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What’s causing damage to my shoes?

Q. Dear Gear Guy, Whenever I get a new pair of shoes the stuffing in the backside of the ankle goes away. I just got a new pair of boots about a month ago, and it’s already happened. Why is that? I have no idea. Please help?
– Wondering William, Polk City, Fla.

A. Hey William, interesting question. Do you have a puppy that likes to eat shoes? If not, I can’t be sure what’s happening. But I do have an idea: I used to be really lazy about pulling on and off my shoes. Instead of untying them first, I’d just slam my foot in there and wriggle my ankle around until I got the shoe all the way on. It seemed easier because I didn’t have to worry with tying and retying my shoes. But looking back, that lazy method actually took longer AND it took a toll on my shoes. Specifically, it smashed down the heel counter and wore down the padding in the upper heel of my shoes — just like yours. Pay attention next time you’re putting on your shoes. Maybe you’re being a little too lazy just like I was?


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9 Comments on What’s causing damage to my shoes?

  1. crush master // June 25, 2014 at 6:41 pm // Reply

    I always crush the backs of my sneakers and ballet flats. I don’t care if I am in public or private. Trust me it is so much easier to do. My friends always ask me why I do it and I tell them honestly I am lazy to put them on. Crushing the back is way easier.

  2. Try a new size. That might work.

  3. I’ve seen lots of lads slipping their shoes off while sitting and most of them are too lazy to get them properly, so they just stand up or even walk treading on the heel counter of their shoes. Avoid crushing your shoes and they will last much longer.

  4. make sure you dont use your feet to take your shoes off like me

  5. hhhhhhhiiiiiii // September 29, 2012 at 2:04 pm // Reply

    That aways happened to me until I started not being so lazy!!

  6. Mabe your foot is too long for the shoe try a new size or trynew socks that may be thinner.

  7. You need to loosen the laces a good amount before you put your shoes on or take them off.

  8. I love cars // July 9, 2012 at 5:21 pm // Reply

    i used to some times take off my shoes by taking one foot and putting it on the back of of the other one and pressing really hard and my shoes would come off but than my shoes would be all scuffed up after a while maybe you are doing the some if not i have no idea – I Love Cars

  9. exactly what I used to do

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