Shopping for shoes can goes one of two ways, depending on the person. You either love the process, or you dread the idea of having to try on pair after pair only to walk away empty-handed.
Regardless of how you feel about buying shoes, you will need to buy them eventually. To ensure that you’re satisfied with your purchase, you need to buy shoes that are functional and durable, not to mention stylish. To make the process just a little easier, below are five things to look for in a good pair of shoes.
Quality
Since shoes take a beating, regardless of style, you need to invest in the highest quality you can afford. Price isn’t always the best way to tell the quality of a pair of shoes; many brands that have a lower price point and withstand the test of time. However, there are also many brands that offer less expensive options and only last a month or two. Do some research and to learn what brands in your budget are more reliable.
Comfort
Wearing a pair of uncomfortable shoes can quickly become excruciating. No matter beautiful the shoes are, you’ll likely be wearing the shoes for hours, so shoes that pinch so much that you can’t walk normally are not an option. If they’re worn for too long, they can cause blisters which will make wearing any shoes for the next few days uncomfortable.
When choosing shoes, be mindful of fit. Walk around in the shoes and take note of how pliable they are. You can also look for online reviews to see if others had anything positive or negative to say.
Fair Trade
With so much emphasis on these days fair trade, you also need to take note of how shoes are made. A company that makes ethically produced shoes is one that focuses on the manufacturing process. Specifically, this means the people are creating them are treated fairly and the materials used for production are sourced humanely. Avoid buying from brands that don’t stand behind ethical work practices and care about material distribution.
Price Point
Aside from quality and fit, how much you pay for a pair of shoes is important. As the saying goes, you usually get what you pay for, so you need to invest in your footwear. It is possible to find quality for a lower price, but it takes research and patience. All shoes are not created equal, so even if you find a brand name pair that suits your budget, you also need to make sure they fit well and that they are durable enough to stand up to your needs.
Your Foot Shape
Just like shoes, feet come in all sizes and shapes. So, when shoe shopping, consider the shape of your foot. If your foot is wider at the top, don’t try to fit into a pointy-toe boot or shoe. Unfortunately, as stylish as they are, this usually has a painful ending. The same holds true for those with slim feet. Unless your favorite shoe comes in narrow sizes, it’s not worth buying a pair that will fall off your feet.
As the adage goes, “There are two things you should always invest in: a good bed and a good pair of shoes.” Since it’s impossible to function without either, make sure you choose wisely. If necessary, hold off on making a purchase until you have enough money to buy a good pair of shoes.
About the author:
Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University, and now writes articles about health, business, family and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.