# 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:** 18\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/61 "2013-02-19T19:16:36Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Or [Bill Cosby](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-JQksYxgM0). A comedy bit about a guy who is rich and famous enough to drive Ferraris and when he runs into Carroll Shelby, he promises a custom car – not exactly a man of the people any more, eh? ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/62 "2013-02-19T19:32:14Z")
I own 2 pairs of shoes: tennis shoes and these black boots I wear for work. In my lifetime, I’ve never owned more than 2 pairs of shoes. Before I got a job that needed black shoes, I just had the tennis shoes. I don’t wear sandals, flip flops, or anything like that. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/63 "2013-02-19T19:40:32Z")
Man, 40 yrs old. 2 pairs dress black shoes 1 pair dress brown shoes 3 pairs casual brown shoes 1 pair hiking/hunting boots 1 pair insulated moccasins 1 pair running/crosstraining shoes Total: 9 pairs shoes (that I can remember) ---
**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 19, 2013, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/64 "2013-02-19T20:26:59Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > A comedy bit about a guy who is rich and famous enough to drive Ferraris and when he runs into Carroll Shelby, he promises a custom car – not exactly a man of the people any more, eh? “Any more”? That bit was recorded in 1968. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/65 "2013-02-19T20:30:31Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > “Any more”? That bit was recorded in 1968. Yeah, so? That’s a far cry from what made him famous – stories about growing in up in the Philadelphia projects. Just shows that he pretty much was no longer the same person by 1968. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/66 "2013-02-19T20:43:19Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > 1. Steel toed work shoes > 2. [Simple clogs](http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Mens-Original-Clog-Gaucho/dp/B0018DVOFS) (well actually I have 2 pairs, my good ones and the gardening ones) > 3. Two pairs of house slippers > 4. Nice dress shoes > 5. Winter boots > 6. Slip on winter shoes > 7. Flip flops > 8. Hiking shoes > 9. Spats > 10. [Hiking clogs](http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/22887M/50427/Mens/Encore-Bypass?dimensions=0) > 11. Old hiking shoes for mowing the lawn > 12. Rubber boots > > Do ski boots count? I’ve got down hill and cross country. wait, spats?? ---
**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 19, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/67 "2013-02-19T20:49:21Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Yeah, so? That’s a far cry from what made him famous – stories about growing in up in the Philadelphia projects. Just shows that he pretty much was no longer the same person by 1968. Even if it is technically accurate, 45 years ago just seems a little remote to qualify for “any more.” ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/68 "2013-02-19T20:59:40Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Even if it is technically accurate, 45 years ago just seems a little remote to qualify for “any more.” I was speaking from the perspective of that recording. “Any more” from the viewpoint of 1968. I’m surprised that this common literary device has to be explained. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/69 "2013-02-19T21:30:43Z")
Ascenray, your list exactly matches mine, shoe for shoe. ---
**Author:** ![Sario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sario/32/18580_2.png) [@Sario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sario)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/70 "2013-02-19T21:47:02Z")
I have: 1 pair adidas running shoes (old and falling apart, but still worn regularly) 1 pair black leather bates boots (worn daily for work and cleaned up as dress shoes) 1 pair brown leather steel toes (brother gave them to me free but they hurt my ankles) 1 pair black sandals (around the house and quick trips) 4 pair total ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/71 "2013-02-19T21:49:19Z")
I have enough so that it’s impossible to list them. At least 30 pairs. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/72 "2013-02-19T22:17:10Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > You change your shoes to drive? Are you Bertie Wooster? Hahaha, I dont change my shoes to drive, it’s just a style of shoe. Sort of like a boat shoe but slightly different. The pair I have is probably 8 years old and I wear them all the time, have even had them repaired twice (and to be honest they’re probably due for another restitching, if my cobbler is willing to make the attempt). I should clarify on my shoes, most of them I’ve owned for at least 5 years and some over 10. The majority of them will last me at least another 10-15 years with occasional resolings. I don’t buy shoes often, but when I do I buy shoes that will last. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/73 "2013-02-19T22:49:35Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Ascenray, your list exactly matches mine, shoe for shoe. Aha! I’ve found my doppelganger! ---
**Author:** ![PhiloVance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e19adc/32.png) [@PhiloVance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhiloVance)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/74 "2013-02-19T23:07:52Z")
So the guy who said, ‘If you want to be employed forever, open a shoe store’, was right. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/75 "2013-02-19T23:16:45Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > You change your shoes to drive? Are you Bertie Wooster? In my case, I’ve got size 14/15 feet, so heel-and-toe isn’t easy with a lot of shoes. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/76 "2013-02-20T14:42:46Z")
I have: [ol] [li]Black Magnum Boots – Mailman/Cop footwear – my default shoes.[/li][li]Kenneth Cole going out/dressy silver and black monstrosities[/li][li]Lands’ End Insulated Slippers[/li][li]Pair of sneakers[/li][li]Black Doc Martens (purple laces, because…purple)[/li][li]Harley Davidson Motorcycle Boots (I don’t ride, they just look cool)[/li][li]Florsheim dress shoes[/li][li]Sketchers Beatle Boots[/li][/ol] I’d say the ones I wear least are the Sketchers and the Florsheims, with the HDs closing in fast. I think it’s unreasonable to expect one pair of shoes to be appropriate for every occasion, and occasionally it’s a matter of function. You shouldn’t wear nice everyday shoes to work on your car, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/77 "2013-02-20T14:56:02Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > In my case, I’ve got size 14/15 feet, so heel-and-toe isn’t easy with a lot of shoes. I don’t get what you’re saying. Would you care to elaborate? What do you mean by “heel-and-toe”? What does it have to do with driving or driving shoes? ---
**Author:** ![brad\_d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435/78 "2013-02-20T16:31:24Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I don’t get what you’re saying. Would you care to elaborate? What do you mean by “heel-and-toe”? What does it have to do with driving or driving shoes? I imagine he’s referring to the [performance driving technique](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heel-and-toe). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-have-more-or-fewer-pairs-of-shoes-than-i-do/650435.md?page=3)