Sudden Unexpected Shoe Failure

Or, buy a brand that lasts better.

Sunglow12 I believe you are correct. Most any shoemaker will tell you that leaving already worn shoes undisturbed for even a couple of years may contribute to that.

What a lot of people don’t realize or don’t want to say is if your feet sweat a lot that leaves a lot of moisture in the shoe that will contribute towards deterioration.

Let them air dry naturally before packing away or stuff newspaper inside to absorb moisture/smell. Use foot deodorant for excessively moist feet or a foot powder. That might help.

My Hotter and Clark’s shoes hold up the best. I love their quality.

In the deep dim recesses of a wardrobe I came across a pair of cream leather shoes with a cross over strap and high heels that I had not worn for a few years. They were just what I wanted to wear with a particular outfit so popped them on and off I went.

I could not understand why people in the train were looking at me. At first I assumed that I must be looking good and did a little preening but I soon saw the 'quickly turning the head away and whisper', which did not bode well.

Only when I left the train did I realise that the sole had become completely detached from the upper and has just hanging off. I really could not see anything from my sitting viewpoint or feel anything draughty either.

I had to hobble around all day (just in and out of a theatre, so not much walking) and once home my beautiful shoes were relegated to the bin.

I always wondered if a cobbler could have put complete new soles on an upper.... but on the other hand it was interesting seeing how they were made!

My Hotter walking boots started to disintegrate, when the 1st one went after just a year I took it to a shoe repairer, but when the second one went soon after, I complained to Hotter. Their customer service team were great and offered me a credit note to the value of what I’d paid for the boots.

Buy the very best quality footwear. I have walking boots for over 25 years they are worn frequently in all weathers. Some of my court shoes are well over 15 years, still in very good condition. Shoes need looking after, cleaned and/or polished or brushed after each wearing.

My Clarke's shoes just get slung into a basket, and put back on again, and they are doing fine.