I've had my classic Vans Old Skools for about 4 years now and the soles are pretty much done. A cobbler quoted me around $60-80 to replace them, but I can get a new pair for like $70. Is it worth keeping the same shoe with new soles or am I better off just grabbing fresh ones? I'm attached to mine since they've molded to my feet.
A properly resoled Vans can last you another few years, so if the uppers are still in decent shape and they fit your feet perfectly, the $60-80 is worth it - new shoes need breaking in all over again and you'll lose that molded comfort. That said, if the canvas is falling apart or stained beyond saving, just grab the new pair since you're basically paying the same price anyway.
The break-in argument is real, but $60-80 is getting close enough to a new pair that you should check the uppers first - if the canvas is cracking, stained beyond help, or the sides are separating, you're throwing good money after worn-out shoes. That said, if the upper is genuinely solid and they fit like a glove, resoling makes sense since you've already got four years of mold to your foot shape, and the cobbler should be able to stretch that investment another few years easily.
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