High-intensity usage A shoe needs time to allow the perspiration that penetrates the leather during the day to evaporate. By alternating shoes every day, the moisture content of the leather can return to the ideal level. If the leather, lining and insole are not given enough time to evaporate moisture, cumulative damage will be done over time. The first sign that shoes are consistently too moist is dark discolouration of the shoe's inner front section. Ultimately, this deterioration can lead to a less attractive appearance and premature wear of the stitching and the leather.

Low-intensity usage Shoes that aren't worn often should ideally be worn for a day every 2 to 3 months and then treated with an appropriate shoe care product. Leather soles that will not be walked on for an extended period of time can be cared for using Sole Tonic by Colloni. Shoes left in the closet untouched for a long time run the risk of becoming too dry. Dried-out leather feels stiff and shows enhanced creases when walking. As the fibre structure is weakened, the leather has an increased risk of tearing at the shoe's flex points. Soles, both leather and rubber, can also dry out, resulting in stiffness, accelerated wear and possible tearing.

Care Cleaning and polishing, impregnating, and additional shoe care not only serve aesthetic purposes. They also extend shoes' lifespan.

Production method The Floris van Bommel collection features a wide variety of production methods. A refined moccasin with a thin sole or a smooth summery Sachetto-made shoe should generally be expected to have a shorter lifespan than a robust Goodyear-made shoe or a sturdy Blake-sewn boot.

In most cases, the fragility and expected lifespan of a shoe is also visible to the lesser-trained eye. For Ago, Blake and Goodyear-made shoes, the difference is a little more difficult to spot. Shoes that are made using these three production methods can look very similar to one another. Yet structurally, they are significantly different. This difference in the construction translates to a difference in comfort, repairability, price, and lifespan.

For more detailed and personalised advice on the expected lifespan of different production methods, please refer to your local Floris van Bommel dealer or brand store.

Type of material Every type of leather used on a Floris van Bommel shoe has to meet strict quality requirements. Technically speaking, there is no difference in terms of lifespan. Aesthetically speaking, the lifespan can differ from one material to the next. For example, the leather of a white sneaker can be maintained for a long time with the correct shoe care products, but after a while, it will no longer be possible to achieve a bright white colour. In such instances, the material is still wholly intact and functional, but no longer aesthetically pleasing. Shoes made from neutral leather can also show aesthetic wear more quickly if not cared for properly.

Foot & shoe combination If a shoe's shape does not match the shape of the foot it surrounds, the shoe's lifespan may decline. Feet that are too wide, too narrow, too small, have an instep that is too high or low, or have lumps and bumps can all cause premature wear to the shoe. How a person places their feet while walking and the total body weight a shoe has to bear also affect the shoe's lifespan.