My Vans® sneakers, the same ones I've been wearing regularly since I bought them from a thrift store in September, 1998, have completely hollow heels, the result of thousands of miles of wear and tear. This hadn't been much of a problem until I went to London. Puddles were impossible to avoid and my socks were constantly soaked while I was there. Here you can see me drying them out at the Hôtel Practic back in Paris.

I would have bought cheap Doc Martins while I was in London, but it was Sunday by the time I realized I really needed new shoes, so I had to use makeshift moisture barricades from plastic bags that had once contained dance party flyers.