I only recommend products I use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.

If y'all are like me when it comes to shoes, I try to get as much wear out of my shoes as I can before they either get torn, beat, or scuffed up or I can't comfortably wear them anymore. Below you will find a list of tips to help make your shoes last hopefully much longer than they normally would.

If you’re tired of having to throw away shoes after one season of wear, it’s time to make some changes to the shoes you buy and how you care for them. Wearing your shoes for a longer period of time is not only better for you and your wallet, it’s also more eco-friendly as you create less waste. While not every pair of shoes can last a lifetime, there are certainly ones that can hold up for the long haul if you don’t wear them everyday. Here are our top tips to making your shoes last longer.

Invest in Quality Shoes

It’s a fact, cheap shoes don’t last. When it comes to shoes, you get what you pay for because less expensive shoes will be made of lower quality materials that don’t hold up over time. Instead of looking for the best deal in the shoe store, look for high-quality shoes, from women’s supportive sneakers to leather booties. Your shoes should be made with durable materials and strong stitching and construction. The shoe brand should be trustworthy and if you’re not sure about them, check their reviews. While your new shoes might be more expensive up front, they will undoubtedly last a lot longer than a cheap pair, so will end up paying for themselves in usage. A good way to think of buying shoes is in terms of price per wear, rather than upfront cost.

Spray Your Shoes with Protector

New shoes, and in particular, suede shoes, should be spritzed with a protector spray before wear. This will provide an invisible barrier that will protect your shoes from being ruined by the first sign of water, dirt, or salt. Suede shoes damage very easily, so it’s essential to spray them as soon as they come out of the box and to reapply every few wears.

Rotate Your Shoes

While it sounds obvious, the more shoes you own, the longer they will all last as you won’t be wearing them everyday. We’re not saying you need as many shoes as shirts, but it is important to have enough pairs that you can rotate them often. While you may want to wear your men’s supportive sneakers everyday, rotation allows any sweat in the shoe to fully dry out. Wearing shoes before they have dried out can cause bacteria to build up, which can in turn start to degrade your shoes and create a lasting odor.

Use Sole Protectors

If the soles of your new shoes are made of leather, they are going to show scuffs and marks very soon after wearing them. To protect them, purchase some sticky rubber sole protectors and apply them to the bottom of your shoes. Rubber is non-skid and very durable, so you can walk on most surfaces without fear of slipping or ruining your shoes. Whenever the sole protectors get too worn, you can simply remove them and replace them with new ones.

Visit Your Local Cobbler

Anytime your shoes are looking worse for the wear, take them to your local cobbler. You will be amazed by what they are capable of, from resoling and re-heeling your shoes to dyeing your shoes a darker color. Your shoes can last for years if you consistently have them maintained by a cobbler.