You spent your precious time selecting which RINGOR shoe is right for you.  Then you spent your hard-earned dollars on a quality product.  This was followed by a little more time in waiting for them to be delivered.  How about a few tips on taking care of them?

First of all, thank you for choosing RINGOR.  We appreciate your business and we’re confident that you’ll be pleased with your purchase.  You chose to spend a little more money on quality fastpitch softball footwear, and we want to help you keep your shoes in good condition for as long as possible.  Your RINGOR shoes are designed to last longer than any other brand on the market.  Now let’s help to maximize that.  Below are 4 Tips to maximize the life and overall effectiveness of your RINGOR footwear.


Take ‘Em Off!

Probably the most obvious tip of all, but you’d be surprised!  Your cleats (and definitely spikes) are designed to be used on the field.  That’s the grass, the dirt, and if you’re lucky – the field turf.  They are not designed for the parking lot, the restaurant or the grocery store. 

RINGOR outsoles (that’s the bottom of the cleat), are made with materials such as the highest-grade of TPU.  However, wearing them on hard surfaces like long walks on concrete will eventually wear down the cleats.  Not to mention the increased likelihood of you taking a spill on the sidewalk.

And lastly, be sure to untie them and not kick them off.  Most of you are guilty of this!  Kicking them off can slowly break down the heel counter, affecting their comfort.

Clean ‘Em Up!

Probably the hardest thing to do, I know.  The tournament is finally over.  You’re hot, sweaty and tired.  Your shoes and gear go straight into the bag and aren’t taken out until the next time you practice or play.  Try to just take a few minutes to wipe the leather free of dirt and dust.  This will help to keep the material soft, durable and will help with discoloring.

With fabric materials such as the mesh found on the Diamond Gem, you may use a cleaner such as Oxy Clean Spray, Scrubbing Bubbles, or clear (no colors!) dish soap.  Scrub lightly as to not imbed the dirt with a warm, wet cloth or your little brother’s toothbrush!  He’ll never know.

Please do not place your cleats in the washer/dryer!  Not only will the banging around of cleats or spikes probably void your Maytag warranty, but the moisture and heat can damage your shoes.



Keep ‘Em Dry!

This is probably the easiest way to prolong the life of your cleats.  This doesn’t just apply to those of you who play in wet climates.  It’s important to keep your cleats free of moisture both outside (wet fields) and in (sweaty feet). 

This is where your bag can be your enemy.  Unless you’re traveling between games, it’s always best to take your cleats out of your bag and allow them to dry.  If they’ve been heavily submerged, take out the insoles and let them dry separately.

This will prolong their quality and also help to reduce the always unpopular foot odor.

Fix ‘Em Up!

If your cleats have a few miles on them but are still your “gamers”, there are a few routes that you can take to refresh them.

• Replace your shoelaces
  

This is common change that many players use for simple customization.  A quick and easy way to add another color to your scheme and to ensure you don’t break a lace.  You should  always have a spare set with you.  Especially for those of you who slide a lot.

• Treat the leather

You may consider a Leather Care Kit that can treat and protect the genuine leather on your RINGOR footwear.
 

• Change your insoles
  

Lastly, it’s important to regularly replace your insoles.  Replacement Insoles are a major component of good foot health and RINGOR insoles are designed to slowly mold to the individual shape of your foot.  If yours are heavily worn, consider replacing them and your cleats will be just as comfortable as when you first fell in love with them.