My first boss at J.Crew taught me a lot about the fashion industry and being a leader but my favorite thing that he taught me is the idiom “shit kickers.” This term of endearment refers to an old pair of shoes that have been beaten to perfection. It resonates with anyone, such as myself, that has held on to some shoes for what others may perceive as too long. The thing is though, that they were actually still very much in their prime.
The measure of a truly great shoe is improvement with age. They get more comfortable as they mold to your foot, getting supple in all the right places. They carry marks and deformities from past experiences like proud battle scars. Time varnishes them with a rich patina that simply could not be replicated by anything other than countless miles traveled on your feet. Like a loyal companion, you’ve come a long way together and you couldn’t bear the thought of parting.