And shoes made from leather, glue and sewing thread can last for decades, unlike even expensive shoes made with modern materials. Polyurethane and polyurethane foam is used in many shoe soles today but breaks down from water vapor and can crumble even if the shoes are never used, as collectors of ridiculously overpriced “collectable” sneakers have found. (Results vary based on the specific kind of PU, humidity and heat, etc.)
https://www.phlmetropolis.com/2011/11/the-case-of-the-crumbling-shoes.php
and
This creates the conundrum. I don’t wear my nice, PU soled shoes often because the molded soles can’t be replaced and I don’t want to wear them out. But they are chemically degrading whether I wear them or not, so I should wear them before they just disintegrate on their own. A good pair of all leather shoes may cost more but they can actually be a better investment than cheaper shoes.
Long lasting or not, eff pointy Italian shoes with their narrow, thin, symmetrical toe boxes. That’s not how feet are shaped. My big toes are big toes and I’m not interested in pinching them for fashion.
