How Long Do Elevator Shoes Last? Lifespan, Care and When to Replace Them
That one question we've been asked for years is surprisingly simple.
Do they last long?
A fair and valid question. A good pair of elevator shoes is a solid investment and you want to know if they will last long, get the value for your money. The funny thing is that there is no single answer.
I've spoken with customers who were still wearing the same pair of JENNEN shoes four or five years after buying them. I’ve also had some customers tell me they wore through a pair much faster because they were walking several kilometres every day for work.
This is the reason why my answer is always the same if somebody asks me how long elevator shoes last. It depends. Not a very exciting answer, I know. But it's the honest one.
The lifespan of any shoe comes down to a few things. How often you wear them. What they're made from. How hard you are on them. And probably most importantly, whether you look after them once you get home.
A good pair of elevator shoes should comfortably last between two and five years for most men. Imagine two blokes buy exactly the same pair.
One wears them to the office a few days a week. He drives to work, spends most of the day sitting down and rotates between several pairs of shoes. The other wears them every single day. He catches public transport, walks a lot and spends hours on his feet.
Those shoes are going to age very differently. That's why you'll never get a completely accurate answer from anyone.
What I can tell you is that we've had plenty of customers come back years later saying they're only now looking to replace a pair they bought long ago.
Usually, the men who get the longest life from their shoes do a couple of simple things. They rotate their footwear and they don't abuse it.
Sounds obvious but you'd be surprised.
What Usually Wears Out First?
A lot of people assume the hidden height-increasing section wears out first.
In reality, that's rarely the issue. Most of the time it's the same things that wear out on regular shoes. The outsole starts losing tread. The leather starts showing its age. The heel begins wearing unevenly. When stitching loosens in areas that cop the most stress, it’s normal.
Over the years, we have noticed that quality leathers tend to age much better than synthetic materials. A bit of character is often developed in good leather shoes. It starts looking lived in rather than simply worn out. Cheap synthetic materials don't usually do that. They tend to look tired quite quickly.
If I had to pick one mistake that shortens the life of shoes more than anything else, it's wearing the same pair every day. When a man loves their shoes, they wear them everywhere.
To work.
To dinner.
On weekends.
Everywhere.
I get it. But shoes need a break.
All throughout the day they absorb moisture from your feet, even if you don't notice it. Give them a day off, it will allow for that moisture to properly dry.
Wearing one pair seven days a week tires your shoes, if you rotate between two pairs instead, you'll surely notice a significant difference in how long they last. It's the easiest thing you can do plus it costs nothing.
Does Leather Really Make That Much Difference?
In my opinion, yes. We've sold enough shoes over the years to see the difference.
Good leather generally ages better. It softens. It moulds to your feet. It develops those little signs of wear that often make a shoe look better rather than worse. Cheap materials can crack, peel or lose their shape much earlier.
Don’t get me wrong, that doesn't mean that every expensive shoe is automatically a great shoe, it is far from it. But when you compare a well-made leather shoe to a budget alternative, there will be an obvious difference often after a year or two.
How to Care for Different Materials.
One of the simplest things you can do for leathers is wipe them down occasionally with a soft cloth. Dust and dirt may seem harmless but not over time when they can dry out the leather and make it look older than it really is. A leather conditioner every now and then also helps keep the material supple and less prone to cracking.
Suede is a different story.
The instinct when suede gets dirty is often to reach for water. That is usually the last thing you want to do. Usually that's the last thing I'd do. Most marks can be removed with a suede brush and a little patience. We've seen plenty of suede shoes come back looking almost new after a proper brush.
Now, with Canvas shoes, they are generally easier to live with. Often, it is enough for a gentle clean with mild soap and water. The biggest thing is letting them dry naturally. Do you know that throwing wet shoes near a heater most of the time can save time, but it can shorten your shoes life considerably. And here's one tip that applies to every type of shoe. Don't leave them sitting in the boot of your car.
Australian summers can get brutally hot, and that heat can be surprisingly hard on leather, glue and internal materials. I've seen perfectly good shoes age faster simply because they spent too much time baking in a parked car. None of these things take much effort. But they do add up over the years.
So How Do You Know The Right Time To Replace Them?
Most men don't wake up one morning and suddenly decide their shoes are finished, it’s gradual.
The tread wears down. The support doesn't feel quite the same. The shoes don't look as sharp as they once did.
Sometimes customers send us photos asking whether they should replace their shoes.
My answer is usually based on one question. Are they still comfortable?
Because if a shoe is becoming uncomfortable, unstable or uneven, that's often the biggest sign that it's nearing the end of its life.
.Appearance matters, but comfort matters more. A few creases in leather are nothing to worry about. Leather creases; that is what it does. A sole that has worn smooth or a shoe that no longer feels supportive is a different story.
A sole that's worn smooth or a shoe that no longer feels supportive is a different story.
Most men ask the wrong question. They ask, 'How long will the shoes last?' "What they should really ask is, 'How well will I look after them?'"
Ready to invest in a pair that lasts?
Explore our Premium Collection, browse our Best Sellers, or find the style that fits your everyday wardrobe, there is always a new style every season. A well-made pair of elevator shoes should not just make you taller today. It should keep you feeling confident for years.
