It may be hard to believe but I think I’ve found something even better than “New Sock Day!”
I’ve written before about how I love new sock day. And I should probably point out: I’m talking about athletic socks. New dress socks are nice but I mean the socks you wear with your sneakers. They are just so comfortable when you put them on brand new! You begin to realize how thin your others have become.
This week I found something that even tops that: new sneakers!
Full disclosure: since I’m semi-retired now I probably spend most of my time in sneakers. I was never much for flip flops. They are perfect for the beach but that’s about it. Driving with them just feels totally weird. Yeah I’m a sneaker guy as most days are casual. I love suits but if it wasn’t for my Cable TV show and the occasional special event at church I’d probably never wear them. It’s a shame because my favorite store to browse and shop in is Main Street Formals.
Anyway… back to the sneakers.
Since I wear them every day I have started getting a new pair about every six months. My new favorite brand is Asics. When I started having issues with my feet (getting old is great isn’t it?) my children were still working at a sporting goods company. They said Asics would be the best for me and I’ve been buying nothing else for quite a few years now.
I got a new pair for Christmas and they are AWESOME! As I’ve said about new sock day, “It’s like wearing pillows on my feet.” And just like I do with new socks, it makes me wonder how bad I let the other ones get before I went for new.
It also makes me wonder how I ever managed as a kid. I seem to remember getting new sneakers and/or shoes when it was back to school time. I’m not sure if that was the only time but I really don’t remember any another. Maybe Christmas? If September was the only time, those Converse All Stars were probably good and worn out by the time I replaced them.
Back in the late 60s and 70s you didn’t have the choices you have today. My brother was a fan of Puma
I did have a pair of Adidas Gazelle’s one year.
However, the big names were PF Flyers, Pro Keds, and of course your Converse Chuck Taylors.
And they were usually on display in a corner at Sears Roebuck, not in a whole store dedicated to footwear.
I remember when I was a young adult, or “younger” adult, whenever I got new sneakers I wouldn’t retire my other pair. Those became my “yard sneakers.” Then the previous yard sneakers became your painting shoes. I would also use the old sneakers to coach baseball or softball since that stone dust was hard to wipe off. I remember one time I went straight from a work function to coach a softball game. Suit, tie and dress shoes. That took awhile to clean!
The ole body can’t do yard work or painting or coaching anymore so I donated my old sneakers this week. I thought they were pretty worn out but my wife, Priscilla, reminded me they would be appreciated by someone who had no shoes.
So if it’s been awhile since you replaced your sneakers or whatever your everyday footwear choice is, I highly recommend you treat yourself. It might brighten your whole day!
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