In 2024, 259 million pairs of shoes were places on the French market. Yet, their lifespan often remains limited due to technical, aesthetic, or comfort-related issues — leading to increased consumption and a significant environnemental impact.
In this context, physical durability emerges as a key lever to extend product lifespan and meet consumer expectations.
In line with this ambition, Refashion coordinated in 2024 the second edition of the Collectif Chaussure (Footwear Collective), bringing together brands, technical experts, and institutions to equip industry professionals with the tools to integrate durability starting from the design phase.
The Collectif Chaussures : a collaborative sector initiative
The Collectif Chaussure (Footwear Collective) is the result of a year-long collaborative effort involving nine committed companies (Christian Louboutin, Kiabi, Chaussea, Eram Group, Decathlon, Royer Group, Paraboot, Intersport, and Besson), alongside the Centre Technique du Cuir (Technical Center for Leather) and the Fédération Française de la Chaussure (French Footwear Federation).
Their ambition: to develop a practical and operational guide to help professionals of the industry— stylists, product managers, developers, and buyers — integrate physical durability into footwear design from the earliest stages of product development.
Understanding and structuring physical durability
The guide focuses specifically on physical durability, defined as a product’s ability to resist wear and ageing over time, while maintaining its essential functionalities and comfort.
This approach is complementary to other environmental levers, such as repairability, industrial processes, recyclability, and economic models.
To make the concept actionable, the guide provides:
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A six-step development process, from business strategy to after-sales follow-up.
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Design best practices based on five key technical areas: last, pattern making, sole geometry, choice of materials, and assembly.
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A practical case study — using the sneaker as an example — to illustrate a continuous improvement method derived from real cases of product failure, helping identify root causes of end-of-life and define testable improvement actions.
Key Takeaways :
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Physical durability as a systemic challenge
Ensuring physical durability involves every function within the company: Management, CSR, Quality, Product Development, Finance, Legal, Marketing, Sourcing, Manufacturing, and After-Sales.
Each step of the value chain provides opportunities to embed physical durability criteria and enhance both perceived and actual product quality.
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Design as a key lever
By systematically challenging the last, pattern making, sole, materials, and assembly, designers can anticipate weak points, adapt products to their intended use, and significantly increase their lifespan.
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A reproducible approach
The guide offers a structured method to turn every field observation or product failure into an opportunity for improvement — through a comparative, testable, and collaboratively validated approach.
Positive Outcomes
Implementing a structured approach to physical durability brings multiple benefits:
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Extending the lifespan of shoes to reduce their environmental impact.
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Strengthening consumer trust and satisfaction through more durable products.
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Building collective momentum across the sector by sharing common and replicable tools among industry players.
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