Are you finding it hard to throw away your old, but comfy shoes? Trust me, I’ve been there. Many people struggle with knowing when it’s time to move on and get a new pair of shoes.
Although your shoes may be comfortable, continuing to wear old shoes can actually be damaging to your feet. It’s important to know how to make your shoes last longer as well as when it’s time to get rid of those old sneakers.
How Long Do Shoes Last?
Typically, shoes will last for between 8 to 12 months if worn daily. However, factors such as the quality of material, frequency of wear and weather conditions can all impact how long a shoe will last. Better quality shoes, when taken care of, can last for years.
In this post, I share 6 useful tips to make your shoes last longer.
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6 Tips to Make Your Shoes Last Longer
Everyone wants shoes that are both comfortable and durable. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take very long until shoes begin to get dirty, the soles begin to wear out and the material gets ruined.
If you want to make your shoes last longer, here are some tips and tricks that I’ve used to make some of my shoes last for more than 5 years!
1. Choose the Right Type of Sneaker
The best way to make your shoes last longer is by choosing the right sneaker. I’m not saying to go out and buy the most expensive shoe on the market, but consider investing in good footwear.
If you plan on wearing a pair of shoes daily, keep in mind that you will be spending hours on end in them. Nike and Adidas make great running shoes.
However, it’s important to do your research, as some brand name shoe styles are a better quality than others. Typically, brand name shoes sold in outlet locations are cheaper, but may be made with a lower quality material, so be careful.
On the other hand, Adidas has the Ultraboost, which is in my opinion, the most comfortable running shoe. The Ultraboost is known to be a long lasting shoe and easy to clean.
Another important thing to consider when purchasing shoes is the color. Generally, lighter shoes will show more signs of wear. Where as a darker material will never really look dirty, is easy to maintain which will result in a longer lasting shoe.
For example, I got the Adidas Yeezy Boost 350’s back in 2017. I wore them to work where I was required to stand for 8 hours at a time. I also wore them throughout my 4 years of college, to music festivals and even through a few cold Canadian winters.
At the time I bought them, I wanted to take care of them as they were pretty expensive. Other than a bit of wear on the soles, these shoes still look very good.
Wash Your Shoes Regularly
Regularly washing your shoes will make them look newer and keep them in good shape. If you have white shoes, it’s important to be clean them often to keep them looking their best. Darker shoes can go a longer time without being washed.
It’s super easy to wash your shoes. Use some soap and water if you’re looking to clean them quickly. If you want to give your shoes a nice shine try using Jason Markk Shoe Cleaner.
Cleaning your shoes will make them last longer as it will preserve the material. This will also prevent your old shoes from smelling.
Treat Your Shoes Well
One reason that many people’s shoes don’t last is because they don’t treat them well. If you know you are going to be doing some sort of activity that will damage, dirty or ruin your shoes, don’t wear them.
It’s always good to have an extra pair of shoes that can be worn for those occasions. Walking through mud, rocks or water will damage your shoes over time.
If you aren’t wearing your shoes for a while or if you’re packing them in a suitcase, make sure to stuff your shoes with socks, an old pillowcase or crease protectors. This will prevent your shoes from losing their shape.
If you’re just a bit careful and you get in the habit of treating your shoes well, you will be surprised with how much longer they will last.
Replace Your Shoelaces
When your shoes begin to get old, cleaning them and replacing the shoelaces will bring them back to life!
If you own white shoes, at some point the laces will get dirty. Using this trick will make your white shoes last a lot longer and look a lot better.
This trick can seriously add months or even years to the life span of your shoes. Shoelaces are super cheap and this is a very easy way to make your shoes look new again.
Check out these affordable white laces: white shoe laces
Replace the Insoles
When you have your shoes for a while, the insoles will begin to get worn in, the sole will begin to get worn out and wearing the shoes can damage your feet.
Getting some insoles will make the shoes more comfortable and it will be a lot better for your feet. Insoles are super affordable and can make your shoes feel new again.
Rotate Shoes
Having a second pair of shoes will make your shoes last way longer. I always recommend having a pair of black shoes that you can wear whenever and a pair of white shoes for nicer occasions.
Swapping out shoes every couple of days will keep your shoes in good shape for a long time. If you rotate shoes, clean them once in a while and treat them well your shoes will last for longer than 8 months to a year.
I’ve had the same two pairs of Yeezys last me for around 4 years now. I clean them, I’m careful, I take care of them and they take care of me.
Related: How to Style Yeezys – Do’s and Don’ts with Yeezys
When to Replace Your Shoes
It’s important to know when it’s time to replace your shoes. This is an honourable mention as it’s not really a tip, but some good advice.
Even when you take care of your shoes well to make them last longer, eventually they may rip or the soles will get worn out.
At a certain point, no matter how much you love your shoes, you will have to move on. It can really be damaging to your feet if you wear shoes that are too worn out.
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Final Thoughts on How Long Do Shoes Last & Tips to Make Your Shoes Last Longer
Shoes won’t last forever, but by taking care of them you can make them last longer.
I’m super passionate about my shoes, and I’ve always found the value in paying a little more for shoes, while making them last for a very long time. If you follow these tips you will be able to have your shoes last for a long time as well!
How often do you get new shoes? Please let me know in the comments below.