Expensive shoes and blisters?

[House Cat]

I''ve seen it mentioned a few times that people''s feet are hurting or blistered with very expensive shoes. I thought these shoes were designed for comfort, and that was half the reason for the price. This is wrong?

I''ve never owned a pair of super high end shoes, but I was contemplating buying a pair for the wedding with the thought that they would be comfy for the entire night of the wedding. Is this a bad idea?

 

[ficklefaye]

hi house cat, i think this is a toughie because everyone''s feet are different, some designers make their shoes narrower and i''d never be able to get my wide feet into them

it takes me a long time to decide on a shoe at that price, i try on several and go online to read reviews, i''d hate to regret forking out that much for shoes that give me blisters

 

[FrekeChild]

Everyone''s feet are different. Feet are basically built the same, BUT because everyone''s are different, they will fit everyone''s feet differently. The difference with super high end shoes is the quality of the materials used, the fact that they are very often handmade, and they have more support built into the shoe.

Say you buy a higher end shoe ($300 and up), a similar shoe in a lower price range ($100), and then a similar shoe in a very low price bracket ($20). You examine them.

$300+ (Kate Spade, Giuseppe Zanotti)
-leather upper
-leather sole
-handmade

$100 (Steve Madden, Kenneth Cole Reaction)
-leather upper
-man made sole
-machine made

$20 (Target)
-all man made materials
-machine made

What you can''t see from the outside is the insides of shoes--is all of the support on the inside--the little flat metal pieces that go the length of the shoes, the flexibility of the sole under the ball of the foot, what the heel is made of, etc.

All in all, when it gets broken down, and I can tell you from experience, the more expensive the shoe, the more comfortable it will be over the same period of time. I can wear a pair of heels from Steve Madden for the same period of time as a pair of Emilio Puccis, and my feet will hurt less with the Puccis than the Maddens.

If you ask me, they are worth it. You just have to break them in properly first.

 

[NakedFinger]

I wouldn''t say expensive shoes are designed for comfort. They are expensive for the style, craftsmanship, quality of the material used, and the mostly because the "name" of the designer who made them.

My motto is, sacrifice comfort for style!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I've always wondered...what exactly is "breaking them in"? Is it so your feet get used to the shoe? Or so that the shoe is stretched slightly to fit your feet? And how do you know when they're broken in? I'm just planning to wear my high-heeled shoes for the photos, and the walk down the aisle. And changing for the reception and rest of the festivities. Whether I'll be changing into lower heels, my flip flops, or my sneakers will probably depend on how much my feet hurt by then

My mom wanted to buy me a pair of Manolos that we saw at Neiman Marcus, but they must not be made for my short, chubby feet in mind, because they definitely hurt! I very quickly returned to the comfy solace of my sneakers

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 7/28/2009 12:58:35 PM
Author: MakingTheGrade
I''ve always wondered...what exactly is ''breaking them in''? Is it so your feet get used to the shoe? Or so that the shoe is stretched slightly to fit your feet? And how do you know when they''re broken in? I''m just planning to wear my high-heeled shoes for the photos, and the walk down the aisle. And changing for the reception and rest of the festivities. Whether I''ll be changing into lower heels, my flip flops, or my sneakers will probably depend on how much my feet hurt by then

My mom wanted to buy me a pair of Manolos that we saw at Neiman Marcus, but they must not be made for my short, chubby feet in mind, because they definitely hurt! I very quickly returned to the comfy solace of my sneakers

So that the shoe is stretched to mold to your specific feet. I tend to wear them around my house, while chillin on the couch...whatever.

As for knowing when they are...I can''t say really. I just know?

Have you ever had a pair of Doc Martens? They always said the best way to break those in was to put them under your car tires, and drive over them a few times. So I''d say that when the leather is softer, more pliable, etc, BUT, all heels are going to hurt eventually--just more expensive shoes will hurt less.

MTG, you may have some problems with breaking your shoes in, because I think they are patent leather--which hardly stretches at all.

 

[ms.halo]

I have very narrow feet, so in general designer shoes are much, much more comfortable. But it depends on the brand. For instance, I find Prada, Jimmy Choo and Lanvin shoes to be the most comfortable. But they're a nightmare for my mom. She can't wear any of those brands. And the brands she finds comfy (Bottega Veneta, Tods, Manolo) hurt like heck on my feet. I like higher end shoes because they hold up better over time and I rarely get blisters when I'm wearing them.

So try on some shoes in multiple brands to see what you like and feels most comfortable. Don't be shy to walk around the carpeted area of Neiman Marcus or Saks etc. for 15-20 minutes to see how a pair feels over time.

I break in some of my shoes by moisturizing my feet and then wearing them around the house. Most shoes (high end or not) are uncomfortable the first two or three times you wear them, so make sure you break them in long before your wedding day.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Date: 7/28/2009 1:14:13 PM
Author: FrekeChild
MTG, you may have some problems with breaking your shoes in, because I think they are patent leather--which hardly stretches at all.

No biggie, only walking in them for like 15 minutes

 

[merrymunky]

Freke - I had a pair of Doc Marten's once. I was told to submerge them in water and let them soak for a while, then let them air dry to soften the leather. I have to say they were THE WORST pair of shoes I ever owned. They ripped my heels to shreds and I had to wear about 5 plasters on each heel every time I wore them and they still rubbed like mad! They NEVER became any more comfortable so I ended up selling them on. Yet everyone else says that Docs are the most comfy shoes you will ever own.

I liked your explanation of the different ranges of shoes and what you pay for.

I still have the thought in my head that you are mainly paying for the material, but your explanation puts it in a whole new light for me.

I have much the same opinion as you when it comes to children's shoes - but have never really placed the same importance on adult's shoes. I've always said that my children will be wearing Clark's shoes as they are the best for children for sure, and that cheaply bought shoes will ruin their growing feet!

I suppose we should place the same importance on adult shoes too really.

My wedding shoes are not expensive (£30) but for heels, they ARE comfy. I need to break them in, so I will be wearing them round the flat for the next two to three weeks. I may walk over to my mother's in them to get a feel for them on concrete too.

 

[katamari]

Another thing to add to Freke''s list (which is amazingly helpful, btw) is the life of the shoe. Whenever I buy cheap, synthetic shoes I am lucky if they last a year. But, handmade shoes made from natural materials are going to last longer than the shoes will be in style, often.

I bought expensive wedding shoes and it was absolutely for aesthetics. They are also excellently crafted. It was the only way I could get the color and fabric I wanted in a fashion forward design that matched my dress.

If you want to not spend a bunch and get the look of labeled shoes and don''t care about life of the shoe, synthetic materials, etc. try RSVP or Oh Deer! brands. They literally replicate (to a point that I wonder how it is legal sometimes) many popular MB, JC, and CL designs.

 

[wannaBMrsH]

Freke gave a great explanation above. I want to add to what Katamari stated about the life of the shoe.

I have two VERY old pairs of shoes that I love and I just can''t seem to get rid of. I bought both the summer of 1999!!!!!!!!

One pair is a black strappy pair of Calvin Klein strappy sandals, the other is a black pair of pumps from BCBG. Both have lasted me 10 years of faithful wear, but the Calvin Klein''s have only gone to the cobbler to repair the heel taps, while the BCBGs have had major work done (replacing the inside soles, the bottom soles, the heel taps) multiple times. I just can''t seem to part with them.

I don''t have a single pair of Steve Maddens, Nine West or Aldo shoes that have lasted that long. The closest for the mid range brands, is one pair of Bronze Nine West evening shoes that I''ve had for about 4 years now.

The other thing is that while your feet might still hurt, the higher end shoes are either designed better or have better fabric that doesn''t tear up my feet. My feet will still hurt after a night of dancing in my Manolo''s or Louboutins, but I will still be WEARING my shoes at the end of the night unlike my poor friends whose feet not only hurt, but are raw and blistered from their no so well designed shoes and are carrying them instead.

 

[House Cat]

Thanks so much for shedding light on this subject for me. It is really appreciated. I think the only way then, that I would go really high end ($500+), is if I wanted to wear the shoe for years. Otherwise, maybe I should keep it in the $200 range?

Another question though, what about satin shoes? Do they stretch?