Rock ’em or stock ’em? It’s a dilemma faced by all sneakerheads. Do you let your most highly coveted kicks feel the grip of the streets or retain their untarnished glory and remain unworn?

While many may consider this a question with an easy answer when it comes to the preservation of the secondary market’s biggest sellers and vintage rares, the risk of damage – both physical and financial – has the potential to make things a little more complicated. The days of surfing forums to discover the best ways to clean and maintain your favourite footwear are long gone and the market is awash with cleaning products, midsole pens and everything in between.

To cut through the noise and help you keep your rotation fresh, some of the game’s (and Instagram’s) hottest collectors share their sneaker preservation tips below.

When it comes to Nike Air Jordan 1s, few knock it out the park quite like @mikepairs. Armed with some of the model’s hottest releases, from the Rust Pink iteration to the Off-White University Blue, he certainly knows a thing or two about kicks. With a rock ’em mentality, pre-treating and regular cleaning form an important part of the collector's routine. He often turns to Jason Markk, Liquiproof and Crep Protect – protection is just as important as cleaning. And, so it happens, is your mindset.

“Wear your kicks, but don’t be rushed to wear your kicks. I see a lot of new skool sneakerheads getting their sneakers they won in a raffle and putting them on straight out the door. I understand the excitement, but they're not really taking time to appreciate the sneaker. I think taking time out to do that will give you a deeper passion for sneakers and make you want to keep them fresh. From that, you can decide how you will wear them, but ultimately [to preserve your sneakers], I think the want has to be from within.”

For those looking for a healthy dose of history with their sneakers, London DJ @kishkash1 and his impressive multi-brand collection is a goldmine. Whether he’s flexing Jordan brand favourites, such as the Jordan 4 Bred and Cement 3s, or something as daring as the Wu Wear x Clarks Originals Wallabees, every kick is kept as crisp as when it first came out the box. Having played an important role in bringing Jason Markk to the UK, the lilac-coloured liquid is a mainstay of Mr Kash’s cleaning routine.

“If you can’t afford an SAS security detail to follow you around, just use your common sense. If it’s raining outside, don’t step out in a pair of suede kicks or canvas All-Stars that are going to get ruined. If they do get dirty, just clean them as soon as possible and give them a good polishing off afterwards. Rock or stock? Both. There’s a balance when it comes down to it. Look at it this way: I’ve got a pair of Tom Sachs Nikes that I never got around to wearing and the price of them has shot up, so I’d be daft to wear them now.”

For Nike Air Max Plus and vintage sneaker collector @rmaxplus, preservation is an essential part of the process. Factors such as age and weather are the difference between life and death for some of his vintage rares. With a collection largely built up of seriously hard-to-come-by heat, such as the Air Max Plus 7 Strawberry and France's only pair of Air Max 360 Supreme Koinoboris, upkeep is key, and there are several tools Mr Vuil keeps close to ensure his grails look just as good now as they did in the early 2000s. Crep Protect handles daily cleaning and maintenance, but vintage pairs – much like artwork – often require restorative efforts, for which he calls upon Angelus Leather Paint and Sneakers ER for sole restorations.

“If you have vintage Nikes, always keep them in the box and avoid the UV rays of the sun. It makes the soles yellow. For new pairs, just a little spray of your favourite cleaning product and here we go again.”