What to Do with Old Shoes as a Prepper

Being resourceful and finding multiple uses for everyday items is very important as a prepper. This includes old shoes that have worn out or are no longer suitable for regular use. Instead of discarding them in the trash, there are several practical ways to repurpose them in a prepper’s arsenal.

Mark told me when he was young you seldom got rid of your shoes, you took them to a cobbler for repair. That was particularly true of dress shoes where the leather uppers were still in decent shape. Athletic sneakers were a bit more challenging to repair, but shoes from some manufacturers could have the sole replaced based on the shoe’s components. I think many old footwear items were built for more sustainability and not just to be disposable.

1. Emergency Shoe Kit

Every prepper understands the importance of having emergency supplies readily available. They can be transformed into a compact emergency kit that can be easily stored in a bug-out bag or vehicle. Here are a few essentials to include:

• Firestarter – Remove the shoelaces and soak them in wax to create homemade firestarters.
• Fishing Gear – Use the shoe’s laces as fishing lines and the eyelets as makeshift hooks.
• Sewing Kit – Cut out a small section of the shoe’s fabric and attach a needle, thread, and safety pins.
• Signal Mirror – Remove the shiny insole or use a reflective piece of material from the shoe to make a makeshift signal mirror.
• Emergency Cash – Conceal some cash inside the shoe’s sole for emergencies.

Having an emergency shoe kit made from old shoes ensures you have essential items ready in unexpected situations. Emergency Sewing Kit

2. Gardening and Farming

Old shoes can be repurposed for various gardening and farming needs. Here are some of my favorite reuse ideas! Back to Eden Gardening Steps

• Plant Pots – Fill them with soil and use them as unique plant pots. This works particularly well for small plants or herbs and when putting boots to use.
• Strawberry Patch: Hang some on a fence or wall and fill them with soil to create a vertical strawberry patch. 20 No-Bake Strawberry Desserts
• Garden Decorations – Paint and decorate some to add a touch of whimsy to your garden. Hang them on trees, or fences, or use them as garden markers.
• Garden Tools Holder – Use an old shoe with laces intact to store small gardening tools like trowels and pruners. Hang it on a hook for easy access.

Repurposing them for gardening and farming not only reduces waste but also adds a unique and creative element to your garden!

3. Home Organization

In a prepper’s household, staying organized is key. The shoes can be repurposed to help keep things tidy.

• Drawer Dividers – Cut the shoes into smaller sections and use them as dividers in drawers to keep items neatly separated.
• Cord Organizers – Place small electronic cords inside old shoes to prevent tangling. You can also label the shoe to easily identify the corresponding cord.
• Kids Toy Storage – Fill old shoes with small toys and place them in a mesh bag or basket for easy storage and transport. How Your Kids’ Toys Can Help You in an Emergency
• Doorstop -Fill them with sand or rocks and use them as a doorstop to prevent doors from slamming shut during breezy conditions.

Repurposing shoes for home organization, you can maximize space and keep essential items easily accessible. It may seem weird to use them, but at the same time, we all have to save money where we can.

4. DIY Projects

For the creative prepper, shoes can serve as a resource for DIY projects as they are given new life. You may not use all of these ideas, but I think it’s a good start!

• Knife Sheath – Cut out a section of the shoe’s sole and use it as a sheath to cover and protect your knife.
• Mobile Phone Holder – Cut a small slit in the shoe’s heel, attach some Velcro or adhesive, and use it as a stand to hold your mobile phone.
• Pet Toys – Remove the shoe’s laces and stuff them with treats or squeakers to create interactive toys for your pets.
• Plant Hangers – Cut off the front part of the shoe and attach it to a rope or chain to create unique hanging plant holders. Top 10 Healing Plants to Grow

These DIY projects do help you use pairs of shoes for prepping purposes and even some extra ideas!

5. Shoe Donations

One thing a prepper hates to do is waste things. That holds for shoes that still have enough life in them that others can put to use. Some things to consider if you have a shoe collection in your closet and some shoes haven’t been worn for a while:

• Some thrift and charity shops have bins where you can place old shoes, slippers, sandals, and more. These facilities often have ties with organizations that repair or have a recycling program where they upcycle the shoes. If the shoes are in good enough shape, they can just be cleaned up and given away or sold for much less than a new pair of shoes. Some shoes look almost new if given a new pair of laces.
• Some recycling companies take the textile parts of shoes and then use those materials to make new products. Shoe recycling can reduce the environmental impact of new production and also save manufacturers money.
• Consider holding a shoe drive in your area. Shoe drives are designed to not only collect shoes but will take new shoes no longer in use. The adage that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure comes into play, and for a good cause. Some school districts with limited funds are anxious to get shoes with spikes or cleats for their athletic teams. That’s also the case for old running shoes that can still hold up under competitive conditions. Runners need shoes with decent arch support even when the upper parts are looking shabby.

More Tips

• What to Use for Insulation to Stay Warm
• What to Use for Emergency Lighting
• 20 Ways to Use Beeswax for Prepping

Final Word

As a prepper, finding multiple uses for everyday items is essential. Instead of discarding them, think outside the box and explore the endless possibilities that worn shoes can offer in a prepper’s world. I mean, we are living in a world where it’s getting too expensive to waste items. May God Bless this World, Linda

Copyright Images: Shoes and Sneakers Depositphotos_651304742_S by Baloncici, Second Hand Shoes Depositphotos_308518424_S by Baloncici