What makes a shoe extinct?

[Eileen]

I just checked my mailbox and got notice one of my all time very, very favorite running shoes, ZOOT Ultra TT 2.0,
is about to be extinct! :(
And one of my other all time very, very favorite yellow color Saucony Kilkenny's they aren't making anymore, at least not in yellow, and I believe the updated version's build is slightly different. At least, it feels different to me when I wear it, that something has been changed.
These two shoes are incredible and truly make your feet so happy to run in.
I have to wonder, if a running shoe like the ZOOT Ultra TT 2.0 is awesome, why would it become discontinued? What determines this?
I couldn't believe it when I read the notice about it being "endangered"--to get a remaining pair now before they're gone forever. I love those shoes!

[Gary Hearn]

You may want to take a page from the Steve Lerner book and order a case or two of your favorite shoes before they can't be found. Of course, I make no guarantees on the shelf life.

[Eileen]

Gary,
Great idea from you and Steve!
I will miss those Zoots!
Is this true that shoes have shelf life even if they're unused? Interesting!

[Lisa A. Childress]

Believe that the shoe bottoms can dry-rot even if they're unused. Not sure how long before that happens. If Mr. Lerner is ordering cases of shoes, then maybe he has an idea of when this might happen. Unless of course that he cryogenically stores the shoes until he needs them:)

[Eileen]

Lisa!
Interesting! You got me so curious, I did a quick look-up from a running shoe question website and copied what it said:

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What is the shelf life for running shoes?
Shoes don’t last forever, but unless the shoes weren’t stored well (extreme heat/cold) then last year’s models will be fine. You should generally try not to purchase shoes that are more than a year old, because the mid-soles will harden and break down over time even when the shoes are not being used.

If you do have shoes that are 3 or even 5 years old, you can probably still use them. Just be aware that you probably will not be able to run as many miles in them as you would on a pair of brand new shoes that just arrived at your local shoe store.

It can be a delicate balance of cost-effectiveness if you want to purchase a model of shoe that you like while it is on sale and before the company tweaks it to the point that you don’t like it anymore.

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Lisa, love your great humor about the cryogenics! I wonder will that really work!! Would be fascinating to find out if what would happen to the shoes.

(By coincidence, I just finished reading a book about people who really tried this hoping for an afterlife, but the company ran short of funds and the bodies thawed.)

I should take up the offer to purchase the remaining Zoots TT 2.0 left in the dwindling supply, put them in the deep freeze and use for runs waaay in the future when these shoes are long gone from the market!
But right now, I am like that human cryogenics company without enough funds, so I will just treasure my trusty old shoe and use till it finally falls apart.

Lisa, I saw you might volunteer the Bear Creek. I signed up, but not sure I can really make it--but hope to--and everyone who runs, especially if it's a cold December morning in the woods,
will be warmed by the sunshine of your radiant and sunny spirit!! You are the nicest!
See you soon, friend!

[Joseph Ryan]

What makes a shoe extinct? Easy question......when you stop wearing it.

Oh, don't count on your friend Dudette to have much of a radiant and sunny spirit cause she will be STUCK in the swamp section of the course with "The Creature From The Black Logoon". I use that word "STUCK" literally and figuratively. BTW, the trail in that swamp has been known to suck up more than one running shoe.

[Eileen]

Joe,
You are the funniest and hilarious about the extinct shoe and the quicksand like shoe eating swamp!

"Dudette" Lisa Childress is the sweetest and nicest sunshine spirit that her warm and positive vibes will magically tame even the most wicked swamp.
I hope she gets a good spot if she decides to volunteer---like the halfway point where her marvelous good cheer and kindness is sure to re-energize the runners because of the happiness she exudes!

[Lisa A. Childress]

Dude:

Don't think you want me stuck in a swamp on the trail. Not sure that Mr. Bobcat and Burly Bear would do such a good job at filling and handing out the drink cups:).

[Eileen]

We have to have a trail run with both of you in the group. You both have such great humor, I really would love to just tag along to listen and laugh. You are joy!

[Lisa A. Childress]

If we do a trail run all together, then we'll need walkie-talkies 'cause I don't think I could keep up with you guys and carry on a witty conversation at the same time. Kind of like rubbing the tummy and patting the head. One or the other:)

[Joseph Ryan]

Eileen: I promise I'd run a slow pace (especially on that trail) cause I don't want that sweet, joyous sunshine dudette getting lost and cause me to have to lead a search party to look for her directionally challenged soul. And gee.......that would cut into beer and football time!!!!!

[Eileen]

Joe and Lisa,
You are both so funny! I am laughing aloud!
Okay, we need to hit the trails then for more happy times!
Remember to wear your nearly extinct shoes so it won't matter if you lose them, in case we fall into that legendary shoe sucking swamp!

[Pete]

Joe, I hope you didn't really mean that her soul was directionally challenged. Hopefully you just "misspoke" and actually meant the soles of her feet are directionally challenged