If you’re buying new shoes, there are many things to consider when choosing the best pair. For example, the style will be important, as may the brand, and you’ll probably be interested in the quality too.
However, another element that shouldn’t be overlooked is the weight since this can impact your comfort levels – as well as your performance if they are shoes for sport. So to help you find the right shoes for your needs, here we answer the question, how much do shoes weigh?
Some different shoe weights
There are many different types of shoes, which means there is a wide range of possible shoe weights. For this reason, the best way to answer this question is to look at different types of shoes for men, women and children to give you an idea of how much they usually weigh.
Here are a few examples:
Men’s shoes
- Slippers – 14oz
- Sandals – 15oz
- Running shoes – 1.3lbs
- Casual sneakers – 1.8lbs
- Regular shoes – 2.2lbs
- Boots (including work boots) – 3.3-4lbs
Women’s shoes
- Slippers – 12oz
- Sandals – 13oz
- Running shoes – 1.1lbs
- Casual sneakers – 1.3lbs
- Heels – 1.5lbs
- Regular shoes – 2lbs
- Boots – 2.5-3.5lbs
Children’s shoes
- Slippers – 11oz
- Sandals – 12oz
- Running shoes – 14oz
- Casual sneakers – 1.1lbs
- Regular shoes – 1.3lbs
- Boots (including work boots) – 1.2-1.5lbs
These numbers can give you a rough idea of the kinds of weights you can expect – but the weight is also affected by several factors, so it can vary quite a lot, even within each category.
For example, a major factor that affects the weight is the size of the shoe. A size 14 is bigger than a size 9 – there’s just more of it, so the larger size will be heavier.
Similarly, when talking about children’s shoes, the size (and therefore weight) depends on the age of the child – because a shoe for a toddler will obviously weigh much less than a shoe for a teenager.
Finally, the material a shoe is made of has a significant impact on its weight. This is an important point, so let’s look at it in a bit more detail.
How does the shoe’s material affect its weight?
When talking about the material a shoe is made of, there are two things to consider: the type of material the shoe is made of and how much of it there is.
For example, since leather weighs more than canvas, leather office-style shoes generally weigh more than something like a pair of canvas Vans. Similarly, boots that incorporate protective metal toe caps will be heavier due to the extra weight of the metal.
These are examples of how the types of material used in a shoe can affect its weight.
At the same time, shoes with thick, heavy-duty rubber soles will weigh more than a pair with soles made of thin rubber, and a pair of high leather boots will weigh more than a pair of similar leather shoes. This is simply because there is more of the material present.
So these are some of the factors that determine how much a shoe weighs, but does it matter? To finish, let’s talk about this now.
Does the weight of shoes matter?
The weight of your shoes is important, and it is essential to choose shoes that are a suitable weight for the activity they are intended for.
If you are talking about sports shoes – for example, shoes for running – having heavier shoes will mean you have to work harder with every step.
While you might not feel this over a short distance, if you are running a longer distance, the extra effort will add up, negatively affecting your performance. This means that lighter running shoes will allow you to achieve faster times.
However, this is not the only consideration. Running shoes also need to offer a certain amount of protection to your feet, and more padding equates to heavier shoes.
As a result, when choosing a pair of running shoes, you need to find the right balance between weight and padding, and this will depend on the type of running you do.
If you are a sprinter, you will want super-light running spikes, but for long-distance running, you will need more padding and shock absorption. Running on a road or running cross-country also require more protection for your feet than running on grass or on a track.
The same is true of hiking shoes. Heavier shoes will offer more protection to your feet and ankles as well as more grip – but you will have to work harder and will become fatigued more quickly.
This means heavier, tougher hiking boots are recommended for more challenging trails whereas lighter hiking shoes are more suitable for gentler walks.
Finally, with working boots, if you need full protection with protective steel toe caps, you will need to wear heavier shoes because safety is the most important consideration.
A range of shoe weights for different purposes
In general, when choosing your shoes, you need to think carefully about what you need them for and find the best balance between lightness and protection.
It is not always the right option simply to go for the lightest shoes or those that offer the most protection. The best choice will probably be somewhere in between, so consider the activity you will be wearing them for and let that guide your decision.