VIBRAM SOLES
A sampling of some of the Vibram soles we commonly use at High St. Shoe Repair. When possible, we try to match the original sole, but some customization is often possible depending on the material, tread pattern, heel height, sole shape, and the type of repair being done.
WHY WE USE VIBRAM
Vibram is one of the best-known names in replacement outsoles. They make many different sole styles, from heavy lug mountain soles to lighter-weight cushioned soles and smoother dress-casual profiles.
Choosing the right sole usually comes down to traction, durability, cushioning, heel height, and the overall look the customer wants. Below is a sampling of the soles we commonly use.
POPULAR SOLE TYPES BY USE
HEAVY WORK BOOTS
For hard use and long wear, customers often prefer soles like the Vibram 132, 148, 1275, or 1276. These are practical choices when durability matters most.
HIKING & OUTDOOR BOOTS
Outdoor boots often need deeper tread and dependable grip. The 132, 148, 1136, 1276, and 1705 are all soles we commonly use when traction is important.
DRESS / CASUAL SHOES
When customers want a cleaner look and a lower-profile sole, smoother styles like the 1716, 1752, 2060, and sometimes the 430 can be very good options.
CUSHIONED COMFORT
If comfort is the main goal, lighter and more cushioned soles like the 1705, 2060, and 4014 are often strong choices depending on the shoe and the look the customer wants.
SLIP RESISTANCE / BETTER GRIP
Customers who want better traction often do well with soles like the 1030, 1328, 1705, or 127. These can help when worn original soles have become too slick.
BRAND-SPECIFIC MATCHES
Some soles show up often on certain brands. For example, the 148 is common on some work boots, the 1030 works well on many SAS and Drew repairs, and the 1375 is often a good choice for some Asolo and Lowa styles.
Vibram 127
“Athletic”
A dense rubber sole that is fairly thin but very durable. The material itself is grippy, and the lug pattern adds even more traction.
Vibram 132
“Montagna”
An extremely durable, long-wearing sole. On the other hand, there is very little cushioning, so some customers add comfort inside the boot.
Vibram 148
“Kletterlift”
A common replacement sole for many boots, including some Danner, Red Wing, and Matterhorn styles. Durable and practical, though not quite as long-wearing as the 132.
Vibram 430
A smoother-profile sole that wears longer than many other soles of similar thickness. Popular for boots that need durability without deep tread, and it does not track mud much.
Vibram 1030
“Itzalco”
A lighter lug look, not as heavy as the Kletterlift. A durable option for resoling SAS and Drew shoes, and also a nice choice for winter footwear that does not track much mud.
Vibram 1136
“Roccia”
Similar to the 132, but a little lighter in weight and with a slightly lower heel.
Vibram 1275
“Olympia”
Similar in spirit to the 132, but built with a defined heel rather than a flat sole. Customers often get a long life from these and can sometimes replace the heel before the rest of the sole wears out.
Vibram 1276
“Sierra”
A lug profile somewhat thicker than the Kletterlift, with a tread pattern designed to help reduce lateral slippage.
Vibram 1318
“Alpha+”
A smoother-profile sole that is oil resistant. A good replacement for some Red Wing Supersole styles.
Vibram 1328
“Elvis”
A flat sole with no separate heel. Very slip resistant. We have used these on comfort shoes for customers who needed noticeably better grip.
Vibram 1375
“Bifuda”
A cupped sole with edges that wrap up around the upper. A great replacement sole for many Asolo boots and some Lowa styles.
Vibram 1705
“Stowe”
One of the Vibram Gumlite soles. Lighter weight, cushioned, and very comfortable. The lug pattern gives good traction with an outdoor-casual look.
Vibram 1716
“Oxford”
A smoother-profile sole, nice for lighter-weight dress shoes and shoes that need a cleaner look.
Vibram 1752
“Stockbridge”
Another smooth-profile sole, a little thicker than the 1716 and with a slightly higher heel.
Vibram 2060
“Sport”
Another smoother-profile option, with extra cushioning for comfort.
Vibram 4014
“Cristy”
A lightly patterned wedge sole that is very comfortable. Comes in black, natural/off-white, and a brighter white.
HOW IT WORKS
Print and complete our shipping form. Take your boots or shoes and the shipping form to your nearest US Post Office and ship them to us. We’ll take care of the rest.
RELATED REPAIRS & SERVICES
Many of the soles shown above are used on specific brands and types of footwear we repair every day. If you're looking for more details on a particular type of repair, these pages may be helpful: