4 tips to extend the life of your shoes
Shoes are often so underappreciated and uncared for. They do so much for us as we brave the elements of routine life that it is important to take care of those dependable shoes that get us through our days and nights. Not only can they be a form of self expression or a great way to tie an outfit together, but they also keep our feet protected. Here are some tips to help you incorporate a sustainable fashion lifestyle and give your shoes some additional protection.
#1 - ADD DANCE RUBBER
Adding dance rubber to the bottom of your soles will not only help with slipping and shock absorption, but it also protects the original soles of your shoes. I highly recommend this for any luxury shoes you own so that the wear and tear is happening to the dance rubber and not the actual shoe. This is especially important if you are wearing a shoe that does not have a goodyear welt.
#2 - BUY SHOES WITH A GOODYEAR WELT
Goodyear welted shoes are a category of high quality shoe construction that allows a shoe to be resoled multiple times without damaging the upper leather. You will find this type of construction on a lot of boots and mens dress shoes. This makes it easy for the cobbler to detach and resole your shoes so that you are only paying for a new sole and don’t need to go buy a completely new pair of shoes. Believe me….it’s worth it to pay the extra buck for a Goodyear welt.
#3 - WATERPROOF, CLEAN + CONDITION
When you get a new pair of shoes you should spray them with a stain and water protectant right away. I use the brand Scotchgard and buy according to the type of fabric. It is important to clean and respray your shoes with Scotchgard every so often to continue protecting them. The spray will add a layer of stain protection and water repellency so that it makes it much easier to clean them later.
If you have leather shoes, make sure to get leather shoe wax. I prefer the brand Angelus. Shoe wax cleans, preserves, water-proofs, and restores a richer color to faded footwear and leather gear. It keeps you looking sharp and your leather in good condition so that you can enjoy your beloved shoes for years to come.
#4 - FIND A COBBLER
Cobblers are shoe magicians. If your shoes are too tight, they can stretch them. If your shoes are too big, they have a trick to make them fit. If your favorite shoes are just looking old and tired, bring them in for a makeover. It’ll be much more affordable than buying a new pair of shoes. It is also always fantastic to support an artisan who is a master of their trade like a cobbler is.
At the end of the day it is worth it to spend a little extra time and money to take care of your shoes and choose quality over quantity.
As a client of my signature package I do complimentary shoe audits and make sure your shoes get stain proofed, water proofed and cleaned. If repairs are needed I can arrange drop off and pick up to your local cobbler. Let me help you with your shoes today!
