I just had a similar experience with a pair of old shoes I dug out of the basement, which left a sticky mess (and the centers of both heels) on the patio. I learned at the end of the day that my father's winter shoes, seldom worn, had recently done the same. Our shoes were from different and reasonably well respected brands.
From what I have found looking into this, this is a problem with polyurethane soles. They seem to have a limited life of 5-6 years, which is shortened by periods of extended storage. The was apparently also a batch of bad PU widely used a few years ago.
Unfortunately it is sometimes difficult to know if shoes are made from PU, given the use of proprietary names, much less when they were manufactured, but I intend to avoid this material in the future if possible. Failing that, taking your shoes for a walk regularly (monthly? weekly maybe?) might help.
There is a good article from which I gathered most of this information here:
http://www.phlmetropolis.com/2010/03/the-case-of-the-crumbling-shoes.php#disqus_thread
And a brief set of posts on having degraded soles replaced here:
http://www.ssia.info/consumers/askexperts/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=836
As noted in the first article, searching for "crumbling soles" or "soles crumble" will net you many similar stories from many types and makes of shoe. And I will say, my father and I got quite a few good years out of our shoes, I just wish I had know to throw them out when they started to crack and get sticky, as the residue is very hard to clean.
The better business bureau is a business association.
The better business bureau is a business association.
The Better Business Bureau is also known by the abbreviation of BBB .
Better Business Bureau... they are the ones you contact if you feel a business if operating illegally or wrongly. :---]It means Better Business Bureau.
Sony Corporation of America is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, with a rating of A+.
Better Business Bureau was created in 1912.
The better business bureau is a business association.
The better business bureau is a business association.
The Better Business Bureau is also known by the abbreviation of BBB .
The Better Business Bureau
Better Business Bureau Video Series was created in 1995.
The cast of Better Business Bureau - 1954 includes: Fred Davis
Usually it means that the company has not chosen, and paid dues, to become a member of the Better Business Bureau.
The Better Business Bureau is an example of a professional association. It is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing marketplace trust.
See the related link for the Better Business Bureau listing for that company.See the related link for the Better Business Bureau listing for that company.See the related link for the Better Business Bureau listing for that company.See the related link for the Better Business Bureau listing for that company.
To review businesses through the Better Business Bureau, one may go to their website to look up the Business's report. If one requires to talk directly to a member of the Better Business Bureau, they must search for their local Bureau.
Usually it means that the company has not chosen, and paid dues, to become a member of the Better Business Bureau.