How to Make Your Shoes Last Longer: 12 Habits That Actually Help

Making your shoes last longer is one of the easiest ways to spend less on footwear. None of these habits require special skills or expensive products. Most take seconds. Together, they can noticeably extend the life of every pair you own.

1. Rotate your shoes

Wearing the same pair every day means it rarely dries out fully. Moisture from sweat can break down materials and encourages odor. Alternating between two pairs gives each one time to dry and recover. Each pair also takes half the wear, so it lasts longer in calendar time. This works especially well with discounted pairs of last season's model.

2. Untie your shoes properly

Kicking shoes off by stepping on the heel, or forcing your foot in without loosening the laces, crushes the heel counter (the firm cup at the back). Once it collapses, the shoe holds your foot less securely. Loosen laces when taking shoes on and off. A shoehorn helps with snug shoes.

3. Dry them the right way

Never put shoes on a radiator, in front of a heater or in the dryer. Heat can weaken glue and damage foams and leather. Remove the insoles, stuff with paper, and dry at room temperature. Full guide: how to dry wet shoes.

4. Clean them gently and regularly

Dirt and grit act like sandpaper on materials. A quick brush after muddy wear prevents build-up. When you do a full clean, use lukewarm water and mild soap rather than harsh chemicals or the washing machine. Guide: how to clean mesh sneakers.

5. Use shoes for their purpose

Running shoes used for yard work, or dress shoes worn in the rain, wear out faster. Keep an old pair for messy jobs. Retired running shoes are ideal for this. See when to replace running shoes.

6. Store them well

• Keep shoes in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, which can fade and degrade materials.
• Do not pile shoes on top of each other, which crushes their shape.
• Use shoe trees (cedar trees are popular for leather shoes) to hold shape and absorb moisture.
• For long-term storage, clean shoes first and make sure they are completely dry.

7. Condition leather

Leather dries out and can crack if neglected. Clean leather shoes and boots periodically, then apply a conditioner suited to the type of leather, following the product directions. Suede and nubuck need different products and brushes.

8. Protect against water

Water-repellent sprays designed for footwear can help leather and fabric shoes resist water and stains. Re-apply when water stops beading on the surface. See waterproof vs. water-resistant shoes.

9. Replace laces and insoles

Frayed laces and flattened insoles are inexpensive to replace and can make a shoe feel newer. See are cheap insoles worth it?

10. Fix small problems early

• A small sole separation can sometimes be re-glued with a flexible shoe adhesive, following the product directions, before it spreads.
• Worn heels on leather shoes and boots can often be replaced cheaply by a cobbler before damage reaches the rest of the sole.
• Loose stitching can be repaired before a seam fails.

11. Consider resoling quality shoes

For well-made leather shoes and boots, resoling can give years of extra life at a fraction of the cost of new ones. See is resoling worth it?

12. Buy the right fit in the first place

Shoes that fit badly wear unevenly, stretch out of shape and get worn less. Measuring your feet properly is the foundation of everything else. See our measuring guide.

How much difference does this make?

It depends on the shoe and how you use it, but the combination of rotation, proper drying and gentle cleaning addresses the most common causes of early wear: moisture, heat damage and abrasion. Applied consistently, these habits reduce how often you need to buy shoes, which lowers your cost per wear.

The bottom line

Rotate pairs, loosen laces, dry without heat, clean gently, store well and fix small problems early. These habits cost almost nothing and help every pair you own last longer.