Why the French Never Wear the Same Shoes Two Days in a Row

When I lived in France on an exchange program as a teenager, I lived with a very fashionable family. I remember Jacques (the father) told me in his distinct French accent: one should never wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. He did not explain, and I was too embarrassed to ask (because I am sure that I was wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row due to my limited wardrobe when living abroad). So I looked it up and here is the clever reason why.

After a long day in your shoes, keep them to the side and let them rest. Air them out and pick another pair to wear the following day. Why? Well, they will not only last much longer but will also help to prevent those seemingly embarrassing stinky feet.

Compression and sweat are the biggest culprits of stinky feet. Your feet produce half a pint of sweat a day, and the moisture amalgamates with the materials and bacteria to foster a righteous odor. This is especially common in running shoes, as you’re probably using them to work out and the sweat production is at an all-time high.

You may be scratching your head, and asking me, “why would I buy two of the same pair of shoes?”. Well, I understand that buying two shoes may be a little redundant and expensive in the short run, especially for people that require special shoes for work. However, in the long run, you will prolong the lifespan of your shoes and will mitigate replacing it more frequently.