To set joking aside for just a moment -

Olddude asked if his sneakers are obselete. I believe they are obsolete if they no longer provide any cushioning or shock absorbing.

If your legs and feet still feel good after walking, then they are not obsolete yet, no matter how much duct tape and dirt are on them.

As for me, I have a pair of dingy sneakers that I use for gardening. They have soles about 2 inches thick that are good for driving a spade or pitchfork in the ground. I'd hate to try to walk or run in them, though.

Blackbelt, why do you mean by 'last year's pair'? I do not grasp this concept. My old pair is 15 years old and my new pair is 5.