It’s an unfortunate reality that our sneakers often begin to show their age around the same time we form a genuine love for them. After walking hundreds of miles in a pair of shoes, they start to feel like old friends. It’s always a shame when we’re forced to throw them out because they’ve worn through in places or begun to fall apart.
On average, Americans own around 6 pairs of sneakers each. That’s a fair number and you can bet a couple of those pairs could use a little love. Instead of throwing sneakers out, a little know-how when it comes to sneaker repair can go a long way!
It’s easier than you might expect, too. Read on to find out more!
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The Wonderful World of Sneaker Repair
The current climate of consumerism has us all fetishizing the endless desire for new things. We’re brainwashed to a certain degree to believe that new is better and that anything old ought to be viewed with contempt. An endless barrage of advertising insists that what we already have is passe, and must be replaced so we don’t suffer embarrassment.
Once given a little thought, it becomes painful to realize how badly we were duped. We had it all backward and we’re wasting our hard-earned money due to the fact. There’s more to life than having the latest shiny thing, no matter what the masses insist is necessary to fit in.
There’s a joy to be had in repairing something rather than replacing it. Working with your own hands to lend something further use and a new life is a triumphant moment. Once you see how easy it is to repair a damaged sneaker back to perfect working order, you’ll find yourself repairing all sorts of things.
Cosmetic Damage and Blemishes
Sneaker rehab begins with carefully assessing what needs to be done to fix the usual wear and tear your used sneakers have undergone. Common cosmetic issues arise with time and only need a thorough cleaning to fix. Sneaker cleaning is something of an art form these days and is a heated subject of discussion.
Fortunately for us, a myriad number of cleaners exist to make sneaker cleaning a cinch. Specialty solutions for specific materials didn’t always exist. Making do with soapy water and crossed fingers was about as good as you could hope for.
These days you can pick and choose formulations designed with specific materials in mind to ensure a clean finish. This removes any danger of damaging your sneakers further by mistake. Sometimes sneakers come to life again simply after a good once over with a sponge and your chosen cleaner!
If you’re feeling particularly lazy or possibly sacrilegious depending on your viewpoint, you can simply throw them in the washing machine. Just make sure not to use a hot wash as there’s a good chance they’ll come out in several pieces when the glue dissolves.
Foundational Shoe Repair
If any item of clothing has a sole, it’s a sneaker. This unarguable fact is also the foundation of our shoes, without which we’d be caught flat-footed. So it’s important to ensure their integrity.
The sole holds our weight and protects our feet from getting torn up by the ground, meaning it bears the brunt while our feet stay safe nestled within our sneakers. It stands to reason the sole experiences significant wear, and it is often the first part in need of our attention. If you’ve ever worn a pair of shoes long enough, you’ll know this perfectly well already.
The sole either wears through and needs replacing altogether, or separates from the upper portion of the shoe to which it was glued. These are both relatively easy fixes.
In the first case, replacement soles can be cut to shape once the damaged sole has been removed. In the case of failing glue, the sole must be removed and cleaned before reapplying a layer of shoe glue. In this case, it’s a simple matter of sticking the sole back on and admiring your fresh sneakers!
Branded Sneakers and Repair
The highest quality sneakers last well and won’t require any sort of repairs for a long time. When the time comes to repair them, their premium materials will be much easier to work with and you’re likely to get better results for your efforts. If you’re looking for quality, always buy from reputable sources.
Many brands partner with specific athletes and double down on their quality. Kevin Durant items are a great example of this. To keep the consumer and athlete happy, brands take special care to uphold the finest quality when using a specific name.
If you’re in the market for sneakers that will last a long time, you can’t go wrong when they’re a licensed product in sponsorship with a popular well-known player. Quality control of these items is especially high to avoid potential lawsuits and general discontent.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
High fashion doesn’t tout repairs as sexy or cool. The fashion industry wants to make money, and to do that they need us to keep buying things.
In a world where advertising is shoved down our throats and our arms are twisted at every turn to want things we don’t need, repairing what we already have is a form of rebellion. Sneaker repair is a great place to start fighting a system that is in desperate need of a serious overhaul.
If you enjoyed this article, check out the rest of the blog for more advice!
