Casual wear can typically last for about 12-24 months before the pair of shoes starts to show visible signs of wear and tear. On the other hand, Athletic wear can last for 3-8 months, depending upon usage.  If the Jordan shoes are not used at all, they can last upwards of 7 years. Someone who regularly plays in their Jordans can expect to get about half the life out of them that a casual wearer would. The main reason why Jordans tend to last longer for casual wearers than for athletes is that athletes put more stress on their pair of shoes. When someone wears Jordans casually, they generally just walk around in them.  When someone is playing basketball in their Jordans, they are running, jumping, and landing on the shoes, which puts significantly more stress on them. The breakdown of the Jordan shoes typically happens gradually over time. First, the fabric and stitching will start to come undone and the thick rubber sole will begin to wear thin. Eventually, the Jordan shoes will fall apart and need replacing.