Maintenance and Resoling: How to Extend the Life Cycle of your La Sportiva Product

When you buy a La Sportiva product, it is in your interest to make it last as long as possible and keep its technical characteristics intact. Below are a few simple rules and some practical advice that will help extend the life cycle of your footwear by avoiding premature deterioration and phenomena such as bad odor, mold, and fungal infections.

Breaking in Mountain Boots
As we know, adapting structured footwear such as Mountain Boots to your feet requires a period of use that is neither short nor gradual. At this stage, it is important not to try to soften them by leaving them near heat or by following other home remedies. In fact, the Mountain Boot will take the shape of your foot only as it is used, which in order to avoid premature degradation of the sole, must be carried out on suitable terrain.

Constant and prolonged use of the product will in any case lead to a level of deterioration such as to compromise its performance and safety. At this point, it is advisable to resole the product through the use of the original sole package, which will allow you to avoid having to break in the boot again but to still take advantage of characteristics very close to a new product. Resoling also allows you to save money and to be the spokesperson for an ethical and environmentally responsible choice.


How to look after Mountain Boots
We have seen how one can extend the life cycle La Sportiva Mountain Boots and advise against resorting to home remedies to change or soften their shape. Additionally, use your boots on suitable terrain, avoiding particularly abrasive surfaces such as asphalt, and resort to resoling once the edges and soles are compromised.  But there is more... Although the use of Mountain Boots is not daily, avoid storing them in damp and wet rooms for long periods of time, as well as in particularly hot environments. Exposure to direct sunlight should also be avoided.  

Other good habits include proper cleaning at the end of each session and the maintenance of the boots' waterproof properties by using specific products.


How to clean and dry Mountain Boots
At the end of a long excursion, it is possible that our boots come out more worn than us!  Mud and debris not adequately removed can cause early degradation of the materials over time, as well as favoring the formation of mold and bad smells.

To clean your boots, just use a brush and warm water, and if necessary, a small amount of neutral soap to remove the most persistent dirt.  It is important to avoid the use of aggressive detergents, as well as to set aside the idea of saving time by putting the product in the washing machine, which could compromise not only the materials but also the structure, making any repair impossible.

For drying, never use external heat sources such as a hairdryer with excessively hot air and avoid exposure to direct sunlight.

How to make Mountain Boots waterproof
As soon as they are purchased, the boots do not require any additional treatment since the water repellent substances originally used on the construction materials guarantee a certain period of efficiency.

Over time, however, treating your boots with specific products will ensure that the footwear continues to be performing, flexible and resistant, preventing the leather from drying out, and consequently being damaged. The waterproofing process may vary depending on the product chosen for the treatment: the important thing is to check that it is suitable for the material the boot is made of (leather, fabric, nubuck, suede, etc.).

When should I resole my Mountain Boots?
The most appropriate time to request a resole is when a minimum thickness of the toe soles is still present and the rubber edging of the upper protection is not damaged. The decision regarding the need to replace more components must remain at the discretion of the professional, as some problems not visible at a first evaluation could emerge during processing (e.g. edges with already marked or very worn aging of the rubber that can break during the removal of the soles and consequently must be replaced).
Find out more about the La Sportiva Authorized Resolers network: La Sportiva Authorized Resolers

How many times can I resole my Mountain Boots?
The first time you resole your boots will see an appreciable result and thus, extend the life cycle of your favourite product while maintaining comfort and performance. However, resoling remains a fairly invasive operation and any subsequent requests must be carefully considered, especially taking into account the general conditions of the upper, inner lining, and the Gore-Tex membrane (which is not possible to interfere with). If a product is overly worn, it is advisable to invest in a new pair.

Can Approach Shoes be resoled?
Thanks to our Resole Platform technology, it is possible to resole your Approach Shoes. In fact, this is something that we at La Sportiva invite you to do whenever possible.

Giving new life to your products means enhancing them in terms of performance and adaptability to the foot, respecting the environment and behaving in an eco-friendly manner. It is essential that we each play our small part in reducing waste and discouraging the use of new consumption: these are actions that help reduce our impact on the world, improving the quality of life for our community and for the entire planet.

How to extend the life cycle of Climbing Shoes
The climbing shoe is an extremely technical product, in which the type of construction and choice of materials can sometimes accelerate the wear process compared to other more structured products. This does not mean that there are not some good habits you can take to extend their life cycle, such as proper maintenance and attention in washing and resoling. But even before that, it is essential to choose a product suitable for your climbing style and usual terrain. Considering these factors will not only make your experience more pleasant and lasting, but you will also be investing in a product that is truly designed to best meet your needs.

 
How to store Climbing Shoes
Especially at the beginning, Climbing Shoes can be both a pain and a delight for the user. To help make the first few outings less uncomfortable, you can wear them for short periods of time at home, but it is important not to force or try to accelerate the inevitable breaking-in process with alternative methods, as it could damage the original structure of the product.

After a few uses, it is likely that the shoe will be dampened by sweat from being in direct contact with the skin. Therefore, it is recommended to let your shoes dry before storing them to avoid the formation of mold or unpleasant odors. Allow them to ventilate naturally without using a hairdryer, other heat conductors, or direct sunlight. Another good practice is to perform a quick clean to rid the shoe of chalk or rock debris at the end of each use.

 


How to clean and dry Climbing Shoes
As with mountain boots, climbing shoes, which are primarily made of leather, can receive a delicate hand wash. However, since they tend to be used for shorter periods and do not come into direct contact with mud and debris, the need for a thorough cleaning is less present.

It is recommended to use a damp cloth to remove any chalk, and in the case of more persistent dirt, wash them with warm water and a small amount of neutral soap. Avoid the use of a washing machine or prolonged soaking, which could irreparably damage the materials and structure. For drying, it is best not to use artificial heat sources or direct exposure to sunlight.

 
Can I resole my Climbing Shoes?
It is possible to resole your climbing shoes, but since it’s an extremely technical product that requires an equally specific intervention, it is important to contact an authorized provider. These providers receive specific training and have access to original spare parts.

The most appropriate time to request a resole is when a minimum thickness of the toe soles is still present and the protective rubber edging and upper are not excessively damaged. In the case of holes in the toe, it will be necessary to rebuild the rubber edge by applying additional protection before assembling new soles, which could compromise the level of performance.




Compound, durability and performance: What you need to know
The choice of the compound always remains linked to the type of product, and it is not taken for granted that this originally assembled compound can be equally valid for resoling. A used shoe cannot maintain the same structure as a new product, therefore the choice of the original spare part used and supplied to the network of authorized La Sportiva resolers also takes this fact into account.

The duration of a sole is closely linked to the user. A soft and performing compound used by an experienced climber will most likely last longer than a more resistant compound used by a beginner. This is related to the experience of moving and positioning the feet while climbing.

In addition to the technique of the user, the type of terrain can be a factor as well. Indoor walls for example are very abrasive, and also rock types vary from each other and can give rise to different wear levels.

With the average frequency of use being 2-3 times a week plus taking into account the fact that the thickness of a climbing sole rarely exceeds 4 mm., one may require a resole after only a couple of months of consistent use. Deterioration due to sweating should not be underestimated, which in the case of climbing products can greatly affect the duration of the uppers and seams.

How many times can I resole my Climbing Shoes?
The first time you resole your shoes you will see an exceptional result and thus, extend the life cycle of your favourite product while maintaining comfort and performance.
A second resole could be acceptable for a less demanding use or for training, as the product can no longer guarantee wholly satisfactory characteristics linked to support, performance and precision. If a product is excessively worn, it is therefore advisable to invest in a new pair.

How to avoid wear and tear of Mountain Running® shoes:
Unlike other categories, the products of the Mountain Running® line have very specific obsolescence and cannot be resoled, as their purpose is to ensure maximum performance, grip, and lightness. As with traditional road running shoes, these prerogatives require the use of increasingly innovative construction materials that can hardly guarantee the duration of more than 350-400 miles.  

How to care for Mountain Running® shoes
Among the main causes of premature wear of Mountain Running® shoes is running on asphalt for long stretches. Since asphalt is a very abrasive surface, the deterioration of the tread and the caps that characterize a Mountain Running® Shoe could in fact occur earlier than expected and therefore limit the life of the footwear.

Additionally, the materials of the sole package risk losing their cushioning and support if used for multi-day walks with medium to heavy loads.

Ultimately the upper, which although structured, points to the use of light and breathable materials and which could be irreparably damaged if used to tackle very challenging and exposed routes such as via ferratas and technical approaches.

As recommended for the other categories, proper cleaning, storage, and ventilation away from direct heat sources will help to avoid the premature deterioration of your product.
 

How to clean and dry Mountain Running® Shoes
Given the more dynamic use of the product, you may feel the need to resort to more frequent and decisive washing. Although removing mud and debris after each use remains a good practice, it is best to avoid washing machines, long soaking in hot water and the use of particularly aggressive tools or detergents. A quick hand wash with warm water and a little neutral soap will be enough to ensure a sufficient level of cleanliness and hygiene.

As for drying, choose an airy environment away from a heat source or direct exposure to the sun.
 

Can I resole my Mountain Running® shoes?
Unfortunately, resoling these products is not advisable as wear is often linked to the entire sole package and not just the tread.