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For Find Out Friday - Why Do Sneakers Feel the Need to Dangle From Power Lines?


All through my childhood and still on occasion, I notice sneakers tied together dangling from the power lines in the street. 

A fashion statement it is not, but never-the-less I never knew why this was a thing. Apparently some questions are not meant to be answered completely. 

The most common theories, or should I say myths, have to do with gang symbols or the presence of drug dealing. But those appear to be urban legends. 

There are a variety of reasons, young, stupid kids do the things they do. 

This activity (the proper term is “shoe tossing”) has been associated with the following reasons as well:

  • Celebrating the loss of one’s virginity;
  • As a means for bullies to remove their victim’s shoes so that they may never be able to retrieve them;
  • Celebrating a graduation or impending marriage;
  • As a means of getting rid of shoes that no longer fit; or
  • Just to see if you can.

Personally I think it’s the last one even though I have never seen anyone in the act of trying to achieve this goal. I would like to watch though to see how hard it is. 

I have never known there to be any gang nor drug activity in my neighborhood and feel like it was just a thing kids in the boroughs do because they can. Pretty much the same reason a dog licks himself. Full disclosure: I stole the last line from Mrs. Blanche Devereaux. 

Apparently some curious Australians made a documentary about this very topic called “The Mystery of Flying Kicks” (see last link below) for those who feel the need to research this further. 

I for one will only be watching if I have insomnia once again tonight. 

Or maybe I will just go outside and try it for myself to see if I have any beginners luck. 


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