How much heel wear do you tolerate? - YouLookFab Forum

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How much heel wear do you tolerate?

viva

Veteran

I am a supinator - not sure if that is really a word, but it means I tend to walk on the outside of my feet, so my heels wear down unevenly. I walk a lot these days and with growing older I do worry about tripping and falling. I recently replaced my running shoes even though they still looked new in the upper; i had worn down the heel enough to be concerned. This is not a problem with shoes that can be re-heeled and/or re-soled. But for sneakers and lug soles it is an issue. These lug soled oxfords are two years old. Not sure if I need to let them go. Is this an issue for you?

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Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from BrieN

Bijou

Veteran

Viva - I have the same issue and I do let go of shoes when the wear is visible like this. I take it as a sign that I have definitely done of good job of actually using the shoe for them to get so worn. Generally it takes a good few years for this to happen to my sneakers or boots which are the items most likely to have soles that cannot be replaced.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’ve decided to take my beloved loafers in to be re-heeled, hope it’s not too late.

For running shoes or anything you wear for lots of walking, I think appropriate balance is essential—wish they’d come up with a way to repair broken running shoes!

Preppy Pear

Veteran

Pronator here - the insides of my heels wear down first instead. I tend to wear out the midsoles of my running shoes before this happens, though. If you aren’t wearing replaceable inserts with your running shoes, the interior cushioning will usually breakdown long before the outsoles - a shoe can be shot and still look pretty new - I feel it in my shins in particular.
I do notice it the visible grinding down on other shoes and boots though with lug soles. Personally, the I’d consider replacing the ones in the picture if you think they affect your gait. Aesthetically, I’m not sure I’d notice.

Irina

Veteran

Yes, I do experience the same issue and get my shoes re-heeled often. I’m with Bijou, I would dispose shoes with worn out heels like that.

Joy

Veteran

I am more likely to have the inner breakdown that Preppy. Pear describes. It changes the fit of the shoe so I pass them on, for someone with wider feet to use.

Anonymous

I usually have zero tolerance for any kind of heel wear but the sole of these shoes is so dark (and clean) that it's not that noticeable. However, the fit and gait issues would be concerning. That's odd for only 2 year old shoes - no? Or are you walking a ton in these?

rachylou

Veteran

Oh it’s a terrible issue for me. I have a bad knee. Worn heels do a bad number on it and I’ll be limping around with a cane. I don’t go walking in my work shoes anymore. And I really only get about three months out of a pair of sneakers. They only last longer because I have several pairs I rotate through. It’s a problem. I cringe at the landfill I create. And I really miss Payless Shoes - they were cheap but they made a darn good work boot that lasted. Held up for years of work and dog walks.

viva

Veteran

Thanks all. I really appreciate the help on this, and I am very sad that I will need to let these shoes go. Sometimes I think I am a little too rigid when it comes to accepting wear on things; I really don't appreciate wear in most cases. But it looks like I might be appropriately intolerant here.

Rachy: three months is so fast! But if you walk a lot, it makes sense.

Lisap: I think this sole is particularly soft. I wear them pretty much like sneakers, so as an alternative comfortable shoe to walk to work in; 20 minutes on city streets/sidewalks, each way. I guess that just killed them.

celia

Veteran

I run my heels literally to the ground, but acknowledge that they don't look too good after a point.
I think these ones are still acceptable for a couple more wears. I would throw them out when they become more uneven.

nemosmom

Veteran

Fellow supinator here! I found this site helpful, and now look for those "midsole wrinkles" mentioned in Tip #2. If it's running/gear shoes, I will replace them earlier, as I cannot risk knee injury (I have a torn meniscus in my right knee, so I am overly cautious).

cat2

Veteran

I have the same shoe wear pattern and would jettison these, as not long after my knee would flare up. I use SuperFeet in my running shoes to extend their life a bit, but find I do need to replace them frequently because of the uneven wear. Have you been fitted by a running shoe shop? They directed me to specific models that also help.

Greyscale

Veteran

The backs of my heels wear down quickly. I think I’ve had my favorite oxfords reheeled three times so far.

I agree with others that if it’s affecting your gait, time to let them go. I had a few pairs of shoes that tilted my feet to one side or the other (not from wear, just how they were built) and caused mild knee pain. I could never adjust to them so I reluctantly passed them on.

kkards

Veteran

I actually physically start to feel it in my hips, and then i know its time to retire the shoe/sneaker…shoes that can be resoled get resoled, but sneakers and shoes with chunky lug soles generally can not be resoled

Echo

Veteran

I agree with Lisa that the wear is not VISIBLY affecting the shoes. They still look nice, neat and clean. However, I agree that wear like this will almost certainly affect gait and will aggravate any issues you might have. They might be able to be resoled, but that may or may not be worth the cost and trouble. I often don't feel wear like this until I put shoes away for a season and then return to them, only to feel noticeably off-kilter. That is a sign to let them go.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Supinator here too. I tolerate very little of this in running shoes and retire or replace them frequently (the insides often break down quickly too). I’ll wear them for walking but not running — too much risk of injury.

I get that same wear pattern on heels of boots and other shoes, depending on the sole material. Fortunately I rotate shoes often and have a good selection to choose from, so no one pair wears out super fast, usually. I think by the time mine look like yours in the photo, I’m keeping an eye out for replacements or starting to reach for another pair.

Diana

Veteran

More than I probably should, especially given that I've actually turned my ankle and fallen because of this issue.

By the way, I can't tell for certain since I don't know the sole material, but you may want to ask a cobbler about the shoes in your photo anyway. I HAVE had lug sole shoes successfully reheeled. I think what my cobbler did was shave down the rest of the heel plate a bit and then put a new one over that.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

My sneakers and walking shoes always wear this supinating way, sometimes in just a few months. I replace them when they do, as I think it may not be good for body alignment.

BrieN

Veteran

I have had heel taps put into a lug sole with success. You might try them on this pair or if you get a replacement shoe put the heel tap on first thing.