Shoes have a "Use By" date?

 
Hi folks;

I used to post here now and then. I couldn't think of another newsgroup
for this question:

Today I pulled a pair of unused casual shoes, New Balance 608s, from the
bottom of a closet and discovered their black rubber soles were
degrading into something tarry.  I haven't worn them in months if not
years, but I never heard of shoe soles turning back into the liquid
rubber they were made from.

Not only that, but several months ago I discovered the same thing
happening to a pair of sturdy Rocky "Gauchos," and they were stored high
up in a different closet!  I could deform the lugs and edges of the
Goodyear soles with my fingers. Not until I left marks and pieces on the
floors did I realise they were crumbling.

Can anyone here explain what might be causing this?  It's a frugal
living issue for me because the shoes represent about a hundred dollars
worth of now useless junk.  And there might be a health issue, too.


Thanks for your help,
JPM

  DemoDisk wrote:

I've seen this happen with all kinds of rubber parts, weatherstripping
around car doors, rubber feet on stereo equipment and even rubber belts
and wheels inside tape decks.

I don't know the reason either but it's likely the rubber wasn't made
properly in the first place. I have heard that defective rubber has
been the reason for several recalls on various things so perhaps this
shoe has also been recalled. It might help to contact the manufacturer
to see if they can replace them.

Anthony

 
Yikes, I haven't been watching out for shoe recalls, wonder if my
flip-flops are dangerous...


--

For a list of all the ways technology has failed to improve the quality of life,
please press three.

...Alice Kahn

 

It'll happen when you're crossing a large parking lot on a hot, sunny
day.... <g>


--

quality of life,

 Steve wrote:

I hear that you can have a dangerous blowout if you step on a pop-top
with those.

   - Logan