If you’re like most people, your closet is probably bursting with various pairs of shoes. From dressy heels to casual sneakers, you may have as many sneakers as you know what to do with. If that sounds like you and your collection, read on for some helpful tips for how to keep repairing your favorite sneaker so it keeps on running smoothly for a long time to come!
Don’t Just Take Them Off Before Repair
When you take your shoes off, you’re exposing the uppers and souls to every kind of weather and every kind of condition. The soles on sneakers are often more vulnerable to abrasion, scuffing, and other damage than the upper. This, combined with the fact that you’ve probably put miles on your pair of sneaker, means that your sneaker are likely in need of repair.
The only question is: how to you do it? Sneakers are a bit more difficult to fix this way than some other kinds of shoes. The first thing to understand is that sneakers are built for movement. When you take them off, there’s no longer any pressure on the souls, increasing the risk of damage. The best way to remove the pressure from the souls is to use an original shoe repair kit, but you can also just hold onto the laces and remove the shoe slowly.
Know Your Sneaker’s History
The best way to figure out how to repair your favorite sneakers without damage is to take a closer look at them. Start with the shoes’ history, as this will give you a better idea of where they’ve been. If you’ve been wearing and using your sneaker for a while, you’ll know this already. Otherwise, keep a record of how your sneakers got to where they are now. If you know the history of your sneaker, you’ll be better able to know if they need repair.
If your sneaker are older, take a closer look at the wear pattern. Sneakers are designed to be worn down by walking, so any visible wear on the sneaker upper is likely because they were used as everyday shoes. Conversely, sneaker used only for sports or other activities will have less wear on the upper. This wear can be used to tell you a bit about how your sneaker are used, which can be helpful when figuring out how to repair them.
Take Good Notes
Sneakers are a bit harder to take detailed notes about than some other kinds of shoes because of their unique design. With sneaker, however, this is especially important because you’re likely looking at a repair. If you know something about your sneakers, you’ll be better able to know if something needs repair.
For example, if your sneakers are more than a few years old, you may want to take a closer look at the wear on the souls. The wear on the souls tells you if your sneakers were used as everyday shoes as opposed to being used only for sports. If you notice any other design details that help you figure out how to repair your sneaker, take note. If you notice any unusual wear on the upper, note it as well. If your sneakers don’t seem to have very much wear, you may want to think about how to repair them.
Rule of Thumb: Measure Twice, Cut Once
When you’re ready to get started on repairing your favorite sneaker, take a look at the rule of thumb. This will give you a bit of a head start, as well as help you to avoid cutting too much off the soul of your sneaker. Sneakers are built to be worn, so any cuts on the sneaker souls should be taken from the inside of the sneaker.
This may sound like common sense, but it’s easy to forget when you’re working on your sneakers. In order to get a good cut, use a sneaker repair kit and cut from the inside of the sneaker so as not to cut too much off the soul of your sneaker. Once you’ve gotten the inside of your sneaker cut, you can move on to the outside of your sneaker.
Always Start With A Dry Sneaker Repair Kit
When you’re taking your sneakers apart to start on repairs, don’t just get any old sneaker repair kit. Sneaker repair kits are designed for actual sneaker repair, and are a great way to avoid damage. When you’re looking for a sneaker repair kit, look for one that is specifically designed for the kind of sneaker you want to repair.
For example, if you’re repairing a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors, you’ll want to get a Converse sneaker repair kit. These kits contain all the tools you’ll need to get the job done right and avoid damage. They may also come with instructions, should you need them. The kit can also be used to clean your sneakers as well, so it’s a great addition to your sneaker repair kit.
Stock Up On Adhesive And Other Repair Tools
When you’re taking apart your sneakers to start on repairs, don’t just get any old glue. Sneaker glues are unique and designed for actual sneaker repair, so don’t just use any other glue you have lying around. When you’re looking for a sneaker glue, look for one that is specifically designed for the kind of sneaker you want to repair.
For example, if you’re repairing a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors, you’ll want to get a Converse sneaker glue. These kits contain all the tools you’ll need to get the job done right and avoid damage. They may also come with instructions, should you need them. The kit can also be used to clean your sneakers as well, so it’s a great addition to your sneaker repair kit.
Conclusion
That’s all there is to it! Sneakers are a bit more complicated to repair than some other kinds of shoes, but with a little know-how and a dry sneaker repair kit, you’ll be able to get the job done right. Now, how are you going to get started?
