My brother owns several shoe stores, so here is what I remember. It's a combination of factors: how you walk (gait), if you are fitted properly by choosing the right footwear for you, the quality of the shoes you buy, the care you give your shoes, the physical environment you live in, and so on. For example, when you walk, your foot motion is categorized by the terms pronation and supination. It has to do with how your feet make contact with the ground and how your feet roll as you move. Now, mind you, I am not a foot doctor or shoe store salesperson, so please consult one for better information. Everyone walks differently, which is why the same pair of shoes might wear down in different spots for different wearers. I once heard a statistic that said the majority of people are not fitted for the right pair of shoes. Shoes that fit badly on you will show wear in places that could indicate adjustments you need to make when selecting your next pair of shoes. Finally, I've noticed that my own shoes are wearing down more, now that I live in a different city. There are less sidewalks here, which requires me to walk mostly on gravel when I am outside. As a result, shoes that would have lasted a few years, now last just a few months, mainly due to the rugged environment. I just noticed that my favorite pair of clogs look like I've owned them for 10 years, when it's only been 2. Granted, they weren't that expensive, so that could be some of the problem, but I'll bet it has more to do with the surfaces I've been walking on lately. So compare your situation and habits with others, and perhaps you'll uncover why your shoes last longer.
