Abandoned footwear, generally a lone boot or shoe, is frequently noted in ponds and along roadsides (particularly highways). It is not known why old shoes and boots seem to be publicly abandoned more often than other articles of clothing, such as shirts or caps. While the practice of publicly abandoning old shoes has been noted in multiple countries (including Great Britainhttp://www.widemedia.com/fashionuk/news/2004/08/02/news0003247.html), it does not seem to have any set meaning attached to ithttp://www.snopes.com/crime/gangs/sneakers.htm, and may be a simple form of imitation.