Give Old Sneakers New Life — with Oranges, Walnuts, and Flour?
Innovation
Yes really! Join Nike footwear designers as they share three ways to use natural ingredients in easy, at-home actions that'll help your sneakers last longer.
“Hands On” is a series where you’ll learn tactile techniques from expert innovators.
“I’m an A+ vegetarian — and an A- vegan,” jokes footwear design specialist Aja Zarrehparvar, in reference to the plant-based sneaker dye recipe she’s about to share with us.
Whether it’s what to eat for lunch or how you take care of your shoes, we’re all on our own journeys to become more sustainable citizens. But can individual actions really add up to societal change?
Aja thinks so: “The culture determines what’s quote-unquote ‘cool,’” she says. “If the culture continues to encourage revamping your shoes — customizing, saving things — we can make sustainability an undeniable pillar of what’s cool!”
Meet your host Aja Zarrehparvar (right) and guest Indah Nur.
While dunking your shoes into a vat of hot water steeped with beets might not feel like an intuitive climate action for most of us (yet!), it’s all in a day’s work for Aja.
“I’m here to help inspire designers across the company to explore, dream, discover, and remain excited about new processes and approaches,” she says of her job at Blue Ribbon Studio, Nike’s on-campus maker space. “Sometimes mistakes take place, but that’s where happy accidents happen — that’s where problem-solving happens!”
Ready to solve some practical sneaker problems through innovative thinking (and a little elbow grease)? Scroll down to learn ways to clean, dye, and glue your shoes, featuring sustainably minded methods that Aja and fellow footwear designer Indah Nur use at home. Let’s go!
Note: You’ll be working with hot liquid for some of these, so adult supervision is required, as well as the use of safety goggles and gloves.
1. How to Keep Your Sneakers Fresh — Using Items Around the House
Whether you strive to keep your sneakers box-fresh for as long as possible, or prefer a lived-in look that gets better with age, one thing’s for sure: “If you take good care of your stuff, it’s gonna last longer,” says Indah, who specializes in designing sneakers durable enough for hard-playing kids. If you’re overwhelmed by all the opinions and techniques out there, start with the basics — and start close to home, with tools you might already have in your own kitchen and bathroom! Watch the clip above for detailed pointers.
Fun fact: Nike Air bubbles, like many
plastics, can get foggy over time due to
oxidation. But no worries, we included
a tip to get them shining like new.
Check it out!
Extra credit: Switching up your sneakers isn’t just good for your outfit — it can help keep your shoes fresher for longer. We learned from Nike quality engineers that, after spending a day under your feet, most foam midsoles take 24 to 48 hours to decompress. So, when you can, practice active recovery by rotating between two or more pairs.
2. How to Naturally Dye Your Shoes — and Give Them New Life
Ever come across a pair buried deep in your closet that are dingy, discolored — or maybe you’re just plain tired of them? Before you donate or recycle ’em, consider rejuvenating them with a colorful new look! Bonus points if you try a nature-based recipe like the one above. “Dyeing shoes gives them new life no matter what,” Aja says. “But dyeing with turmeric, coffee, or food scraps is an artistic circle of life!”
Fun fact: Beets are red, coffee is
brown…but what color dye do you think
avocado pits make? Find the surprising
answer in the video above.
Extra credit: Know your materials! Natural dyes like the ones discussed above work best on natural materials — like cotton, canvas, suede, wool. Synthetic materials (think plastic, rubber, polyester), which a lot of shoe components are made of, won’t absorb natural dyes in the same way. To recolor those, try a more powerful dye from your local craft store.
3. How to Make DIY Shoe Glue — and Save Busted Sneakers
“It’s about the story of getting them, or the feeling I have when I put them on,” Aja says of her many favorite shoes (including the sentimental pair seen above). “They all have this magical aspect that I can’t quite put my finger on, even after all this time!” If you’ve got cherished sneakers with components starting to separate, don’t be afraid to get in there with some glue — just make sure to watch the clip above for tips on what’s fixable, how best to apply the glue, and even a recipe to make your own at home.
Fun fact: Flour glues like the one
demonstrated above have been used
since ancient times (i.e., thousands of
years ago) for various arts like book
binding, découpage and more.
Extra credit: Are there more advanced glues out there? Of course! And Nike chemists are innovating better ones all the time. But even industrial-strength glues can degrade over the course of decades. Excessive moisture or heat can accelerate that process, so try to avoid those. And if your pair is truly toast, you can always recycle them at participating Nike stores.
Meet the Sneaker Experts: Aja + Indah
You heard their tips above — now get to know our hosts for this installment of “Hands On”.
Aja
Footwear Design Specialist,
Blue Ribbon Studio @ Nike
What is Blue Ribbon Studio?
“BRS is the cultural, creative, and community central node for Nike design. We are the epicenter for Nike design creativity. It’s a place where designers can come play.”
Tell us about your job.
“Being a BRS footwear design specialist means I’m here to help support other designers. To hop on these creative frequencies with all different flavors and textures and shapes. I think of myself as the milk in the cereal bowl. Nondairy oat milk, that is.”
What led you to this point?
“I studied architecture in undergrad and grad school, and first found my way to Nike as a 3D footwear designer about three years ago.”
What personality traits do you bring to work and life?
“I am up for exploring and diving in headfirst! I am constantly curious, I love learning new things, and try to bring a bit of levity to everything.”
When did your love for sneakers start?
“I wore Air Jordan 4 Retro ‘Mars’ 2006 in 7th grade basketball. Something changed getting that first pair, and I’ve never looked back.”
What are some of your favorite pairs lately?
Air Jordan 1 ‘Not For Resale’: “The ‘please crease’ messaging on the toes is so good — it’s talking exactly to the culture of shoes.”
ISPA Flow: “They have a really wonderful translucent upper. They’re fun to walk in, just like a whole different experience.”
Blazer Jumbo: “So thoughtfully designed. I was like, ‘This is how you improve a classic.’”
Indah
Materials Designer,
Kids’ Footwear @ Nike
Tell us about your job.
“My role is to make sure that I really understand our consumer needs to create products that are desirable — solving problems by bringing creativity, sustainability, circularity through the lens of materials.”
When did your love for sneakers start?
“My connection to sneakers is enjoying time with my family. When I moved to Los Angeles from Indonesia in 2005, I didn’t speak English, and my cousins didn’t speak Indonesian — but somehow, we were able to bond through sneakers. They would take me to go camp out for drops, and I would make new friends while waiting in line. It’s all about the community that makes me feel welcome.”
What personality traits do you bring to work and life?
“I’m easygoing, outgoing, a Capricorn. I like trying new food, exploring new vintage shops, thrift stores, etc. That’s why my shoes have to be comfy, I’m always on the move!”
What are some of your favorite pairs lately?
Air Jordan 4 x Off-White: “It means a lot to me because it’s a women’s release. The more worn-in it gets, the better — on my team, we always talk about finding materials that look better as they age.”
Air Jordan 1 Mid Fearless ‘Melody Ehsani’: “My friend gifted me this pair. A lot of people talk down on Mids, but to me they are so comfortable and one of my fav. Designed by women, the storytelling, colorway goes crazy.”
Air Jordan 3 ‘A Ma Maniére’: “Another women’s release shoe that I tried very hard to get, and luckily did. I love the premium material, quilted liner (so comfy), the suede, the ‘work harder’ printed lace tips.”
Aja
Footwear Design Specialist,
Blue Ribbon Studio @ Nike
What is Blue Ribbon Studio?
“BRS is the cultural, creative, and community central node for Nike design. We are the epicenter for Nike design creativity. It’s a place where designers can come play.”
Tell us about your job.
“Being a BRS footwear design specialist means I’m here to help support other designers. To hop on these creative frequencies with all different flavors and textures and shapes. I think of myself as the milk in the cereal bowl. Nondairy oat milk, that is.”
What led you to this point?
“I studied architecture in undergrad and grad school, and first found my way to Nike as a 3D footwear designer about three years ago.”
What personality traits do you bring to work and life?
“I am up for exploring and diving in headfirst! I am constantly curious, I love learning new things, and try to bring a bit of levity to everything.”
Indah
Materials Designer,
Kids’ Footwear @ Nike
Tell us about your job.
“My role is to make sure that I really understand our consumer needs to create products that are desirable — solving problems by bringing creativity, sustainability, circularity through the lens of materials.”
When did your love for sneakers start?
“My connection to sneakers is enjoying time with my family. When I moved to Los Angeles from Indonesia in 2005, I didn’t speak English, and my cousins didn’t speak Indonesian — but somehow, we were able to bond through sneakers. They would take me to go camp out for drops, and I would make new friends while waiting in line. It’s all about the community that makes me feel welcome.”
What personality traits do you bring to work and life?
“I’m easygoing, outgoing, a Capricorn. I like trying new food, exploring new vintage shops, thrift stores, etc. That’s why my shoes have to be comfy, I’m always on the move!”
When did your love for sneakers start?
“I wore Air Jordan 4 Retro ‘Mars’ 2006 in 7th grade basketball. Something changed getting that first pair, and I’ve never looked back.”
What are some of your favorite pairs lately?
Air Jordan 1 ‘Not For Resale’: “The ‘please crease’ messaging on the toes is so good — it’s talking exactly to the culture of shoes.”
ISPA Flow: “They have a really wonderful translucent upper. They’re fun to walk in, just like a whole different experience.”
Blazer Jumbo: “So thoughtfully designed. I was like, ‘This is how you improve a classic.’”
What are some of your favorite pairs lately?
Air Jordan 4 x Off-White: “It means a lot to me because it’s a women’s release. The more worn-in it gets, the better — on my team, we always talk about finding materials that look better as they age.”
Air Jordan 1 Mid Fearless ‘Melody Ehsani’: “My friend gifted me this pair. A lot of people talk down on Mids, but to me they are so comfortable and one of my fav. Designed by women, the storytelling, colorway goes crazy.”
Air Jordan 3 ‘A Ma Maniére’: “Another women’s release shoe that I tried very hard to get, and luckily did. I love the premium material, quilted liner (so comfy), the suede, the ‘work harder’ printed lace tips.”
Brought to you by Move to Zero: Nike’s journey toward zero carbon and zero waste to help protect the future of sport.
Films: Ariel Fisher
Words: Gail Dorwin