Reviving dead sneakers - With Vinnie Tao at Sneakerpharm (#159)

What happens when a lifelong sneaker lover refuses to throw away his favourite shoes — and ends up building a full sneaker restoration business instead?

In this episode, we meet SneakerPharm’s founder, the craftsman bringing dead, battered, sun-bleached trainers back to life using skill, chemistry, and a whole lot of patience. From reverse-engineering damaged materials to perfecting the art of whitening, reglueing, repainting, and rebuilding — this is a deep dive into the world of sneaker rescue and the culture around it.

We talk about:
🧪 How he learned restoration through trial, error, and obsession
👟 Why certain sneakers are worth saving — even if they look beyond repair
🔥 The business of sneaker cleaning, detailing, and reviving rare pairs
✨ The surprising emotional stories behind the shoes people send in
📦 What it’s really like turning your passion into a full-time craft

If you love sneakers, craftsmanship, or just great stories from people who really care about what they make, you’ll enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at a fascinating and fast-growing world.

You can find SneakerPharm on the web at sneakerpharm.com and on Instagram as @sneakerpharm

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can  buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.