Looking for a Good Pair of Shoes

[teddog]

I've discovered a slight problem: My hiking boots, the ones I just bought in January, are falling apart. The soles are getting thin, the inner lining is torn and stitches on the outside are ripping apart. I'm not really impressed. I've only had these for six months! I think they have about another month in them, tops, before I have to get another pair.

Part of the problem, I think, is that I walk, oh, A LOT. Everything is walking or transit for me. So, I burn through shoes like they're nothing.

Compounding this problem is that most shoes are not built to have this done to them. I'm under the impression that most specality shoes, like for running, hiking and sports, are built to only be worn within the span of that sport. So, a shoe being worn day in, day out and walking a couple of miles every day is going to fall apart.

Likewise, a shoe like the kind that are sold at Payless or related ilk is probably designed around look and not function.

So... what do people do? Is there something I'm missing while shopping for shops?

Am I destined to buy new shoes every six months? I was buying them at this rate back in high school, when I was walking a huge amount while delivering newspapers. I had a pair of Nikes that lasted me only 2 months.

Comments

[pyat.livejournal.com]

I bought a pair of cheap loafers - my first ever - at Zeller's in Sudbury last September, and they turned out to be the most comfortable and durable shoes I've ever owned. Like you, I walk a great deal, and given my sheer mass I tended to chew through a pair or two of shoes a year. These ones are still going strong.

[commanderteddog.livejournal.com]

How much support to they give you?

I have really bad ankles. You'd think that with all of that walking and "weight" training that they'd be stronger, but they're not. Every once and a while, my ankles will have a stupid moment and go "Oh! We don't want to work anymore!" and if I'm not wearing shoes with decent support, I WILL faceplant. :(

(And just to add something before everyone suggests to get that checked out - my problem is normalish but can't really be fixed. It's from my father's side of the family and runs back several generations. I can't even ice skate properly. Some Canadian I am.)

[pyat.livejournal.com]

Ahh, nevermind, then. Very little ankle support, I fear!

[slwatson.livejournal.com]

LL Bean! Made in Maine, and you can bet those people put their boots through Hell.

[commanderteddog.livejournal.com]

HA! Actually, my main worry was... Maine. Hee. That's why I want to get a new pair of shoes within the next month, so I have time to break them in. These hikers I have now will not be in any good shape come September.

The problem with LL Bean is there's no stores near me and I'm not comfortable with buying something like shoes without trying them first.

[slwatson.livejournal.com]

Good point!