Waterproofing Clear Soles (Foams...)

[merkurposite]

If this is in the wrong forum, I apologize!  Mods feel free to move it if need be.

My question is simple:  Is it better to waterproof the clear soles on shoes like the Copper Foams, or better not to waterproof them?  Will waterproofing slow down the yellowing process or only speed it up.

I do know that all clear soles yellow at some point.  I'm just curious how waterproofing spray affects yellowing.

 

[AIR J XIII]

i dont think it would hurt, it would help repel moisture.

 

[koudie from brooklyn]

Interesting Question.

 

[thefoamcollector]

I never did and I wouldn't recommend doing it. It may speed up the process. Honestly you don't really need to waterproof the soles, just clean em after you wear em and let them dry before you store em

 

[silverswoosh]

Once you hit pavement, it'll just scuff right off.

 

[asianimage]

Originally Posted by TheFoamCollector

I never did and I wouldn't recommend doing it. It may speed up the process. Honestly you don't really need to waterproof the soles, just clean em after you wear em and let them dry before you store em

I agree...so many people worrying about yellowing...you cant stop nature.  BUT...and it is a BIG BUT...if you take care of your shoes they should last longer.  I do this every time I wear one of my "good" shoes.  As soon as I get home, I clean them off immediately and wipe them down.  Leave them out over night and then re pack in the box and all my kicks are fine.  I just take that little extra time...I have a toothbrush and towel just for my shoes, so far so good.  Plus like everyone says..enough worrying...just WEAR YOUR DANG SHOES!

 

[othelloxtwon]

Originally Posted by silverswoosh

Once you hit pavement, it'll just scuff right off.

yeah i cant imagine it staying on after 1 wear

but honestly...i would stay away from it...who knows what could result from it

 

[comacoma33]

I did it to my Space Jams in 2000. Still icy and I ended up selling them for over $550. Doesnt hurt. If it did, then sue the company.

 

[nomadicsole21]

Word to AsianImage, you can't stop nature, word to human beings aging.

Nothing looks the same forever, wear it and enjoy it.

 

[mmou001]

very interesting, but i agree that cleaning then after wears helps preserve the life of the shoe a lot longer, especially if yellowing is your main concern.  i clean mine everytime i wear them too!!

 

[Magic33]

Originally Posted by comacoma33

I did it to my Space Jams in 2000. Still icy and I ended up selling them for over $550. Doesnt hurt. If it did, then sue the company.

Did you think about this before you typed it?

 

[bush man 2002]

^lol

I know right

 

[denverairforce]

just curious, why would you waterproof foams to begin with? they aren't made of fabric and they don't absorb water, there doesn't seem to be any point at all in waterproofing them... if you're just trying to come up with ways of keeping them from yellowing, just buy some seaglow if that's really your main concern.

 

[rocman23]

a dude at footlocker told me that spraying clear soles with waterproof spry did slow down yellowing. I don't know how true it is, but dude said it

 

[s dubl]

wont help....just keep in a dark cool place. Wipe em down after wear and let em dry before you put em in the box.


I put Armor All on a pair of kicks and they still yellowed, even without wearing em. Not bad, but not any less than pairs I was wearing.

 

[theassassin23]

I put it on a pair once and it felt like I was walking on ice even after drying them, it must eat or breakdown any stick the shoe has. I wouldnt suggest it

 

[gotkickz290]

Originally Posted by Koudie From BroOklyn

Interesting Question.

 

[adi934liife]

Originally Posted by NomadicSole21

Word to AsianImage, you can't stop nature, word to human beings aging.

Nothing looks the same forever, wear it and enjoy it.

Truest thing i've heard.

 

[aceofjays]

If you wear them, it's inevitable.

 

[mayhemgatz]

Originally Posted by AsianImage

Originally Posted by TheFoamCollector

I never did and I wouldn't recommend doing it. It may speed up the process. Honestly you don't really need to waterproof the soles, just clean em after you wear em and let them dry before you store em

I agree...so many people worrying about yellowing...you cant stop nature.  BUT...and it is a BIG BUT...if you take care of your shoes they should last longer.  I do this every time I wear one of my "good" shoes.  As soon as I get home, I clean them off immediately and wipe them down.  Leave them out over night and then re pack in the box and all my kicks are fine.  I just take that little extra time...I have a toothbrush and towel just for my shoes, so far so good.  Plus like everyone says..enough worrying...just WEAR YOUR DANG SHOES!

this.....

the yellowing comes from oxidation.

no waterproofing method is gonna keep air out so if you wanna stop the yellowing, then study some serious chemistry to reverse/stop the process.

 

[merkurposite]

Believe me, I know all too well that yellowing is absolutely inevitable. I've been in the sneaker game since I was in grade school and have more than a few clear soled kicks through the years. I know nothing will stop it...just curious what might slow the process. Wrinkles in your skin are inevitable too, but look how good some of those creams work.

Imagine if a product did come out that reliably slowed or even stopped the yellowing process! The inventor of that stuff would make a mint!

 

[mayhemgatz]

Originally Posted by MerkurPosite

Imagine if a product did come out that reliably slowed or even stopped the yellowing process! The inventor of that stuff would make a mint!

SeaGlow...

 

[merkurposite]

Originally Posted by Mayhemgatz

Originally Posted by MerkurPosite

Imagine if a product did come out that reliably slowed or even stopped the yellowing process! The inventor of that stuff would make a mint!

SeaGlow...

That doesn't slow or stop yellowing, it helps remove it (and works quite well too...I own some myself!).  I'm talking about a product you would put on your icy soles as soon as you buy them that would prevent yellowing from happening in the first place.

 

[Magic33]

Nike would probably find a way to sue or buy them if they did that. Would hurt their cash flow.

 

[jbv1]

Hhhmmm... "applying waterproof spray" to Foams, not so much for actually waterproofing them, but in an attempt to ****** or delay the yellowing process? Sounds like the shoe guy at the store was trying to bump his IPT (items pre transaction) LOL.

After so many years in existence this knowledge would have been on NT waaaay back when, especially if it re: clear sole preservation

I actually look forward to rainy days for my Foams (casual wear), at least that way the friction & heel drag is minimized due to wetter ground