Nothing beats that feeling of pulling on a fresh pair of sneakers. And once you find that perfect pair, you just want them to last forever. But life is messy, so a little TLC is necessary along the way. We’ve gathered the best tips for how to make sneakers last longer, from cleaning to storage to choosing the right shoes for job.
1. Invest in Quality, Versatility, and Durability.
This is an essential first step, and we often forget it when we’re distracted by flashy sales and slashed prices. Don’t fall for it. Instead, think about buying less and investing in quality to ensure your sneaker selection is perfectly curated for your lifestyle and your closet is full of just what you need—and nothing more. Find a brand with values you trust (see ours here), styles you love, and customer care you can count on. Seek out timeless and versatile styles that work across seasons and occasions. At SeaVees, we call these The Originals—our tried-and-true styles that customers keep coming back to season after season.
2. Protect and Clean Your Sneakers Along the Way.
It really takes minimal effort to keep sneakers looking good, feeling good... and smelling good. Treat your sneakers in advance with a water- and stain-repellent Shoe Protector spray and reapply frequently ahead of rainy weather. Brush off dirt at the end of the day, wipe up drips and spills immediately before stains set, and keep our Sidewall Wipes handy to remove scuffs. Everyone has a favorite pair of sneakers—just don’t wear yours for days on end. Rotate through a few pairs so they have time to air out between wears. Add a spritz of natural homemade deodorizing spray for good measure. Thankfully, SeaVees footbeds include airflow channels for cooling comfort. But please do your shoes a favor—wear socks! For more tips on how to preserve your sneakers, head here.
3. Store Your Sneakers in a Clean, Dry Place.
We could all use a little more closet space, but we have to work with what we’ve got. The first step is purchasing mindfully and buying just what you have space for. After all, a capsule collection should apply to your shoes too. If you don’t have a dedicated shoe closet or shoe rack, stack your sneakers in their original boxes in a clean, dry environment, like under your bed, couch, or in your roommate's closet. Before packing your shoes away, ensure they are properly aired out and consider stuffing with craft paper to maintain their shape and prevent creasing.
4. Wear the Right Shoes for the Job.
A great way to wear in shoes prematurely is by wearing the wrong shoes for the wrong occasion. If you’re plodding through the city, you need shoes with a comfortable insole and durable outsole to stand up to the wear and tear of the streets. If you're hitting the trails, you need shoes with traction and grip that can get dusty and wet. If rain is on the horizon, make sure you’ve got your rain boots handy. And if you’re heading out to dinner, that’s when you pull out your nice suede, leather, and velvets. So, before you set out for the day, check the weather, consider the terrain, and think about what social situations you’re heading into. Explore our Women’s and Men’s collections for casual, comfortable, and weather-ready sneakers for any occasion.
5. Trade In and Jazz Up Your Sneakers.
If your sneakers are in great shape, but they’ve been sitting in your closet for months or more, time to pass them on. Think about gifting to friends or using a resale app like Poshmark to give them a chance at a second life. Believe it or not, there is a resale market for shoes, especially if they are in like-new condition and in their original packaging. So, there's some added incentive for keeping your sneakers in resalable condition. You could also add a pop of color with new laces or fun socks and get creative with how you style your sneakers. Find SeaVees style tips on Instagram.
To learn more about how to take care of your sneakers, head here.
Ready For Your New Favorite Pair?
SeaVees shoes are consciously crafted in small batches to control quality and consistency using a time-honored footwear construction called vulcanization. Our exclusive memory foam footbed paired with flexible and durable natural rubber outsoles makes our shoes the most comfortable sneakers you’ll ever wear.
