My shoes keep dying

[Vennemonster]

Do I really have to shell out a lot of cash just for a shoe that won't wear down at the toe within a few months? Every tennis shoe I've bought has been priced at $60 or under and every shoe I buy is worn where the big toe is.

What shoe can I buy where it won't fall apart on me for a while? Which kind of shoe has the longest life expectancy?

 

[ArliHawk]

Do I really have to shell out a lot of cash just for a shoe that won't wear down at the toe within a few months? Every tennis shoe I've bought has been priced at $60 or under and every shoe I buy is worn where the big toe is.

What shoe can I buy where it won't fall apart on me for a while? Which kind of shoe has the longest life expectancy?

Might be worth buying a shoe with 6 month outsold warranty. If you spend 109 for a babolat propulse 3, you might find yourself ahead when the wear out.

 

[Rozroz]

only barricades hold around 6 months for me (5-6 hours a week)
but i'll be glad for any other suggestions.

 

[PhotoBlue]

OP, how often do you play?

 

[pvaudio]

Might be worth buying a shoe with 6 month outsold warranty. If you spend 109 for a babolat propulse 3, you might find yourself ahead when the wear out.

If I keep playing, I should have free Propulses for the rest of my life. On my 4th replacement pair as of tomorrow.

 

[Rozroz]

i wonder, what's exactly the sort of tear the 6 month warranty covers? until you make a hole? until what?
my Barricade VI are about to make a hole near the toe very soon, after around 6 months.

 

[Funbun]

Agreed with Rozroz, get something with the 6-month durability guarantee, aka one of the better Nike CB's or Adidas Barricade renditions.

That, or improve your footwork. I'm kidding.

 

[Vennemonster]

I think I'd be down for buying the pricy shoe with a warranty if that means I can get it replaced once it craps out on me.

That's... genius. Thanks!!

 

[Big_Dangerous]

I think I'd be down for buying the pricy shoe with a warranty if that means I can get it replaced once it craps out on me.

That's... genius. Thanks!!

Yeah, I plan to do that with my New Balances.

I bought some 130 dollar shoes and already I can see that they are coming apart. I plan to use them up nicely for this month, then send them back sometime in May. I got them in January, so I figure my 6 months won't be up until June.

 

[user92626]

Can companies tell whether the wear is from abuse or normal usage?
It has to go beyond completely smooth and to the point of getting a hole for replacement to work, right??

I just cannot wear down any shoes within six months, cheap or pricey (50usd is pricey to me ). The only wear is on the bottom and it's pretty even.

 

[Bud]

Can companies tell whether the wear is from abuse or normal usage?
It has to go beyond completely smooth and to the point of getting a hole for replacement to work, right??

I just cannot wear down any shoes within six months, cheap or pricey (50usd is pricey to me ). The only wear is on the bottom and it's pretty even.

You're fortunate. I only buy Barricades and I get about 4 months out of them, playing 12 hours per week. That's about 200 hours of court time before the shoe is worn out.

Yes, they can normally tell by the wear pattern how a shown was worn. There have been guys on TT who (as their 6-month warranty period approached) tried wearing them through by dragging on the pavement, sanding the soul, etc. Their warranties were denied

Worn out is a tear in the outsole down to the soft spongy stuff below.

 

[schwuller]

i play 3 to 7 days a week 2.5 to 3.5 hours per session. i weigh 170 pounds and only play singles, 90% hard court. i do not wear my tennis shoes off of the tennis court AT ALL.

i used the previous version of the Nadal shoe (the one with the shadow dots all over), and it was the best shoe for this game i'd ever had. but there were some issues. i had some leg soreness that caused me to buy insoles. and, i was fiddling with these shoes constantly. always bent over on the court retying them, etc. but still, compared to what i used to wear these were a revelation.

then tried on the ski boot that is the barricade 6 and switched to that. once these are on, i never have to touch them again until it's time to take them off. custom insoles? what are those? forgot all about insoles after buying barricades. and the barricades are the best made upper of any shoe i've ever seen. the entire bottom of the sole can be worn through (which takes some doing) but wipe off the uppers with a little Woolite in warm water, and damned if they don't look brand new! i've never seen a more durable upper than the barricade. the laces are also superb and grippy. the area that the laces go through look distorted after a month on every other shoe, from the pulling. on the barricades they are as strong and straight as a bed frame.

no matter what to-class shoe i buy, under my playing style and conditions, they last almost exactly 4 months. i've never had a shoe warranty denied by TW.

get one of the top reviewed shoes. we all know what they are. if $ is an issue and you play often, get ones with the 6 mo warranty. this formula is the only way to go for a serious player.

once you have tried a top quality shoe, you will never ever be looking in the $60 and below levels again. trust me.

and if you are over 30 years old, then having quality shoes is much much more important than any other tennis equipment you own. if you want to continue playing this game.