Cobbler initially records footwear (5)
I believe the answer is:
clogs
'footwear' is the definition.
(type of shoes)
'cobbler initially records' is the wordplay.
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
'records' becomes 'logs' (log is a kind of record).
The initial letter of 'cobbler' is 'c'.
'c'+'logs'='CLOGS'
(Other definitions for clogs that I've seen before include "Sabots" , "11 across shoes" , "Wooden shoes" , "Wooden-soled shoes" .)