Altering the heels on the shoes??

Have you ever had it done - shortened, or took off the original heel of the shoe and replaced it with different one? Times two, left and right

I have two pairs of shoes that will never be worn with the heels as they are at the moment. Both are stacked heels, but one pair of shoes has thin heels which I no longer feel comfortable walking in; the other pair has too high heel.

What I thought is this:

Pair 1 (1 inch thin stacked heel)
Replace the heels with the wider one, leave the height as it is (or lower, depending on the replacement available). The overall design wouldn't suffer I think.

Pair 2 (2 inch stacked heel)
I want to shorten the heel by 1 inch. As these are the gladiator-style sandals, the sole would simply be lowered without messing up the actual upper part.

I hope this makes some sense. Sorry, no photos - both pairs are in the boxes following the move and haven't resurfaced as I knew I couldn't wear them until they are somehow sorted and I have very little storage space available. But, since I'm traveling back home soon, where I have a great cobbler, I was wondering if it makes sense to even ask him this question.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I remember reading about a couple YLFers who have altered heels on shoes. CocoLion maybe?

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Sorry it wasn't me. But I remember this as well. And I think Angie wrote about this before?

Here you go:

http://youlookfab.com/2009/10/.....xperiment/

Queen Mum

I had a pair of heels shortened, but only by I think 3/8 inch. You can't take too much off without compromising the shape of the shoe. Even with the little bit I had mine shortened, I notice a tiny difference in the way the top lays.. but not enough to care.
A good cobbler will know how much he can safely take off. Ask around and read reviews (do you have Yelp?) before taking them in.

I did a while back. I liked the outcome in the beginning but after a while I realized the shoe was rather weird to walk with. It felt as if I was walking on my heels. The "incline" shifted to the back of the shoe, if that makes sense.

Ornella

Thanks ladies.

Zap, what you say makes perfect sense - but I'm willing to take the risk as at the moment I have no use of the sandals whose heels I want to shorten.

Denise, off to check the link - thanks.

jayne

I have shortened about 5 pairs now. The guy I use checks the balance and has never let me shorten more than about 3/4 inch. One pair I had went from pushing me to lean forward when I walked, to being able to walk upright. It makes a big difference. It is worth it for me. I even eye new shoes for shortening potential...if the toe tilts upwards more than a little as purchased, it is a no. But if the toe is completely flat, try balancing it on the table top with the heel off the table. Tilt the shoes as if you were removing height from the heel and the toe will tilt upwards. It can only be tilted so far before the balance is out of wack and you reach maximum amt you can remove. When you take them in, expect the person changing the shoes to do this with you so you agree.

Excellent Jayne, thanks.

Echo

It is likely that no good cobbler will shorten a heel by an inch, as it throws the entire shoe off, rendering it all but unwearable. Regardless of how much is taken off, the toe will tilt upward slightly. This is more problematic with some shoes than with others. Additionally, unless the heel is cut at a slant, it will no longer hit the ground flat, either, potentially making walking more dangerous. Specifically ask if they can shorten the heel so that the heel itself with sit flat with the ground when you are standing still, otherwise you will be replacing heel taps CONSTANTLY.

Overall, it isn't a good practice, but if you cannot wear the shoes or they aren't worth much in consignment, then you have nothing to lose, either. But it is very possible that you will end up with shoes that aren't shortened enough to be comfortable, with new issues that make them just as bad as the height.

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