How to Store Rick Owens Shoes Properly
Footwear faces unique storage challenges that clothing simply doesn’t — sole materials that can warp under pressure, toe boxes that need internal support to hold their shape, and the practical reality of managing multiple pairs in a limited closet space. Given how much of the brand’s design relies on distinctive, often dramatic silhouettes, proper footwear-specific storage matters significantly more than it might for more conventional shoe styles.
Here’s a complete, dedicated guide to keeping Rick Owens shoes in top condition between wears.
Start With Proper Cleaning Before Storage
Storing shoes without cleaning them first locks in dirt, oils, and moisture that can cause lasting damage over an extended storage period. A quick wipe-down, appropriate for the specific material — matte leather, suede, or technical fabric https://rickowenn.com/ should always happen before a pair goes into longer-term storage, rather than assuming they can be cleaned whenever they’re next worn.
Use Shoe Trees or Proper Stuffing Every Time
Given the brand’s often elongated, sculptural silhouettes, internal support matters more here than with more conventional shoe shapes. Cedar shoe trees offer both shape support and natural moisture absorption, making them a particularly effective choice for regular storage. When shoe trees aren’t available or don’t fit a specific silhouette well, acid-free tissue paper stuffed firmly into the toe box provides a reasonable alternative, helping maintain the shoe’s intended shape rather than allowing it to collapse or crease during storage.
Original Boxes: Useful, But Not Always Ideal for Daily Access
While original packaging offers good protection and can support resale value down the line, storing frequently worn pairs exclusively in their original boxes can be impractical for regular access. A reasonable approach involves using original boxes for pairs worn infrequently or being stored long-term, while keeping regularly worn pairs more accessible on an open shelf or in breathable shoe bags, where they’re easier to grab for daily use without the friction of repeatedly opening and closing a box.
Avoid Stacking, Especially for Platform Styles
Given how much of the brand’s footwear features platform soles and dramatic proportions, stacking pairs directly on top of each other risks warping soles or crushing more delicate upper materials under sustained weight. Storing pairs side by side, or on individual shelves rather than stacked, protects against this kind of pressure damage, which can be difficult to fully reverse once it’s occurred.
Climate Considerations for Footwear Specifically
Humidity Control
Excess humidity creates particular risk for footwear, since enclosed shoe storage can trap moisture more readily than open clothing storage. This makes proper ventilation especially important, whether through breathable shoe bags, slightly open storage rather than fully sealed containers, or occasional airing out even for pairs not currently in rotation.
Temperature Stability
Extreme temperature fluctuations can affect adhesives used in shoe construction over time, making a stable, moderate temperature storage environment particularly important for footwear compared to some clothing categories, where this concern matters somewhat less.
Sunlight Exposure
Direct sunlight causes particularly visible fading on footwear, since shoes often sit in one fixed position for extended periods rather than being regularly moved or worn during storage. Keeping stored pairs away from windows or direct light sources protects color consistency significantly better than assuming brief exposure won’t matter cumulatively over time.
Seasonal Rotation and Long-Term Storage
For pairs not in regular seasonal rotation, a more deliberate long-term storage approach helps preserve condition over extended periods.
- Clean thoroughly before seasonal storage, ensuring no dirt or oils are locked in during the extended period between wears.
- Use full shoe trees or firm stuffing, since long-term storage without internal support risks more significant shape loss than shorter-term storage between regular wears.
- Store in breathable bags within a stable environment, avoiding basements or attics prone to significant humidity or temperature swings.
- Check on stored pairs periodically, even during long-term storage, to catch any developing issues — must, pest damage, material drying — before they become significant problems.
Organizing Multiple Pairs Efficiently
For those with a growing collection of Rick Owens shoes, a clear organizational system helps protect condition while keeping pairs genuinely accessible.
- Group by frequency of wear, keeping regularly used pairs in the most accessible storage and reserving deeper storage for occasional or seasonal pairs.
- Label boxes or use clear storage if keeping pairs boxed, avoiding the need to open multiple boxes just to identify a specific pair.
- Consider a dedicated shoe rack or shelving system designed to keep pairs upright and properly spaced, rather than crowding a closet floor where pairs are more likely to be stepped on or compressed.
Traveling vs. Home Storage
Storage needs shift somewhat between home and travel contexts. At home, more elaborate, protective storage setups make sense given the stability of the environment. While traveling, focus shifts toward protecting shoes rickowenn.com during transit specifically — using a dedicated shoe bag within luggage, stuffing to maintain shape during compression risk, and prompt proper storage again immediately upon arrival at a destination, rather than leaving shoes loose in a suitcase for the duration of a trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I always use shoe trees for Rick Owens shoes? Cedar shoe trees are generally the best option when available, offering both shape support and natural moisture absorption, particularly valuable for the brand’s more elongated or sculptural silhouettes.
Is it bad to stack multiple pairs of shoes on top of each other? Yes, generally. Stacking risks warping soles or crushing upper materials under sustained pressure, particularly for platform styles, so storing pairs side by side is safer.
Do I need to keep shoes in their original boxes at all times? Not necessarily for frequently worn pairs, where accessibility matters more, but original boxes are useful for infrequently worn pairs or longer-term storage.
How often should I check on shoes in long-term storage? Periodically, even during extended storage, to catch developing issues like humidity damage or material drying before they become more significant problems.
Does climate really affect stored footwear significantly? Yes. Humidity, temperature fluctuation, and sunlight exposure all meaningfully affect footwear condition over time, making stable, moderate storage conditions particularly important for shoes specifically.
Final Thoughts
Proper storage for Rick Owens shoes requires more specific attention than general clothing storage, given the brand’s often dramatic silhouettes and the particular vulnerabilities of footwear to humidity, pressure, and sunlight. Using shoe trees consistently, avoiding stacking, and maintaining stable climate conditions all contribute significantly to keeping pairs in excellent condition for years of wear.
Ready to give your footwear the storage setup it deserves? Explore the current lineup of Rick Owens shoes and start your proper storage routine from the very first pair.