Hydrolysis on Vintage Pairs: Is Deterioration Covered?

By / January 22, 2026

I bought a “Deadstock” pair of 2004 Jordan 4s. They looked perfect. I took my first step in them, and the midsole exploded into dust—crumbles of polyurethane everywhere. I called my insurance company to claim “accidental damage.” They told me to read the “Latent Defect” clause and hung up.

Key Takeaways

  • Hydrolysis is NOT Accidental: It is the chemical breakdown of PU foam over time. It is 100% predictable and preventable only by… not existing.
  • The “Latent Defect” Exclusion: Policies exclude damage caused by “hidden flaws” or “inherent vice.” A midsole that crumbles due to age is considered a flaw in the shoe’s material.
  • Seller Disputes: If you just bought them, your recourse is with the seller (“Item not as described”), not your insurer.
  • No Coverage exists: I have found zero carriers in 2026 that cover hydrolysis. It is uninsurable.

The “Why” (The Trap): The Definition of “Property Damage”

Insurance covers “physical injury to tangible property.” However, it almost always excludes:

  1. Wear and tear.
  2. Deterioration.
  3. Rust, mold, rot, or hidden or latent defects.

Because the foam breaks down from the inside out due to chemical reaction with moisture in the air, it fits every single one of those exclusions.

The Investigation (I Called Them)

I tried to get creative with adjusters to see if there was any angle.

1. The “Dropped Box” Angle

  • My Story: “I dropped the box and the shock shattered the shoes.”
  • The Adjuster: “Shoes don’t shatter unless they were already brittle (deteriorated). Denied based on pre-existing condition.”

2. The “Climate Issue” Angle

  • My Story: “My AC broke and the humidity destroyed them.”
  • The Adjuster: “Did the humidity destroy your furniture? Your TV? No? Then it’s a defect with the shoes. Denied.”

Step-by-Step Action Plan (Mitigation)

Since you can’t insure it, you must manage it.

  1. The “squeeze test”: Before buying any shoe older than 7 years (especially Jordans 3, 4, 5, 6), ask the seller for a video of them pressing firmly on the midsole. If it’s rock hard or has hairline cracks, do not buy.
  2. Sole Swap Capability: If you own them and they crumble, don’t throw them away. The “Uppers” are still insured property!
    • Action: Send them to a professional cobbler for a “Sole Swap” ( 150−150− 250).
    • Insurance Note: If you have a fire after the sole swap, make sure you document the restoration. The value is often higher with a wearable sole swap than a crumbling OG sole.

FAQ

Q: Can I return crumbled shoes to StockX?
A: Maybe. If you wear them, usually no. But if they arrive, you inspect them, and they crumble in your hand immediately, you have 3 days to file a claim. You must video the inspection.

Q: Are Yeezys subject to hydrolysis?
A: Less so. Yeezys use TPU (Boost) which is much more resilient than the PU foam used in 90s/00s Jordans. Boost yellows, but rarely crumbles.

[IMAGE: Photo of a Jordan 4 ‘Cool Grey’ with the midsole completely turned to dust, next to the “Exclusions” page of a policy highlighting “inherent vice.”]

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