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They're talking about dress shoes and boots which are constructed so that they can be resoled. They're right, too. It's not hard to get a decade or more of goo

They're talking about dress shoes and boots which are constructed so that they can be resoled. They're right, too. It's not hard to get a decade or more of good use out of footwear built this way; I've already done it with one pair of boots, and I'm about four years into the ones I got to replace those. I'm not overly gentle with them, either - I don't do urbex any more, but when I did, I did it in the same boots I do everything else in. They'd get scuffed, sure, but cleaned and polished, you'd never know the difference. I don't know that I'd want to use a pair of well-broken-in 9-hole loggers as running wear, but I don't know that I wouldn't, either; a well-designed shoe or boot can take all kinds of insoles, and while I rarely run unless chased, I'm sure there's a wide range of options available for those who do. And when they wear out, you can replace them, just like you can have a cobbler do with the sole proper when that eventually gets thin. I guess I don't really know; as I said, I'm not a runner, and maybe there's something about disposable footwear that I'm consequently missing. But it's not like we throw out a whole car when the tires get bald, you know?

chrisseaton 6y ago
A running shoe isn't really anything more than the sole. The foam in the sole simply mechanically breaks down over time and doesn't do its job anymore, and is also literally worn away so will be non-existent at some point. If you tried to re-sole it you'd be replacing 90% of the material. It's the same with work boots. At some point scuffing will have removed so much material from the upper that the boot mechanically fails. You just can't fix that as far as I know. You can replace the upper... but let's be honest it's a new boot at this point isn't it? I think there's a degree here of people replacing their broom head and handle many times and claiming they never need to buy a new broom.
- throwanem 6y ago
  Sure, at some point the upper's so worn out that you have to replace the whole boot. They don't last forever, just a lot longer, especially when properly maintained. A while back I actually sat down and worked out the amortization for my last pair of boots, including replacement insoles, outsoles, laces, and the setting kit and grommets I needed when the factory parts started failing. (To be clear: this was steel parts wearing out before leather ones did. That's a damn good boot.) I don't have the figures to hand right now, but as I recall, adjusted for inflation, it worked out to around $60 a year in 2017 dollars. On reflection, I should've counted in mink oil and polish too, which might bring it closer to $65. Granted that it's a touch Ship of Theseus, with an occasional maintenance requirement besides, and you need to be OK with the fact that your boots will look the same for as long as you wear them. But that's still not a lot to pay for good footwear, and a well-polished toebox has a timeless style all its own.
  - leetcrew 6y ago
    honestly that seems like a lot of trouble to go through to not even save that much money. I usually buy doc martens, which are not complete trash but definitely not as well-made as they used to be. they look good and feel good on my feet. they only last about two years if worn everyday, but that's only $120 (or less as they're often on sale) every two years, which works out about the same as your shoe spend.
    - throwanem 6y ago
      Eh, I mean, that's $120 and a break-in every two years, and it's been a long time since I gave up wearing those but I recall the break-in taking the same uncomfortable couple of months for them as it does for the boots I wear. Rather only do that once a decade if I can help it.

chrisseaton 6y ago

A running shoe isn't really anything more than the sole. The foam in the sole simply mechanically breaks down over time and doesn't do its job anymore, and is also literally worn away so will be non-existent at some point. If you tried to re-sole it you'd be replacing 90% of the material. It's the same with work boots. At some point scuffing will have removed so much material from the upper that the boot mechanically fails. You just can't fix that as far as I know. You can replace the upper... but let's be honest it's a new boot at this point isn't it? I think there's a degree here of people replacing their broom head and handle many times and claiming they never need to buy a new broom.

throwanem 6y ago
Sure, at some point the upper's so worn out that you have to replace the whole boot. They don't last forever, just a lot longer, especially when properly maintained. A while back I actually sat down and worked out the amortization for my last pair of boots, including replacement insoles, outsoles, laces, and the setting kit and grommets I needed when the factory parts started failing. (To be clear: this was steel parts wearing out before leather ones did. That's a damn good boot.) I don't have the figures to hand right now, but as I recall, adjusted for inflation, it worked out to around $60 a year in 2017 dollars. On reflection, I should've counted in mink oil and polish too, which might bring it closer to $65. Granted that it's a touch Ship of Theseus, with an occasional maintenance requirement besides, and you need to be OK with the fact that your boots will look the same for as long as you wear them. But that's still not a lot to pay for good footwear, and a well-polished toebox has a timeless style all its own.
- leetcrew 6y ago
  honestly that seems like a lot of trouble to go through to not even save that much money. I usually buy doc martens, which are not complete trash but definitely not as well-made as they used to be. they look good and feel good on my feet. they only last about two years if worn everyday, but that's only $120 (or less as they're often on sale) every two years, which works out about the same as your shoe spend.
  - throwanem 6y ago
    Eh, I mean, that's $120 and a break-in every two years, and it's been a long time since I gave up wearing those but I recall the break-in taking the same uncomfortable couple of months for them as it does for the boots I wear. Rather only do that once a decade if I can help it.