Ideally, a new pair of shoes should be comfortable and fashionable. However, you may find a lot of options in footwear shops that meet these 2 criteria, but at the same time their quality is so bad that they won’t last long. We decided to find out what things you should pay attention to in order to choose a really high-quality pair.
Check the shoes for smudges and glue marks.
Manufacturers often use glue to stick together different parts of the shoe. If the glue is of high quality and the work is done properly, the pair will last a long time. However, small glue drips in the spots where parts meet or traces of glue on the surface indicate that you are looking at low-quality shoes and that there were issues during production.
When a part of the shoe, its sole or insole, comes off a bit, it means the shoemaker probably used bad or expired glue, and this pair will fall apart quickly.
Examine whether the pair is symmetrical.
Quality shoes in a pair should be symmetrical, and any differences between the right and left shoes most likely indicate a defect. To check this, you need to put the soles of both shoes together and see if they match in length and width.
It’s also worth putting the pair on the floor to understand whether the height and outline of the upper edge of the heel are symmetrical. If the soles are painted in different colors, check whether the paint is within the borders of the sole and whether the pattern matches. Gross irregularities in symmetry indicate that the manufacturer didn’t pay much attention to quality.
Check the seams carefully.
Any uneven or diverging seams make shoes look not that good. This happens if the manufacturer used too thin threads or the work was done poorly. As a result, such a pair will fall apart much faster. It’s also necessary to check the uniformity of stitches and the evenness of the seam itself.
If its line is curved or zigzag-looking, this means that the shoes you’re looking at are of poor quality and will lose their appearance in a couple of months. And zigzag-looking stitch is often used to hide the imperfections of the stitching.
Examine the heels.
The heel must be firmly attached to the sole and not wobble. It’s necessary to look at the shoes from the side. In good quality pumps, the high heels are positioned exactly under the center of the heel and touch the ground at a slight incline.
It’s worth looking carefully at the heels from behind – any deviation of the heels from the angle of 90⁰ indicates a defective product. Moreover, these shoes are simply dangerous to wear – this may lead to ankle injuries.
Loose eyelets are a bad sign.
Any metal or plastic parts on the shoe (especially those that come into contact with the skin) should be tightly fastened. Thus, it’s worth carefully examining the eyelets for laces. Although this defect is quite rare, it can lead to wearer’s injury.
You should also check how well any embellishments are attached to the shoe. If they fall off at one point, the pair won’t look good anymore.
Carefully inspect the inside of the shoe.
Some manufacturers save on the training of workers and don’t calibrate equipment before the production of a new product line. As a result, shoes, boots and sneakers may have seemingly insignificant defects such as wrinkles and creases. If these defects are small, they won’t cause much trouble to the wearer. But large creases can rub the skin while walking, which will lead to abrasions and blisters on the feet.
Examine the insoles.
Even if a shoe looks perfect from the outside, you need to scrutinize it from the inside too. If the insoles show small wrinkles and creases, this pair is likely to be uncomfortable to wear. In addition, you should carefully feel the insoles to make sure that there are no bubbles on them.
Another important thing is that there must be cushioning between the insole and the sole, especially in the toe and heel area. Otherwise, a long walk in these shoes will make not only your feet and legs sore, but also your back.
Check how the shoes smell.
Low-quality and cheap shoes often have a strong chemical odor. It’s best to refrain from buying this pair. But if shoes or boots exude the scent of leather, polish or wood, you’ve found the shoes of high quality.
Take a photo of the shoes.
Of course, shoes made of synthetic materials can also be of high quality, especially when it comes to sports models. But good shoes should ideally be made of leather. They are softer and fit better on the foot, which means they will be much more comfortable to wear.
However, the quality of leather also varies. Often, manufacturers don’t mention the type of leather they use to make shoes in order to keep costs down. To determine the quality of the product you are holding in your hands, you need to take a photo of the shoes and enlarge the image. If you can see pores on the leather, you can safely buy the shoes.
Bend the shoe a little bit.
You don’t need to knead your shoes too much, but you can bend the shoe slightly to see how flexible the sole is and whether it remains attached to the upper part when moved. In addition, it’s worth pressing the sides of the shoe a little bit. Throughout the day, our feet usually increase in size a little, so a quality pair should adapt to these changes.
Check how your shoes sound.
Most shoe shops have soft carpeting on the floor, so it’s a good idea to take a short walk on a harder surface before making a purchase. If the soles and heels make unpleasant clanking noises when you walk, you are likely to be wearing a low-quality pair. And platform or wedge shoes shouldn’t sound like there are voids inside the sole.
Examine the material of the sole and heel carefully.
Usually the sole of a really good quality pair is made of leather or good rubber. These shoes are comfortable to wear, and in addition, they almost don’t slip. At the same time, if the base of the sole is uneven, then these shoes will be uncomfortable.
In addition, it’s worth examining the material from which the heels are made. If the manufacturer used plastic or didn’t cover the heel with leather or fabric, then you are looking at a cheap product that is far from being perfect.
Rub the shoes with a cloth.
Sometimes manufacturers use poor quality leather dyes, which can leave marks on the skin or clothes. Therefore, before buying, you should carefully rub the shoes inside and outside, first with a dry cloth and then with a damp cloth. If there are no marks on the fabric, the shoes are okay.
And here’s a list of fashionable shoes that are not as cool as they look.
Everyone was wondering what happened to Carrie Underwood’s husband
A regular pair on the red carpet is Carrie Underwood and her spouse, Mike Fisher. At the most renowned award shows in the world, such as the Grammys, CMA Awards, and American Music Awards, they have walked together.
Usually, we can’t get enough of how adorable this country music artist and her retired hockey player spouse are together.
One place you can always be sure to see Fisher standing proudly by his wife’s side is the CMT Music Awards. The former star player for the Nashville Predators made appearances with Underwood in the following seasons: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019.
Following the outbreak, award shows saw a minor change in operation, but Fisher rejoined his wonderful wife in 2022.
On April 2, however, when the 2023 CMT Awards took place in Austin, Texas, Fisher was nowhere to be seen. What’s the deal, then?
Regarding Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood, don’t assume that there is conflict in paradise. Since his wife was vying for both Female Video of the Year and Video of the Year at the 2023 CMT Awards, he chose not to attend in person to support her.
The “Hate My Heart” singer admitted on the red carpet that her hubby was really on dad duty for the evening when asked where he was.
“My spouse is in command of the children. Usually, he holds down the fort while I work on projects like these. Even at home, she seemed to be watching her three boys since she shouted out to them. Oh no!
Notably, the former hockey great most likely did not have as much access to the 2023 award ceremony as he did in previous years. Nashville, the home of country music, has hosted the CMTs in recent years.
This happened close to Franklin, Underwood and Fisher’s home in a Nashville suburb. Nevertheless, the award ceremony was set to move to Texas in November 2022.
Underwood looked as like she was making the most of her time in Texas, far from her sons, though, as she looked stunning in a two-piece made of rhinestones that would have put her on any Best Dressed list.
Despite being well-known, Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher make an effort to keep their two kids, Isaiah and Jacob, out of the spotlight. The singer of “Jesus Take the Wheel” and Fisher made the decision not to bring the kids along on tour last year in order to prevent upsetting their routine.
Underwood told ET Canada, “They are not coming with me this time.” “We prioritize my oldest’s education, and she is enrolled in school. We desire for their lives to be as typical as they may be.
Underwood added that Fisher is a hands-on father, which frees her up to focus on her career. I consider myself fortunate as well. I must boast a little about my husband,” she murmured. “He’s got it. He has it under lock and key while I’m not here. I never have to worry about dirty laundry or unpacked lunches.
And considering Fisher’s desire to have a child, that makes sense. He expressed his excitement about becoming a father to The Tennessean prior to Isaiah’s birth in 2015.
“Many people say it’s impossible to explain until it happens, and then it’s the greatest thing ever,” he said about having children. “I’m simply considering how to be the greatest father I can be.”
Although Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood seem like the perfect couple right now, this wasn’t always the case. Fisher has always wanted to be a loving mother, but Underwood first had doubts about her capacity to be a decent mother.
In the “Mike and Carrie: God & Country” documentary, the country music star said, “I’ve never been fantastic with other people’s children. “Why would I be terrific with one of my own?” She also mentioned that initially, starting a family wasn’t even on her list of priorities.
She said, “I don’t think I ever thought about getting married or starting a family.” “I’m a good solo performer.” Conversely, Fisher was the complete opposite.
Along with my three other siblings, I was raised. In addition, my parents were amazing. And I think all I wanted was something similar,” he said. “I wanted to have a wife like my mother, to be like my father, and to be the best father I could be. and while residing in the nation, bear children.
Nevertheless, everything turned out for the best because Underwood and Fisher and their two kids now reside in the country. Underwood’s whole outlook on parenthood was completely upended after Isaiah was born. It has altered who I am as a person. I feel better now. Most of the time, I’m in a better mood,” she said in an interview with Redbook Mag. “I am completely enamored!”
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