Experts' Expert: Preserving the classic red soles of Christian Louboutin shoes

An interesting and informative Q&A by longtime Wall Street Journal fashion editor Teri Agins follows.

Q: Do you recommend putting rubber treads on leather soles? I have a pair of Christian Louboutin boots with red leather soles and I hate to cover the lovely color, though I know with wear the color will scuff off.

A: For years I have taken my Manolo Blahnik and Ferragamo pumps to have a super-thin layer of rubber put on the sole, giving me more traction and grip — and making them more comfortable on my feet and legs.

The shoe repairman introduced me to this paper-thin rubber he expertly applies that is undetectable.

It makes them more durable too. (I don't bother applying rubber to certain high heels I only wear while standing on carpet for no more than a couple of hours.)

For your Louboutins, the red soles are a status symbol of the brand and there is a way you can preserve that.

I found red rubber soles from a resource called Shoe Bottoms on Amazon.com for $19.95.