The Right Way To Store Shoes So They Don’t Wear Out Twice As Fast

The best pair of sneakers or boots made of leather should wear with grace, and not fall apart silently in the end of the closet. However, for a lot of people this is exactly what happens. In all climates and styles inconsistent storage slows down wear, reducing a shoes' lifespan by half. It's surprising that it happens most often in shoes that aren't used. Research explains how as well as illustrating that a couple of simple adjustments will dramatically increase the longevity of your shoes.

Why Bad Storage Destroys Shoes

Shoes aren't inert items. They're constructed from substances that are designed to function under certain circumstances, and if the conditions aren't met the degradation process begins in a matter of minutes. One of the most destructive methods is hydrolysis. It's which is a chemical reaction in which moisture causes the breakdown of polyurethane soles. Study SATRA TM344 hydrolysis in Polyurethane Solings, conducted by the SATRA Technology Centre in the United Kingdom, demonstrates how polyurethane quickly degrades when it is humid and poorly ventilated areas. That's why the shoes that are left in moist closets can break as soon as you attempt to put them on again.


The leather industry is affected in a distinct yet equally damaging way. In the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists is an international group located within the United Kingdom, has shown that the oxidation process weakens the leather fibers after exposure to sunlight as well as fluctuating humidity and temperature. The findings of the study provide the reason why leather kept in a bright, inconsistent environment is prone to cracks in months instead of.

Synthetic materials aren't immune from the same fate. The research of 361sport and 361sport, a research organization located in China illustrates the way EVA midsoles start to break down at temperatures higher than forty degrees Celsius. When you add pressure to stacks, the structure of the shoe is weakened quicker. This process makes it obvious that poor storage isn't only a matter of inattention, but rather an active type of injury.

Clean and Dry Before You Store

The life span of shoes is determined by how it's removed. The combination of moisture and dirt provides an ideal environment to encourage microbial growth. This makes materials weaker over the course of time. The Biodegradability Study of Solings for Footwear Materials, which was conducted by scientists in the University of Cincinnati in the United States, found that clean shoes lose tensile strength more than twice as fast because of the activity of microbial.

Drying is as crucial as cleaning. Any moisture even a little trapped within shoes can cause the hydrolysis of polyurethane as well as the growth of mold in fabrics as well as leather. Safety Jogger, a footwear business based out of Belgium insists that humid environments in closed spaces can increase the rate of chemical breakdown. The idea of letting shoes air dry for a minimum of 72 hours prior to the storage time isn't too long but it's essential. When it comes to shoes made of leather, cedar trees offer a distinct advantage in absorbing water naturally and conserving their the shape.

Ventilation Matters More Than You Think

It is a common practice to keep shoes safe by securing them inside airtight containers however, this can do more harm than the good. In the absence of ventilation, humidity increases and can accelerate chemical reactions. This SATRA study conducted in the United Kingdom found that proper ventilation could reduce degrading rates by up to a third.

The perfect environment to store footwear is quite unique. Temperatures of 13 to 18 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 40 and 50 percent according to the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists provide conditions in which the leather as well as synthetic materials are stable. Conservation efforts in the past in Historic Deerfield in the United States are another example of this with ventilated storage, and adequate support has preserved fragile footwear for decades.

Supporting Shape Is Not Optional

They are made to support an object, but when the structure is weakened and the material weakens, it will do so faster. Combining forces and compressing cause tension points which lead to constant shrinkage. The research study Environmental Degradation of Footbed Materials that was conducted by researchers from an international consortium that is associated with India It has been proven that extended compression can cause chain scission within material, decreasing their longevity.

The use of wooden shoe trees in leather shoes can help keep tension in place and stop creasing. If you are wearing sneakers or other materials that are soft, stuffing them with acid-free papers could produce a similar result. The idea of storing shoes side-by-side instead of putting them over each others reduces pressure, and helps preserve the original shape.

Light, Heat, and Rotation Shape Longevity

The environmental hazard persists even after shoes are put away. The sun's rays fade colors and weaken substances, and heat speeds up chemical reactions. The research conducted by 361sport in China observes that long exposure to sunlight damages the pigments in shoes, making them appear older than their age.

Habits of daily life also have an impact on. Shoes that are rotated allow them to recuperate from pressure and moisture. The simple gap of 48 hours between wearings allows materials to take a step back, specifically when it comes to leather. The practice is often ignored will significantly prolong the lifespan of shoes.

Long-Term Storage Requires Thoughtful Control

Storage during the winter months can pose additional problems. Shoes that have been stored for a long time require an environment that is stable. The use of breathable boxes and silica gel packs help to control humidity, without capturing moisture. Leather Laundry, a footwear maintenance service that is based in India suggests this method to avoid mold and preserve quality of materials.

The simple monitoring of conditions using a Hygrometer helps ensure storage remains within safe boundaries. Controlling the climate is particularly important when you live in areas of extreme temperature or high humidity that can halt even the best planning.

A Small Effort With Big Returns

The conclusion that emerges from studies at various institutions throughout The United Kingdom, the United States, China, Belgium as well as India is that the storage of shoes is not an insignificant aspect. It plays a major role for how long footwear will last. Incorrect storage can lead to structural and chemical deformation, and irreparable damage. Proper storage, on contrary, can slow the process dramatically.

The main difference between shoes that break down in a single year as opposed to ones that last long periods of time is usually due to how they're kept. By paying care to hygiene and ventilation, as well as support and even the surrounding, it's very possible to extend the longevity of your favourite pair of shoes.