In a comprehensive survey conducted among 77,359 U.S. users, CivicScience explored the frequency of athletic shoe purchases, revealing intriguing consumer behaviors. The survey, spanning from June 9, 2023, to January 24, 2025, highlighted that 43% of respondents buy new athletic shoes only when their old ones wear out. This practical approach contrasts sharply with the 14% who never purchase athletic shoes, underscoring a significant divide in consumer habits.
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Age plays a pivotal role in these purchasing patterns. Younger individuals, particularly those aged 18-24, show a penchant for frequent purchases, with 29% buying shoes at least once every three months. Conversely, older adults, especially those 65 and older, exhibit a more conservative approach, with 27% waiting until their shoes wear out and 29% never buying new ones. This age-related disparity suggests that younger consumers prioritize style and trends, while older individuals may focus on necessity and durability.
Gender differences also emerge in the data. Men slightly outpace women in frequent purchases, with 53% of those buying shoes every three months being male. On the other hand, women are more likely to abstain from purchasing, with 56% of those who never buy athletic shoes being female. This gender gap may reflect differing priorities or interests in athletic footwear between men and women.
Urbanicity influences purchasing behavior as well. Urban residents are more inclined to buy shoes frequently, with 43% of those purchasing every three months residing in cities. In contrast, rural dwellers tend to buy less often, aligning with the 35% who never purchase. This urban-rural divide could be attributed to lifestyle differences, with city dwellers possibly having greater access to retail options and a more fashion-conscious mindset.
Income levels further differentiate consumer habits. Higher-income groups are more likely to purchase frequently, with 15% of those earning more than $150,000 buying shoes every three months. Meanwhile, 29% of individuals earning under $25,000 never purchase athletic shoes, highlighting the impact of financial constraints on consumer behavior. This income disparity underscores the role of economic factors in shaping purchasing decisions.
Overall, the survey reveals a complex interplay of factors influencing athletic shoe purchases, with age, gender, urbanicity, and income all playing significant roles. These insights offer a window into the diverse motivations and constraints that drive consumer choices in the athletic footwear market.
This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights. Our AI content creation tool, DataScribe, supported the article.
