Everyone has a pair of Chuck Taylors at home, and every pair breaks in the same place: the midsole cracks where it bends while the canvas upper is still fine.

We designed a set of instructions for repairing them at any local cobbler's shop, so a broken pair becomes an intervention rather than a discard.

We sketched a range of possible interventions adapted to what a small shoe-repair shop can actually do with the tools and materials they have at hand.

The final design features a reworked sole construction with an additional foam layer and a cushioned heel to improve comfort. Rubber reinforcements have been added to protect high-wear areas, while a wrapped Vibram outsole provides durability and traction.

The protocol does two things at once: it extends the useful life of the product, and it backs a local network of craftsmen with real potential for creative upcycling.

We're still developing this project nowadays, final corrections are being done with aim to bring it to life soon. Our objective is to create an open source footwear upcycling protocol downloadable from our website.