How much wear and tear before retiring a shoe? (brown, male, look)

[JanND]

They sell some really nice shoe dye at your local Walmart which might make them look new. If you can cover the areas, keep them.

I wear my shoes, mostly flats.... until the soles/heels are worn down. Then, depending on the materials I might turn them into garden shoes.

[suzy_q2010]

The last pair I tossed had holes in the soles that I discovered thanks to puddles from a heavy rain.

[mschrief]

Originally Posted by raidgirl

The heels are slightly frayed at the back .
The back of the shoe is grazed due to the chair wheels at office .

What say ? Time to toss ? or not ?

Whats your threshold?

>cost of the shoe
>repair cost
>in stye or not

I would get Ferragamos or Tod's repaired, when I paid a bundle for them. Something from Macy's I would toss.

[Suburban_Guy]

When the shoe smells like unwashed socks that have been festering in the heat for a week (AKA limburger cheese), then yes it's time to toss them out.

[diva360]

Originally Posted by theatergypsy

Clarification: Are they fabric or leather? If they're leather, a trip to the shoemaker for some buffing and a shine could give you another stretch of wear. If the shoe is fabric, they may not be salvageable. Ask the man.

Did you pay a lot for these shoes?

How attached are you to this pair?

Maybe a refurb at the cobbler shop might be enough that you could leave them at the office and wear them only there.

I find driving is what sullies the right heel.

I have a pair I keep in the car, in a sad state as far as looks are concerned but if something happens and I have to walk, they're comfortable to do that.

I agree with this statement. I have a pair of cordovan riding boots I bought at Banana Republic (don't laugh) about eighteen years ago for $150 that I could barely afford. I learned that a good cobbler could be your best friend. I still have those boots, and I paid about $30 for two new half-soles 15 years ago. They remain among my favorite boots, and in the meantime, I learned how to store them properly (on a boot rack, which hangs over the back of any standard door such that the boots properly air out). I've never regretted paying a little more for quality. I have, however, regretted buying cheap shoes. Of course, everyone's mileage may vary on that.

[Retired in Illinois]

Whats the point of wearing shoes in the first place?

Tip: it ain't fashion no matter what you may think.

The real main reason humans wear shoes is to protect the feet, legs and lower back from any and all surfaces that can harm our bodies.

The second your shoes stop protecting and supporting feet, legs and lower back it's time for new shoes.

[stan4]

Depends on the shoe.


My tennis court shoes have to go once the sole is worn off (happens super fast) bc you'll slip and break your neck.
So the top can look absolutely beautiful and pristine, but those shoes are done.


Any other kind of fashion shoe or regular shoe goes when it starts to look raggedy.


Since I don't much wear shoes that aren't my tennis shoes (I go barefoot at home and I wear boots to work), I don't go through many pairs of 'regular' shoes.

[NCN]

When you are embarrassed to wear them, they need to go.

Recently I has to pull off my shoes at the doctor's office. Outside looked fine but the inside of the shoes were flaking. I had to hide them in the corner so the doctor didn't think I was in need. Time to shoe shop! I started thinking about when I bought the shoes and realized they are somewhere between 10 and 15 years old. No wonder the lining is coming apart!

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Originally Posted by Mary2014

And when you retire - toss out every dress shoe you own with a heel regardless of its condition!

Amen! If only we could also toss out the bunions. It's really time women said no to wearing crippling devices (in more ways than one) on their feet.

[BMI]

Til the sole comes apart....that's what I do with sneakers.