The majority of Americans blow big bucks on shoes they’ll never wear again: survey

Nypost · 🇺🇸 public United States · Jun 02, 2026 · 721 words · By SWNS

Consumer Regret Corporate Branding (Skechers) Foot Health and Comfort

headphones Listen to the eFinder podcast briefing

Ready to play

Daily briefing

What to know about Consumer Regret

The majority of Americans blow big bucks on shoes they’ll never wear again: survey See more of our coverage in your search results.

Claims checked 17

Techniques found 3

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center80%

Right20%

5 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

The majority of Americans blow big bucks on shoes they’ll never wear again: survey See more of our coverage in your search results.

Why it matters

Add The New York Post on GoogleMore than half of Americans (56%) admitted they regularly purchase shoes they later regret because of how uncomfortable they are.

Common ground

That’s no small problem when you consider the average person takes almost three million steps and walks nearly 1,200 miles per year, according to a new survey of 2,000 Americans evenly split by generation.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Exaggeration / Hyperbole, Glittering Generalities: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Consumer Regret story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that three-quarters of people (74%) still admitted they wish they had started to prioritize wearing supportive shoes earlier in life?
How does this story connect Consumer Regret with Corporate Branding (Skechers) over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/06/02/lifestyle/americans-waste-hundreds-on-shoes-theyll…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 3 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 90% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Exaggeration / Hyperbole 70% confidence

Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.

Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Glittering Generalities 80% confidence

Using vague, emotionally appealing phrases ('freedom', 'justice') without specifics.

Why it matters: Recognizing glittering generalities helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 17 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 8

schedule Pending 7

help Insufficient Evidence 2

help

Claim 1: “three-quarters of people (74%) still admitted they wish they had started to prioritize wearing supportive shoes earlier in life.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided for this claim.

schedule

Claim 2: “Nearly all runners (87%) agreed: Having the right running shoe is the difference between an amazing run and a horrible run.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 3: “Thirty-four percent run to reduce stress and anxiety, 31% for weight management, and another 31% said they run to improve their cardiovascular health.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 4: “they feel it everywhere from their feet (67%) to their backs (43%), knees (31%), ankles (29%), and hips (21%).”

SINGLE SOURCE

The specific percentages for pain locations are mentioned in the SF Weekly snippet, but not corroborated by other independent sources in the provided evidence.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Jun 1, 2026 · When wearing shoes that hurt their feet, respondents said the lingering pain lasts for a full two days, on average, and they feel it everywhere ...
https://www.sfweekly.com/news/national/how-uncomfortable-sho…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Jul 28, 2018 · A large proportion of the population wear incorrectly sized footwear, which is associated with foot pain and foot disorders.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6064070/

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Aug 27, 2025 · Ill-fitting or unsupportive footwear can contribute to a range of physical issues, including joint pain, poor posture, nerve damage, and reduced ...
https://www.facebook.com/ScienceNaturePage/posts/the-shoes-y…

schedule

Claim 5: “more than half of runners (65%) confessed that in the past, they’ve purchased running shoes simply based on how they look, rather than how they feel”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 6: “runners said the top things they look for in a good running shoe are overall comfort (54%), durability (49%), good ankle support (44%), and a lightweight feel (41%).”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 7: “most of Gen Z (67%) saying they run or jog for exercise, followed by 56% of millennials, 29% of Gen X, and even 13% of baby boomers.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 8: “The No.1 reason runners said they do it is to clear their minds (35%).”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 9: “Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans evenly split by generation who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Skechers and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 4 and May 8, 2026.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 10: “More than half of Americans (56%) admitted they regularly purchase shoes they later regret because of how uncomfortable they are.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The claim is found in a web search result from SWNS, but other results are irrelevant (Sperry ads, George W. Bush). Only one source organization (SWNS) is providing this specific statistic.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Illustration of over half of Americans regretting shoe purchases due to discomfort. 7. More than half of Americans (56%) admitted they regularly purchase shoes they later regret because of how uncomfo…
https://nypost.com/2026/06/02/lifestyle/americans-waste-hund…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Discover Sperry’s iconic boat shoes, loafers, oxfords & boots—crafted for comfort, style, and adventure on and off the water.
https://www.sperry.com/

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Iraqi journalist who caused a furore when he hurled his shoes at visiting US President George W. Bush "detested America" and had been plotting such an at...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxNprnas7i8

info

Claim 11: “the average person takes almost three million steps and walks nearly 1,200 miles per year”

SINGLE SOURCE

The provided evidence contains general calculators and specific individual challenges, but no data confirming the average person takes 3 million steps or walks 1,200 miles per year.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — On average it takes 2,200 steps to walk one km.Step One: Find Your Stride LengthStep Three: Convert to Kilometers
https://www.inchcalculator.com/steps-to-kilometers-calculato…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — 7.8 MILLION STEPS. At approximately 75 km per challenge, they represent roughly14.9 million steps. 11,275 km walked. Approximately 40,862 average daily steps. 59 × 100,000-step days. 13 × 200,000-step…
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/connect-grow-google-maps-expo…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — walk faster than 3 miles per hour.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/average-walking-speed-8674045

info

Claim 12: “respondents said the lingering pain lasts for a full two days, on average”

SINGLE SOURCE

While the SF Weekly result mentions the 'two days' average in the snippet for claim 5, the specific evidence for claim 4 consists of general medical advice and does not corroborate the survey statistic across multiple sources.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — May 28, 2025 · Learn how to fix foot pain from walking, spot signs of injury, and know when to see a podiatrist. Professional care available at Victoria ...
https://victoriafoot.com/foot-pain-from-walking/

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Pain that lasts for more than a few days, despite rest and home remedies; A foot ulcer or open wound that isn't healing or is healing slowly; Pain that is ...
https://www.thefootinstitute.com/blog/unexplained-foot-pain.…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Extensor tendonitis: Extensor tendonitis can result from overuse or tight-fitting shoes. The tendons that run along the top of the foot and pull the foot upward ...
https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-on-top-of-the-foot

info

Claim 13: “people said they evolved to become a bit more practical and prioritized buying shoes that are truly supportive at age 34, on average.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The specific age of 34 is mentioned in the SF Weekly snippet, but not corroborated by any other independent source in the evidence provided.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Jun 1, 2026 ... In light of this, people said they evolved to become a bit more practical and prioritized buying shoes that are truly supportive at age 34, on ...
https://www.sfweekly.com/news/national/how-uncomfortable-sho…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Jan 26, 2015 ... I started this requirement when I started to notice that fashion choices sometimes often were the direct cause of my physical discomfort. Turns ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/answers/comments/2tp0p2/at_what_age…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Oct 4, 2019 ... Foot Pain Treatment for Older Adults. While wearing less supportive shoes can create foot problems, this doesn't necessarily mean that everybody ...
https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/orthopaedics-arti…

info

Claim 14: “traditionally fun occasions, from nights out (26%) to vacations (23%), concerts (19%), and weddings (17%) have all been ruined due to painful, uncomfortable shoes.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The specific percentages for ruined occasions (Nights Out 26%, Vacations 23%, etc.) are reported by both the National news source and the 'Americans waste hundreds...' survey report.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Many said that traditionally fun occasions, from nights out (26%) to vacations (23 ... weddings (17%) have all been ruined due to painful, uncomfortable shoes.
https://www.caledonianrecord.com/news/national/how-uncomfort…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Jun 2, 2026 · Bar chart showing occasions ruined by painful shoes: Nights Out (26%), 7. Many said that traditionally fun occasions, from nights out to ...
https://nypost.com/2026/06/02/lifestyle/americans-waste-hund…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Sep 8, 2024 · REVIEW PART 3: Travel agency: 0/10. destinationweddings.com. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT RECOMMEND!!! They wholeheartedly ruined our wedding week and ...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/278391003056609/posts/157215…

help

Claim 15: “Respondents said that price is the No. 1 thing that influences their shoe selections in 2026, closely followed by supportiveness (61%), durability (55%), and style (43%).”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided for this claim.

info

Claim 16: “the survey, commissioned by Skechers and conducted by Talker Research, found people wasted an average of $279 in the last few years on painful shoes they never wear.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The specific detail about the Skechers/Talker Research survey and the $279 figure is reported by both The MSU Exponent and another news source (Americans waste hundreds on shoes...).

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Jun 4, 2026 · And yet, the survey, commissioned by Skechers and conducted by Talker Research, found people wasted an average of $279 in the last few years on ...
https://www.msuexponent.com/news/national/how-uncomfortable-…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Jun 2, 2026 · And yet, the survey, commissioned by Skechers and conducted by Talker Research, found people wasted an average of $279 in the last few years on ...
https://nypost.com/2026/06/02/lifestyle/americans-waste-hund…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Mar 19, 2026 · People seem to be missing that the try-on fee is deducted from your purchase, so if you're going in with the intention of buying shoes, it ...
https://www.facebook.com/theadvertiser/posts/a-kadina-sports…

info

Claim 17: “People also said they stand for roughly five hours each day, on average.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The evidence discusses sitting time (Wikipedia) and a general health suggestion that people 'should' stand for five hours, but does not provide a factual average of how much people actually stand.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Sitting time is a common measure of a sedentary lifestyle. A global review representing 47% of the global adult population found that the average person sits down for 4.7 to 6.5 hours a day with the a…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedentary_lifestyle

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Creators who only focus on feeds are missing the next wave of attention arbitrage They are creating for only half the day.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ankurmehra_the-average-person…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — People need to spend five hours per day standing up for the sake of their health.Meanwhile, four hours per day should be spent on exercise (two for vigorous and two for light) while eight hours and 20…
https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/bizarre/people-standing-five-h…

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.