Summer models of sports shoes often have a mesh on the sides or on the toe surface. Manufacturers design this not only for beauty but also to allow the foot to breathe in closed shoes during summer. However, these light summer models have one drawback—if you trip over a hard object or someone accidentally steps on your foot, the mesh on the sneaker may tear.
A hole appears in a conspicuous place, so many people simply stop wearing their favorite pair. Is there a way to repair such a “breakdown” at home, and how to prevent the fabric from tearing? We asked experts from “Obuv-Complekt” about this.
Why the mesh tears and how to avoid it
Mesh inserts are the weakest and least durable part of the shoes, even branded ones.
Aside from accidental tearing, there are several reasons for the wear of the fabric:
- unusual shoe design—in some models, a zipper is used instead of laces. Shoes like this need to be handled with extra care. The zipper slider may catch the mesh fabric, and a snag can turn into a hole over time. A thread stuck in the zipper will render it unusable, and you will need to buy new zippers to replace them.
- careless wearing—some people love a leisurely stroll, while others walk rather quickly, often trip, and choose unpaved routes. All these factors affect the shoe’s lifespan;
- foot anatomy features—often the cause of mesh tears on sneakers is a protruding bone (valgus foot) or specific gait features;
- cleaning with a stiff brush—lightweight summer shoes need to be cleaned every day.
If the same stiff brush used for the sole is used for the fabric surface, the mesh will quickly thin out and tear. It is better to use soft cloths for cleaning the top of the sneakers.
How to stitch mesh on a sneaker
A small tear can be stitched. The seam should be tight to prevent the tear from forming again. Sewing threads in bulk for shoe repair are sold in specialized stores, and there you can also buy a bobbin for retail in the color of the sneakers.
Making a patch
If the fabric base under the mesh is torn, and the mesh surface is intact, an internal patch can be applied. The scheme is the same as in clothing repair.
Cut a piece of durable material of the needed size and carefully sew the patch from the inside. Try to make small stitches so that they are not visible from the outside.
But in the case of a “through injury” of the mesh, more labor-intensive repair is needed. For this, a patch of strong material or soft leather should be glued inside at the site of the hole and only then carefully sew the fabric on top, maintaining the mesh pattern. Be sure to pick threads in the right tone.
If you have minimal sewing skills, you can handle such a simple repair. Otherwise, take the sneakers to a workshop.
The repair will cost much less than a new pair of sports shoes.