How to choose good shoes 

Buying shoes should be so simple – the problem is, there are lots of different choices, fits, colours, styles, and prices, and what should have been easy turns into something pretty overwhelming instead. 

However, we all need at least one (and often more) pair of good shoes, so it’s worth knowing what to look for and how to choose them, and with that in mind, here are some tips to help you next time you’re searching for something new. 

Start with fit, not style 

It’s tempting to choose shoes based on how they look first, but the problem is that if they don’t fit properly, you’ll know about it very quickly. If they’re too tight, too loose, rubbing in the wrong places, and so on, you’re just not going to wear them, and then they become a potentially expensive mistake. 

A good fit should feel secure without squeezing your toes and heel, and you should be able to walk naturally, without adjusting your stride to make up for the way the shoes make your feet feel. If you’re trying them on and hoping they’ll stretch out over time, that’s usually a sign to pick a different pair because you might be waiting a while.

Think about where you’ll wear them

Shoes need to suit your life, not just the outfit you’re wearing that day, so if you’re mostly walking between meetings, commuting, or standing for long periods, the design is definitely going to make a difference. The fact is, a well-made pair of men’s loafers, for example, can work because they’re smart without being stuff, and they’re versatile enough to move between formal and relaxed settings. 

In the end, if something works across different settings and situations, you’ll get a lot more use out of it, and that’s what makes it a good buy. 

Look at the details 

You’ll usually see the quality of a pair of shoes in the small details, which could include even, neat stitching, sturdy soles that don’t feel thin and hollow, or materials that feel nice and substantial rather than flimsy. 

When it comes to leather, it should feel smooth and strong, not too shiny and plasticy, and the sole shouldn’t bend in half with no resistance, either – it’s got to be supportive, not flat. You might not think these things are that important, but over time they’ll make all the difference, not just in comfort, but in how long the shoes will last. 

Don’t chase every trend 

Trends come and go really quickly, and a shape or style of shoe that looks really modern one moment can look pretty dated the next. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ve got to totally ignore the style, but it does help if you try to stick to more classic shapes and neutral colours that are still going to look fine in a year or two. 

What you need are shoes that work well with everything, and that are going to stand the test of time, and going with every trend that comes along isn’t going to let you do that at all.

The editorial unit