Only the most attentive viewers will notice that in the scene where Forrest Gump is sitting at the bus stop, he has very dirty sneakers but really white laces. According to fans, this is him trying to keep the gift from the woman he loved fresh. All these years, he wore these shows and did everything he could to make them last.

There’s another version of why he did it. Forrest’s friend, Lieutenant Dan, taught him to always take care of his feet.