thundermarch
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Hello I have a question, the open channel threads on my Allen Edmonds broke. Will it compromise the quality in any way? And should I go topy the shoes now? Recommendations and ideas please
I am assuming that you mean "structural integrity" instead of "quality"? And I am also assuming that just a few of the stitches are affected.
Apart from the row of outsole stitching ("open channel threads") binding the welt to the outsole, the cork filler layer is also cemented to the outsole.
The type of stitch used for the outsole is also a lock stitch, which is more structurally sound than a chain stitch, which unravels very easily.
I would say that before the bond between the welt and the outsole (via the cementing and outsole stitching) gives way, the outsole itself would probably be already worn down to the extent that a resole would be needed anyway.
Your decision to topy or not, while aesthetically / superficially "making the problem go away" by covering up the broken threads, should not really be based on this, but more on a personal preference for topy. Or not.
Personally, I feel that the merits (just my opinion) of topy, are water resistance, and the relative longevity of rubber compared to leather.
P/S: some pictures of your shoes might help here as well.
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