Shoecare myths & legends debunked

The internet can be an incredible source of information, but for every positive action there is also a negative reaction: it would seem that every useful article out there also has an evil twin lurking in the depths, ready to bombard you with false and contradictory guidance.

I have traipsed the annals of internet lore and found the following suggestions for shoecare that you should definitely not follow.

Break in shoes with ice

There’s plenty of ‘secret hacks’ out there to break in your shoes quickly, which could almost definitely be avoided by just buying shoes that fit.

However, one such hack involves half-filling a freezer bag with water and placing it in your footwear, before putting them in the freezer until the ice has expanded your shoes.

If the image of having shoes alongside your ice cubes and last month’s vegetable soup isn’t bad enough, this is also very risky. If there’s a fight between ice and literally anything else, the ice will win. Have you ever seen a burst pipe in winter? That pipe is made of steel. Your shoes don’t stand a chance.

Shape the insoles with a spoon

The idea here is that you give your feet a helping hand by shaping the footbed with a spoon, so your feet will adapt to the insole better.

Firstly, I’m not sure you should be using the same implement for moulding shoes as eating your cereal, unless you want to have a dedicated insole-shaping-spoon; in which case, I’d keep that information to yourself.

This technique would also risk damaging the footbed (as well as your special spoon) as the leather insoles and cork fillers in decent Goodyear Welted footwear are pretty solid to begin with. Not only this, knowing the particular shape of the underside of your foot is not something that most people can confess to know, so you’d most likely end up with a lumpy insole that would have actually been more comfortable if you’d simply worn them.

Submerge your shoes in water

This technique involves fully submerging your new shoes in water and wearing them whilst they’re sodden.

Whereas well-made shoes will happily cope with getting wet from rain or snow, provided that they’re looked after properly, they should not be used for swimming. Aside from being an unpleasant wearing experience, you risk discolouring the leather, inviting mould to take up residence on your shoes, and most likely making the leather incredibly stiff after they’ve eventually dried out.

For some slightly less dramatic advice on how to ‘break in’ your shoes without the use of a bucket, you can read a blog about it here.

Buff stains on suede shoes with a nail file

I’m a firm advocate for the hardiness of suede, and believe that it can stand up to its leather counterparts in terms of durability and resistance.

However, I draw the line at using a nail file. It may be good for your nails, but would most likely be far too abrasive for suede.

Grab a purpose-made suede brush instead.

Stretch your shoes with a potato

Stretching leather can be problematic. Imagine stretching an elastic band: it becomes thinner as it is stretched, eventually snapping. It’s a similar story with leather, which will become thinner and weaker if it’s excessively stretched.

When you’re trying shoes on, make sure you have some space for the leather to adapt to your feet. Failure to do so will lead to an uncomfortable fit, which will make you consider shoving potatoes in there to make them larger.

Can we all agree that it’s not a great idea to put anything compostable in your shoes?

Any shoemaker worth their potatoes will offer shoes on a variety of different lasts, each with their own fitting properties and widths to suit your foot shape - you should ideally try on a variety to see which fits you best. Keep the vegetables at home.

Kill odours by putting your shoes in the freezer

Or you could use shoe trees, naturally antibacterial and absorbent, which will avoid odour whilst ensuring your freezer doesn’t smell like feet.

Stick duct tape on the soles

This technique is supposed to prolong the life of your soles and make them safer. It is also completely unnecessary.

There are many easier and less ugly ways of making your soles last longer: not wearing the same pair of shoes every day is a big one, as well as choosing a sole unit that is appropriate for its use. If you’re after a workhorse shoe that’ll withstand some hefty wear, then it makes sense to grab some with a rubber sole.

Decent shoes can also be resoled onto different sole units, if the prospect of taping your shoes ever crossed your mind.

They walk among us - this is a pair of shoes I once received for repair

It’s a scary world out there, and we probably shouldn’t believe everything we read online. Have you heard of any mad shoecare hacks? Get in touch - I’d love to hear them.