Eli5: why do shoes disintegrate when left unworn (for extended period of time) and frequently wearing them actually prevents/delays disintegration?

Question

Eli5: why do shoes disintegrate when left unworn (for extended period of time) and frequently wearing them actually prevents/delays disintegration?

In: Other

Answer 1

For the soles decomposing, it’s not so much being unworn that deteriorates them as time. The soles are sometimes made from crappy plastics that degrade