10 Huge Mistakes We Make When Buying Shoes

Finding a comfortable, good-looking pair of shoes is a big challenge. Everyone has likely been in a situation when a pair of shoes seemed comfortable in the store before turning into literal monsters the second you walked outside with them on. And some people come home and realize they bought the wrong size. To avoid situations like these, it’s better to remember some tricks.

We try shoes on the wrong way.

Almost all shoe stores have a mat next to the mirror. This is where most shoppers stand when trying shoes on. We often try not to step off the mat, which is a huge mistake.

The soft surface might make the shoes seem more comfortable than they really are. To understand if you are really comfortable, step off the mat and walk on the hard floor.

We don’t take the soles into consideration.

Even high heels may be comfortable if you choose your shoes wisely. Pay attention to the soles and don’t pick models with very thin soles.

Thin soles frequently cause pain in the lower part of the foot. Buy shoes with thicker soles or a small platform, as they will compensate for some of the pressure when walking.

We neglect the heel.

You might have wondered what kind of heel is better, straight or curved. Straight heels appear to be higher. But a curved heel helps to encourage better posture, which gives the body better stability.

We buy pointy shoes on high heels.

Both pointy shoes and high heels can hurt your feet. The pressure on the toes will be immense. This is why the shoes should either have pointy toes or high heels, but not both. If you are choosing a high heel, look for a wider toe.

If you like pointy shoes, they shouldn’t be too tight on the foot, or just wear them for a short time, not the entire day.

We only pay attention to the size.

The size is obviously one of the most important factors when choosing a pair of shoes. But don’t rush to pay when the shoes seem to be the right size. Look at all the parts, like how good the laces are, the quality of the stitches, and what the decorative elements look like. Check the zipper. If you are choosing sandals, see if they remain on the foot when you walk, and check if the straps are adjustable.

We don’t take the purpose of the shoes into consideration.

This might seem strange, but not all sneakers are good for working out. After all, different types of sports require different shoes. For example, basketball players need high sneakers, while runners need good shock absorption and support of the arch of the foot. Shoes that are comfortable to walk in are not good for sports, as they don’t support the foot, which is critical for running and jumping.

If you exercise in shoes meant for walking, they will quickly get destroyed. However, shoes with flat soles are good for some types of sports, like weightlifting. Flat soles provide better traction.

We buy shoes at the wrong time.

When we plan to go shopping, we might forget that during the day, our feet can change in size. So by the end of the day, they might swell. That’s why if you buy a pair of shoes in the morning, by the end of the day, they might feel tight.

This is why it’s best to buy shoes in the evening.

We neglect the shape of our feet.

Not everyone knows the shape of their feet and, of course, many people neglect this factor when choosing shoes. But the anatomical features can really affect how a certain pair feels. The main aspect is the length of the toes. On the Egyptian foot, the longest toe is the big toe, and the others are smaller. If your feet look this way, avoid pointy or narrow shoes that will put pressure on your big toe, potentially causing bunions.

On the Roman type of feet, the first, second, and third toes have the same length. It’s better to wear round or square shoes. And on Greek feet, the second toe is the longest, so it’s the most suitable for pointy shoes since the longest toe is in the middle and a pointed toe offers more space in that spot.

We choose shoes while wearing the wrong socks.

To make sure the shoes are comfortable, you should try them on wearing the socks or tights you’re going to wear them with. For example, if you’re choosing winter boots, it makes no sense to try them on with thin tights. In winter, you might need warm socks, so take them to the store.

We try shoes on only one foot.

It’s hard to believe, but some people only try on a single shoe and not the entire pair. Men often do this, and it backfires.

The thing is, our bodies are not symmetrical, and very often, one foot is a bit bigger than the other one. This is why it’s so important to try on both shoes. It’s the only way to make sure that they are comfortable.

The author of this article knows about bad shoes from her own experience. She once spent 2 hours on the most boring date ever just because she couldn’t find enough power to get up and leave. The shoes were so uncomfortable, and the chair at the coffee place felt so good. Have you ever made a mistake in a shoe store? Share your life hacks on choosing the best shoes.