Professional Role and Company Overview
Matt Kerns is the principal contact at Vertical Resole, a specialized climbing shoe resoling service based in Yakima, Washington. Vertical Resole focuses exclusively on restoring high-performance rock climbing footwear, extending the lifespan of trusted shoes through expert resoling, toe cap replacement, and rand repairs. The business model emphasizes craftsmanship and detailed workmanship, capitalizing on Matt’s extensive personal climbing experience combined with formal resoling training.
Expertise and Background
Matt possesses over four decades of climbing experience spanning multiple disciplines, including sport, traditional (trad), alpine, and gym climbing. He is a lifelong resident of the Yakima region with deep roots in the local climbing community and has contributed to the development of new sport climbing routes across Western and Central Washington. Matt’s outdoor resume includes climbing in international locations such as Alaska, Peru, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and the Czech Republic, evidencing a broad geographical and technical experience in mountainous terrain.
He was trained in resoling by John Ramuta, a third-generation cobbler with over 30 years of climbing shoe resoling expertise. This apprenticeship under an industry veteran ensures high-quality, reliable craftsmanship that appeals to dedicated climbers seeking to preserve their footwear investment.
Services and Pricing Structure
Vertical Resole offers a tiered service catering to various shoe types with specific pricing based on the sole materials and complexity of the work required:
- Resoling services priced between $50 and $60 depending on shoe type:
- High-end models with split soles (e.g., Skwama, Solution, Instinct) are resoling at $60.
- Other shoes with 4mm XS Grip 2, 4mm XS Edge, or Neofuse soles cost $50.
- Shoes resoling with 5mm XS Edge costs $55.
- Additional repair services include:
- Toe caps priced $15–$18 per shoe.
- Toe cap plus rand repairs range between $20 and $25 per shoe.
- Solution strap replacement at $20 per pair.
- Velcro strap repair/replacement varying from $5 to $10 per strap.
- Extra manual patching or hand stitching charged between $5 to $10 per shoe.
Vertical Resole explicitly does not service "no-edge" shoes such as Futura, Genius, Maverink, or Speedster models, nor do they resole approach shoes or shoes with large holes penetrating through the material.
Operational Details and Customer Interaction
- Location: 5605 Marilane St., Yakima, WA 98908.
- Customers can send shoes via USPS Priority (preferably padded Tyvek envelopes or flat rate boxes), with strict instructions not to include carabiners or webbing attached to the shoes.
- Shipping recommendations emphasize sturdy packaging; the company warns against using brown cellulose padded mailers due to risk of damage during transit.
- The return shipping cost is charged to the customer based on USPS Priority rates.
- An inspection and cost estimate are performed prior to any work, and the customer must approve before repairs begin.
- Payment is collected via a secure online invoice sent after completion and before the return shipment.
- Sales tax of 8.3% applies only to customers within Washington State; out-of-state customers are exempt.
Customer Service and Logistics
Vertical Resole offers localized drop-off/pick-up options at recognized climbing gyms including Vertical World Seattle, Vertical World North, and High Steppe Climbing Center in Yakima. This service saves on shipping fees but may extend turnaround time.
Regular pickups are scheduled weekly for Seattle-area gyms and Yakima’s High Steppe facility, indicating a streamlined logistics and customer service approach.
This profile highlights Matt Kerns’ combination of technical skill, extensive climbing background, close alignment with the climbing community, and clearly structured service offerings. His expertise and attention to detail position Vertical Resole as a specialized vendor focused on quality restoration of high-end climbing footwear, supported by transparent pricing and customer-centric shipping and handling processes.
