When I started customizing sneakers back in 2017, I was basically learning everything from scratch.
Not only the painting techniques, but also the artistic side of the process, how different materials behave, how to prepare a sneaker properly, and most importantly — how to make a custom that actually lasts.
My journey started with sneaker restoration, which turned out to be one of the best possible foundations for what I do today. It taught me to pay attention to the condition of the shoe, the surface I was working on and the small details that can make a huge difference later.
Of course, like everyone starting out, I made plenty of mistakes.
Some of them were pretty obvious in hindsight.
One example was painting the soles.
Over the years, I tested many different products and techniques trying to find a genuinely durable way of painting sneaker soles. And after all this time, my conclusion is pretty simple:
There is currently no method I trust to guarantee the same level of durability on a painted sole as on a painted upper.
The sole is constantly touching the ground, flexing, scraping and wearing down. It simply goes through completely different conditions than the upper of the sneaker.
But that was only one part of a much bigger learning process.
What Makes Custom Sneakers Durable?
Over the years, I've learned that the durability of a custom sneaker depends on much more than just the paint you use.
For me, three things are especially important:
1. Proper preparation of the sneaker
2. The way the paint is applied
3. The final finish and protection
You can have great paint and an amazing design, but if the surface isn't prepared properly, the result won't be as durable as it could be.
That's why I spend a lot of time on the parts of the process that most people never see.
1. Preparing the Sneaker Before Painting
This is probably one of the most important parts of the entire process.
Before I start painting, I carefully prepare the surface by removing the original finish and getting the material ready for paint.
When working with suitable leather surfaces, I use acetone to remove the factory coating. If I'm painting areas such as the toe box, I can also lightly abrade the surface using fine-grit sandpaper.
The goal isn't to damage or aggressively sand the leather.
It's simply about preparing the surface correctly so the paint can properly adhere to it.
This is one of those steps that the customer will never really see.
But it can make a huge difference in the final result.
2. Thin Layers and Proper Drying Time
Another important factor is the way the paint is applied.
You don't want to cover a sneaker with one thick layer of paint and rush through the process.
I prefer building the design gradually, using controlled layers and allowing enough time for the paint to dry between them.
Drying time matters.
Especially when you're working with multiple layers, rushing the process can affect the final finish and how the paint behaves when the sneaker is being worn.
When I first started customizing sneakers, I experimented with different ways of speeding things up.
Over time, I learned that some parts of the process simply shouldn't be rushed.
Custom sneakers are a combination of a lot of small details, and durability is often the result of getting those details right.
3. The Final Finish
The last stage is applying a finisher.
For many of my customs, I use Tarrago Sneakers Matt Maker to achieve the matte finish I prefer. Tarrago describes the product as a matte finisher designed for sneakers that also helps protect the surface and improve resistance to scratching.
And personally, I really like a matte finish.
A lot.
I generally don't like completely glossy custom sneakers. To me, a strong glossy finish across the entire shoe can make a custom look less natural and, honestly, a little amateurish.
There are exceptions, though.
For example, if I'm painting a car as the main element of a custom sneaker, I might finish the car itself with a high-gloss finisher while keeping the rest of the sneaker completely matte.
That contrast can make the main subject stand out much more.
In that case, the gloss isn't just a finish.
It's part of the design.
So, How Long Do Custom Sneakers Actually Last?
This is where my experience over the years has really changed the way I look at custom sneakers.
When I started in 2017, I obviously didn't know what my work would look like five years later.
I remember wondering:
"Is this actually going to last?"
I could finish a pair and be happy with how it looked, but I couldn't predict what would happen after hundreds of hours of walking, bending, cleaning and everyday wear.
Then something started happening.
Customers began sending me photos.
After one year.
After two years.
After several years.
And some of these sneakers were absolutely worn out.
The soles were heavily worn.
The leather had plenty of creasing.
The sneakers had clearly been used.
But the custom itself?
Still looking great.
Those photos were probably some of the most valuable feedback I've ever received.
They showed me that the techniques and processes I had been developing over the years were actually working in real life — not just inside my studio.
The Customer Who Put His Custom Sneakers in the Washing Machine
There is one story that I still remember particularly well.
A customer had his custom sneakers for about a month when I received a message from him:
"I put them in the washing machine. What now?"
I wasn't exactly thrilled to read that.
I immediately asked him to send me a photo.
A moment later, the photo arrived.
The sneakers were completely creased and looked like they had already been through some serious wear.
And the paint?
Basically untouched.
The design looked almost exactly like it had when I finished the sneakers.
Now, just to be clear:
I do not recommend putting custom sneakers in a washing machine.
But that situation definitely gave me a pretty good indication of how well the custom itself had held up.
Durability Goes Beyond Paint
Over the years, I've also worked on more complicated custom sneaker projects.
One example was a pair of custom sneakers with built-in lighting.
For that project, I created a dedicated pocket underneath the tongue to hold the small battery-powered unit. I also used Cordura fabric to reinforce and protect the pocket and its contents.
Projects like this require thinking beyond the artwork itself.
When you're adding electronics, special materials or structural modifications to a sneaker, you have to consider how everything will behave during actual use.
I pay a lot of attention to those details because I don't want the custom to look good only in photos.
It needs to make sense as a wearable sneaker.
Nine Years of Custom Sneaker Experience
I've been running my own business since 2019, and there's one thing I'm particularly proud of.
I've never had a customer complaint about the paintwork on a custom sneaker.
Not one.
I haven't had a customer send me a photo showing the paint completely washed away, peeling off the leather or cracking apart because of the way the custom was made.
Of course, that doesn't mean a custom sneaker is indestructible.
It's still a sneaker.
It will bend.
It will get dirty.
The sole will wear down.
The leather will crease.
And eventually, the shoe itself will show signs of use.
That's completely normal.
A durable custom doesn't mean an indestructible sneaker.
It means the artwork is properly prepared, applied and finished so that it can handle normal wear together with the sneaker.
Can You Wear Custom Sneakers Normally?
Absolutely.
That's actually one of the most important things to me.
I don't want to create sneakers that look amazing only when they're sitting on a shelf.
They're still sneakers.
You should be able to wear them, walk around the city, bend them and actually enjoy them.
Obviously, taking reasonable care of your custom sneakers will help them stay in good condition for longer. But you shouldn't feel like you're wearing a museum exhibit every time you leave the house.
What I've Learned Since 2017
When I compare the way I worked in 2017 with the way I approach custom sneakers today, the difference is huge.
My techniques have changed.
My materials have changed.
My workshop has changed.
But most importantly, my experience has changed.
Every pair I make today is influenced by years of testing, mistakes, experiments and — perhaps most importantly — seeing how my work behaves after months and years of actual use.
That's something you simply can't learn overnight.
So, are custom sneakers durable?
Yes — when they're properly prepared, painted and finished.
And for me, the best proof isn't a photo of a freshly completed pair.
It's a photo of the same pair after several years of being worn.
That's when you really find out if the custom was made to last.