Lo-Base Guide to Shoe Care and Saving Money

Looking after your shoes isn't just about looking smart and being clean, its also about making them last longer and saving you money. From the first time you wear a new pair of shoes to the umpteenth time you clean them, following a few simple guidelines will increase your use and enjoyment of them far beyond what you may have previously thought possible.

• Set the tongue

Have you ever found the tongue on your shoes starting to gradually slip down to one side over time, no matter where it starts off when you lace up the shoes? When you wear a pair of shoes for the first time, make sure the tongue is set as centrally as you can possibly manage. Your body heat and compression of the fabric will have a setting effect on the tongue and if it starts centrally it will be more likely to stay central in the future.
In particular, make sure the tongue is not towards the outside of your foot, as this is the way it will tend to move with the natural slope of your foot.

• Read the manual

Most men don't like instructions, but if any come with your shoes then reading them can pay dividends in the long term. Manufacturers will sometimes recommend using sprays or creams before you wear shoes for the first time, which should protect the fabric and make it easier to clean when the time comes.

• Change your shoes

Ever wondered why your shoes smell, even when you haven't had them too long? Wearing the same pair of shoes every day means the sweat from your feet doesn't get a chance to dry off properly. Sweat in your shoes attract bacteria, which start to multiply and cause your shoes to smell bad. Try and only wear your shoes every second or third day so that they get a chance to dry out and air. This should keep them smelling fresh (well, within reason, these are shoes we are talking about after all) for a lot longer. It's also a good idea to remove your insoles as well if you have particularly sweaty feet, which is even more likely if you have big feet and big shoes. There are even more hints and tips here from the NHS

• Got them wet?

If your shoes get drenched in an unexpected downpour or sodden Scottish bog, getting them dry is a priority. DO NOT use a hairdryer or put them on top of a heater or boiler unless you want to reduce their lifespan even more. Direct heat can cause the fabrics to shrink or become more fragile and prone to cracking. Instead, stuff them with paper (white paper or kitchen roll is generally preferable to newspaper, unless you like newsprint on your socks) and leave them somewhere at which is reasonably warm but not too hot. Left like this shoes will dry out naturally, although it can sometimes take several days.

• Dirt-busting

Leather shoes generally need cleaned/polished in a particular way which we isn't covered in this guide, but you will find plenty of direction on the internet without having to look very hard. Fabric shoes, such as sneakers, trail shoes, walking boots and the like can also be cleaned, but as most people tend not to bother, the cleaning method may be less obvious. The general principle is a dry brush, followed by mild detergent/soap and a nail brush or similar. However, a much more in depth guide can be found at Big Shoes for Big Adventures under the heading “Shoe Care”.

Lo-Base Shoes sells large mens shoes from its Edinburgh shop in size 12, size 13, size 14, size 15 and size 16. In particular we specialise in large cycling shoes, large rugby boots, large hiking boots and large walking shoes. However we also have a range of large mens shoes more suited to the office or school.