Have any of you stocked up on shoes and had them go bad in storage?

puppybutts

Hall of Fame
I know it's common to stock up on a shoe model you like - getting updated with new model, out of stock, sales, etc. - but sometimes I get paranoid about things you hear. Like dry rot, foam simply degrading over time, or just cosmetic yellowing, etc.

Has anyone here had their tennis shoes go bad? What's the oldest new pair you pulled out of your closet, and they were fine?
 
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Purestriker

Legend
I know it's common to stock up on a shoe model you like - getting updated with new model, out of stock, sales, etc. - but sometimes I get paranoid about things you hear. Like dry rot, foam simply degrading over time, or just cosmetic yellowing, etc.

Has anyone here had their tennis shoes go bad? What's the oldest new pair you pulled out of your closet, and they were fine?
I stock up and have not had any issue. But I go through shoes every 4 or 5 months.
 

vandre

Hall of Fame

stringertom

Bionic Poster
If you’re referring to a lockup in a storage yard, make sure it’s climate controlled. Extreme heat or cold can wreak havoc with shoe materials.
 
Maybe after a few years. But I normally buy two pairs a time and will have a pair sit for 4-6 months. Never had a problem I store them under a desk in there original box.
 

Curtennis

Hall of Fame
I have 4 court ff2s right now and a 5th clay pair on its way. Just actually threw out another pair that were finally on their last legs. Probably run through these over the next 24 months. Can’t imagine stocking up more than this.
But I’ve kept random exercise type shoes for well over a decade in my house and they perform just fine.
Not sure I’d be entering the Olympics in anything like that tho.. depends what your goals are.
 

stringertom

Bionic Poster
would 10C be considered extreme cold or are we talking like 0C? and is 25C too hot?
That’s an adequate range when combined with decently controlled humidity and full shade from UV exposure.

The cold and dry air (below 50F) will make insoles stiffen up and moist hot air (above 80F) will weaken glues used to hold the shoes together as well as leading to saturated mesh materials, making them less efficient as far as wicking sweat away from insoles.

Sunlight can bleach colorways and treat synthetic leather like it’s an old saddle with cracks everywhere.
 

Chairman3

Hall of Fame
The glue deteriorates regardless of storage method.
The foam likely also has a shelf life on its resilience and ability to cushion.
Such is the case with motorcycle helmets and baby car seats that have expiration dates for the same reasons.
 

smboogie

Semi-Pro
I know it's common to stock up on a shoe model you like - getting updated with new model, out of stock, sales, etc. - but sometimes I get paranoid about things you hear. Like dry rot, foam simply degrading over time, or just cosmetic yellowing, etc.

Has anyone here had their tennis shoes go bad? What's the oldest new pair you pulled out of your closet, and they were fine?
Not really. I've had some for better part of a year in my closet (in box) and had no issues. I always rotate between 2 pairs of shoes in active rotation.
 

djNEiGht

Legend
have some vapor RF that I wore sparingly a few years ago. Took them out again recently and noticed excessive squeaking while walking. I played maybe 2 times with it. On the 3rd day I planned to use them I wore them to the office with some tennis later that day. The sole was separating from the top. These things are still top notch looking and sole barely shows any wear. Gonna shoe-goo it
 

lidoazndiabloboi

Hall of Fame
have some vapor RF that I wore sparingly a few years ago. Took them out again recently and noticed excessive squeaking while walking. I played maybe 2 times with it. On the 3rd day I planned to use them I wore them to the office with some tennis later that day. The sole was separating from the top. These things are still top notch looking and sole barely shows any wear. Gonna shoe-goo it

I've have 2 different pairs of Vapor 9.5 outsole separate during my USTA matches. Had to default the first match. Brought a spare shoe to my next match.
Any tips on properly attaching it back and making sure it holds?
 

djNEiGht

Legend
I've have 2 different pairs of Vapor 9.5 outsole separate during my USTA matches. Had to default the first match. Brought a spare shoe to my next match.
Any tips on properly attaching it back and making sure it holds?
sorry no tips...but some folks have been saying to use shoe goo. I'll let you know how that turns out. Ordered some goo
 

georgeyew

Semi-Pro
I learned the hard way. Had a few pairs of shoes that I bought on sale about 10 years ago to stock up. Pulled them out a few months ago and the soles came unglued in less than 30 mins. Lesson learned...no more than 3 pairs of shoes in storage and use them up within 2 years.

But full disclosure...I have 8 pairs back up right now. I check them every 3 months to see if the soles are still intact.
 

lim

Professional
I've have 2 different pairs of Vapor 9.5 outsole separate during my USTA matches. Had to default the first match. Brought a spare shoe to my next match.
Any tips on properly attaching it back and making sure it holds?
Happened to a pair of my 9.5s.. try contact cement
 

kevin qmto

Legend
I have been buying every pair of Adidas Barricade 6.0’s I can get my hands on. I’ve had 5 pairs since they came out in what, 2009-10? Found at least 3 NOS pairs since 2018 and all have been fine, no issues at all, just started breaking in my final pair this year.
 

jimmy8

G.O.A.T.
Yes, but it takes a long time. About 5 years or so. Keep inside house instead of garage or somewhere else.
 

djNEiGht

Legend
I'm wearing my Mustachio Barricades lately and they are holding up fine. But I've had a couple pair or Nikes that didn't do so well. Hope to bring my Vapors back to life with the shoe glue to fix the separating soles
 

joshuayuan

Professional
I only buy what I need. I have one pair for travelling and another pair for playing locally. I don't like the idea of hoarding many shoes partly because I am not sure if I will wear them in the future (we don't live forever), and I don't want them to get wasted.
 

Rosstour

G.O.A.T.
Shoes from the Vapor 9.5/Cage2 era (~2015) aren't safe anymore unless they've been worn lightly and stored properly
 
Still have 10+ pairs of Nike Courtballistec 2.3 and 3.3 that are new and have a few pairs that are in sporadic use. No issues, but echoing the above comments, 1) glue would typically be the first material to fail. 2) next issue with older stock shoes would typically be failure of the synthetic upper material, where the material breaks down and the outsole/midsole stays attached to the surface face while the middle layers delaminate and break down.
 

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
With the New Balance old warranty, when worn I would send them back to the factory. Had at least three new pair of the old CT-790. Sent a pair back and received the CT-800. Stopped wearing NB. Years later discovered the new CT-790 shoes on a shelf. Sole rotted, glue undone. What a waste.
 

innoVAShaun

G.O.A.T.
I stockpiled and snatched up every Nike Air Max Breathe Free II when got replaced by the Breathe 3's. I started to use them again after rediscovering them in closets and storage from three moves. The new pairs lasted me only two matches before the soles started to detach. The TPU shanks also would split on me suddenly. I used permanent grade gorilla glue to try and keep the sole attached but the shoe would just detach elsewhere or the shank issue I mentioned earlier.
 

Rosstour

G.O.A.T.
I stockpiled and snatched up every Nike Air Max Breathe Free II when got replaced by the Breathe 3's. I started to use them again after rediscovering them in closets and storage from three moves. The new pairs lasted me only two matches before the soles started to detach. The TPU shanks also would split on me suddenly. I used permanent grade gorilla glue to try and keep the sole attached but the shoe would just detach elsewhere or the shank issue I mentioned earlier.

Yup.

You have to play in them, just a little.
 

jim e

Legend
I pulled out a pair of Asics gel Challenger 6 about 3 weeks ago, they were in storage still in box. Those shoes are at least 10+ years old. They are holding up fine so far after 3 weeks of singles, about 9 hours on the courts.
Maybe they use a different adhesive than some of the other manufacturers listed here that had issues.
 

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
2011?
NM33WBY-1.jpg
 
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