shoeben82 Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Hello all, i've found the correct place to post this now so here goes! I have had a chance to purchase a pair of Sierra Sneakers and after checking size/condition i have decided to go for it. The soles are darker than the correct version but i have been told they should clean up to the original colour. If they don't clean up, does anyone have any advice for painting rubber soles? I've also been told they would need further cuts to get to Lancer - does any one know what these cuts are...and do i dare do it?! Big thanks to ShaunPug for his input so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaunPug Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I'll post this here as well, now that it's in the right spot... Head on over to the Boots forum for more info on how people are cutting their soles. The originals had an additional horizontal line through the middle of the sole: The Sierra Sneaker IVs were produced in 1987 (according to the box of the shoes themselves) much past the production of Return of the Jedi, so the original shoes were likely the 1st, 2nd or 3rd iteration of the Sierra Sneaker line, under Hi_Tecs previous title; INTER-USA. Even some of the Sierra Sneaker IVs I've seen are branded "Inter" and not "Hi-Tec", making the originals even harder to find. The previous iterations had the horizontal line on the sole...here are some (terrible) photos from an Endor Rebel trooper: So the next question is...How do you mod the soles without destroying a rare piece? Truthfully I have no idea. Strider suggested cutting a piece of silicone to the right size and affix it onto the shoe, but you would need to paint it the proper color. It will be impossible to find an exact match. but I think it's worth trying! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoeben82 Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 Amazing thank you for the details! I think that sounds the best way - cutting thin strips of silicon and attaching - fiddly but would be worth doing. Like you say they would have to be colour accurate. I'll check out the boot forum... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoeben82 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 Looking at real leather I'll post this here as well, now that it's in the right spot... Head on over to the Boots forum for more info on how people are cutting their soles. The originals had an additional horizontal line through the middle of the sole: The Sierra Sneaker IVs were produced in 1987 (according to the box of the shoes themselves) much past the production of Return of the Jedi, so the original shoes were likely the 1st, 2nd or 3rd iteration of the Sierra Sneaker line, under Hi_Tecs previous title; INTER-USA. Even some of the Sierra Sneaker IVs I've seen are branded "Inter" and not "Hi-Tec", making the originals even harder to find. The previous iterations had the horizontal line on the sole...here are some (terrible) photos from an Endor Rebel trooper: So the next question is...How do you mod the soles without destroying a rare piece? Truthfully I have no idea. Strider suggested cutting a piece of silicone to the right size and affix it onto the shoe, but you would need to paint it the proper color. It will be impossible to find an exact match. but I think it's worth trying! So i'm looking at real leather options, requested a sample and this is what i received. It's only about 1mm thick with very little grain and is almost a match to the vinyl i have on an old pair of boots. The website i got it from is a legitimate fabric site and describes it as recycled leather - will this be suitable for covering the Sierras in?! Want to do the job properly. I've done some pics with the material next to my pair of old boots with vinyl on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaunPug Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Looking at real leather So i'm looking at real leather options, requested a sample and this is what i received. It's only about 1mm thick with very little grain and is almost a match to the vinyl i have on an old pair of boots. The website i got it from is a legitimate fabric site and describes it as recycled leather - will this be suitable for covering the Sierras in?! Want to do the job properly. I've done some pics with the material next to my pair of old boots with vinyl on them. Looks like a good start! I believe the original leather had different thickness for the shoe covering and the shaft. Thinner for the shoe and thicker for the shaft. Both were then sewn directly to the boot with cobbler sewing machines. I've been working with Strider and Boris here on the forums to find some good leather for Strider and I's Sierras. Boris is quite experienced with leather! We actually have a thread in the boots forum called "white leather" where we've been periodically discussing options. Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoeben82 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 Ah good call! Yes i was worried that this would be a little thin for the shaft so may look at getting thicker stuff for that. I think this thinner leather will just flop! I'll have a look at the thread. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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