I was thinking about buying a new pair of shoes recently. Has anyone got shoe-purchasing experience? What brand should I be going for nowadays? Should I go for the economic, reliability of Nike? Or are there any other brands whose quality is on par with it?
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Heaven's - thread topics really do repeat -
do a general search on the forum - there was quite an extensive thread relating to the purchase of shoes a while back . . .
Posted by Traveler (Member # 3615) on :
Well there seems to be a different type of shoe for every activity out there..so what are you going to be doing in these shoes?
Also...if you are trying to be fashionable and hip that may impact the brand you should look for. Also..how much you are willing to pay will also play a factor in your shoe quest.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
It depends on where you live as to what brands are cheapest for the quality. I personally like New Balances. I had a horrible tendency to wear down the heels of my shoes first, because I walked more on my heels and less on the ball of my foot. The New Balances have corrected that without me even noticing. The disadvantage is that because the materials in the soles are of a softer construction material they break down sooner under heavy wear. Wearing mine constantly they last about 6-8 months.
I get mine at a discount outlet store for about $50/pair.
AJ
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I also really like Airwalks, they are my second choice shoe.
AJ
Posted by jebus202 (Member # 2524) on :
Well basically I want a shoe that will last a long time, is really cheap and above all, is extremely hip.
Posted by Traveler (Member # 3615) on :
cheap and extremely hip rarely go hand-in-hand..so that should narrow the list down.
Off the top of my head I can't think of any that would meet that criteria...but then again, I like my hiking boots and don't even pretend to try to be hip.
[ April 26, 2004, 03:16 PM: Message edited by: Traveler ]
Posted by Polio (Member # 6479) on :
I don't see why you all need $150 dollar shoes that cost 30 cents to make in Cambodia by blistered-fingered, starving children. Some of my most favorite shoes are from Wal-Mart, from $5 to $20, and I get compliments on them all the time because they're just so cute! Since I don't believe there's a Wal-Mart sweatshop in Cambodia, I am an unoffical advocator of it, and all things cheap! (... and cute!) Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Airwalks will last, are comfortable and are reasonably hip, but what do you define as cheap? If you look for the sales I would say they can be anywhere from $40-$70 depending on the model.
AJ
Posted by Traveler (Member # 3615) on :
I think Wal-Mart gets most of its products from China. I'm willing to bet they don't get paid much more then someone in Cambodia.
[ April 26, 2004, 03:27 PM: Message edited by: Traveler ]
Posted by jebus202 (Member # 2524) on :
I'm looking more in the $20 range.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Can you get airwalks at walmart? They mostly don't have brand name shoes, but cheap knockoffs and look alikes.
AJ
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
You won't get a long lasting shoe at $20. Just won't happen. It is the quality of the construction materials that makes it last. If a shoe costing $20 lasts for even 4 months I would be extremely surprised.
AJ
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
In fact, the only pair of shoes that I got for under $20 were a pair of black Reeboks. Turned out they were so cheap because no one was buying them other than the local gangs as an identification device.
AJ
Posted by jebus202 (Member # 2524) on :
I'd be willing to move that up to $25.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I agree about Payless but I'm still betting payless will be around $25 for their low end sneakers though. They have great womens shoe sales for when you can suffer through one evening with uncomfortable shoes since all you need is for them to go with whatever dress you are wearing.
AJ
Posted by Homestarrunner (Member # 5090) on :
Hey, I've made my $15 Payless shoes last 2 years. Doesn't mean they've held up very well, but they still stay on my feet.
I was in Famous Footwear just a few minutes ago. I tried on a few Skecher (sp?) models that were super comfortable and pretty decent looking. They're good "office casual" shoes that match anything you're going to wear to work (if you're a white-collar pansy like me). I forgot my wallet at the office, or I would have bought a pair. They were in the range of $30-$60.
Posted by Audeo (Member # 5130) on :
If you're looking for shoes aroudn the $25 range it really depends on where you live. In general you can find some models on sale for that price range, but you'd have to shop around a bit. I know we have a discount sporting good store that sells the previous year's styles and discontinued models for pretty inexpensively, but it's hard to say if there's anything near you like that. My suggestion is to go to a mall and decide what style you want, then look around at some of the other stores to see if anything similar is on sale.
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
I love Kickers, they are relly comfortable and can last two years or more wearing it everyday, but it isn't exactly cheap.
Posted by jebus202 (Member # 2524) on :
Last year's models aren't exactly hip.
Posted by Homestarrunner (Member # 5090) on :
No, they're more foot.
Any more well-heeled jokes like that, and I'll have to sock you.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
What a pair you two make...
Waht kinds of shoes are you looking for, dress or casual?
Posted by jebus202 (Member # 2524) on :
I guess a bit in between the two.
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
First, expensive shoes are less likely to be made in sweatshops than cheaper shoes. Ferragamos are made in Italy and Chanels are made in France and not in sweatshops, either. With shoes, you get what you pay for. Ferragamos and Chanels will last a lifetime and they will always be in style.
Try eBay and Overstock.
I'll write more later - I have to get supper on the table.
Posted by Polio (Member # 6479) on :
Traveler, I'm crushed. NOW where am I supposed to find cheap rip-offs???
Posted by Toretha (Member # 2233) on :
I love Newbalance. I've got really bad ankles, and they keep me from having problems and last a year before they start breaking down (this is a year of hard wear everyday, not a year of being worn for normal pursuits only)
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I bought two pair of Bass sneakers when I went on my honeymoon this October. There are outlet shops in Hershey, and I once owned a pair of Bass when I was a kid, and I remembered that they lasted a long time.
I love them. I think I paid lees than $25 for both pair; one pair of black and one tan.
If you can find them in your area, I'd try thaem out.
Kwea
Posted by Don Driscoll (Member # 4488) on :
My wife is from Romania, where they have a saying: "Poor people can't afford cheap shoes." You want to buy something that isn't going to fall apart on you the first time you wear them. You're not saving money by buying cheap shoes more frequently.
What you really want is a pair of nice shoes that doesn't cost much. I think it depends where you shop. I bought a pair of Clarks Natureveldts ($125 shoes!) on "sale" for $75 at the Clarks store in the local upscale mall. Oh, but they were worth it!
However... once my feet were spoiled by Clarks, I was able to find two pairs at $4 and $7 at some closeout-type stores. I've got an unusual shoe size, which makes it easier for me to find "remainders." Find the shoes you like and then find the right places to shop!
Basically, though, make your feet happy even if it costs a bit. Too many people end up with foot problems because they buy shoes that look cool but don't feel good or fit right.
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NOW where am I supposed to find cheap rip-offs???