# Men: Do you have more or fewer pairs of shoes than I do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 15, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435 "2013-02-15T21:08:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/21 "2013-02-16T02:29:07Z")
1-2. Two pairs of grey/black Adidas Neo sneakers for everyday wear 3. One pair of black cap-toe oxfords 4. One pair of black plain-toe oxfords 5-6. Two pairs of New Balance running shoes for gym use 7. One pair hiking boots 8-9. Two pairs of various colored Converse All-Stars because they were garish and really cheap 10. One beat-up pair of black Converse All-Stars for chores 11. One pair cavalry boots [like these](http://www.motorcowboy.com/product/BARN1/Barnstormers-Cavalry-boots-1920s-used-after-WW-I.html) ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/22 "2013-02-16T02:38:10Z")
1. Merrell hiking shoes. 2. New Balance hiking shoes. 3. Black dress shoes. 4. Brown dress shoes. 5. Minnetonka driving moccasins. 6. Brown suede Sketchers. 7. Timberland work boots. 8. Engineer boots. 9. Black patent leather formal shoes. 10. Black dance shoes. 11. Black tap shoes. 12. Sketchers brown sandals. 13. Sketchers black sandals. and at least a dozen pairs that I no longer wear. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/23 "2013-02-16T03:37:21Z")
I used to always have just one. Now… let’s see. Five pairs of dress shoes, of which I only wear three. (The remaining two don’t fit as well.) Two sets of running shoes; one for daily running and one (the most recently retired) for the hash. Bicycle shoes with cleats. Sandals, for annoying my ex-girlfriend and wearing all the time that it’s even mildly warm. Snow boots. My standard “athletic” shoes, a pair of high-topped merrells that I don’t really care for all that much. So that’s eleven, I think. I may be missing a few–I didn’t bother to actually check the closet. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/24 "2013-02-16T04:06:48Z")
Without walking into the bedroom to look in my closet: 1-3: casual work shoes 4-5: dress shoes 6: running shoes 7: Chuck Taylors 8: hiking boots 9: work boots 10-11: Merrell sandals 12-14: Birkenstocks I also have a pair of Ugg slippers that I’ve been known to wear to the grocery store on occasion. So my answer is “more”. And I’d like to point out that the OP wins 10 Internet points for properly using the word “fewer” in the thread title instead of “less”. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/25 "2013-02-16T07:44:28Z")
2 pair office-type shoes, 1 brown pair, 1 black. 1 pair sneakers, for my every-other-day exercise walk (indoors in cold weather, outdoors at other times) and everyday casual wear in warm weather. 1 pair sneakers in reserve for when the above sneakers wear out (this spring, for sure). 1 pair sneakers just for walking around inside my apt. complex, e.g. to laundry room, office, etc. 1 pair slippers. But I only use them occasionally. I normally walk around my apartment barefoot or in socks. So fewer. I also have one pair of overshoes for snowy weather. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/26 "2013-02-16T08:07:30Z")
1. A pair of black tennis shoes for everyday use and work. I used to have these just for work and a pair for everyday use, but I’ve consolidated. 2. Hiking boots. 3)Steel-toe work boots. 4)Sandals. 5)Slippers, but these don’t have a rubber sole, so I’m not sure if they count. Actually, the soles have worn all the way through in a few places. I need new slippers. ---
**Author:** ![Snerky\_Snerk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Snerky\_Snerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snerky_Snerk)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/27 "2013-02-16T08:56:15Z")
I only have a pair of steel cap safety boots. I don’t need anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Barking\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Barking\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barking_Dog)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/28 "2013-02-16T12:00:52Z")
1 pair sandals (default) 1 pair sneakers (gym, hike, work, etc.) 1 pair oxford dress (dress, formal) No more, no less. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/29 "2013-02-16T13:02:14Z")
I’m kind of into shoes. I don’t have a lot, but probably a little more than the average guy. My current brand of choice, thanks to my brother, is Cole Haan; they’re (for me) a good balance of quality and price. Here’s what I have. 1 black and 1 brown balmoral cap-toe Oxford 1 black and 1 brown blucher Oxford 1 brown wholecut Oxford 1 black and 1 brown medallion wingtip 1 black and 1 brown penny loafer 1 black and 1 brown tassled loafer 1 brown monk strap loafer 1 black steel-toe lace-up boot 5 pair water-resistent deck shoes in various colors 2 pair of sneakers (what we used to call ‘skips’ when I was a kid) ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/30 "2013-02-16T16:21:39Z")
When I was single, I had fewer. Now that I’m married, my wife buys me more. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/31 "2013-02-16T20:05:23Z")
1. Black work shoes 2. Brown casual shoes 3. Walking boots 4. Steel toecap long wellies 5. Slippers 6. Fake crocs 7. Black slip-on leather shoes for workshop and garden (when dry) ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/32 "2013-02-16T20:08:38Z")
One pair of dress shoes One pair of light hiking boots (used for everyday wear, hiking, winter boots) One pair of vibram five fingers (used for everyday wear in the summer) I think I might have a pair of sandals kicking around but I have not worn them for 2 years or so) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/33 "2013-02-16T20:14:02Z")
dress shoes sneakers steel toed boots mud boots flip flops I have multiple sneakers and boots in various stages of decay but none of them fancy enough to wear to a McDonalds. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/34 "2013-02-16T20:19:13Z")
I have two pair - sneakers and black, non-hole-having Crocs. I know that I’m on the low end of the spectrum, but I can’t imagine needing more than 4-5 pair. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/35 "2013-02-16T20:45:03Z")
Shoes I actually wear from time to time\*: 1. A pair of sneakers 2. Two pairs of dark-colored sneakers that I wear to work (1 black, 1 brown) 3. A pair of bedroom slippers 4. A pair of leather sandals (don’t judge me) 5. A pair of penny loafers (don’t judge me) 6. A pair of flip-flops by the back door for when I need to take something out to the trash but am barefoot or wearing only socks 7. A pair of hiking boots 8. A pair of sneakers that I wear when I use my exercise bike.\*\* - As opposed to shoes I own but don’t actually wear and should get rid of: 1. A pair of flip flops I’ve had since college 2. A pair of snow boots 3. A pair of patent leather dress shoes for my tux (which I also don’t actually wear and should get rid of) 4. A couple of retired pairs of #2 above \*\* If I’m honest, this belongs on the \* list. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/36 "2013-02-16T20:46:02Z")
> [@Snerky\_Snerk](#): > > I only have a pair of steel cap safety boots. > > I don’t need anything else. If you actually work in your boots 😉 you soon find out you need 2 pair, one to wear and one to dry. 4 pairs of steel cap safety boots, Biking, Tennis, squash, indoor soccer, outdoor soccer, running, hiking low, hiking high Dress brown, dress black x2, ‘every day’ casual shoes x2, 3 pairs of sneakers, teva’s, 3x flip flops. Ski boots, I must be forgetting a pair Maybe a tad excessive 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/37 "2013-02-16T22:55:30Z")
Seems like a lot, but not so much when I calculated their average age at 35 years. All in good condition. Black Florsheim dress shoes Brown dress boots Brown Lloyd & Haig Penny Loafers Moccasins around house, outside if not wet, muddy or very cold Timberland Mocs work, everyday Wolverine Work boots Ecco hiking/work boots, most comfortable I’ve ever worn Baffin rubber & leather insulated winter/work boots Cowboy boots New Balance walking/jogging Converse All Stars Flip Flops for shower/pool when traveling 2 pr. Golf shoes, Bowling shoes ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/38 "2013-02-17T02:13:51Z")
One pair outdoor shoes. One pair indoor shoes. One pair rubber muck boots for yard work. One pair hiking boots. One pair flipflops for campground showers. ---
**Author:** ![Glazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a88e57/32.png) [@Glazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glazer)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/39 "2013-02-17T02:31:23Z")
Chucks, Red Wing boots and a pair of Teva sandals. ---
**Author:** ![Norse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a9adbd/32.png) [@Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norse)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/40 "2013-02-18T09:43:06Z")
For me, appropriate shoes for the occasion/activity are just as necessary as appropriate clothing for the occasion/activity. I don’t wear sneakers to a suit or a sportcoat, I don’t wear dress shoes with jeans or shorts, I don’t go hiking in light sneakers, and skiing or bicycling require appropriate shoes. Also, I prefer not to use the same pair of shoes the whole week and to let my shoes rest & breathe every second or third day to avoid excessive stinkyfoot. So, I’ve got a whole bunch of shoes. For formal and semiformal occasions: One pair of black patent tuxedo shoes - bought them for my wedding and they’re still in my closet Three pairs of leather Derbies (black, dark brown and tan). I’d like a pair of black Oxfords, too… For the autumn, winter and spring: One pair of sort-of-thick-soled black leather dress shoes - for those formal occasions when it’s well below freezing outside One pair of dark brown suede ankle boots and one pair of brown leather shoes w/heavy soles for everyday use One pair of winter boots for the really cold days For the summer: One pair of light-colored sneakers and one pair of boating shoes for everyday use One pair of nice-looking light-colored soft leather shoes for when I want to dress nicely in the summer One pair of espadrilles and one pair of Teva sandals for going to the beach or mucking about on my lawn For hiking, skiing and other outdoor activities: One pair of GoreTex running/hiking shoes Two pairs of hiking boots - one light, one heavy Three pairs of skiing boots - alpine, backcountry and cross-country Four (!) pairs of bicycle shoes - one for winter use, one for muddy trails, one for training and organized rides, and one for indoor spinning classes. Damn, I guess my real name is Imelda Marcos :dubious: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435.md?page=3)