Tips and Tricks for Storing Your Kicks

Breaking down the dos and don’ts for storing your collection.

Every sneakerhead knows that a collection can become a bit unwieldy as you cop more and more of your must-haves.

It’s one thing to own a few pairs of kicks that are in constant rotation, but keeping up with a collection that runs into the hundreds is a whole ’nother beast entirely.

First you have to figure out where you want to store them, then you have to figure out how exactly you’re going to store them. And what do you do with your kicks after you’ve rocked them on a rainy day or – God forbid – accidentally stepped in a steaming pile of dog doo?

Thankfully, there are number of foolproof tips for getting a proper handle on your footwear stash and protecting your prized investment.

via Instagram @clint419

Location, Location, Location

Depending on your living situation, the basement, attic, or garage – hell, even a shed in your backyard – might seem like the perfect place for your sneakers. After all, sneakers are essentially tailor-made for storage. However, don’t be fooled. When it comes to preserving your kicks over the long haul, you’re looking for dry, moderate conditions – heat and humidity are your enemy. So, while the basement, attic, garage or shed may seem like perfect spots, they’re actually a few of the worst.

via Instagram @floydmayweather

A better option?

Your closet or that extra bedroom you aren’t using. And if you do decide to go with that extra bedroom, try to avoid prolonged periods of direct sunlight. That means keeping the blinds shut to prevent any possible sun-bleaching from ruining those coveted colourways. You should also try to elevate your collection to avoid the likes of a flash flood (hey, it could happen), but this isn’t nearly so important now that you’ve said bye-bye to the basement.

Image via Crep Protect

Ditch the Original Boxes

Your OG shoe boxes are definitely not the best option for storing your kicks. Not only do they provide little protection, but they break down over time, creating a fairly precarious stacking situation since they lack the structure necessary to support additional weight. Thankfully, there are a bunch of plastic storage bins on the market these days that are specifically made for footwear. The Crep Protect Crate is one of the best. Not only can they fit sizes as large as a men’s US13/UK12 and support up to 100kg for all your stacking needs, they also provide UV protection, plus a crystal clear, magnetic drop-down front door so that you can see exactly what’s inside. That transparent front door also makes them perfect for displaying your collection if you’re looking to show off your prized possessions. And, of course, that magical door allows you to grab a pair from the bottom of the stack without tipping the whole tower over. One more bonus? Those handy plastic crates also help prevent oxidation, keeping your kicks from yellowing far better than your OG cardboard boxes – or a sealed plastic bag – possibly can.

via Instagram @del.ten

Organisation

Organisation is key to keeping up with your kicks, but how exactly you do it is up to you.

Sorting by brand and model are some of the most obvious and popular methods, but you can take things one step further. Have some seasonal kicks – say, high-top sneakerboots – that you only rock during certain months of the year? Create a separate section for those. And, while you’re at it, why not keep your everyday rotation close at hand so that they’re easier to grab before you bounce?

Maintenance

Even after you’ve moved your collection to the proper part of your abode, picked up a bunch of plastic storage crates, and organised your kicks by the method you see fit, there are still some other factors to keep in mind. While we’re unabashed advocates of rocking over stocking, those rare Airs are going to turn into your next pair of beaters if you don’t take care of them.

You don’t need to give your kicks a full-on bath after each and every wear, you should probably give them a proper wipe-down every now and then to avoid mould and deterioration – especially if they’ve gotten wet. Avoid abrasive cleaners and heavy scrubbing (that can damage the synthetics used on most modern kicks) and utilise a simple all-purpose cleaning concentrate along with a light cleaning brush. And while you can use products like silica gel packs to help suck some of the moisture out of a pair of wet kicks, don’t leave them in there for more than a few days – a little natural moisture is good for your shoes, and drying them out too much can cause cracking and crumbling (for this reason, don’t dry your kicks out in front of the heater or with a hair dryer, either).

Last but not least, maintain that shape and prevent creased toes with some shoe trees.

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