When asked “How did you know it is time to give up your shoes?” I realized this is a very hard question for me to answer because I rarely part ways with my shoes (with the exception of donating them for a good cause). I did a little research and this is what I discovered. To read more on this topic, I have additional links below.

• Shoes start deteriorating (slowly) around 6 months (I have a pair couple of pairs that are 10+ years old and they are still in good shape)
• Heat and Humid hurt the glue that keeps your shoes together
• Rotating your shoes helps to preserve them

Here are the signs when you need new shoes:

• When you are feeling nice and want to donate to a worthwhile cause (like Souls4Soles)
• If the Cobbler (or Shoe repair person) cannot fix them
• If they are no longer in style and that is important to you
• The cushion inside the shoe is not longer there (or comfortable) and cannot find suitable replacement
• Your shoes have holes (and you are not in to patchwork fixes)
• If your shoes no longer fit
• When you no longer have an emotional connection with that pair
• If your shoes find themselves hanging on a power line

Remember to say Thank You. Thanking your shoes will provide the proper accolades for hanging in there with you for the fun and the tough times. It also makes it a little easier to say good bye. Always consider donating or recycling your sneaks: Nike Reuse a Shoe Program

Sources:

https://www.solescience.ca/how-worn-is-worn-out/#:~:text=As%20a%20general%20rule%20of,will%20wear%20out%20more%20quickly.

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/how-to-tell-its-time-to-throw-out-your-shoes/#:~:text=As%20a%20general%20rule%2C%20the,athlete%20could%20wait%20a%20year.

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-declutter-your-shoes-4126062