The Shoes you wear!

cars · Post by **cars** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 1:30 pm

The Shoes you wear, HOW IMPORTANT IS THE BRAND NAME TO YOU?

Must they be "Designer" Brand Shoes, or can they be bargan Brand Shoes? :-2

Cars :driving:

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 2:16 pm

While I might someday like to have a pair of Manolo Blahnik's

or Jimmy Choo's, I can honestly say name doesn't matter to me

most of the time. I go through four pair of walking shoes a year,

and buy what's best for my foot (according to my podiatrist!)

That is not Nike or other famous brands. In fact, a few years ago

I got the best pair ever, they only cost $16.11! Can't get 'em

any more, but it was fun while it lasted!

:rolleyes:

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 2:22 pm

MAGNUM combat boots, very expensive, but spend 12 hours a day in them, the rest of the time, sandals!! (whatever looks cute):-6 "blew out my flip-flop, stepped on a pop-top, .....i found some flip-flops last summer with sequins on them, talk about florida tacky!! WHOO :rolleyes:

koan · Post by **koan** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 2:59 pm

I'm a nightmare when it comes to shoes. I have really sensitive feet and the slightest pressure or touch of a seam will have me in excruciating pain by the end of the day. Name brands mean nothing it's all about comfort.

jahamaa · Post by **jahamaa** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 4:09 pm

koan wrote: I'm a nightmare when it comes to shoes. I have really sensitive feet and the slightest pressure or touch of a seam will have me in excruciating pain by the end of the day. Name brands mean nothing it's all about comfort.

We are kindred spirits as far as this goes koan. I'll pay 500 dollars a pair or 10 dollars just so they don't hurt.

I wear a pair of steel toed boots from Wal mart to work. The steel is showing on the one toe and the leather is ripped in sveral spots but they feel good. I'll wear them till they fall apart.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 5:25 pm

koan wrote: I'm a nightmare when it comes to shoes. I have really sensitive feet and the slightest pressure or touch of a seam will have me in excruciating pain by the end of the day. Name brands mean nothing it's all about comfort.

If you find a good brand that don't hurt your feet, let me know. I'm the same way because of arthritis. The doctor recommended New Balance and they were no better for my feet than off brand shoes.

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 5:41 pm

Same for me.. I could care less about names.. As long as they dont hurt. I wore flip flops with sox 25 years ago, way before they were popular. The little oriental style black velvet ones. I cannot tolerate sneakers (tennis shoes). They just make me miserable.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 7:26 pm

I'm, in fact, such a freak about shoes being made to be comfortable I won't go footwear shopping with anyone I care about because I go on embarrassing rants as soon as an uncomfortable shoe hits my foot.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 8:28 pm

Well I was born with ingrown toe nails on my big toes. So comfort is a must. I have had many surgeries as a kid... they just grew back the same way. I now have a pedicure 2 times a month my feet have never felt better, or looked better.

Shoe for me must be comfortable.. I usually can't find the comfort in the cheaper shoes, so I end up buying the more expensive line like... Clark, Born, Nine West, Bandelino, Enzo Angiolini, Mudd, Mia... If I can find a CLARK that doesn't look to clunkie.. they fit me well.. BIRKENSTOCK are that comfortable for me..

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 1:38 pm

Comfort all the way for me Same problem as Koan.

My poor ma, has AAA size 11 feet and has to go with brand names so she can get them long enough and narrow enough. Bless her for not passing that trait on to me.

capt_buzzard · Post by **capt_buzzard** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 1:48 pm

Have to admit that I'm a shoe and boot freak. I have more shoes and boots that perhaps would fill the Whitehouse. Size 9 EUR. And I tend to stick with one store Clarks.

anastrophe · Post by **anastrophe** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 1:51 pm

the only real name-brand shoes i have are two pair of Topsiders. the fact is, for casual-dress shoes, they are bulletproof, and comfortable.

however, since i work from home 99% of the time, also 99% of the time i wear slippers all day long! oh, the comfort!

jahamaa · Post by **jahamaa** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 3:34 pm

Well cars I guess that pretty much answers your question comfort trumps style at least in the garden

BTS · Post by **BTS** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 3:35 pm

Peg wrote: If you find a good brand that don't hurt your feet, let me know. I'm the same way because of arthritis. The doctor recommended New Balance and they were no better for my feet than off brand shoes.Hi Peg:

I sold Mason Shoes for years.

Won't put a sales pitch on you but will recomend them 100%.

I wear a 11 EE and that is hard to find.

They GUARANTEE a GOOD fit

Over 90% of them are American made........

Here is their site and a few reviews

BTS

Mason Shoes (MasonShoes.com)

Men's and Women's Dress Shoes, Working Shoes and Boots, Western Boots, Walking Shoes and More

Crafted With Pride in the U.S.A. (many models per Mason Shoes catalog)

Approximately 90% of shoes made in the U.S.A. Many Mason Shoes are made right in the factory at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. (per Mason Shoes customer service)

All Mason Shoe Styles Guaranteed.

Mason stands behind all of their products 100%.

Available for purchase directly from:

Mason Shoes (MasonShoes.com)

Toll free at 1-800-826-7030

Watch out for:

Men's and Women's Dress Shoes, Working Shoes and Boots, Western Boots, and Walking Shoes made and/or assembled in another country.

BTS · Post by **BTS** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 3:38 pm

jahamaa wrote: Well cars I guess that pretty much answers your question comfort trumps style at least in the garden
I second that emotion............ooops motion

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 4:38 pm

Early in my working career I favored "Florsheim" for my working dress shoes. Wing tips, Wellington Boot etc. Towards the end of my working career the quality of "Florsheim" shoes was terrible. I had several split on me and had to take them back. I never realized how uncomfortable men's dress shoes are, until retireing. Now, I really give my feet a break and wear soft suede slip on's with thick rubber soles. A dress up shoe for me now, is a pair of soft loafers.

cars · Post by **cars** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 4:04 am

All Interesting viewpoints! In my younger years style was everything, and most times they didn't have my size. ("13D"-wow) The one size 13D they did have, the box looked better!! So some stylish sizes went up to 12, majority to 11.

So to be in stlye, I foolishly most times forced my gigantic foot into size 12's and one time into an 11-1/2, how I did that I'll never know. (Oh Ya -pain, lots of it!)

Over the years the shoe mfgrs realized that many people have larger than size 12 feet, so now there are most styles in size 13 & even "above". I have seen 14, 15, 16 & once a size "22". (It wasn't a clown's shoe, but a real stylish leather shoe) Glad times have changed, now I am wearing stylish shoes that "are" my proper size!!! :guitarist

Cars :driving:

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:01 am

BTS wrote: Hi Peg:

I sold Mason Shoes for years.

Won't put a sales pitch on you but will recomend them 100%.

I wear a 11 EE and that is hard to find.

They GUARANTEE a GOOD fit

Over 90% of them are American made........

Here is their site and a few reviews

BTS

Mason Shoes (MasonShoes.com)

Men's and Women's Dress Shoes, Working Shoes and Boots, Western Boots, Walking Shoes and More

Crafted With Pride in the U.S.A. (many models per Mason Shoes catalog)

Approximately 90% of shoes made in the U.S.A. Many Mason Shoes are made right in the factory at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. (per Mason Shoes customer service)

All Mason Shoe Styles Guaranteed.

Mason stands behind all of their products 100%.

Available for purchase directly from:

Mason Shoes (MasonShoes.com)

Toll free at 1-800-826-7030

Watch out for:

Men's and Women's Dress Shoes, Working Shoes and Boots, Western Boots, and Walking Shoes made and/or assembled in another country.

Thanks! I'll check it out. I'm willing to pay extra for comfortable shoes. I'm on my feet 6 hours a day and it just makes the arthritis in my feet so much worse. Thanks for the info.

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:34 am

Hmmm. Good thread, I don't think I've ever seen this one before, very creative, Cars!

Being a teacher, I'm on my feet all day long, usually up to 14 hours a day. Since I have a dress code, I have to wear nicer dress shoes, but since the job entails walking back and forth from buildings, getting my shoes stepped on, written on, poured water on,and covered with throw up from time to time, comfort is a must.

And since I am the lowest paid professional in America, It's $30 Payless shoes for me!! I typically go through two pairs a year. They just get completely destroyed in the chaos of the classroom. I also don't have any time to "break them in", so I try to find the ones made of softer leather.

I used to laugh at professors who had a slightly "rumpled" appearance, but I'm beginning to understand that much better these days. :rolleyes:

greydeadhead · Post by **greydeadhead** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:41 am

okay.. no laughing here.. for work.. Dansk clogs.. outrageously comfortable and last forever. At the warehouse job and gym.. new balances.. perfect for alot of time on my feet

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 8:50 am

WOW, my favourite subject! i have a real shoe fetish, if i find a pair that fits just right, i wear them to the death.

On the other hand i have 16 pairs that have yet to be worn, at the last count i had 64 pairs and every now & again i have a clear out & give unworn ones to the local charity shop.

The most pairs i've bought in one day was 8 pairs

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 8:54 am

shoe freak here

I love all kinds of shoes. Clogs are my favorite. I have soo many pairs it's not even funny. But my most comfortable shoes are a pair of Sketcher flip flops.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:58 am

koan wrote: I'm a nightmare when it comes to shoes. I have really sensitive feet and the slightest pressure or touch of a seam will have me in excruciating pain by the end of the day. Name brands mean nothing it's all about comfort.
Exactly me too. With as much time as I spend on my feet, comfort wins. The most comfortable and the most supportive pair of shoes I found, were sketchers. Bad thing is, I cant find them over here. Guess I'll have to go back to reebok.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:01 am

abbey wrote: WOW, my favourite subject! i have a real shoe fetish, if i find a pair that fits just right, i wear them to the death.

On the other hand i have 16 pairs that have yet to be worn, at the last count i had 64 pairs and every now & again i have a clear out & give unworn ones to the local charity shop.

The most pairs i've bought in one day was 8 pairs

You have me beat then! You win! LOL!! I'm a boot and sandal girl. I've got several pairs in the process of 'to the death'. BUT I have a few more pairs, waiting in the wings. :yh_bigsmi

I also seem to collect purses.

jahamaa · Post by **jahamaa** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:03 pm

Isn't it funny. While reading the post by you guys it suddenly dawned on me how unstylish I am.

I own one pair of beat up sneakers, one pair of previously described steeltoed work boots and one pair of Sunday go to meeting black shoes and thats it.

Most of the brands you talked about, I never even heard of.

And I will spare you the rest of my wardrobe, or lack of one.

Talk about needing a make over.

koan · Post by **koan** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:40 pm

Raven wrote: Exactly me too. With as much time as I spend on my feet, comfort wins. The most comfortable and the most supportive pair of shoes I found, were sketchers. Bad thing is, I cant find them over here. Guess I'll have to go back to reebok.

I discovered Sketchers two years ago. Amazing shoes! I've also discovered that they work well on construction sites (when no one's looking) Try finding a comfortable pair of steel toed boots. Agony. But my sketchers have stood the test climbing ladders and planks for over a year now. Maybe I'll get a new pair and have steel toes and shanks put in them.

Jika · Post by **Jika** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 5:23 pm

Koan that's hilarious....steel toed Sketchers. I like that idea a lot. I think you're on to something!!! Maybe you could draw up a design concept and pitch it to Sketchers.

It's not as crazy as it sounds, if Nike can put computer chips and all manner of other 'value-adding' bits and bobs in their shoes I say, bring on the competition.

As for me, I like Vans sneakers but am becoming, increasingly interested in these Sketchers so many are enjoying. Are they better than Vans?

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 2:28 am

koan wrote: I discovered Sketchers two years ago. Amazing shoes! I've also discovered that they work well on construction sites (when no one's looking) Try finding a comfortable pair of steel toed boots. Agony. But my sketchers have stood the test climbing ladders and planks for over a year now. Maybe I'll get a new pair and have steel toes and shanks put in them.

Gawd! Thats a good idea!!! Jika is right! What've you got to lose?