How long do shoes last? Well, how long is a piece of string? There is no definite answer that anyone can give you. It can be 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, or even 100 years! There are so many factors that dictate the lifespan of a shoe that trying to wrap your head around an answer is only going to cause you a headache. Just buy the shoes, treat them right, get a few more pairs and then you will be closer to that 100-year mark more than anything!
But so often, we want to get this answer. So much so that salesmen have resorted to lying to you to get you to stop asking. They just blurt 20 years to forever. No one has ever said, ‘hey man, only 5 years is really all you are going to get.’ You know why, because even if that is the reality, people want to hear ’20 years’ or they don’t end up buying. It’s wild how psychology plays into this. The only way to get more out of your shoes is by having more shoes. It’s a game of exponential lifespan by X quantity of shoes.
And if you really want to live a minimalist lifestyle with few shoes, then make sure that you do all that you can to maximize their lifespan with preventative care, as well as aftercare.
To learn more on the topic, listen to the show and drop a line if you feel otherwise!
Shoe in the image by J.FitzPatrick Footwear
So sensible… As always!
Thank you JM!