Click here to to enter the Silver Cup Contest

Here are the rules for the North American competition

Awards Presented
Gold, silver and bronze awards are presented to entries that meet specified criteria after judging. The top entry in the contest receives the Robert DiRinaldo Grand Silver Cup. Previous Grand Silver Cup winners are not eligible to enter.

Who is Eligible?
Repair shop owners and their employees are eligible to participate. Previous Grand Silver Cup winners are not eligible to enter this contest. Entrants or their employers must be members of SSIA.

Click here for SSIA membership information.

Rules and Regulations
This contest is designed to reflect the standard of “re-crafting” or “re-manufacturing” that has been set for today’s shoe repairers. Winning entries should look like they just came out of the box at the shoe store.

A repaired shoe must be submitted with its unrepaired mate. “Unrepaired” means never before repaired. The judges need an unrepaired shoe to judge how well the other shoe has been restored to its original condition. Do not enter new shoes.

What to Enter
You must enter one men’s half sole and one men's full sole.

Repair one shoe of a pair of men’s Goodyear welted shoes with a new leather half sole and a new heel. Repair one shoe of a second pair of men's Goodyear welted shoes with a new leather full sole and a new heel. Restore the uppers on the repaired shoes as well. All shoes must have Goodyear welts. Others will be disqualified.

The repaired shoes must be submitted with their unrepaired mate. “Unrepaired” means never before repaired. Previously-repaired shoes will be disqualified. Do not enter new shoes. Shoes not in need of repair will be disqualified. Uppers should be restored but the color should not be changed. The shape, size and balance of the shoes should not be changed.

We discourage blind stitched shoes because this is a category that is judged to see how well the shoe is stitched. A blind stitched shoe will not be counted as stitched.

How to Enter
Entries are due in SSIA’s office by March 31, 2025.

Ship Entries to:
SSIA Silver Cup Contest
Attn: Mitch Lebovic
20 Danada Square West #234
Wheaton, IL 60189

SSIA will keep the winning entries until the conclusion of the 2025 convention so we can display your craftsmanship. No exceptions.

When will awards be announced?
The finalists will be contacted in May 2025 and their names will be announced on the SSIA web site. However, the Silver Cup winner will not be revealed to the public, to the judges, to the SSIA board of directors, or to the winner until the Silver Cup Awards presentation at the association's 2025 convention. No exceptions.