being picked up at our shop can also be paid in person. We accept cash, credit, and debit cards.

    Please note that Climb On Express service users can only pay online via the link on their email invoice. Please do not pay by e-transfer, as this may cause a delay in receiving your shoes.

  • If your shoes were received via one of our Drop Boxes, then we aim to ship either on or before the deadline listed on the invoice. Shipping times are typically 3–5 business days, depending on location. If we are delivering in person to one of our Metro Vancouver, Squamish, or Victoria Drop Box locations, we aim to have your shoes delivered on the deadline listed on the invoice. You will receive a notification once your shoes have been delivered and are available for pick-up at the front desk.

    If we are mailing you your shoes directly, your shoes will be shipped within 1–2 business days of invoice payment. Once shipped, you will receive tracking information for your order.

    If you are picking up in shop, come by anytime during regular business hours!

  • If you would like your shoes returned to a different location, please include a note in the comments section of your Resole Order Form letting us know.

    Returning shoes to a different Drop Box location is free of charge but will likely add a bit of extra turnaround time to your order.

  • If you would like your shoes mailed back to you, please include a note in the comments section of your Resole Order Form letting us know.

    The cost of shipping will be added to your resole invoice.

  • If you are unable to pay for your resole by the deadline listed on the invoice but are hoping to have your shoes included in the shipment, email us! We understand that sometimes things need to wait until payday. If you know you’ll be able to pay within a reasonable amount of time, we’d rather ship your shoes with everyone else than hold them at our shop.

  • We keep your shoes and you get put on the bad list.

    In all reality, we understand that situations arise, and if you are unable to pay your invoice within a reasonable time, or not at all, please contact us.

Want more info on our Drop Boxes and other ways to get your shoes to us? Check out our How it Works page for more details.

How it Works
How it Works