Middle-aged Rant (shoes)

[NightWatcher]

or more to the point, Shoe Shopping.

I know I'm on the young side of middle age at 37, but I have never felt like more of a dinosaur than when I went to the mall today to look for a pair of shoes. I'm not looking for a pair of cross trainers, runners, light hikers, sport sandals.... but a pair of sneakers. I was asked if I was a light hiker or if they were for running. I replied that they were for walking the dog, walking around the grocery store, walking to check the mail...you know just sneakers.

That I only wanted a basic pair of shoes with no agenda seemed shocking to the 19 year olds working at Foot Locker, Champs, Foot Action, or any other of the mall shoe stores. My current pair of shoes have lasted more than three years, but I dont want to buy the same brand and model because they seem to have worn out and are not comfortable after a few hours on my feet.

Where do middle aged guys with no shoe agenda or cross training style or habits buy shoes?

Someone said to try Zappos online and click and choose and ship them back and forth until you find one that you like. I dont want a month long production....Just a pair of sneakers. You know why all my clothes and shoes (and truck) look like shit? Because I hate having to buy anything new these days.

Oh yeah, Get off my lawn.

[Rambis]

1. Zappos is brilliant

I got a pair of Josef Seibel shoes from them in 24hrs. After 6 months the sole broke. I contacted them they said 365 day is their guarantee no questions asked. Boxed them up sent them back and they didn't have another pair. They said since we cant replace the shoe you want here is 25$ gift card for your trouble. I got some Clarks(great shoe) and got money back.

[HopeHoops]

2. I've had excellent luck with the US-made New Balance shoes - very long lasting.

They also make them in normal colors without florescent trim or goofy designs all over the sides. The last pair my wife got were from a PayLess or something similar - same shoes, better prices, no pushy salespeople.

[bluesbassman]

3. I go to Big 5 and buy the cheapest ones on sale that fit.

For $20 if the last a year I'm happy.

[Sedona]

4. Another vote for New balance.

from a 50 year old female, for what's its worth.

[NV Whino]

5. Check out Sierra Trading Post

They carry overstocks of last year's style of name brands for good prices. I've bough Saucony and Mephisto there for about 50% off.

sierratradingpost.com

[GoCubsGo]

14. Yup. And...

If you sign up for their e-mail list, you'll get frequent coupons for added discounts, free shipping, etc.

[TreasonousBastard]

6. K-Mart, Target...

and there's a Payless in just about every town. With no $350 cross trainers. Got me some shitty sneakers at Payless for under 20 bucks, but they're OK for walking the dog in bad weather. K-Mart is the best for 20 buck sneaks around here.

I ignore the specialty stores-- there's no reason to have some spiky-haired little snot follow you around sneering when all you want is a pair of cheap shoes that will make it to the mailbox.

For better shoes, I go to the Bass outlet 20 miles down the road. Selection's not that great, but 50% off and better better on Top Siders, Weejuns, Easy Spirit...

[GoCubsGo]

15. We also have other chains in the area.

Famous Footwear, Shoe Studio, Rack Room Shoes. They sell a sneakers, as well as casual and dress shoes. Department stores like Sears, JCPenney, Dillard's, Macy's and Belk are also great places to check out. Especially Sears. They carry some of the big names, like Reebok and New Balance. And, they regularly have GREAT sales.

[cliffordu]

7. Get thee to a store that sells Keens.

No shit.

The only shoes (sandals in my case) that fit, that you can walk in forever and the only thing that has been on my feet for the last 14 years or so.

They are particularly festive with sweatsox at funerals.

[GoCubsGo]

16. Keens also available at REI and Sierra Trading post.

You can sometimes get great deals on them.

[mykpart]

8. Go to J.C. Penney and

ask for Keds.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. I'm very fond of SAS--San Antonio Shoes. ALL American made.

I'm in CA, and there's a store that's not too far from me, so I go there. I don't know if they can be found online, but they made GREAT, comfortable shoes.

My husband has a couple of pairs, identical except for the color. He wears the light colored pair to the gym since they look like gym shoes, and the black pair he wears for everyday.

I recommend them very highly.

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. Oh my....those are ...gulp...pricey.

Just looked SAS up....135.00 a pair.
Very good looking shoe, tho.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

20. Indeed they are pricey.

But they are completely made in the USA, and the company is good to their workers.

The shoes also last for a very long time.

I normally find that I get what I paid for.

[dixiegrrrrl]

21. Well, I AM shoe shopping today...hmmmm..

do they run true to size?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

23. Yes, I believe they do. I've only bought one pair, though!

Good luck!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

10. I've been wearing K-Swiss classics since 1974

About 10 years ago the great grandkids commented on how hip I was for wearing K-swiss. Apparently the shoes were now "in". i tried to explain to them that I had been wearing the "in" shoes since before they were born. Their eyes glazed over. Anything that happened before they were born is Greek Mythology.

Anyway, I love em and buy them from E-bay now because they are hard to find at the retail stores and when you do find them they are pricy. They are the "classic" tennis shoe. The only thing more classic are Keds high tops.

[crunch60]

11. I'm a lady, but I love Crocs shoes, boots, sneakers, long lasting, super comfortable. Here is a

link for Men's styles. Once you wear Crocs, you won't go back!

http://www.crocs.com/sneakers-for-men/men-footwear-sneakers,default,sc.html

[pipi_k]

12. I can feel your pain...

even though I'm not a guy.

I think I must be one of the very few women in the world who hates shoe shopping.

As I've gotten older, my feet have gotten longer and wider. They've gone from about a 7.5 to 8 normal width up to a size 10.5 or 11 WW or even WWW depending on the style of the shoe.

So my options in women's shoes are sort of limited most of the time.

I used to wear Crocs, but they are no longer wide enough.

I've ordered shoes and boots from various places and ended up sending them back three times before giving up.

I did find some wide clog type sneakers recently with elastic laces I can tighten or loosen as my feet expand and contract from one day to another.

But all in all, it's a real pain in the ass.

[Donkees]

33. Re: Limited Options

Have you tried men's sneakers, boots, mocs., etc? Those would be wider and many styles look unisex.

[SEMOVoter]

13. I found some I really like

I found the perfect walk the dog, grocery shopping, around the house shoes. I got a pair of Sketchers Go Walk therapy shoes. These are comfy and very light. I don't feel like I'm lugging around weights.

I haven't seen men's styles in the stores around here, but I haven't looked. Men's styles are avail online. google "sketchers mens go walk" looks like several places have them.

Might not be what you're looking for, might be just the thing.

Good luck and keep it positive.

[lunatica]

17. Once you find a good pair of shoes you pick the wardrobe to fit them

[The empressof all]

19. My SO gets his at Costco...

They are usually around 20 bucks and last a long time. Only come in white but that works.

[marzipanni]

22. Sears..."mens canvas sneakers"...

Converse Men's Chuck Taylor All Star Clean CVO 122047F - Gray
http://www.sears.com/search=mens%20canvas%20sneakers?keywordSearch=false&vName=Shoes&catalogId=12605&previousSort=ORIGINAL_SORT_ORDER&viewItems=50&storeId=10153&cName=Mens

If you like these, you could call the store and see if they have them. They are on sale which sometimes means limited sizes.

Puma makes plain black suede sneakers..

[NightWatcher]

24. I have flat feet, so the Converse All Star and other flat boat shoes are a no no

I did see some I liked



Hideous, but comfy

[marzipanni]

25. I hope you leave your shoes at the door. Those look like mud magnets to me!

It seems many people who replied like New Balance. One of my older brothers has worn them for years. I would like to go to a Fleet Feet store and have some NBs fitted because they train their sales people to measure and fit shoes properly. I think many people walk for exercise so running shoes are worn, because they are comfortable and have good support.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/235228-the-best-walking-sneakers-for-flat-feet/

[Curmudgeoness]

26. Can't you tell the youngsters at the store

that you want "walking" shoes? Or did that not work? I don't ever go to the specialty "sport" shoes stores, but I am told that there are shoes made just for walking......give me a break!

I'm older than you, and I remember when it was Keds or Keds.

[KatyaR]

27. Oh honey, I feel your pain.

I used to really take pride in my appearance--loved shopping for clothes and shoes. But now everything is so cheaply made and so damned expensive that I can't afford anything new. I went shopping for a pair of black flats to wear as everyday shoes and found a pair of brand-new leather Born shoes at a consignment shop that cost me less than $30, probably were $100 retail.

I can't believe the crap shoes that are for sale these days. If you can't wear shoes with AT LEAST a 3-inch heel, more often than not 4 or 5, you're out of luck. There is no "style" these days, just expensive crap. The next generation is going to be totally crippled, mark my words.

And clothes are the worst. There's nothing in the stores that is the least bit appealing looking. I wish I still had my sewing machine, I could make so much better clothes than what's available these days.

And yes, you kids get off my lawn....

[grasswire]

29. Why don't they see that we would spend more money...

....if we could only find things we like?!

[sammytko]

32. Sometimes you can find Born shoes at Ross or

On line at Eddie Bauer clearance sale page. You have to be quick to place your order. Merrell are comfy also.

[limpyhobbler]

28. Target. nt

[kentauros]

30. This is what I'm wearing right now

http://drilleys.com/mens_black_espadrilles.aspx

This image is similar, though mine are just like in the link above:



They took a few days to stretch out, but I'm used to the hemp shoes I like to buy being similar in taking a while to stretch out and make a more comfortable fit. And I've found many hemp/vegan shoes that are for the rest of us, i.e., middle-aged and beyond

[handmade34]

31. give those youngsters no mind

I am an official tester for New Balance shoes... might I suggest the 880... (just want a comfortable shoe)

[luv_mykatz]

34. Add my name to the I Hate to Shop for Shoes clan.

Last two pairs I bought were New Balance. Miserably expensive, but they do seem to last. They are not all that comfortable, at least in my experience.
My feet are wide across the ball, and narrow at the ankle, so cheapola shoes from Target, Payless, et.al, do not work for me.

The store I went to for the New Balance shoes did the best job for checking fit. The guy used an actual metal gauge, like shoe salespeople did when I was a kid. Turns out I need a D width, not B width which I've worn most of my life. At least the shoes don't pinch across the ball of my feet, like too many shoes do.

The other pair of shoes that works for me is some sandals from Keenes. They are very comfortable, and have lasted for two years so far. They still look almost new.

Otherwise, most of my stuff looks like the description you gave for yours!
And, for the same reasons. Cheaply made, way-overpriced crap!

[riderinthestorm]

35. New Balance. I'm on my feet all day and those SNEAKERS are the best! My husband agrees.

I always buy the running shoe type even though mine are just for walking and working.

You can buy them at Farm and Fleet too now!