News

Nick (owner of the Garmology podcast) flew in and joined me in the store for a conversation about sneaker pharm. Grateful to be part of his podcast - we're amongst great company! In this episode we talk about the start of sneaker pharm/ the realities of owning a business as an independent/ sneaker waste and the importance of circularity and the need for a shift in consumer behaviour. Available for listening and viewing over on the Garmology :shopify here:  SPOTIFYyoutube channel here:  YOUTUBE

A New Chapter for Sneaker Pharm

Introducing Solovair marks the start of a new era for us—one rooted in quality, care, and responsible retail. These are shoes we believe in and shoes we’re proud to service long after you’ve taken them home.

Visit our Dale Street flagship or shop the collection online.
This is footwear built to last. And we’re here to help it last even longer.

The Perils of Vanish and Laundry Detergent There are two types of people in this world: those who treat their sneakers as disposable, and those who understand that a great pair is an investment worth caring for. At Sneaker Pharm, we naturally believe in the latter. Yet, we see the same mistake repeated — someone has reached for the bright pink tub of Vanish or another laundry aisle heavyweight in a bid to “revive” their trainers. The result? Stiff suede and colourways that look like a bad tie-dye experiment. So, let’s set the record straight. Laundry products like Vanish are...

Resoling Sneakers: Why Brands Hold the Missing Piece In the lifecycle of a sneaker, it is rarely the upper that fails first. Stitching, materials, and design often remain in good condition. Instead, it’s the sole that gives way earliest — and once that happens, the entire shoe is typically written off. This creates an avoidable problem: a shoe that is mostly functional is discarded because one component has perished. The Current Reality of Sole Swaps At Sneaker Pharm, we have the tools and expertise to perform sole swaps. In cases where original soles aren’t available, we use three approaches: Generic outsoles...

If you’ve ever pulled out an old pair of sneakers and found the soles stiff, yellow, or even falling apart like cake, you’ve witnessed how sneaker materials break down over time. It’s more science than wear and tear. 1. From Flexible to Brittle Soles are made from polymers — long chains of molecules designed to flex and cushion. Over time, oxygen, UV light, and heat break these chains into shorter ones, a process called depolymerisation. Long, flexible chains = soft and springy soles Short, broken chains = stiff, brittle soles That’s why older sneakers often feel harder and more fragile,...