13 Unobvious Details That Can Help You Choose the Right Footwear

We all do it regularly. And we either keep doing it for several seasons or keep feeling discomfort. If you haven’t guessed it yet, we’re talking about buying footwear. It might seem like an easy task but when you’re looking to buy shoes or boots of good quality at an average price, this simple task becomes a real quest. That’s because finding decent footwear that will meet all your requirements is far from easy.

Just like other people around the world, we at Bright Side regularly face this issue. But after we spoke with our colleagues on this topic, we realized that we can actually make a list of recommendations to make shopping for shoes a lot easier. Hopefully, this list will be helpful to our readers as they shop for new shoes.

Cotton lining

Your moccasins or trainers may be made of 100% leather but be sure to look at the inner lining when buying them. They may actually be made with nice calico. This is a wonderful, breathable material, but keep in mind: it doesn’t stretch and is suitable only for those with a standard-sized foot. Therefore, if you expect that soft leather shoes will contain cotton cloth to stretch and conform to a non-standard foot after a couple of wears, you’d better leave this hope behind. They will keep their shape perfectly and will likely never turn into cozy footwear.

Too high of a high platform

Platform shoes are not the worst option for those who want to add some height and elongate their legs. But you should always keep measurements in mind. A platform narrowed down to the bottom with a height of more than 1 inch is unstable and increases the risk of spraining an ankle.

Synthetic lining

Synthetic lining is often more elastic, but feet sweat more when wearing this material, especially if the shoes are made of leather or leatherette. The same goes for insoles made of faux leather: oftentimes, manufacturers make the upper part with leather and the insoles with soft leatherette in order to reduce the cost. The effect is similar: feet sweat in all seasons, whether it be from summer shoes or winter boots.

• If the material your shoes are made from is not natural, your feet will sweat, even if you wear flip-flops that are open from all sides. That’s how I actually check for lying sellers who assure me that the footwear they sell is 100% made of leather. © Victoria / Babyblog

High-quality leatherette used in the inner parts of braces in summer shoes can create the same effect. A very soft “leather” from the inner part of such shoes doesn’t let the braces stretch with the feet and can cause calluses. If you have a non-standard foot and you want your shoes to fit your feet perfectly, opt for shoes with no other lining but leather.

Plastic on the upper part of the shoe

Such shoes look airy and weightless but they’re far from comfortable. Typically, that transparent plastic material is quite firm, leading the skin under it to sweat and stick to it. And this isn’t a nice feeling.

Inner lining made of faux leather

Faux leather on the inner parts of your shoes seems soft to the touch but it’s another thing to consider when shopping for footwear. Shoes with this type of lining can’t be worn with tights or cotton socks because such surfaces are too rough and they won’t let your foot slide inside the shoe. As a result, your socks or tights will stretch, causing discomfort and eventual holes in the toes.

Leather that’s too soft

Boots made of soft leather impress with their smooth, expensive appearance. But there’s one issue with them: oftentimes, this softness is why the bootleg can’t keep its shape and gradually goes down after walking. It means that you’ll either have to constantly pull them up or keep your inner perfectionist silent.

Shanks in shoes with heels

A shoe shank, which is a part of the supportive structure, deserves a special note. This detail is hidden from the eyes but makes wearing heels impossible if they’re not there. It gives the shoe stiffness and doesn’t let them lose their shape in the places where feet bend while walking. If the shank breaks, you’ll instantly feel it because the heel of your shoes will start moving back and the center of gravity will shift.

Unfortunately, the only possible way to know if the shanks are properly positioned is by wearing the shoes yourself. Winter boots with a small heel that look comfortable at first sight can be a nightmare because of a slightly shifted or protruding shank. That’s why you need to pay attention to the tiniest inconveniences such as a slight bulge on the insoles or any discomfort while walking. All these things can become torturous after an hour or 2.

Non-rubber rain boots

Shoes made of soft, porous plastic have already become popular thanks to the Crocs company that produces light, airy shoes for kids and adults. However, not all shoe models are as comfortable as we wish.

For example, classic rubber rain boots are actually not that convenient. The feet may bend perfectly while wearing them but what’s good for soles is not good for other parts of the legs. The material isn’t as soft and supple around the ankles, which is why it hardly bends. This detail is almost unnoticeable during a try-on at a shop but when wearing the shoes regularly, it can feel quite unpleasant, giving unnecessary pressure around the ankles.

In addition, such shoes make the feet sweat, which has been confirmed by Internet users in their reviews. Here’s an example:

• I can’t help but write about these shoes. They are almost 0.5 inches bigger to me and my toes really feel spacious. But the arch part of these shoes makes my feet feel uncomfortable — there is not enough room for them. These boots are designed for a low arch — keep that in mind when choosing your footwear, especially if you are curvy or your feet have a tendency to swell. © a79539 / otzovik.com

Pointy shoes

Oftentimes, pointy shoes look quite elegant. But let’s be honest — they’re far from comfortable. Firstly, due to the fact that the foot is being held in an unnatural shape, it’s possible that it will become deformed. Secondly, pointy shoes are not practical: those pointy ends often touch the ground while walking and become chipped over time. As a result, a new pair of shoes that should be worn for several seasons end up being dumped after one.

Fabric sneakers and espadrilles

Many well-known manufacturers produce shoes with fabric on the tops of them — these are great for warm seasons and they’re inexpensive. However, only people with standard-sized feet can wear them, while people with wide feet or protruding bones will have a hard time wearing such shoes. The fabric doesn’t stretch along with the shape of the foot the same way genuine leather does. Additionally, textile footwear is inconvenient to take care of and it usually has a short life. As one reviewer said:

• Of course, they are not made for long wear but they’ll stand for one season for sure! © Komarovayulia / Otzovik

Faux leather shoes

Shoe stores are always fully stocked with these kinds of shoes. Their trendy look and great affordability make leatherette shoes and boots quite appealing. Moreover, modern technology makes these shoes look like they’re made with genuine leather. However, faux leather is much less durable than the real thing and is unable to stretch and take the shape of the foot. Additionally, polyvinyl chloride, the material cheap faux leather is usually made from, is quite toxic. Feet sweat in it, causing an unpleasant smell and even fungi. Internet users confirm this too and have said:

• Synthetic leather insoles make my feet sweat. © Ninaricci15 / Otzovik
• The insoles and the upper part of shoes are made of synthetic leather. This fact disappointed me and made me ponder upon whether my feet would sweat in these shoes in summer. And I was right — I ended up getting sweaty, slippery feet by the beach where the temperature was a bit less than 100°F. © tatuasal / Otzovik

Wooden soles

The wooden sole is used when producing wedge-style boots, summer shoes, and sliders. It looks stylish and the material is very eco-friendly. However, all those advantages are nothing compared to the fact that these shoes are extremely uncomfortable to wear. When trying them on, the soles might seem unusual and interesting. But after an hour or 2 of wearing such shoes, it will become clear that it’s better to wear them as seldom as possible because they make the legs feel tired quite quickly and the feet might develop corns as a result.

Rubber soles

Today, many trendy shoes with rubber soles such as Converse are popular among young people. This material is quite soft and elastic, but at low temperatures, the thin soles of such sneakers become very cold. “Not only is wearing such shoes uncomfortable but it’s also dangerous for your health,” say orthopedists.

What imperfections in shoes have you noticed? Please share them with us in the comments so that others can avoid making the same mistakes and suffering from uncomfortable shoes.