# How many pair of shoes do you own?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [May 7, 2018, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760 "2018-05-07T15:25:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/1 "2018-05-07T15:25:15Z")
It would also be interesting to know if you are male or female.
I am a male and own 12 pair of shoes:
- 3 pair sneakers, 2 “good” pair and 1 “grubby”
- 2 pair dress shoes, one brown and one black
- 2 pair sandals, one leather and one flip flop style
- 1 pair water shoes
- 2 pair athletic shoes (baseball cleats), one that I wear now and one pair from high school
- 2 pair house shoes, which I never wear
In any given week, however, I will wear the sneakers (all 3 pair) and the current pair of cleats (in season). Sandals are for beach trips, water shoes are for river tromping and dress shoes are for weddings/funerals.
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### Author:  [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/2 "2018-05-07T15:33:25Z")
Male. Just 4:
1 pair of steel-toe low-tops, black
1 pair of steel-toe low-tops, brown
1 pair of dress shoes that only get worn about once every 2-3 years
1 pair of old messed up work boots that I only wear to mow the lawn
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### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/3 "2018-05-07T15:36:35Z")
A pair of canvas sneakers
A pair of leather shoes, not dress but nicer than the sneakers
A pair of black “wedding & funeral” shoes
A pair of rubberized snow/mud boots
A pair of sandals with leather straps
A pair of slippers
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### Author:  [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/4 "2018-05-07T15:47:04Z")
Male.
Over three dozen. Enough to do seasonal rotation.
A few pairs of winter/inclement weather boots.
About a dozen work/dress shoes and boots.
About a dozen casual/weekend shoes and boots.
About a half dozen fashion/boating kicks.
A few athletic/running/cycling.
Tracking two new pairs on UPS as we speak. 🙂
Majority are less than 3-5 years old.
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/5 "2018-05-07T15:51:09Z")
Male.
One pair of boat shoes. I wear them daily until they fall apart, then they are replaced.
One pair high work boots. Mainly worn in snow.
One pair “barn shoes”.
Teva sandals.
I used to have “dress shoes” that I hated. When I got rid of my suits I also got rid of my “dress shoes”.
ETA: I forgot my slippers. They are felted wool, made in Iceland. My gf got them for me when she went to Iceland.
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### Author:  [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/6 "2018-05-07T15:53:03Z")
Female
2 pairs of SAS loafers (At least 10 years old)
5 pairs of Skechers in different colors and styles - these are my daily shoes
3 old, ratty pairs of sneaks for yardwork - I should throw at least 2 of the pairs away
1 pair tan dress sandals - maybe worn half a dozen times?
1 pair silver dress sandals - worn twice in 10 years.
2 pairs of cheap flip-flops (do they count?)
1 pair of snow boots
1 pair of slip-on house slippers
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/7 "2018-05-07T16:01:51Z")
My gf is the opposite of me when it comes to shoes. She has a walk in closet _filled_ with shoe/boot boxes. She spends more on a single pair of shoes then I spend on five years worth of footwear.
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### Author:  [@Buttercup\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buttercup_Smith)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/8 "2018-05-07T16:10:00Z")
Too many. I guess around 30-40 pairs.
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### Author:  [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/9 "2018-05-07T16:16:02Z")
Male, and it’s easier to go by brand then style…
2 Adidias
Puma
Reebok
Sketchers
And 1
Asics
2 fomal black pair
Some brown pair I can’t remember
cleats
indoor soccer shoes
golf shoes
Water shoes (do those count?)
So that’s 10 pair of “normal” shoes and 4 specialty shoes
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### Author:  [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/10 "2018-05-07T16:17:00Z")
> [@kayaker](#):
>
> ETA: I forgot my slippers. They are felted wool, made in Iceland. My gf got them for me when she went to Iceland.
I have something similar that my wife gave me for xmas. Felted wool with shearling wool lining and rubber tread soles for that short cold walk to the mailbox. Uggs, I think. Love them.
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### Author:  [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/11 "2018-05-07T16:25:37Z")
felt house slippers
pair boiled-wool clogs
pair leather clogs
ankle boots
knee boots
jodhpur boots (riding)
endurance boots (riding)
work boots (redwings lace up)
rubber muck boots
rubber garden clogs
snow boots
dressy sandals, turquoise (a moment of weakness)
black pumps (for funerals and singing gigs)
cute little casual slip ons, navy suede
black cowgirl boots
western mules
color patched suede skimmers
cross trainers
shit that is 18 pairs.
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### Author:  [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/12 "2018-05-07T16:31:47Z")
More than I think I need, but that’s because I don’t like throwing out stuff which has potential use. I buy maybe 1-2 pairs a year.
1 pair skechers, which are what I wear most of the time.
1 pair new smartish sandals.
1 pair knock-off ugg boots. Elderly, due to be chucked out soon.
1 pair nice heeled boots. For the rare occasions I dress up nice.
1 pair black smart flats, for interviews.
1 pair slippers.
1 pair very elderly hiking boots.
1 pair crappy canvas shoes, bought as disposable ones for a holiday but barely used.
1 pair Doc Martens, which aren’t properly broken in, and give me blisters, so I don’t wear.
1 pair Doc Marten knee high boots, which are older than some of my friends. They have a hole in the toe, but I can’t bring myself to throw them out.
1 pair steel toe cap work boots.
Lastly, 2 pairs wellington boots, one steel toe, the other I haven’t got round to getting rid of.
I make that 13 pairs.
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### Author:  [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/13 "2018-05-07T16:38:23Z")
Male.
- 3 pairs of athletic shoes: one pair that are my “everyday” shoes, one main pair of running shoes, and a second pair of running shoes made for trail running.
- One pair of casual shoes.
- Two pairs of dress shoes.
- One pair of sandals (rarely worn).
- One pair of hiking boots, which double as snow boots.
So, eight pairs in total.
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### Author:  [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/14 "2018-05-07T16:48:28Z")
I actually don’t know exactly. It’s something like 4 dozen or so pairs.
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### Author:  [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/15 "2018-05-07T16:59:31Z")
Woman. The average woman has 24 pairs of shoes. I’m at 32.
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### Author:  [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/16 "2018-05-07T17:01:53Z")
Around 20. I’m a guy.
About 4-5 are regular daily wear for work, a few are specialty (ski boots), a few are weekend wear (boots for the workshop or yard work), slippers, sandals, water shoes, etc. I have more than my wife, although she doesn’t work out of the house so nothing in that category.
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### Author:  [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/17 "2018-05-07T17:02:22Z")
Oh yeah, female.
And I just found a pair of awful knock-off crocs an Aunt gave me, I use 'em for stuff like taking the rubbish out sometimes. Up mine to 14.
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### Author:  [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/18 "2018-05-07T17:13:27Z")
Male.
Similar to **Quicksilver** , about three dozen, which allows me to rotate with the season. I change shoes every day.
Fall/Winter: Dark color Heavier shoes (think Wingtip Blucher)and Suede boots
Spring: Regular weight shoes, Suede Shoes, and Boots (lighter color)
Summer: Loafers, derby shoes, woven shoes (mid-range color)
Winter: Boots various styles
Majority of shoes aren’t black and have broguing.
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### Author:  [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/19 "2018-05-07T17:13:58Z")
Male.
Two pairs of slippers, if those count.
Four pairs of boots - one dressy, one work pair, one rubber pair for snowblowing, one pair combat boots my son gave me. (He wore them when he was overseas - he says he never wants to put those kinds of boots on as long as he lives.)
Three pairs of athletic shoes - one for walking the dog, one for the gym, one for casual day.
Two pair of black dress shoes.
Regards,
Shodan
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### Author:  [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-pair-of-shoes-do-you-own/813760/20 "2018-05-07T17:27:55Z")
Male, 2 pairs for daily use.
Live in a pair of “tennies” in the summer.
And a pair of Keens in the winter.
Also have some “specialty shoes”:
A pair of Soccer shoes.
A pair of hiking boots.
Nice black shoes that I bought for a funeral. I wear 'em to work sometimes, because I don’t go to many weddings or funerals.
And I think I have a pair of old sneakers in the back of the closet… I’ll dig 'em out if I paint the house this summer.
Life’s so much easier if you don’t care what anyone thinks of you (or your footwear). Dated a woman who never failed to notice/comment on my shoes: “Well, they can really _make_ your outfit!” “Hrummmph. Do I look like I own a single outfit?”
(I married the other woman who never noticed…)
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