Here’s How You Know It’s Time To Buy New Shoes

I Hate Shoe Shopping

Shopping for new shoes is one of my least favorite things to do in the world.  It’s irrational, I know. Far too many people in the world don’t even have access to shoes. In fact, I read somewhere that if you own more than one pair of shoes, you’re automatically wealthier than over half the people in the world. So… #FirstWorldProblems.

But still, I hate shoe shopping. I think it’s partially because I just don’t care very much what my shoes look like. As long as they fit and they don’t hurt my feet, I’m fine with them. And I’m never quite sure if they’re fitting right. I mean, they seem fine in the store, but what if I get them home and they’re uncomfortable? Or what if I wear different socks and they rub? And wearing shoes that don’t fit can hurt your feet. Read this.

The biggest problem is that shoe companies constantly change their lineup. So I have a pair of shoes I love, they wear out, and then I can’t just buy the same ones. Why is that? If I know I like something like this New Balance Men’s MO689 Multisport Hiking Shoe, how come I can’t just buy a new one of it every year? But no, they have to introduce new models of every shoe I like. At least it seems that way.

Oh, and why isn’t there such a thing as a comfortable dress shoe? Why are comfort and dress shoe mutually contradictory ideas!?

But sometimes you just need new shoes. So, without further ranting, here are some ways to tell it’s time to suck it up and go buy new shoes. Some of these pictures are mine, some are from around the internet. Enjoy!

How to Tell When It’s Time to Buy New Shoes

Your shoes look like they got run over by a bus, then chewed up by a dog, then left outside all winter. I don’t actually know the story behind this poor shoe, but it’s clearly had a rough life. And the laces are missing. And…um…the hole to put your foot into.

If you can’t put your foot into your shoe, it’s time for a new one.

Again, I don’t know the story hear, but I do know this shoe needs to be put out of its misery. I have a funny feeling that the gaping hole in the front won’t help much against rain or snow. Or small animals. Or really much of anything.

If your toes stick out of close-toed shoes, it’s time to replace them.

This one is one of mine from my closet. No, I don’t really know why I still have it. As you can see, the back padding is rubbed away and has basically disintegrated. Trust me, the padding was put there for a reason. Having the back plastic digging into your ankle is not comfy.

If the padding has disintegrated, it’s time to upgrade.

This is the same one as above. I didn’t actually stop wearing it because of the disintegration in the back. No, I waited until there was a hole in the side that I could stick my finger into and touch my sock. Similar to the one with the missing toe above, this hole didn’t help my foot stay dry in snow. At all.

If you can stick your finger through the side of your shoe, it’s time to get a new one.

This is my current pair of dress shoes. I’ve never had the entire sole split on a shoe before. I have no idea how this happened. It actually still works, and I’m still wearing them (because again, I hate shoe shopping!), but it’s a little like walking on a mechanical foot massage rod like this. And it only happened on the left one. Do I walk different with my left leg? No idea.

If your sole is split into two pieces, that’s a problem.

Finally, if your entire body fits inside your shoe, you’re missing the point.