Have you ever wondered how much shoes weigh and if the weight of your shoes affects you in any way? This is a concept not often thought of, and people usually underestimate the value of wearing properly weighted shoes.
Depending on the activity, your shoes can have a great impact on your comfort and performance. For example, if you’re a runner competing in a race, the weight of your shoe can enhance or hinder your speed. Heavy running shoes will slow you down and cost you the race.
In this article, we will be answering the question of how much do shoes weigh to give you an idea of what to look for in your next pair of shoes.
How Much Does a Pair of Shoes Weigh?
How much a pair of shoes weighs will depend on a few factors, including size, materials, type, features, and added weight. The weight can differ between age groups and genders as well. Have a look at the breakdown below so you can have an idea of the average shoe weight.
- Women’s shoes can be anywhere from 2 to 2.5 pounds.
- The average men’s shoes weigh around 2.5 to 3 pounds.
- Children’s shoes are lighter than men’s and women’s shoes and weigh just 1 to 1.5 pounds
The two main factors that determine the weight of a pair of shoes are size and the type of material the shoe is made from.
Size
Naturally, you need more materials to make a bigger shoe – the bigger the shoe, the heavier it’ll be. While the weight may not be that much of a difference in lightweight shoes, shoes made from leather or a heavier material will have a much more noticeable difference in weight.
However, due to weight distribution, people with large feet may not feel the weight difference of a larger shoe. Holding a size 6 in one hand and a size 12 in the other, you’ll find that the size 12 is significantly heavier. While you can feel the difference in your hand, if you have a size 12 foot, it’s likely you won’t feel like you’re wearing a heavy shoe.
Today, shoes even come in wide and extra-wide versions to cater to people with broad feet. The soles on these types of shoes are bigger than the regular-sized ones. They also consist of extra materials on the sides to accommodate the extra width which leads them to be heavier than their counterparts.
Material
The materials used to make a shoe generally determine its weight. However, a single shoe can be made up of different materials due to its many parts. There are three main parts where different materials are used. They are the sole, padding, and upper.
Sole
The sole of the shoes provides stability and protection for your feet. The material used to make the sole will depend on the purpose of the shoe. The soles on athletic shoes are made from some sort of synthetic material like polyurethane, rubber, or PVC. Soles on these shoes may be thin and lightweight to increase speed, or they may be thick to absorb impact.
Leather shoes are the most common type of shoes worn in a formal work setting and in harsh environments that require safety shoes. The soles of these shoes are usually made from bovine leather. Bovine leather is a hard and strong material, so it plays a major part in the overall weight of the shoes. Moreover, the thicker the bovine leather soles are, the heavier the shoes. You’ll find that safety shoes will have a thicker sole to protect worker’s feet compared to ones worn in the office.
Padding
The padding in your shoe cushions your feet and absorbs impact to keep your feet comfortable. Athletic shoes tend to have more padding than regular shoes. This is because your feet need more protection from shock when you are active.
Padding may be made from gel or foam and is generally lightweight. However, it can contribute to the overall weight if it’s extra thick to provide high levels of cushioning and comfort. On the other hand, non-athletic shoes like high heels have little to no padding, which allows them to remain light. Unfortunately, they can be uncomfortable, and you’d have to sacrifice comfort and impact absorption due to the lack of padding.
Upper
The Upper is the part of the shoe that is responsible for the aesthetics, breathability, and, in some cases, safety. The uppers of athletic shoes usually consist of cotton or synthetics which makes them lightweight while leather, suede, and nubuck shoes tend to be on the heavier side. Safety shoes will have steel toes so that factory and construction workers’ feet are protected. The steel part of the shoe can add half a pound to the overall weight of the shoe.
How Much do Tennis Shoes Weigh?
On average, men’s tennis shoes weigh from 11.7 to 16.2 ounces while women’s tennis shoes can weigh anywhere between 9.4 and 13.7 ounces. The lighter the tennis shoes, the faster you’ll move. Thanks to technological advances over the years, tennis shoe companies have been able to create lightweight shoes without sacrificing much. They can create lightweight shoes and maintain the stability required to perform and keep players safe.
What’s the Average Weight of Running Shoes?
Men’s running shoes can weigh just under 9.5 ounces. Women’s running shoes tend to be lighter at around 5 to 8 ounces. That being said, the weight of running shoes is often affected by a vast range of influences.
The differences in the weight of running shoes do not mean that one is better than the other. It is just an indication of where the design priorities lie as some features can add weight to the shoe.
Padding is usually one feature that can add extra weight to your running shoes. Running shoes typically have five levels of padding:
- Level 1: This level of padding gives your feet the least amount of protection as they meet the ground.
- Level 2: These shoes come with very little padding to help strengthen feet and are a popular choice for competitive runners.
- Level 3: These provide a perfect balance between moderate padding and flexibility while remaining lightweight.
- Level 4: Padding at this level is usually found in high-performance shoes. Level four padding is recommended for daily training and racing. Although they are more durable than others, they are significantly heavier.
- Level 5: If you want optimal cushioning, then choose level five padding. However, while they offer the most comfort, they are the heaviest.
How Much Does a Box of Shoes Weigh?
The weight of a box of shoes will depend on how heavy the shoes are. The standard weight for shoes is between 1 to 2 pounds. Shoe boxes usually have a dust bag and paper envelope in them. These can add as much as 8.8 ounces, rounding off the total weight of the shoes in the box to 2 or 3 pounds.
When shipping a pair of shoes that weigh 3 pounds in its original box with a dust bag and paper envelope, a shipping box will add a few ounces as well. The total weight of the shoes in the shipping box can then go up to 3.5. However, this is based on the average weight of shoes and size – larger shoes will be heavier.
Conclusion
To recap, the average weight of shoes is around 1 to 2 pounds; however, this depends on various factors including size, materials used, type, age, and gender. Shoes with lots of padding tend to be heavier than flat-soled options.
The weight of your shoes can impact your performance and comfort as heavier shoes put extra pressure on your feet and legs which can lead to aches. On the other hand, lightweight shoes aren’t as durable as shoes with lots of padding.
Be sure to choose a pair of shoes that best suits your needs and offers enough comfort and protection. You can check out this article that highlights the best workout shoes for flat feet.
