Those Old Shoes

The other day, I was in the airport, and noticed an old man in the check-in line that had incredibly worn shoes. It wasn't just that the leather exteriors were worn, the soles were also worn down in certain parts, which one assumes would make walking uncomfortable.

The whole foray in the waiting line got me thinking about aging and shoes. At some time, there must be a breaking point. Good shoes are meant to last. However, if you are not meant to last, are these shoes worth the investment? What is that breaking point, and what does it take to admit it?

I come at many things from an advertising perspective, and this brings to mind a popular backpack brand in the U.S. that marketed around its ability to last. Do advertisers need to rethink and tailor their messages to the aged as well? From my airport anecdote, it appears that way. As morbid as it may seem, there must be a breaking point where the law of diminishing returns takes more weight. Are advertisers really paying attention to this sector and marketing and pricing accordingly?