There’s nothing like new, fresh-out-of-the-box sneakers. The smooth surface, the brand-new laces, the new shoe smell…
But unfortunately, sneakers don’t remain in this state for long. Just one or two wears can make your new sneakers look, well, old. They can begin to crease and form wrinkles that give away that they’re no longer straight from the store.
To keep your sneakers in mint condition, it’s important to prevent these unwanted lines. Read on to learn how to keep sneakers from creasing, as well as how to remove creases that have already formed.
Why You Must Stop Sneakers From Creasing
You probably already know how old and worn out creased sneakers can look. The shoes you just spent your hard-earned money on immediately lose value once they begin to look aged.
Aside from this, creases can also trap dirt, which can lead to unsightly stains and discoloration. This is especially a problem for white and light-colored sneakers.
But even if you truly don’t care about the look of your new kicks, there’s another reason why it’s important to keep sneakers from creasing: comfort. Sneakers with deep creases can put pressure on the feet, especially around the toes and heels. They can also create painful bulges that can pinch and poke your skin.
To continue enjoying the look and feel of your new sneakers for years to come, it’s essential to stop creases in their tracks.
Which Sneakers Are Most Likely to Crease?
When buying sneakers, there are a few things to watch out for to help prevent future creases. In particular, it helps to pay attention to the material of your sneakers.
Any sneaker material that isn’t smooth, such as corrected-grain leather, suede, and canvas, is at risk of creasing. Higher-quality materials and fabrics with some stretch are less likely to wrinkle.
Materials that are stiff can also easily crease. For example, shiny pleather is likely to crease because it often lacks flexibility. The plastic-y, rigid material must form wrinkles in order to accommodate and move with the feet.
It can help to choose sneakers with a blend or combination of upper materials made to offer both structure and flexibility where needed. Avoid materials that are low in quality, as well as sneakers with coatings on the outside. This coating is likely to crack where creases form.
How to Keep Sneakers From Creasing
Now you know why it’s important to stop sneakers from creasing, and you have an understanding of which materials are most and least likely to crease. You know that it’s essential to choose sneakers that are made of a flexible upper, not a rigid material.
There are several other things you can do to keep sneakers from creasing:
Know Your Shoe Size
Sneakers that are too big or too small may be more likely to crease. Shoes that are too big have more room to fold and bend, while too-tight shoes must conform to the shape of the foot. In both scenarios, creases are likely.
If you already own sneakers that are a little too big, try wearing thicker socks to pad the extra space inside. For shoes that are too small, try stretching them out slowly by wearing them only occasionally. There are also some products, such as sprays and shoe trees, that can help stretch out tight shoes.
Look for Structure
Sneakers shouldn’t be too stiff, but they do need some structure.
A lot of creasing happens around the toes. This area should be flexible, but some shoe brands, such as New Balance shoes, purposely add stripes, rubber, and other forms of structure to add a much-needed backbone to this area.
This is also common on the heels of sneakers. Look for shoes that have strong support material added at the heel. This could be a strip of strong leather or tightly-woven fabric.
Be Mindful of How You Move
Most sneakerheads love how comfortable and carefree they feel in their sneakers. However, you might want to be careful of how you move and walk to avoid creases.
Don’t put too much weight on your toes when you walk. Instead, make sure you walk in a heel-toe pattern.
Also, avoid standing or sitting in awkward positions that may bend the shoes. Crouching down with one foot bent or stretching your feet when standing can squish the sneakers, forcing the material to wrinkle.
Clean and Care for Your Sneakers
Some creasing may be inevitable through regular wear and tear. But a little bit of TLC can keep your sneakers looking new, even when they’re not.
Make sure to rotate out shoes, avoiding over-wearing any one pair. This way, your shoes have time to rest.
When putting on or taking off sneakers, use a shoe horn that helps the feet slide in and out, without crunching up or yanking at the material.
Before storing shoes, pop a shoe tree inside to maintain the shape and prevent creases from forming.
Be sure to clean your sneakers regularly, and soak up as much moisture as you can. Moisture from your feet can be enough to cause creases, so insert moisture absorber packs inside after wearing. If your sneakers get wet in the rain or snow, try to wipe them clean and dry them with a shoe or hair dryer.
Revitalizing Sneakers That Have Already Creased
If your sneakers are already looking worn and wrinkled, all hope is not lost. Many sneakers, including those made of leather, can be ironed to remove creases. You can also use a blow dryer in place of an iron.
Learn how to iron creases out of your shoes in this guide.
Keep Your Sneakers Looking Fresh
Creases can age your sneakers, making them look worn out and even causing discomfort on your feet. Use the tips discussed above on how to keep sneakers from creasing to maintain that fresh-out-of-the-box quality.
For more fashion tips and tricks, check out the rest of my blog!
