How Long Do Your Shoes Last? How Much Did They Cost?

Sleeqb7 on 25/05/2022 - 09:11

I'm getting fed up with buying shoes.
I've gotten New Balance shoes between $80 and $250, Brooks at $200+, Hush Puppies (At any price), and they all seem to last under a year.
Last year I splashed out and bought some more expensive work boots, a little over $300, and although not falling apart, they're tremendously uncomfortable.

There is a possibility it's just a me problem, but maybe I'm just missing the mark on my purchases.

How much do you spend on a pair of shoes/boots/joggers? How long does that pair last?
What do you think is a good value footwear that will actually last? Or should I go back to buying $20 shoes every few months?

Bonus points; If you have really wide feet (Width 4E), where do you buy shoes?

Fashion & Apparel Footwear

Comments

  • donnot on 26/05/2022 - 21:43

    Reasonably happy with my hush puppies work shoes for the price (~$50-100). Previous pair lasted over a year, with 3km+ of walking per day.

  • enforcer on 26/05/2022 - 22:06

    I've got 4E width feet and Brooks are the best/most comfortable fit I've tried. I've had a pair of Dyad's that I've worn most days to work (office) for the last 2.5 years and they've held up really well, even if they look a bit weird. I don't run, so they're obviously going to last a bit longer. I've also got some New Balances that I don't wear often, but they've been good too.
    I'm also keen to get a pair of RM Williams boots (Tambo, their x-wide style) for something a bit nicer looking if they ever go on sale.

    • Sleeqb7 on 27/05/2022 - 09:04

      I heard lots of good things about Brooks, and they are available in my size, but 1 year on and I have worn holes in the material at the rear of the shoe. The dismay at having to replace them already is what started this thread.

      • apsilon on 27/05/2022 - 09:32

        I have worn holes in the material at the rear of the shoe

        You mean on the inside? If so this is likely a sign that they're the wrong size and/or you have the laces too loose. Your heel is slipping excessively abrading the material.

        • Sleeqb7 on 27/05/2022 - 09:33

          Mmmmm Noted. Will assess.

  • Vote for Pedro on 26/05/2022 - 22:14
    +5

    “The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money.

    Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dollars a month plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars. Those were the kind of boots Vimes always bought, and wore until the soles were so thin that he could tell where he was in Ankh-Morpork on a foggy night by the feel of the cobbles.

    But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet.

    This was the Captain Samuel Vimes 'Boots' theory of socioeconomic unfairness.”

    -Terry Pratchett

    • seantheaussie on 27/05/2022 - 21:19

      The pair of $26? dollar Aldi leather shoes I bought immediately reminded me of Vimes' shoes, as I feel every slight bump underneath me.

  • Blargman2001 on 26/05/2022 - 22:22

    Hush puppies transit, 8+ hours at work, on my feet for almost all of it, 5 days per week. I get about 2-2.5 years out of them. Have found finished leather tends to wear out quicker than just plain leather. I have some new balance sneakers that I wear once or twice a week that are maybe 6-7 years old. I broke some of my toes in one foot when I was a kid and that causes the ball of one of my shoes to wear out a lot quicker than anywhere else. Might be just the way you walk that causes more stress in the shoe. Keep searching around for a shoe that works for you.

    • Sleeqb7 on 27/05/2022 - 09:02

      Damn, when I was on my feet through most of a work day with Hush Puppies I'd get 8 months tops. I'm beginning to think I am the issue here.

      • Blargman2001 on 27/05/2022 - 11:00

        I polish my Hush Puppies regularly. That probably helps with the longevity.

        • Sleeqb7 on 27/05/2022 - 11:05

          I would actually wear through the bottom of them.

          • Blargman2001 on 27/05/2022 - 13:46

            @Sleeqb7: Someone suggested to get ones that can be resoled. That might be an investment.

  • Vote for Pedro on 26/05/2022 - 22:31

    Depends on what you do, but in a previous life I swore by my magnum hi-tec boots. Much better than the standard issue gp’s.

    Today, Loakes are the way to go. Repairable, comfortable, classy. A good oxford never looks bad.

    • parsimonious one on 28/05/2022 - 12:05

      Except that loake are geopricing and restricting sales to Australia so they can jack the price

      It’s been discussed here on ozb several times previously

      • Vote for Pedro on 28/05/2022 - 12:43

        Yep. Understand that. Making no comment on that practice, just commenting on my preferred oxfords.

        • parsimonious one on 29/05/2022 - 10:35

          Fair enough, I’m sure they make a nice shoe

          I just like reminding folks of loaned scummy practice

          • Vote for Pedro on 29/05/2022 - 16:03

            @parsimonious one: Hang on, I’m confused. What’s your complaint if you’ve never owned loakes?

            You’re upset that they have introduced different prices around the world for something that you’ve never bought?

            • parsimonious one on 30/05/2022 - 14:15

              @Vote for Pedro: Yep.

              I was looking at purchasing a pair from the uk but noted they wouldn’t ship to aus

              Then I saw the ozbargain posts explaining they’ve restricted overseas sellers from shipping to aus to force aus buyers to pay higher prices from the Au Offshoot

              Creating an artificial monopoly to charge higher prices is BS in my book!

              • Vote for Pedro on 30/05/2022 - 15:09

                @parsimonious one: The Apple tax? The elon musk fan bois?

                Yet here we all still are, supporting companies with questionable ethics.

                Loakes is a strange hill to die on.

                • parsimonious one on 30/05/2022 - 16:54

                  @Vote for Pedro: I wouldn’t say I’m “dying on the hill” just

                  a) letting ppl, who may not be aware of loakes practices, know about their attempts to restrict imports

                  b) voting with my $, by not supporting them

                  Everyone can draw a line wherever they like, personally I disagree with loakes attempts to create a local monopoly/ captive market and so won’t be buying their shoes.

                  If you think they shoes are worth paying a premium for more power to you 🤷‍♂️

                  • Vote for Pedro on 30/05/2022 - 19:20

                    @parsimonious one: In the scheme of ethical decisions, it’s on the lower end of the scale.

                    I’ve bought Loakes at $260 landed (stronger $ vs £) but have also bought them at $449 locally. I still have both and long term both have been cheaper that buying middle range shoes at $200 every 12 to 18 months.

                    I was disappointed at their decision. Of course. But its still got a strong value proposition.

                    Anyways, I’d rather attack Facebook/Google et al for not paying their fair share of tax on earnings in Australia rather than a family owned business for choosing how to price their own products around the world. Each to their own.

  • Justbenice on 26/05/2022 - 22:34
    +1

    Doc Martens 100%. I have stupidly wide feet and used to work in retail. Would wear my Docs EVERYWHERE, basically just wore one pair of Docs and nothing else for 4-5 years. Had to throw them out because I stupidly put my feet too close to a fire when drunk at a house party and the soles melted. Have recently bought myself a new pair, width is still good (even though I went up a size due to pregnancy), but harder to break in than I remember. Brother in law still wears his 30 year old Docs, they’re still functional, but they’re looking pretty rough. Birkenstocks are pretty hard wearing, not sure you’d get any work appropriate ones though.

    • Sleeqb7 on 27/05/2022 - 09:01

      I've always loved the aesthetic of Docs, being a big metal boy, but I've owned two pairs and had my heels bleeding after 2 blocks when wearing thick socks.
      Wearing multiple pairs of socks, they did not break in and never got comfortable.

      I think my specific foot shape doesn't work for them, sadly.

  • Drewbo on 26/05/2022 - 22:54

    My worse shoe experiences are always Converse related.

    Not sure if it's specifically because of my feet, but the side of either the left or right shoe split out within weeks of the first wear.

  • jay9 on 26/05/2022 - 23:04

    Work (leather) shoes - get shoes that you can re-sole. Then re-sole them once they start to wear. Approx $250 for the shoe, $65 per pair re-sole - each re-sole would last approx 1-2 years.

    Runners - make sure you get rubber soled shoes (i.e. Continental rubber) as they last much much longer than the Foam soled shoes.

    • Sleeqb7 on 27/05/2022 - 08:58

      I do have foam bases wear very quickly, but I have the upper half of the shoe fall apart with rubber soles, so I've got multiple points of failure :(

      My most recent woe is similar to this;
      https://external-preview.redd.it/RG0l7RqSfCl8WmreG1vaz3V7zaz…

      • seantheaussie on 27/05/2022 - 21:27

        I once had a pair of shoes that wore excessively there, and reinforced it with… I think it was a cut up leather bookmark. Worked well as I recall with the shoes lasting till I wore through a sole in my usual place.

  • Educatedfool on 26/05/2022 - 23:06

    Bare foot last for 100 years… zero cost..

    • Oz em on 26/05/2022 - 23:42

      Cost of bandaids

  • dufflover on 26/05/2022 - 23:32

    I've wondered on a similar note on how to know when need to replace my Adidas running shoes. They're the Adidas Bounce 2007, like these:
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/284090008762

    The thin rubber strips on the sole are starting come off or fully worn down, but the whole plastic ring construction doesn't look like it'll wear through anytime soon :P

    Not that I do many km's on them.

  • kaleidoscope on 26/05/2022 - 23:33

    Crocs loafers when on discount at dfo. super duper comfortable. They do not have a good grip to recommend on rainy days or for hiking. Everything else is just perf!

  • Oz em on 26/05/2022 - 23:41

    About 4 years but they can get a bit boring, always wearing the same shoes.
    I pay $100-$120 per pair.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/05/2022 - 00:03
    +1

    I hear ya. Shoes today are crap. So many products are and I'm sick of it.

    In the 1980s my mates would get "Dunlop KT26" from Kmart for $20-$30 and they'd last at least a year or two wearing them to school five days a week. The thin blocky yellowish rubber grip underneath that was glued to the softer layer above it would wear through, you'd keep wearing them, chuck them in the washing several times a year and then into the dryer, until the nylon material around the ankle opening was all frayed open so the sponge inside was sticking out… but the sole glue was still holding fast. We'd even use them instead of the brakes on our pushbikes until that tougher thin grip layer wore through to the softer stuff then we'd ease up a bit.

    Then Back to the Future came out and Nike CRAP became popular (sigh! - always have to copy America… Baaa!). I couldn't believe people were paying a fortune for the absolute crap Nike made, with glue that let go on the toe in a few weeks, and the sole in a couple/few months. I worked in a shoe repair booth and you bet 9 out of 10 pair brought in for regluing was Nike. The number of people walking around with flapping toe rubbers was ridiculous.

    FFWD to today and it's gotten far worse now everything is made in the festering infected armpit landfill exporter of the world.

    I tried on a pair of shoes at Target, went to tighten the laces up, and it ripped right through the hole. Put it back on the shelf, went to Kmart, same thing. Went to BigW and saw KT26 still exist. Yay! Tried them on but they're garbage now. Their feel and quality is nothing like the comfortable long wearing joggers and pushbike brakes they once were. They're close to the same colour but couldn't even get that right, and that's where the resemblance firmly ends. The materials are substandard junk… like the difference between some nasty $0.50/1.25L homebrand cola with a mouthwash aftertaste and original Coke.

    For the last few years I've been wearing a pair of "New Balance 857" I found in an Op Shop for $8. They're my only pair of shoes. I wear them most days but not all day long - only when stepping outside to go shopping, mow the lawn, work in the shed… They haven't ripped, worn significantly, or come unglued. So I'll probably buy another pair when they wear out. They're not as comfortable/flexible as KT26's were but looks like I finally found a manufacturer who knows what REAL GLUE is! (I'm sick of trying new brands only to be ripped off.)

    For workboots it has to be Redback slip ons… The most comfortable shoes of any type I've ever worn. Their stupid clear rubber soles that fall apart long before the boot wears out are a real pain in the arse though. I've owned Blundstones and despite the hype they were about 40% the shoe Redbacks are. I need to get another pair of these for DIY (unless they're made in armpitsville too now). I'd recommend getting a shoe repair guy to put some other kind of sole on them as soon the clear rubber starts to break down. They were my only pair of shoes for years too, though I had two pairs - one for yard/car/shed work, the other for going out (even to weddings). Not great for walking distances though.

    • Vote for Pedro on 27/05/2022 - 07:54
      +1

      Imagine paying $100 for shoes in kmart today.

  • Ravensbane on 27/05/2022 - 06:38
    +2

    Timberland boots I got from here that I have worn every day for 2 years and still look near new. I also dont have a car and walk everywhere. On average 5kms a day at least.

  • snajper on 27/05/2022 - 07:10
    +1

    Kayanos and Merrell shoes last much longer than other brands that i have owned

    • teamfletch on 28/05/2022 - 07:58

      Kayano quality has gotten terrible in my experience. Just took back a pair of 28’s after 2 months because they were coming apart.
      My 27’s had the indented toe box issue.

  • gimme on 27/05/2022 - 07:15

    Never wear out any of my shoes. I typically throw them out after years because I get bored or the sole compacts and loses it's cushioning. Walk around 5km a day on avg. All sub $60 shoes bought on sale.

  • colin5000 on 27/05/2022 - 07:17
    +1

    Ecco Ecco Ecco Ecco

    I went through the same thing as you. Ecco’s are expensive but they last years. I don’t wear anything else.

  • jason101 on 27/05/2022 - 07:49
    +3

    I think your weight has allot to do with it - I've been around 100kg for a while and one thing I noticed when going from say 80->100kg was that shoes wear out noticeably faster.

    • Sleeqb7 on 27/05/2022 - 08:54
      +1

      You calling me fat? Because you're right, I am.

      Although I did spend a 2yr period 20kg lighter than I am now, and I still had the same problem. Although my level of physical activity was higher during that time, so that could likely make up the difference. I'm working my way back to sub 100s, so I'll keep note.

  • 00000000 on 27/05/2022 - 08:05
    +2

    Skechers are another pile of shit shoe, the grip on the sole wears out very fast!

  • nigel deborah on 27/05/2022 - 08:09

    I think it depends a bit on how and where your shoes are breaking. My general recommendation would be to give good quality hiking/outdoors shoes a shot. You can get plenty with a low ankle if you don't want them to be too big. I find Keens to be pretty good due to the reinforced toe but there are lots of brands to try. They're a lot more durable than runners and these days you can get plenty with low key styling so you don't look silly either.

    My only other comment would be that it might be worth going to see someone to have a look at your walking style. Often if you're going through shoes a lot it could be related to an issue like that. And it could have impacts on you later in life.

  • Nebargains on 27/05/2022 - 08:10

    This is going to be totally dependent on how often you wear them and what you are doing in them. I like shoes and as such have a number of different pairs in different colors and styles, as such I don't really wear the same ones all the time. Work shoes would be the thing I would wear out the most, a good pair of shoes I would wear out in like 18 months but that would be wearing them 5x a week and a few km a day in them.

  • Brick Tamland on 27/05/2022 - 08:12

    I wear a black leather Florsheim show for the office but do a lot of walking in them. They will last up to 14-16 months before they are shagged.

  • grr1701 on 27/05/2022 - 08:49

    ASICS. They last for years and when too ugly, become my mowing shoes for another couple of years.

  • Zephyrus on 27/05/2022 - 09:01
    +1

    I've got Thorogood boots I've had for 4 or so years and look the same as new.

    Can get them resoled easily if I need, though their still on the first sole.

    Make sure you rotate your shoes, don't wear them two days in a row and they'll last much longer.

    • abuch47 on 27/05/2022 - 23:55

      mocs?

  • S2 on 27/05/2022 - 09:53
    +1

    I have a few shoes that I rotate wearing. Not sure if that saves anything in the long run, but it does give them a break in between days and I think they're better for longer.
    I completely agree that some shoes are not made to last. Hushpuppies wore out the fastest for me.

  • redvaldez on 27/05/2022 - 09:57

    I've got a pair of RM Williams Craftsman boots for the last 4.5 years. They've been worn M-F the entire time (didn't do WFH) and then again on weekends from time to time. I had them re-soled about three months ago as I seem to drag my heels when I walk. There's a little bit of wear evident up close (used to rub my shoes on my old desk often) but with a polish and a condition every few weeks, they still look great.

    I'd previously go through a $100-150 pair of shoes once a year. While the RMs will need resoling every few years, it'll work out cheaper in the long run. I also didn't realise just how comfortable they were until I had to buy a $50 pair of shoes from Target to wear whilst I had my RMs sent away…

    If you can afford the initial outlay, I'd give them serious consideration.

    • scottishdave on 28/05/2022 - 16:03

      I've got a 20 year old pair of similar boots that I wear at most 3 times a year. The problem is that the elastic side gussets have lost their elasticity. I've been quoted $150 for new gussets by an authorised RM Williams repairer. Is this a thing a local cobbler can do cheaper?

  • juzza87 on 27/05/2022 - 09:58

    It's hard for me to find shoes in a size 15 so I take whatever I can get, usually from factory outlets. Rivers used to make shoes that fit me, but they would last at most 6 months before disintegrating. The last pair of shoes was Merrell brand and they've lasted me 3 years

  • FareEvader on 27/05/2022 - 10:20

    Try Sketchers for wide feet. Mine have lasted 2 years, still going strong.

  • johnno07 on 27/05/2022 - 10:20

    It depends on the shoes.

    Running shoes are kind of inherently disposable - they are made out of light materials that age/wear pretty poorly - and if you're running in them, this is extremely hard on them.

    "Lifestyle" sneakers are all over the shop. Almost all are cheaply made with massive brand-related mark ups. This is fine as if you wear them very casually you can get decent wear out of them (as you're not smashing them like runners). You can also get ones that will likely last longer due to more robust materials (leather etc), but event those can still fall down, durability-wise, at their weakest (cheapest) links.

    I don't really own any properly formal shoes (i.e. a nice pair of Oxfords) but there are options that would make your eyes water price wise that could probably last forever if you look after them, but given their usage is "formal", you do have to baby them a bit.

    IMO where it's at are boots. I have two 5-year-old pairs of RM Craftmans (yearling and kangaroo) that I really quite like, that can fill both formal and casual roles (can go with jeans, chinos, suit pants). They don't really need babying (though I don't ever wear the roos in the rain), and they wear in really nicely. My favourites though, by a country mile, are my 3-year-old Red Wing Moc Toes (https://www.redwingshoes.com/heritage/mens/classic-moc/Class…). While a similar RRP, they are inherently more casual than RMs - so they can't really be used in properly formal settings, but they are a thing of beauty. They are exceedingly comfortable, durable, easily maintainable, and repairable. I have thrashed these. I wore them every day of a European winter. They have gone through mud, rain, sleet, and snow. They have darkened, patinated, softenened and look great.

    In ALL cases though, looking after your shoes is what makes them last longer. The number of absolutely trashed RMs on slicked-hair Eagle Street idiots makes my head spin. What are these guys doing, dragging their knuckles AND their feet? Try to avoid sloshing around in the mud and kicking them on things. When you get home, give them a quick dust off before you put them away (particularly if your shoes are white!). Also trim your toenails! Long toenails will wear against the inside of the toe box. Finally leather shoes/boots can also benefit a lot from not being worn every day to "relax". That is, two pairs will likely last more than twice as long as one pair if you alternate.

  • gromit on 27/05/2022 - 10:23

    very wide feet, very difficult to find shoes that fit and shoes generally last me less than 6 months. generally Hush Puppies are my go to because of a few models with very wide fit that are comfortable, Sketchers also have some wide fit comfy shoes. ASIC's for sneakers for me. regardless I am harsh on any shoe (195cm and 110 kilos).

    • derrida derider on 27/05/2022 - 15:51

      New Balance make most of their sneakers and runners in wide fittings (2E up to 4E). You may have to buy online (as I do) to find the wide fittings in stock though.

      • gromit on 27/05/2022 - 21:37

        Thanks, but unless I can find at least one example to try on in a store I have to rules them out as I absolutely need to try a shoe first as so few fit right for me even in the wide fits. However I will look out for them.

  • nobro25 on 27/05/2022 - 10:29

    Big W $10 sports shoes. Done about 3000 km walking over the past 8 years. Sole is about halfway warn.

  • Duckie2hh on 27/05/2022 - 10:41

    Sub $100, main brands (I E. Puma, Nike, addidas) non sports, 10 years+

    Buy shoes that don't age

  • PurchaseAnxiety on 27/05/2022 - 10:45

    I splashed out about 1.5 years ago and got $170 Asics (which is probably double what I'd spent on shows previously) and haven't been impressed. Most recent annoyance was one of the laces snapping. I'll probably switch back to some cheapos in the near future.

  • Pidapipo on 27/05/2022 - 11:20

    Have you ever got your foot measured and fitted properly? What I have found is if you are using good shoes as normal (no special terrain, no harsh weather) and they break down quick (in places that are not the soles) then it must be because of ill fitting. Some foot are more oddly shaped than others, I know because I have 2. Or, it is the way you walk (for me personally, I always wear out the soles first because I put a lot of pressure on the heels and the outwards sides of the soles).

    • Sleeqb7 on 27/05/2022 - 11:24

      Couldn't say, honestly. Probably not. I've had one of those metal sliding rulers used as well as Athlete's Foot's analysis stuff, but in both fittings based from that the result was New Balance shoes that died quickly.

      Who would be the right profession for a proper fit? Podiatrist?

  • tommo0468 on 27/05/2022 - 12:20
    +1

    Can not recommend Ascent shoes enough. I have worn mine every work day for over 5 years now and they are still good! I do between 10-20k steps a day. Super comfortable. They don't even have the same model/style anymore as its been so long. If I had to guess, this would be the new one https://www.ascentfootwear.com.au/mens-work/129469-delta-2-b…

  • Viper8 on 27/05/2022 - 12:36

    2-pairs budget brand-name walking and running shoes at $50-100 ea. Last ~2 years. Worn daily with 5,000 - 10,000 steps per day.

  • DiscoJango on 27/05/2022 - 12:58

    i easily get at least 3 yrs from each pair of shoes i own, some 4-5 yrs.

  • aedeau on 27/05/2022 - 15:12

    I did the $99 hush puppies every year for a while. Currently on 2nd year of wearing my rm stockyards. They’re starting to signs of wear but got Aussie made gardener boots waiting after this which I picked up for $370 earlier in the year. I’ve also got a pair of craftsmans but they have leather soles and are too slippery. Basically the rms last longer but cost more . So just get whatever floats ur boat I guess?

  • bowdo on 27/05/2022 - 15:44

    I bought some Redback workboots, non-steelcap for metal detecting. Had an accident with my normal everyday boots, so decided to throw some boot polish on the redbacks while I shopped for new shoes - at the time they were sitting on my doorstep sunbleached and a bit rough looking. That was 3 years ago, they look great after bringing up to a dull polish with a boot-brush, enough so I wear them around the office. Very comfortable boots.

    https://imgur.com/NNugYv8

    https://www.redbackboots.com.au/boots/bobcat/ubok

  • drfuzzy on 27/05/2022 - 16:44

    Invest in a mobility scooter and your shoes will last longer.

  • Drakesy on 27/05/2022 - 17:35
    -1

    RM Williams - will outlast you and become a family heirloom.

    But on a serious note, they're the only boots that have lasted 3+ years with no issues, only just getting a new heel put on it and should get another 3 years before doing a proper re-last.

    Great investment, even if it is $400 a pair.

    Better than buying 4 $100 shoes over 4 years.

  • Thirtyfourfifty on 27/05/2022 - 18:25

    Yeah my brooks glycerins are wearing out already after 3 months!! Daily use for work/walking but thought they'd last longer for $200. Keen to hear what joggers ppl are using as they're go to

    • buthidae on 28/05/2022 - 17:14
      +1

      Replaced my Brooks Adrenaline 18's with 21's at the start of the year. So good so far. Surprised to hear the Glycerins not lasting very long, these have been great.

  • peppermint420 on 27/05/2022 - 19:40

    vans canvas or equivalent adidas, about $60-80 a pair and usually last a year. wear them every day all day at work and same shoes on weekends. i a couple of pairs at a time when the ones i like come up on sale.

  • pogichinoy on 27/05/2022 - 19:53

    The trick is to have many shoes and circulate them.

    I have about 60 with 20 used each season, and they last for 5-10 years.

    Some don’t last as long cos I break the rule and wear them often if they’re my faves.

    Prices range between $30 to $1000

    • Hangryuman on 27/05/2022 - 21:10

      many shoes and circulate - yeah - my shoe rack looks like about 20 pairs - some summer sandals, some sporty, some more formal leather - one theory is about resting shoes between wearings so they can last longer …

  • Hangryuman on 27/05/2022 - 21:08

    last century when I got a new job I decided to lash out on some expensive black lace-up shoes - Lloyds - which someone told me was a top-quality brand - I forget but probably the equivalent of something like $3-400 today - buffalo hide if I recall

    comfortable for a year or so - when it developed cracking across the sole under the ball of the foot

    being expensive shoes I took them in to a local old man shoe repairer

    he immediately went into an angry rant claiming they were unrepairable - I was 'wait, what - these are expensive shoes, I supposed to be repairable' !?!?!?

    he was 'they USED to be - but since recently the company's changed and now they're using crap in them, they don't last like they did, and they're now complete rubbish!!'

    oh - I was - geez - I wish I knew that before I blew those dollaroonies … ;-(

    OTOH a pair of $25 leather side-elastic boots from KMart lasted me 25 years - so I guess it balances out.

    In Europe, probably Czech, we found a discount Bally (Swiss) shoe outlet where I picked up a pair of slipons, which were hard for a year or so 'breaking in' the leather - and now after a couple of years they're starting to feel a little funny undersole so I'm wondering if they will be not long for this wearer …

  • qvinto on 27/05/2022 - 21:17
    +1

    Buy some Red Wing Iron Ranger boots. You can probably get 5 years of daily wear out of them or more. I have several pairs. Best shoes I ever bought

    • fleetfeather on 27/05/2022 - 22:50

      I like em and have owned em, but they're a bitch to break in and will definitely not fit OP (even in E width) if he/she likes 4E widths hahah

  • notfrodo on 27/05/2022 - 21:47

    I have a New Balance NB574 going on 6 years now. Wore it work for 4 years. I now wear it when I go the shops. My wife will throw it out before it wears out.

  • fleetfeather on 27/05/2022 - 22:48

    I've got a pair of Vibergs which is the sort of shoe you own for life, but that's a big cost to stomach.

    They cop a lot of grief on here, but RMs on heavy discount are actually one of the better investments you can make in a pair of shoes.

    A dark horse to consider: I've owned a pair of leather Hush Puppies sneakers that have lasted 5 years now worn 3 days a week. The only thing that's broken down with them so far is a snapped pair of laces!

  • IM-Cheap on 27/05/2022 - 23:03

    $120-250 for runners last around a year or ~1040km. I run about 20km a week and wear the same shoes in to work.

  • Andard on 27/05/2022 - 23:07

    I'm like you op, shoes never last for me. Although I bought a pair of $60 new balances and they lasted almost 2 years.

  • pippohippo on 27/05/2022 - 23:20

    I wear my asic kayos or gt2000 everyday. Usually buy 2 pairs when they're on clearance. They last around 15-18months. They're my daily walkers. I leave my work shoes at work so those will last me around 3-4 years

  • Kranbone on 27/05/2022 - 23:27

    I have a pair of floorsheims which I rotate with another pair and it's been good and lasted me well over 2 years. I think allowing the shoes to rest helps the shoes and removes some of the strain you put on them. I also was measured for the shoes as well.

    My role is office based with regular trips to a warehouse.

    • Flozza27 on 28/05/2022 - 07:56

      I’m really impressed with Florsheim too… I have wide and weird feet. Shoes are light and super comfortable have had them 12 months wearing daily for work and still as good as new. Previous dress shoes would last me a year tops and the soles would be worn to the point they are unwearable.

      • Kranbone on 29/05/2022 - 08:39

        I think it's better if you rotate them as it gives the shoes a chance to rest.

        So I managed to buy several styles. I'd consider them again but one of the big benefits wasn't just the quality of the shoe (given the price) but the person who fitted me.

  • hasher22 on 28/05/2022 - 01:31

    If you can afford it, have a few more than a couple of shoes you wear on the daily and switch it up. It will elongate the lifespan of those shoes.

    Mine lasts over 4+ years, I have 4 pairs of nike gym shoes and they still look great as I rotate the shoes. Same with my outgoing casual shoes, I have like 3 I rotate and if you're a thongs guy like me, I wear thongs everywhere, whenever I can. I prob wear my havaianas thongs more than my actual shoes, had the same pair for maybe 2+ years, previous thongs lasted like 5 years.

    I haven't purchased a pair of shoes in 4+ years.

    But also it depends on the person on how they walk, how they treat their shoes, terrain, lifestyle etc……

    My brother being 6 foot, 120kgs and flat foot, he also didn't really lift his feet when he walked, so he was dragging his feet everywhere, his shoes looked terrible after a year, all banged up, holes and tears where my shoes are always fine. I'm 5"10, 70kgs and I have medium foot arch, I don't drag my feet…. so those kind of factors really play into your shoes wear and tear.

  • BadAtNames on 28/05/2022 - 06:00

    I spend about $40 - $100 on shoes, you'd be surprised how much cheaper shoes are when there's a new model out and the stores are just trying to clear stock. Actual factory outlets (not the regular DFO crap) will run a few big % off sales per year, if you can get to one you won't spend much for quality. If you can't there's plenty of sales posted on Ozb where you can hit a similar price point.

    I've had a pair of Nike Free runs (an old model, no idea which one) for ages, used them for the gym, general active use and the biggest beat up use I have for them, raves. they lasted over 5 years. Still going but I've since retired them as the sole is noticeably harder making long raves more painful and the sole has worn to the point were it's a little slippy when wet. I still use them to cut the grass and stuff when I need to.

    I used to cheap out on shoes but since my first "proper" pair I've realised it's one of the few industries where paying more for a reputable brand will usually be worth it once you factor in how long they last. With that being said the big brands are also businesses, some of their shoes aren't designed for comfort and wear & tear, they're designed to be a fashion statement. While those types of shoes aren't automatically lower quality, I've noticed they are more likely to be. So just go for a stock standard shoe from a reliable brand and you should be fine without breaking the bank, $40 for that level of comfort is pretty good even on your feet lasting less than a year.

    With the comfort on the expensive ones you've bought, have you looked at insoles? Can get a generic custom set cheap at a pharmacy or shoe store and cut it to fit, I don't like them but plenty of people do.

    • DrScavenger on 28/05/2022 - 12:43

      What's an actual Factory outlet?

      • BadAtNames on 29/05/2022 - 03:02

        Stand alone factory stores for the brand, not the ones located in DFO or other complexes, I've found they have more stock which means I'm more likely to find something worth buying

  • Warehouse on 28/05/2022 - 08:16

    I've got Eccos for my casual/outing shoes and Bared boots for work. I don't do 10k steps per day, but these have held up incredibly well over the years. Bared also take care of you quite well, if the shoe starts falling apart within a year they'll fix it for you.

  • voiletmay on 28/05/2022 - 08:20

    I buy a pair of New Balance shoes every 6 months atleast. I walk daily and they don't last as I buy running shoes and the farbic is thin. I buy the top of the line ones each time (and I have 9 pairs, just put them all in a row earlier this week LOL - I am definitely a new balance fan girl. Didn't even know I had wide feet when I started buying them but now buy the widest ones and my feet are so much better for it).

    Cross trainers will last a lot longer as they are made of much thicker material.

    I only expect them to last 6 months due to how much I wear them. Don't care, happy to buy more.

  • Kennard on 28/05/2022 - 08:28

    Fila Memory Workshift
    https://fila.com.au/products/mens-memory-workshift-001

    For me the most comfortable work shoes, I do around 5k-7k steps a day

  • mezje on 28/05/2022 - 09:21

    Vietnam made air max 90s. Been wearing them since I was 15, around 13 years. Most pairs last 3-4 years and I treat them like hell.

  • corvusman on 28/05/2022 - 09:43

    About 3-4 km walking each day, 100+ kg male. Tried many many brands - Nike & New Balance make the most durable ones. Asics running models are good as well, but I find them not comfortable.

    Nike Flyknit and similar tech/design from New Balance are the most comfortable for me and easily last for 2-3 years.

  • Daabido on 28/05/2022 - 12:31

    Apparently rotating shoes has been debunked, but may lead to less injuries.

    https://runnersconnect.net/shoe-rotation-reduce-running-inju…

  • DrScavenger on 28/05/2022 - 12:40

    I (profanity) hate my business shoes from hush puppies, stupid shoe hits my ankles when i walk. Used to be horrible during my first day. I had scabs for a week after only wearing a day. Now it's just reddish. I bet I'm permanently damaging my Achilles heel from this stupid shoe but my business demands it and i cannot afford something better.

    It even looks a year old after only using it for a couple weeks

  • Cyphar on 28/05/2022 - 13:08

    6'3, 140kg here. I wear one pair of shoes for everything except 1-2 hours a week when playing Basketball. I swap between New Balance 624's & Nike Air Force One's every 6-8 months. Costs me about $130 for the pair and I get them in black so they can be worn for work, casual wear, camping, etc. I'm pretty happy with that.

  • dealmeister on 28/05/2022 - 14:28

    Camper beetle classic. Got my first pair 10 years ago. Still solid and aging makes it look even better.
    Used to be cheaper, but it’s around $300 these days.

    Funny part is, during the pandemic (2020) it was on heavy discount. So I’ve ordered another pair as a backup in case they discontinue this model. So far I did not have the chance to use the new ones. Since the old ones I have are still in good condition:)

  • CheeryCheapskate on 28/05/2022 - 14:53

    Regular runner here!

    I bought shoes from Brookes, New Balance, Adidas, Nike to Aldi and all of them seem to last the same duration however the higher ends of course feel a lot nicer on the feet. The branded shoes range from $100-$150 whilst Aldi was $30. All these shoes only last under a year, probably more toward 6-8 months (at optimal running condition but they can still be worn with less grip on the base). After a year, they will break apart for all shoe i.e. sole comes off, holes appear, etc.

  • DingoBilly on 28/05/2022 - 15:31

    I wear a pair of Mizunos Wave Inspires and they usually last me 3-5 years, worn daily, about 8-10,000 steps a day.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join