Google can’t seem to find me a cobbler in the Delta Junction or Fairbanks area, any ideas?
Bought a pair of Danners the other day as they were on sale. Got home and became sentimental to my old red wings. They have been soaked in moose blood, my blood, swamp and tree sap. The only thing wrong with them is I’ve burned all the tread off them.

You can send some back to redwing for new soles and refurbishment .

Red Wing Shoes' sturdy soles, premium leathers, triple-stitching and welt construction all work together to make boots that last a lifetime. It takes more than 230 steps to handcraft a pair of Red Wing boots; it only takes a few steps to keep them in top condition. One of these steps is resoling and repairing your Red Wings before the damage becomes irreversible. Red Wing Shoe Company operates our very own repair shop at our Red Wing, Minnesota, manufacturing facility.

THE PREMIUM REPAIR PACKAGE:
$125.00 (Actual Value: $150.00)

Resole/Heel
Repair hooks/eyelets
Repair minor stitching
Replacement laces
Recondition the leather
Receive a full-size container of the appropriate leather conditioner
A LA CARTE OPTIONS:

Resole (Including new heels, if applicable) – $100.00
Replace heels only – $50.00
Add or change hooks/eyelets – $25.00
Dye boots/shoes (black dye only) – $60.00
Repair stitching – $25.00
Replace gussets – $75.00
Add zippers (only applicable for certain styles) – $60.00
Apply Tuff Toe – $40.00
Repair heel counter pocket lining – $60.00
TO HAVE YOUR RED WING BOOTS REPAIRED BY THE RED WING REPAI

Boot Country in anchorage

Huh, didn’t know redwing would do all that. Maybe I’ll check out shipping cost and send em in. Also haven’t seen Anchorage yet either. Thanks guys I’ll weigh the cost.

I don't think there has been a cobbler in Fairbanks for years after the one on Old Steese retired. I have some dress shoes that need to be resoled and may just send them outside instead. It is one of those rare art forms that is going away in Alaska.

-TJ

Topjimmy you are too right...many other trades disappearing all over the country too. I notice if a town has a starbucks it lacks many other things. The more starbucks that began to show up in my little home town the worse it got. I worked 6 years at an old hardware. We had everything, no joke. The owner even had old stock at his house. 4years after I left the owner sold. It’s a true value now and all they sell is yard furniture. We had aircraft fasteners for hardwares sake!!

Most shoes and boots are made, in China, with synthetics and glue these days.
They are, for the most part, disposable.
The result- less repairs- repair shops go outa business.
I heard this from the guy in Fairbanks when he retired and his shop closed.

Shoe cobblers went out of business here in Wausau WI, also becuase of China making boots, plus most people are cheap and dont want to pay for really good manufactured boots.

Who wants to buy nut and bolts and metal re rod, etc. when you can spend that money on a 5 dollar Starbucks at least twice a day............24/7!!!!!

There is likely one near Ft Wainwright. Soldiers use up boots and often get them resoled. I would ask around at any surplus shops, they might have a note board.