# Shoes and gender: a poll **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 8, 2011, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728 "2011-06-08T12:56:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/61 "2011-06-08T17:28:56Z")
> [@tr0psn4j](#): > > I have my flippety flops, A Keen and a Vasque for every day wear, dress shoes that are buried somewhere deep in my closet and [hiking boots](http://www.rei.com/product/797625/oboz-yellowstone-ii-hiking-boots-mens). > > I had initially bought the Vasque for light hiking but they’re a little too light even for every day outdoor use. > > Not sure if these count but I have two Simms boots to wear over waders, one of them has a felt sole. Also, I have another pair for float tubing. > > So, **male 5-8** with plans on buying 1 or 2 more in the next month. I also have some deck boots. The halfway to your ankle, tough rubber ones. ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/62 "2011-06-08T17:31:39Z")
Male, three. All pretty similar normal leather-and-laces shoes. One brown two black. I only really wear the brown ones, though. The others are for when I eventually walk holes in them. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/63 "2011-06-08T17:36:08Z")
Male, 3. Two dress, one steel toe-capped. Plus a pair of slippers. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/64 "2011-06-08T17:45:36Z")
Female. I own more but I only wear three – sneakers, loafers, and sandals. There’s a pair of dress shoes around somewhere, for funerals and weddings. I never notice anyone’s shoes, except on the TV fashion shows. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/65 "2011-06-08T17:49:01Z")
First, the count: Shoes I wear frequently: hiking shoes (my main pair in fall/winter, I wear these to work) running shoes x2 (in case I was playing on a rainy day, I have a backup) sporty sandals x2 (one is in pretty rough shape and the other are my mains in summer, work) flip flops (to and from the pool) Shoes I wear infrequently: Business casual black flats (when I have to dress up at work) Casual boots x2 (black and brown , good for fall/winter business casual) Snow boots (I only wear these if the sidewalks aren’t plowed) Shoes I wear rarely: Heels x4 (black, beige, silver, brown) Flats x2 (silver, black) So, that’s 16. Now, let me explain. For everyday wear, I am lucky, I can wear whatever I want to work so I choose casual comfy shoes and wear them to death. It’s the occasional and rarely shoes that are problematic. Take my heels. I like all of them and wear them when I have to dress up. Each pair was purchased for a particular outfit. Some of the outfits are gone (old, out of style or wrong size) but I might get a new dress that works with an existing shoe so I don’t get rid of them. (In fact my silver heels are being used again this year.) As a woman, I find it diffucult to find clothes that I like. When I do, I rarely already have shoes that go. So, I have to buy another pair. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/66 "2011-06-08T17:49:51Z")
Female, 3. But I mostly wear one pair all the time (black ballet flats). I have one pair of slip-on sandals that I almost never have occasion to wear (since I go barefoot at home and only really leave the house for work or to visit my mom, in which case the flats go better with jeans or dress pants), and a pair of ancient tennis shoes… they’re uh, more than 6 years old now. _blush_ I use them for yardwork or if I go out running or walking (not often). ---
**Author:** ![notquitekarpov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@notquitekarpov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notquitekarpov)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/67 "2011-06-08T17:55:42Z")
Male - 16 I think. But these include three pairs of walking boots, one pair climbing shoes, steel work shoes, golf shoes, sailing shoes, running shoes etc. Actually for walking around in? 8 I think and two of those are to go with a business suit. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/68 "2011-06-08T17:56:47Z")
Female, and six. Merrell Jungle Mocs, a pair of Sketchers sandals, a pair of Minnetonka moccasins, a pair of Doc Martens, and a pair of Aerosole flats. I might also have a pair of combat boots in my closet from the army surplus store, but I can’t remember if I got rid of them the last go around. I really only wear the Jungle Mocs regularly. Everything else is highly conditional. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/69 "2011-06-08T17:57:07Z")
Female. 15 pairs. 2 running/working out - one good quality, one hike-in-woods/walk the dog quality 1 spinning/cycling shoes 1 Zumba/volleyball sneakers 1 casual sneakers 2 flat loafers 2 wedge/high heels 1 topsiders 1 summer dress wedge heel 1 pair Keens winter boots 1 Reef flip flops 1 pair Borne clogs 1 pair crappy $3 thong sandals 4 of those are workout-related. I dunno how you guys have 3 pairs of shoes unless you just don’t exercise daily. At minimum it’s advisable to have 2 pairs of sneakers to rotate so you don’t kill them faster. Other than the winter boots, summer wedge and sandals (which are season specific) I wear all the others at least monthly. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/70 "2011-06-08T18:08:24Z")
Male Wingtips Sneakers Sandals Dance shoes Rubbers ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/71 "2011-06-08T18:13:21Z")
Female … probably 125. I haven’t counted recently. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/72 "2011-06-08T18:36:36Z")
Male, four pairs now. One of the pairs needs repair, so I’m down to three functional pairs. I’ve always fluctuated between three and six pairs. Always one pair of athletic shoes, and the rest casual and dress shoes of varying types. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/73 "2011-06-08T18:42:57Z")
Female - about 20 or so pairs. I wear about three pairs regularly (winter boots, runners, comfy sandals). I have a bunch of dress shoes that I never wear because of my husband’s fancy dress work Christmas party every year. Others of them I keep for costume shoes for Halloween. Now that you mention it, it’s probably time for a shoe winnowing again. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/74 "2011-06-08T18:44:28Z")
Male: Let’s see. Three or four pairs of sneakers; one pair of dress shoes for work (I just threw out a couple pairs, so I need to re-load); two pair of hiking boots; a pair of golf shoes; two pair of soccer cleats; some Teva’s. So that’s 10 or so … I’m sure I have more that are buried somewhere that I never wear. Let’s say 15, just to keep it kosher. ---
**Author:** ![nicole1912](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9de0a6/32.png) [@nicole1912](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nicole1912)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/75 "2011-06-08T18:49:30Z")
Female, and we’ve moved several times in the last couple of years - the biggest casualty (after my books _sob_) have been my shoes and boots. I am left with: 1 pair of work shoes 1 pair of black sandals with no heels 1 pair of black sandals with heel (about to die and in urgent need of replacement) 1 pair of heeled brown boots (which I never wear anymore, but they are so pretty, I can’t get rid of them) 1 pair of big clumpy walking boots (again, I rarely wear them these days, but love the weight of them) 1 pair of running shoes That’s more than I thought, but far less than I used to have. Now I’ll read back the rest of the thread and see how I compare to other people! ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/76 "2011-06-08T18:51:44Z")
I am male, age 40, and own exactly 10 pairs of footwear: 2 pairs of dress shoes (black and burgundy plain-cap oxfords) 2 pairs of men’s zip-up boots (black and burgundy) (can ride my m/c and wear into office, or with jeans or khakis) 2 pairs of cross-trainer sneakers (one left in gym bag) 1 pair of high-top basketball sneakers 1 pair of Frye “engineer” motorcycle boots 1 pair of amphibious “water shoes” (for beach or pool) 1 pair of ancient casual shoes that I never wear any more, but haven’t thrown out yet My “core rotation” is between 3 or 4 of these at most. I wear my black zip-up boots the most, followed by the cross-trainer sneakers and the engineer boots. The burgundy shoes see very little use, the basketball sneakers too these days, and the water shoes mostly only for some summer weekends or vacations. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/77 "2011-06-08T18:58:53Z")
Male, 18 pairs: 2 x dress, Chelseas, Docs, Cats, 2 x thongs, hiking boots, hiking shoes, hiking sandals, 1 pairs medieval shoes (handmade, by me), 1 pair medieval boots, 2 x waraji, geta, Wellies ETA: whoops, forgot the trainers and the Chuck Taylors. ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/78 "2011-06-08T19:06:46Z")
Male. 9 if you include flip-flops and snow boots. ---
**Author:** ![pakalolo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/57b2e6/32.png) [@pakalolo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pakalolo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/79 "2011-06-08T19:28:57Z")
Female- I think I have about 20-30 pairs of shoes: More if you count all the sneakers I have that are pristine on the outside but worn out on the inside from wearing them inside a bunny suit (clean room suit, not one that looks like a rabbit). I just can’t get rid of them. I have many different styles of black leather boots. A pair of tabis, (Japanese split-toe felt-bottom fisherman boots.) Several Doc Martins from ‘back in the day’. A few hiking boots. Random slippers. (I just can’t call them flip flops) Lots of different, interesting sneakers. (Fun colors, old-skool throwbacks, or other unusual styles.) One pair sturdy black suede heels. One pair of Giant platform black leather heels. Black rubber rain boots. Mr. lolo has about 20 pairs: He too has several “bunny suit sneakers” Lots of old Airwalk sneakers he is saving cause Airwalk _used_ to be awesome. A few leather dress shoes. Slippers. Many black leather boots. Hiking boots. Black rubber rain boots. ---
**Author:** ![Daerlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Daerlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daerlyn)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728/80 "2011-06-08T19:42:24Z")
Female, thirteen pairs: Tall heeled boots Tall flat boots short flat boots short heeled boots flat casual sandals sneakers - generic comfy trainers running shoes - specifically chosen for gym/running dressy heeled sandals - red and cream! purple heels brown heels black heels burgundy heels black loafers I think I could comfortably expand up to 30 pairs before I started feeling like I was wasting my life on shoes (unless my income, storage space, and wardrobe all expand sharply for some reason). Get some more flat shoes so I have something to choose from aside from boring black flats/sneakers/sandals. All of my boots are black, too, so I might get the standard spread in another colour to change it up a bit. I’ve been wearing some of these shoes for upwards of five years, so I’m not feeling too spendthrift. Three of the four pairs of boots are due for replacement by next winter. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoes-and-gender-a-poll/584728.md?page=5)