How much do shoes weigh, and does it affect us? Like anything else created, shoes vary in terms of weight—some are heavy, while others are barely noticeable. But how much attention should we pay to the weight of our footwear? We’re finding an answer today, so read on.
Here’s what influences your shoe’s weight:
- Size.
- Materials.
- Type.
- Features.
- Added weight.
How Much Do Shoes Weigh?
How much shoes weigh depends on a few factors. For starters, some types are significantly heavier than others. Vans, for instance, are light due to the materials, whereas a steel toe work boot can feel like a block.
The weight also differs between age groups and gender—here’s a quick break-down of the average shoe weight:
- The average women’s shoes weigh around 2 to 2.5 pounds, about 908 to 1134 grams.
- Men’s shoes can weigh between 2.5 to 3 pounds, which is 1134 to 1361 grams.
- Children’s shoes are lighter, ranging from 1 to 1.5 pounds, or 454 to 680 grams.
There are two main contributors to weight in shoes. These are:
The Size
As we briefly explained earlier, several factors can influence weight, and size is one. A larger shoe has more materials, which means extra bulk.
For instance, if you hold a size 13 and a size 7, the larger number is going to feel more substantial. Interestingly, feet requiring a larger size aren’t likely to feel the weight impact of that size. This is mostly because of how the weight distributes itself across the bigger surface.
You should also keep in mind when searching for average shoe weight, that this is based on the average size. So telling exactly how much shoes weigh is a process that requires thinking about.
Materials Used
Besides the size, materials are probably the most significant contributor. Both the type and the amount of material adds to the overall weight.
One major point is the type and amount of rubber used for different shoes. You’ll see a notable difference between footwear with a thin rubber bottom and one that has a thick, shock-absorbing sole.
Another consideration is the padding, which is there to absorb impact. That’s why shoes designed for activity, such as sneakers and athletic wear like Jordans, have more cushioning and are thus, heavier. Brands like Converse and Vans have less padding, making them lighter.
Footwear designed with safety in mind, such as work boots, mostly have a steel toe weighing them down. Steel toes are necessary for various fields of work, including construction, landscaping and heavy-duty jobs. For more information on this, we recommend you read our article, How much do steel toe work boots weigh.
Lastly, the primary materials used for the upper also impact on the overall scale number. Cotton and synthetics, generally seen in athletic shoes, are lighter than footwear made of leather, such as dress shoes and boots.
How Much Do Running Shoes Weigh?
The average men’s running shoe weighs in at just under 9.5 ounces—for women’s shoes, expect a lower number. With that said, this should be taken lightly, seeing the vast range of influences there are on the weight of running shoes.
The weight difference in running shoes doesn’t necessarily mean one is better than the other. It’s just a typical indicator of various design priorities. Some features, such as materials and traction, can add weight to the shoe.
Cushioning is generally a determining factor, which can significantly bulk up your shoes. For running shoes, there are approximately five levels of padding:
- Level one cushioning is the bare minimum, offering only slight protection for your feet as they hit the ground. Such running shoes give you a feeling of being barefoot, which can strengthen your feet as you walk and run.
- With level two cushioning, you’ll experience a subtle touch of padding, which still strengthens your feet. This is a popular category shoe for competitive runners.
- When wearing level three cushioning, you’ll feel a decent balance between moderate padding, flexibility and lightness. This is excellent for everyday training and allows you to feel more energetic and ready to go.
- You can find level four cushioning in high-performance shoes. Experts usually recommend this for daily training and racing. Footwear in this category is more durable, but they’re significantly heavier.
- Level five is the optimal cushioning, offering fantastic mileage, even with everyday wear. But, shoes in this category are the heaviest.
Here’s a video talking a bit more about running shoes and weight.
Does Weight Matter?
Anything that you wear is going to add weight, which will have a knock-on effect in some way. Heavy shoes are often associated with foot fatigue, strains and ligament stress. Lightweight footwear, however, won’t put as much pressure on your body, but it usually means less cushioning.
This is where different preferences and needs come into play. You may need a more substantial shoe for better support, or one that’s lighter to avoid tiring yourself.
Lightweight shoes have a lot of benefits. They’re less cumbersome and usually more breathable, keeping your feet comfortable. If you’re exercising, lighter shoes are generally best.
What Are Weighted Shoes?
Some shoes are automatically heavy due to their makeup. However, some footwear is made to be as heavy as possible, called weighted shoes. These will add up to 5 pounds in the sole, supposedly helping you burn more calories when walking. The idea is similar to wearing weights around the ankles when exercising.
However, purposefully wearing heavy shoes can increase your chances of strain in your leg muscles and ligaments. This, in turn, leads to injuries that could put you off your feet for extensive periods.
Although weighted shoes might help you burn more calories in some instances, it’s crucial to remember that heavy feet are unnatural. Our bodies weren’t designed to carry weights in such places, and doing so puts excessive stress on already strained spots.
If you want to burn extra calories without the risks of wearing weighted shoes, you can simply work a little harder. Only a small increase in effort is needed to make a difference equivalent to that of wearing heavy footwear.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does a Box of Shoes Weigh?
How much the box weighs depends on how heavy your shoes are. If we say that your footwear weighs between 1 to 2 pounds and the box includes a dust bag and paper envelope. This can add up to 8.8 ounces, making the total weight around 2 to 3 lbs.
How Much Do Shoes Weigh to Ship?
If you’re selling a pair of shoes and shipping them across the country, it’s good to know how much the package will weigh. Fortunately, you’re not looking at a hefty, 20-pound parcel, especially if you’re merely placing the shoebox into a shipping box.
If your shoes plus shoebox weigh 3 pounds, then the larger shipping box will only add a few ounces. So, your total shipping weight probably won’t be any more than 4 to 5 pounds. Although, keep in mind that this is based on average shoe weight and size—larger footwear will be heavier.
How Much Does the Average Pair of Sneakers Weigh?
As we’ve discovered earlier, sneakers often have more padding since they’re designed for activity. The average weight of sneakers is around 2 to 2.5 pounds.
In Conclusion
How much do shoes weigh? On average, shoes weigh between 2 to 2.5 pounds, but it does differ from men’s and women’s footwear. Other influencing factors include the size, materials used and type. Running shoes with lots of padding are significantly heavier than flat-soled options.
The weight can impact your overall comfort—heavy shoes put extra pressure on your feet and legs, which can result in aches. Lightweight shoes, however, aren’t always as durable but are often more comfortable.
We hope this article has satisfied your curiosity. If you found it helpful, please share and leave a comment below.