Do shoes fall apart if you don’t wear them? Explained

Everyone has their own take on storing and not wearing their shoes, and for different reasons.  

Some keep and store their expensive leather shoes in the rainy season, Others use their different pair of shoes for different purposes. (For running, hiking, walking, and playing) otherwise, they only use their daily wear and store other shoes. 

In my case, I have own five pairs of shoes. Usually, I only use two pairs, while the other three pairs are stored for a long time.  

Storing your shoes for a shorter period of time is not a big deal, But the problem is come from storing the shoes for a long time. 

I can surely say if you don’t properly store your shoes, they will become deteriorate easily.

Back in the day, I stored my running shoes and dress shoes for about two years in a plastic bag.  

At that time one of my friends told me storing leather shoes is risky.  

My dress shoes are made up of leather — So, I care about that a little bit more and I cleaned up and polished them every month. 

Even sometimes it is placed in the sunlight for protecting it from dry rotting, so that shoe hasn’t had any problems yet. 

But I did not look at my running shoes at that time, after two years I open the plastic box where I store my running shoe. 

I was shocked! — that shoe completely destroyed😮. 

The sole is cracked, the upper of the shoe has completely deteriorated, and also lost the cushioning and support.  

This was not a super expensive shoe but I realized that storing shoes is a little bit tricky.  

After that, I research a lot about how properly store shoes and also tried different things, now I strong my shoes without any problems. 

What happens to shoes if you don’t wear them?

In some situations, we may need to store our shoes for a long time. But if you don’t wear your shoes for a long time, the chances of deteriorating them are too high.   

Generally speaking, shoes are not likely to fall apart if you don’t wear them, but they can deteriorate over time due to various factors. The lifespan of a pair of shoes can be affected by the quality of materials and construction, how they are stored, and how often they are worn.

If shoes are left unused for a long period of time, they can become dry and brittle, especially if they are made of leather or other natural materials. This can cause the soles to crack or the upper to become stiff and brittle, leading to potential damage or deterioration of the shoe.

Additionally, if shoes are stored in a damp or humid environment, they can develop mold or mildew, which can also cause deterioration and shorten their lifespan. In some cases, shoes can also attract pests such as moths, which can damage the material.

Overall, while shoes may not necessarily fall apart if you don’t wear them, it is important to properly store them and take care of them to ensure they last as long as possible.

However, the decay totally depends on which type of shoe they are and what material is used. 

Usually, leather shoes fall apart more quickly than other types of shoes. Nowadays the shoes are made with more sophisticated materials so it is more durable than old days shoes. However, if you don’t wear it for a long time and do not properly store it — if you have any type of shoe the following things will happen.   

• The outer soles of the shoes are going to be broken and if the shoes are made with leather, they are dry rotting over time. (Caused by a fungus Serpula lacrymans) 
• If you not wearing your running or walking shoes for a long time the shoes may lose their cushion and support.     
• Shoes may be stiffer and more uncomfortable to wear than before. 

Why do your shoes fall apart so quickly? Things you should know

Buying our favorite pair of shoes or boots — after some months of using they are falling apart and buying another shoe — use them for a few days and for some reason store it and use another pair– after some months you may see the stored one is also deteriorating.  

If you’re in this category, you’re not alone. We know that Shoes Don’t Last Forever. Every shoe has a lifespan. But the deterioration of our favorite pairs quickly is frustrating.

Actually, why it is happening? 

Both over-worn and unworn will be causing the shoe to deteriorate. 

These are the top reasons why do your shoes fall apart so quickly if you wear them daily 

• When you wear your shoes for running, hiking, playing, and everyday use the chances of falling apart your shoes are too high.   
• Wearing unfitted shoes not only causes foot problems it may cause shoe decay. So, wearing properly fitted shoes is a crucial thing. If you are unsure about shoe sizing this article will definitely help. 
• Machine washing and quick drying using dryers should destroy your shoes fast. 

 Reasons for why do your shoes fall apart so quickly if you don’t wear them  

• Keeping them in the wrong place may cause serious damage. 
• Not being cleaned properly while storing your pair may cause problems. 

• Not keeping in a climate-controlled environment might destroy your shoes. 

Is it better to keep shoes in boxes or out? 

Back in the day, when I stored my shoes, I made a lot of mistakes. Storing them in the wrong way will definitely damage your shoes.  

There is no doubt that keeping your shoes in the boxes is a great idea for storing them for a long time — It makes your shoes more comfortable and secure😉.  

Here is the main reason for keeping your shoes in the boxes 

• Protecting from bed bugs and other shoe damaging bugs. 
• Protecting from dust. 
• If you properly store your shoes in boxes may help to avoid dry rotting (properly cleaning your shoes is a necessary thing before storing them in boxes) 
• Keeping in the shoeboxes may avoid color fading due to climate change. 
• Avoid damaging shoelaces aglets

How long does an average pair of shoes last? 

Every shoe has a lifespan. Some branded shoes last longer and some wear out faster. However, the lifespan is totally based on how you caring the shoes.  

On average a running shoe lasts about 8 to 12 months or 450 to 700 miles if you wear them daily.  

But if you don’t wear them and storing for a long time typically they will last longer.  

Although, the lasting time is based on the materials and quality.  

Nowadays shoes are made with more durable materials so if you not wearing them you can store them for years.    

But if you wear them for some days or months and now planning to store them, you need to clean and dry them properly before storing them. 

How to keep your shoes from falling apart? If you store them (Simple Steps) 

As I mentioned above, storing shoes for a long time is a little bit tricky thing if you don’t know how to do it. 

But, if you follow these simple steps for storing your shoes, they will last longer. 

1. Clean your shoes with care and apply conditioners   

Before storing them clean them properly with your hands, not with the machine. Make sure that there is no dust in your shoe. Then apply some shoe conditioner. 

2. Make sure that you dry your shoes properly before storing them 

Cleaning the shoes is not a big deal — make sure that you dry your shoes properly. You can use acid-free paper to stuff the shoes and use a low heat dryer for a short while to dry your shoes. 

3. Use silver paper to stuff and cover the shoes instead of newspaper. 

I know you may not hear about this before. but it is a powerful technique for preventing dry rotting. Because bacteria and fungus keep away from silver. So, if you are planning to store your shoes for a long time covering the shoes with silver paper is a good idea than placing them in the shoeboxes. 

Final Thoughts

Now you may have a clear idea about what happened to your shoes if you don’t wear them. 

Am I right? 

And now it’s time to hear what you have to say. 

So, what is your experience with storing shoes? and what are your tips for storing shoes for a long time without deteriorating them?  

Let me know by leaving a comment below right now.