Sport shoes can vary a great deal, but they generally share a few things in common. There are of course some notable exceptions but relatively speaking, they are typically lightweight, composed of canvas and rubber, and undergo the most strenuous use of any type of shoe out there. When you are doing sports, you’re regularly in vigorous motion. There is no doubt about it, sports shoes take a hell of a beating – and the best ones don’t come cheap, either.
Whether it is a brand-new par of top tennis shoes, some football boots specially designed by some Premier League superstar, or a flashy pair of Air Jordans (admittedly, these are more fashion statements at this point) you are going to want to make them last as long as possible. Trainers have become expensive items, and the best ones that really give you the edge in whatever sport you play can be plenty pricey. Accordingly, proper sports shoe care is essential. You are putting some expensive products on your feet and then subjecting them to a vigorous workout. This alone shows how important it is to look after them.
Wear the Right Shoes for Your Feet
However, before going on to some tips on how to make your sports shoes last as long as possible, it is important to know how to get off to the right start in achieving that. No matter how much care you apply, a pair of trainers that are either ill-suited to the sport you are partaking or ill-suited to your feet are sure to go kaput long before their time.
You need to know then how to choose the right sports shoes. The importance of a good fit cannot be overstated. Remember, you are not just walking in your sports shoes; you are using them for running, dashing, quickly changing direction, kicking balls, jumping, and every other bodily manoeuvre under the sun. Get the wrong fit with either too much leeway inside the shoe or too little and this will ensure they become damaged before long – and you could even do yourself an injury as well.
Here follows then some tips for picking the best sports shoes:
Purchase Them from a Specialty Store
If you are serious about your sport, then you should spare no expense in getting the right equipment. It is a poor workman who blames his tools, but he still needs the tools. At a speciality shop, not only will you be buying top quality sports shoes, but you will have expert staff on hand to help you get the right fit and advise on all manner of other matters.
Try Them on at The End of The Day
Your feet swell during the day. To get the optimal fit, fit your shoes (on your largest foot) by trying them on at the end of the day, preferably after the kind of exercise you expect to be doing in them.
Get The Right Shoes for the Right Sport
There are broad similarities in sports shoes where caring for them is concerned, but there are some important differences too. Taking a pair of white tennis shoes out onto a muddy football pitch isn’t a wise idea – there is a reason football boots have studs and a firm toe.
Washing Sports Shoes
The next thing that is very important for the continued life of your expensive sports shoes is to wash them properly. So important is this, in fact, that it deserves its own section. Here follows the steps to properly washing sports shoes. Nevertheless, bear in mind that this does not include the sports shoes which count as exceptions the category (such as ballet point shoes or climbing shoes) – and you should also take the smaller differences between different types of sports shoes into consideration as well.
Knock off The Dirt and Mud
And to ensure that it’s dry, wait a while after your shoes have been used until the muck dries out. Then, simply knock them together to dislodge the excess dirt.
Remove the Insoles and Air Them Out
Airing out insoles (and the interior of the shoe) is an essential precursor to washing.
Apply a Wet Sponge
After that, gets some warm soapy water and a wet sponge and give the shoes a good scrub all over. This should remove most of the dirt.
Give Them a Toothbrush Clean
After that, it is time to get into the nooks and crannies which, if left filled with dirt for too long, will weaken these parts of the shoe. The best thing to use is an old toothbrush. Do this when they are still wet from the sponge scrub.
Air Them Out Completely
After all of this has been done, you need to once more let the shoes dry and air out completely before replacing the insoles and using them once again.
Sports Shoes Care Tips
So, having stressed that a proper washing routine is perhaps the most important thing for extending the life of sports shoes, here follows some general tips to consider:
Air Them Out
The advantage of this tip is not just that it will help your shoes last longer, it will also do something about the smell around your home! There no need to seal them away in a locked cupboard with a big no smoking sign on the door, but your home fragrance will be improved by always getting your shoes free of moisture before you put them away. Also, moist shoes stored in your cupboard for extended periods of time is sure to cause degradation.
Store Them Properly
Sports shoes will degrade faster when exposed to excessive heat or direct sunlight, so be sure to store them in a dry dark space – just like wine!
Maintain the Shape
Being made, generally speaking, of pliable materials, sports shoes can easily lose their shape, which will spoil the fit. Try stuffing them with paper (which will also help absorb moisture) and avoid throwing other shoes or objects on top of them.
Always Untie
It might be tempting, when you are exhausted from that run, to simply use your foot to just kick off your sports shoes. However, it is in your interests not to do this. By patiently untying them each time, you will avoid the degradation – especially around the heel – which occurs when this rough action is carried out.
Ultimately, sports shoes are not the sturdiest or most resilient shoes out there – they wouldn’t be very good for sports if they were – and they undergo a lot of strain when you’re actually playing your sport. It is always best to take some extra care with these shoes. Your sports performance – and your bank balance – will thank you for it.
