You know the feeling when you’ve found your perfect pair of shoes and you don’t ever want to have to find another pair? Yeah, we know it, too. It sucks when you’ve had a pair of shoes for years only for them to eventually give out, leaving you to find a replacement, and then you discover that the pair no longer exists. What’s even worse is when the shoe style technically still exists, but when you go to try them on, they don’t feel the same or look quite right due to production or quality changes. 

If you want to save yourself the heartache, invest in a quality pair of shoes, and take care of them from the get-go, not when they start to slowly fall apart. Today, we’ll show you what to look for in a good shoe and six ways to keep your everyday shoes in tip-top shape for as long as possible. 

1. Don’t Go Cheap on Your Footwear

We all know that an off-brand sneaker doesn’t look or behave in the same way as its name-brand counterpart. The shoes you find in the bargain bin just aren’t made of the same quality materials as the shoes you’d find in a department or specialty store. This isn’t to say that you can’t find a killer pair of shoes at a great price, but if you know your materials, you’ll have a better idea of what’s high quality and what’s just barely holding on.

2. Use Water Protectant, or Better Yet, Get Waterproof Knit Shoes

Sadly, water is the most damaging environmental factor when it comes to shoes. You’ve probably stepped in a puddle and found it was deeper than you thought, leaving you with sopping wet socks for the rest of the day. Or, maybe it’s not raining, but it’s snowy, with slushy snow all over the streets. Walking through snow and slush is not only wet but often dirtier than a simple puddle or splash of rain. There are tons of waterproofing sprays out there to protect your shoes, but we’ll do you one better: waterproof knit shoes.

Vessi waterproof knit shoes are built to last through and through. We patented a material that’s 100% waterproof and knit, so they’re comfy and durable in every season. The Dyma-tex layer, as we’ve coined it, keeps your feet cool in the summer and warm in the winter, so your feet are never too hot nor too cold. Plus, if you buy something that’s already waterproof, you don’t have to buy any additional products to protect them. You can just put ‘em on and get going. 

They’re the everyday shoe that beats all other everyday shoes. 

3. Stuff Them When They’re Not on Your Feet

“Shoeaholics” and shoe experts agree that your shoes tend to lose their shape if you shove them in a box, on a shelf, or something like that when they’re not in use. That’s why they recommend stuffing your unused shoes with paper or shoe trees to help maintain their shape. This can be helpful during the off-seasons, like when you aren’t wearing sandals or boots during the off-season months.

4. Store Shoes Properly

Have you ever bought a pair of shoes that came with a dust bag of some sort? Typically, this is the case with more expensive shoes, but often you’ll find everyday shoes with some form of storage. If you stow your shoes away in a clean dust bag (or pillowcase, for a simple at-home alternative), you know they’re away from the elements, and they’ll be ready for you when you’re ready for them again. 

5. Rotate Your Favourite Pairs 

Okay, okay, we know that pair of black-on-black knit sneakers is your favourite, and they fit the bill for every occasion. Yet, it shouldn’t be a big shock that wearing your shoes wears out your shoes. 

As hard as it sounds, we suggest switching out that favourite pair with a different one the next day and maybe even a few times a week. We get that your everyday shoes are just perfect for whatever you’re doing, but in the long run, they’ll appreciate the chance to breathe. 

6. Keep Your Shoes Clean

Keeping shoes clean is tough, especially if you’re outside often. Luckily, our shoe-washing game takes clean shoes to the next level. At Vessi, cleaning knit shoes is a breeze. While you can’t just toss your Everyday or Cityscape knit sneakers in the washer, you can with our new Weekend Shoes! Simply slip them in a mesh bag, choose a gentle-cold cycle, then remove the insoles and laces to wash them separately. 

Easy, right?

For your Everyday or Cityscape Vessis, all you have to do is run them under warm water, use a gentle water-based soap like Dr Bronners (or clear detergent), and scrub them with a soft sponge. For more stubborn dirt, soak in a soapy water mixture before scrubbing. The washer isn’t the best fit for these styles because a harsh wash cycle can damage the membrane and ultimately cause the waterproofing feature to decay.  

With all of our shoes, you should leave them to air dry and never put them in the dryer, since the direct heat can harm any shoe’s integrity. Ventilation is key for keeping your shoes in prime condition, as it allows them to air out and breathe. By following these care tips, you’ll prolong the freshness and functionality of the shoes. It’s a win-win. 

If you live somewhere where the roads get salted frequently, we recommend a rinse as often as you go outside, so that the salt doesn’t get the chance to erode your soles. Obviously, this is especially important come snowy season.

Finally, remove your shoes carefully with your hands instead of kicking them off with your feet. Untie the laces if you have them. These things only add a few seconds to your unwinding process, but will greatly improve the lifespan of your everyday shoes.

Vessis Are Built to Last

Simple, comfortable, waterproof knit shoes. That’s what you get when you pick a pair of Vessis. If you’re looking for a stress-free, mess-free pair of kicks, we’ve got a few different styles available to get you from point A to point B without slipping. We tried to create a shoe that meets our wishlist: knit sneakers for comfort and breathability, simple in design, waterproof for everyday messes or the elements, and worth it for our customers. That’s how our Everyday, Cityscape, and Weekend shoes came to be!

We’ve broken down a thorough FAQ here if you still have questions, but if not, take a scroll to see all the different men’s and women’s everyday shoe styles we have available! Remember, the styles are unisex, so you should be able to find your size and color.

Prolong the Life of Your Shoes by Choosing Vessi