When you walk into a store or scroll through the website of your favorite brand and see the collection of shoes they have in stock, it is tempting to want to buy the most attractive pieces right away. At that moment, the sensible part of you takes a back seat and you may forget the main reason you went shopping for shoes in the first place.
While it is easy to be dazzled by the beauty of shoes at the Nike stores in AU for example, there are several factors that determine whether a pair of shoes is the right fit for you. We spend a good amount of money on shoes regularly and each buy you make needs to count for something. The last thing you want is to get a new pair of shoes only to count the minutes until you get to take them off or experience early wear and tear.
Build a Solid Foundation
If you are working with a budget, don’t go shoe shopping without a plan. Going without one means that you are ready to spend more than you budgeted or okay with getting shoes that do not serve the intended purpose.
The question to answer is ‘what do I need the shoes for?’ Are you going hiking with some friends over the weekend? Do you want to take running seriously and need some new shoes to get you on track? Do you want to go dancing or need something to complete your casual outing?
Once you are settled on the purpose of your new pair of shoes, you can generate a budget and streamline your search.
Make Sure it Fits
This seems like common advice to give but you would be surprised at how many people shop without checking if it fits. Some, look at the size written on the shoes and instantly believe that the shoes will be a good fit because of it only to end up feeling let down.
Getting the best fit for a pair of shoes is based on several things. The first is the size of the shoes. Get a pair of shoes that is in your exact size or half-size bigger than your normal size if you want extra comfort or room for your toes to breathe. If you are not sure of your current size, you can get your feet measured at an AU Nike store before you begin.
The next thing to do is to shop in the evening or late afternoon. During this time, your feet are relatively swollen from the activities of the day and when you try on shoes, you can easily get a pair that remains comfortable throughout the day. Once you have the shoes on, move around with them a bit. Perform various activities when wearing the shoes and see how well you move in them.
For someone shopping online, it is best to shop from a reliable brand and get a pair of shoes in your size. Also, check the reviews given by other customers and see complaints that can affect your interest in the shoes. Make sure the brand has a good return policy in case you are not satisfied with what you got.
Check the Quality: Materials
The quality of your shoes matters if you intend to have shoes that last for a long time. Focusing on quality rather than quantity can affect how much you spend on shoes and your enjoyment of them. These days, shoes are mass-produced and you would need to do a little bit of research to determine the quality of the shoes you want to buy.
It is advisable, to check the website of the brand you wish to buy from for the materials used to make the shoes. Where parts of the shoes other than the outsole are made with plastic, low-quality leather, and other cheap materials, you know that your shoes are likely to look bad after a short time. If the brand does not disclose the materials used to make the shoes, you may want to reconsider before you buy.
Check the Quality: Construction
Shoes that have several parts glued together are cheaper but those shoes are not easy to repair when they get spoiled. The materials used to make the upper parts of the shoes should be stitched together to ensure that it lasts longer and give you room to make repairs when necessary.
