How to choose the right shoes. How to choose men's shoes so that nothing rubs and the shoes last a long time

I present an updated article on choosing men's shoes. It was first published more than four years ago; Since then, it has been amended several times. Today I have once again added some new information, links to a number of other articles, and also updated prices.

Varieties shoes (models)

First of all, you need to decide what model of shoes you need. The following main models can be distinguished: oxfords (the most formal), derbies (less formal, all other things being equal), brogues (these are “patterned” shoes, they can be both oxfords and derbies), monks (shoes with buckles, they can look very strict) , loafers (shoes without laces or buckles).

Shoes type Oxford They are distinguished by closed lacing and sidewalls sewn under the “front” (see photo below). Oxfords with leather soles look the most respectable and formal. The upper of Oxford shoes can be made from smooth leather, grained leather, polished and patent leather, and even suede. The color of the most classic options- either black or brown various shades(sometimes burgundy brown or red). The most formal are black oxfords made of patent leather (combined with a tuxedo and tailcoat), followed by black oxfords made of smooth calfskin without any perforation (combined with suits).

I talked about Oxfords in detail here.

Derby- shoes with open lacing, their sides are sewn over the front. They are perhaps most common in Russia, and in many other countries of the world. Like Oxfords, they can be produced with either leather or polyurethane/rubber soles. Colors - black, brown, burgundy and others. With or without perforation. The most formal derbies are black without perforations and with leather soles.

I would especially like to note that derbies are generally better suited to people with high arches than oxfords.

I talked more about derby shoes.

Monkey- these are shoes with buckles, there are no lacing on them. These shoes are not very formal, but they can be worn in the office, for example. The sole can be either leather or polyurethane/rubber; main colors - black, brown, burgundy. There are no laces, nothing to untie, nothing to tie - monks are practical and save your time.

- these are decorated shoes; Oxfords, Derbys, and even monks can be brogues. A distinctive feature of shoes of this type is the patterned non-through (!) perforation (see photo below), which can occupy either part of the shoe or almost its entire area. Brogues are more formal the more modest the pattern and the darker their color (in addition, brogues with closed lacing are more formal than brogues with open lacing).

More information about brogues can be found in.

Loafers (loafers)- these, like monks, are informal shoes; it is even more practical. There are no fasteners at all - I stuck my foot in (using a shoe horn) and went. For the office and business meetings, loafers made of dark smooth leather, ideally with leather soles, are best suited. Read more about loafers and their varieties.

Colors

I have already noted above that the most formal shoes are black ones (all other things being equal). Following them (again, all other things being equal) are dark brown and burgundy brown, and they are also the most versatile. Moderate brown, red and red-brown, all other things being equal, will be less strict and less versatile. Dark blue shoes are considered informal, although they can look very respectable and discreet. Shoes of other colors are a risky choice, although the degree of this risk varies greatly (dark green shoes are one thing, and lemon yellow or bright lime green are another).

When paired with jeans and chinos, brown models in a variety of tones and shades are best suited. WITH business suits Black, dark brown, and burgundy shoes can be combined, as well as red and medium brown (depending on the situation and the color/shade of the suit). I don’t recommend getting carried away with black shoes, although a few black pairs in a classic wardrobe won’t be superfluous.

Upper material

The shoes are made from the very different skin, as well as from leatherette. Leatherette is a cheap and practical material, but it does not allow your feet to breathe and your feet sweat. Also, as a rule, leatherette looks worse than genuine leather, and its service life is short; The only exception is eco-leather, high-tech artificial material, which lasts quite a long time and allows air to pass through).

Accordingly, I advise buying shoes made from regular leatherette only if you are on a very limited budget. In other cases it is better to buy leather shoes or at least made from eco-leather (for example, if you are a vegan).

Types of leather for shoes according to their origin:

Cowhide- tough, strong and durable, but shoes made of cowhide usually develop noticeable folds and creases. In addition, such shoes may not be very comfortable. Their main advantage is their low price.

Cow's skin- more expensive than bullish and somewhat softer; with proper quality and proper care it lasts a long time. A good option.

Calfskin- even more expensive and even softer; at the same time very strong and durable. The ideal option, however, is not the most budget-friendly. Mostly expensive shoes are made from this leather. It is worth remembering that even calfskin has its own gradations of quality; The better the leather, the more expensive it is, but the more pleasant, beautiful and durable it is.

Cordoba leather(skin/membrane from a horse's rump) is even more expensive than calf's. It has a kind of pleasant shine, and it ages differently than calf. Some people simply adore Cordovan leather shoes, while others are indifferent to them. Be that as it may, the leather is very strong and incredibly durable, and is also quite easy to care for, but it is worse suited for summer than calf leather, and is also a bit harsh. Cordoba leather shoes are produced by such companies as Alden, Paraboot, Sebago, Crockett & Jones, Allen Edmonds, Tricker’s, J.M. Weston and others.

Exotic skins- crocodile, snake and so on - incredibly expensive (a pair of shoes made of such leather will cost from 50,000 rubles), strong and durable materials. Some people consider them stylish, but sometimes they look too bright and provocative. Be that as it may, shoes made of calfskin with a crocodile print (and sometimes even leatherette with a corresponding print) are much more common.

Types of leather for shoes (according to production):

• Smooth skin- practical, convenient, fairly easy to care for. Perhaps the best and universal option, when we are talking about smooth calf leather (usually referred to simply as calf leather).
  
• Polished leather(polished / hi-shine leather / bookbinder) - also smooth, but specially processed, with a fairly strong shine. It scratches quite easily and is a bit harsh, it doesn’t “breathe” well, so it’s clearly not the best the best option. True, it is worth keeping in mind that sometimes by polished leather we mean a different kind of leather (for more details, see this).
• Patent (patent leather, patent leather)- probably for some the most beautiful, but not very practical and harsh. Requires special care; You can wear shoes made from it only at temperatures from -10 to +30. Patent leather shoes are worn only with a tuxedo, tailcoat or very formal suit.
• Suede- “fluffy” leather of special tanning (usually calf; very rarely - deer). Well breathable, soft and comfortable. Quite durable if you care for it properly and wear it in dry weather. Suede shoes are informal, but if you have a relaxed dress code, they can be worn. The main thing is to avoid too extravagant colors (that is, for example, blue and red shoes)
  

Outsole material

The sole is usually leather, rubber (usually synthetic rubber) and polyurethane (thermopolyurethane). Polyurethane/rubber is more practical, leather is more noble and official, but requires special care, and for active street wear, also so-called prevention. Shoes with leather soles should not be worn on gravelly roads, muddy puddles, etc. These are shoes more likely for the office, for dry asphalt paths and alleys, and so on. Shoes with leather soles are quite expensive. Not the most expensive brands of such shoes include Lloyd, Berwick, Paco Milan. More expensive ones are Barker, Alden, Crockett & Jones, Alfred Sargent, Yanko, Carlos Santos and many others.

To "brand" high-quality rubber soles include Dainite, Ridgeway, Sestriere, Commando. They are installed only on expensive shoes (costing from 15,000 rubles, if we are talking about regular prices). Vibram soles, often also of very high quality, can sometimes be found on more budget models. For business shoes best fit rubber soles Dainite and Sestriere and some thin samples from Vibram, but for slippery surfaces I recommend choosing soles with more powerful treads (for example, Commando or similar options from Vibram).

Polyurethane and TPU soles are characterized by high strength and wear resistance; thermopolyurethane compares favorably with regular polyurethane due to its high slip resistance, but it is heavier. A two-layer polyurethane sole is more reliable than a single-layer one, but the combination of a layer of thermopolyurethane with a layer of regular polyurethane is best: such a sole does not slip, unlike a regular polyurethane sole, two-layer or single-layer.

Among other sole materials, it is worth mentioning thermoplastic elastomer (TRP, TEP) - elastic, with good shock absorption, suitable for frosts down to -40, not prone to slipping. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is highly wear-resistant, but is not suitable for frost, and besides, the PVC sole is heavy and is often not very securely attached to the upper, especially in cheap shoes. EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) is good for its flexibility, lightness and elasticity, and decent shock-absorbing properties. At the same time, it does not tolerate cold well and slips a lot, and is also not very durable.

Read more about the types of soles in.

Type of attachment of the sole to the upper and types of shoe construction

If you have a fairly large purchasing budget (say, 15 thousand rubles or more), then you should pay attention to the design of the shoes. The most reliable is (and its variations, Norwegian welted, Veldtschoen). The Blake Rapid design is slightly less preferable, and even less preferable, and even worse (not always, but often) is the adhesive design (). However, Cemented shoes can last up to five years, so you shouldn't ignore them if you don't have too much of a budget.

It is especially worth noting the Vulcanised design (vulcanized sole) - this attachment to the upper is very reliable, although the sole itself may crack over time, and it usually does not look too formal. There are many models with the Vulcanised design in the assortment of the Danish brand Ecco.

Read more about the types of classic shoe designs.

Insoles

Insoles are removable and non-removable. Removable ones are more practical, as they are very easy to replace over time; Moreover, when drying shoes, they can be removed and dried separately. Some insoles are washable (but not leather ones!). However, a shoemaker can also change non-removable insoles.

It is best that the shoes have leather insoles or insoles made of other natural material - they will allow your feet to breathe. Insoles with silver threads have an antibacterial effect. Among synthetic materials, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) can be noted, which is characterized by plasticity, elasticity, and good shock-absorbing properties.

The lining of the best shoes is made entirely of genuine leather; in more budget shoes it is usually textile; The most noble textile material in this case is considered to be linen. Synthetic materials may not “breathe” well or not “breathe” at all, just like leatherette.

New technologies

Perhaps the main one is relatively new technology- This is a special membrane that allows air to pass through, but does not allow moisture to pass through. Such technology is used, in particular, by companies Geox And . The technology used by Geox allows, among other things, to make the shoes very light.

Manufacturers of classic shoes ( Barker, Alfred Sargent John Lobb and so on) are usually immune to the latest trends of this kind. Although Barker, for example, has a special Barker Flex system, which makes the shoes very comfortable. However, the Barker Flex shoes look worse than the truly classic Barker shoes.

What to look for when buying shoes

Size. The shoes must fit you exactly in size. They should not dangle, should not press too hard, or cause any inconvenience. If the size of the shoes is a little larger than what you require (by 0.5), then you can ask the seller to put additional insoles in the shoes - this may help, but this is a half-measure: it is better to continue searching for shoes that will fit perfectly on your feet.

Keep in mind that if you buy shoes that are larger than they should be, they will be worn out. more likely creases will appear, and you may develop flat feet. If you buy shoes that are too tight for you, they will quickly rub your calluses and may lose their shape; their service life will be short. It is worth noting that calluses, including bloody ones, can also appear if the shoes are too big for you in the heel area.

I will add that some manufacturers offer shoes not only in different sizes in length (from 5 to 13 according to the English system or from 39 to 47 according to the international system), but also according to completeness. Completeness is usually indicated by letters; Americans use the first letters of the alphabet (from A to E), the British use the middle letters (from E to H). Examples of brands that produce several fullness options for most sizes: Alden, Allen Edmonds, Barker, Church’s, Loake.

Convenience. If your shoes feel too tight right now, the situation is unlikely to improve over time; if they press lightly, then it is quite likely that they are “scattered”. Walk around the store in shoes; If you are clearly uncomfortable, it is better to refuse the purchase. Remember that the same model may suit you well, but poorly for someone else, keep this in mind when reading enthusiastic or harsh negative reviews regarding the comfort of a particular model/shoe of a particular brand.

Quality of sole, leather, seams. There should be no traces of glue, abrasions on the leather, or scratches. The leather on both shoes should be of the same quality and color. The seams should be smooth and neat.

Prices and brands

Lower price segment. These are shoes sold in markets and in passages, costing up to about 2,000 rubles. This also includes shoes from the most budget stores - Centro, Zenden and so on. The quality usually leaves much to be desired. This is a kind of lottery: shoes can last two or three years, or they can fall apart in one season. Materials: artificial leather, polyurethane, less often genuine leather of low quality. Such shoes can have interesting features: paint (your socks will always have a black and blue tint), get wet, squeak, and so on.

The segment is below average. This includes both shoes from the market (relatively expensive options) and from various stores - the already mentioned CenterObuv, Zenden; as well as multi-brands such as City Obuv, Tervolina and Robek. It is worth paying attention to shoes from the Russian manufacturer, as well as the Belarusian manufacturer Belwest.

Prices range from approximately 2000 to 5000 rubles. The quality, as I said, can be decent, but the design and convenience usually suffer (for example, in the case of Unichel). Or vice versa - comfortable and quite beautiful shoes fall apart after a season. Occasionally you come across options that are worthy both in design and quality, including those from Unichel and Belwest.

At sales, you can find fairly high-quality shoes within 5,000 rubles - sometimes from, Rockport and even Ecco (usually several models). You can also note rieker (Switzerland-Germany with Eastern European and Asian production), Burgershuhe (Russia) and Ralf Ringer (Russia) - mainly during sales periods. These companies produce shoes of good quality, quite comfortable (but you shouldn’t buy Rieker winter shoes - there are a lot of complaints). Ralf Ringer sometimes comes across very elegant models, and within the same 5,000 rubles - and practically all year round, since there are always some discounts on the site.

Middle price segment. Shoes cost approximately from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles. This includes models from rieker (now a Swiss company, formerly German; production, of course, Not European), Ralf Ringer (Russia, but good quality), Salamander (German company, Russian production). At sales for 5,000-10,000 rubles, you can easily find good shoes from Ecco (Denmark, made in Slovakia and China), Geox (Italy, made in China), Rockport (USA, made in China and other countries). In addition, within 10,000 rubles at sales, it is absolutely possible to buy Lloyd shoes (Germany, sewn in Germany and Romania, sold in the Rendez-Vous and Stockmann chains, as well as in branded stores). And in Checkroom.ru I recommend looking at loafers from the Spanish brand Paco Milan (cost 8,500 rubles).

I will add that in this segment, as well as in the next, there are quite a lot of werewolf shoe brands (read more) that position themselves as English, German, Italian, but in fact - Russian-Chinese. Examples: Carnaby, TJ Collection, Chester, Carlo Pazolini, Paolo Conte, Thomas Munz.

The price segment is above average. Approximately from 10,000 to 15,000 rubles. These include Michel shoes (Spain, Spanish production, sold at FineShoes.ru), Ecco, Geox, Rockport, Lloyd, Loake (England, but younger models are made in India). On sale - Paraboot (France, French and Spanish production), Doucal's (Italy, Italian production).

Upper price segment. From 15,000 rubles and almost to infinity. Within 20,000 rubles you can buy good Loake shoes (if you're lucky, Made in England) made of calfskin, excellent Berwick shoes (Made in Spain / BritishRoom.ru, FineShoes.ru, Checkroom.ru), best models Lloyd (sometimes Made in Germany), some Paraboot models (France); Barker shoes (England) are somewhat more expensive, Carmina and Yanko (Spain, CheckRoom.ru, FineShoes.ru), as well as Carlos Santos (Portugal, Made in Portugal) are even more expensive.

In addition, this includes the “Italians” (Doucal's, A.Testoni, Bruno Magli, Baldinini, Fratelli Rossetti and so on), their price-quality ratio is usually worse than that of the British, Portuguese and Spanish, but there are nice and comfortable models .

Premium segment. From approximately 30,000 rubles. This includes English classics of high and higher levels: Alfred Sargent, Crockett & Jones, Edward Green, George / Anthony Cleverley, Gaziano & Girling; in the last two cases, the price of a pair of shoes can exceed 100 thousand rubles. In addition, the French need to be mentioned: Corthay and Berluti (but in the latter case the overpayment for the brand is very large).

Italians include Moreschi, A.Testoni, and Sutor. Sutor shoes can be bought at LuxOutlet.ru for 25 thousand rubles (models from previous collections, large selection).

Currently, there are many models of shoes for both men and women. There are cases when people, when measuring, cannot accurately decide on the choice, and in the end they choose it not according to the size or shape of their feet. For example, the size is yours, but the fatness is more than necessary, or vice versa.

Often, the wrong shoe size leads to various diseases. To choose the right shoes, follow our recommendations.

How to determine the shoe size for an adult - choose the right size!

Every person understands the shoe size as the length of the foot, but not everyone realizes that the size of a shoe is its length and width. Shoes must also be selected according to the width of your feet.

For example, if a person who comes to the store has narrow feet, then he needs to choose shoes that are a smaller size, and if they are wide, then vice versa - a larger size.

There are several shoe sizing systems:

To determine your shoe size, do the following:

• Take a blank sheet of paper and a well-sharpened pencil.
• Place your foot on the paper and carefully trace it. It is recommended to do this in the evening, since in the evening your legs swell - especially if you have an active lifestyle. If you wear future shoes with a sock, wear a sock.
• Remove the foot from the paper and use a ruler to draw a long line.
• Measure both legs and choose the largest number.
• Finally, you need to round this figure to 5 millimeters and choose a size in table.

Winter and summer shoe sizes- one. But you should remember that when trying on winter shoes, it is better to give preference to a larger size. This is due to the fact that winter shoes may have artificial or natural fur, which will make your leg feel tight. Also, in the cold, your feet swell and your shoes begin to squeeze them. Be sure to wear a thick sock before measuring.

When choosing summer shoes, one of the nuances is selection of sneaker size . They also need to be chosen so that the shoes do not put pressure on the toe and are loose, otherwise you run the risk of injury to the joints.

Foot fullness for all sizes of women's and men's shoes - how is fullness measured, and why is it necessary?

Sometimes a person does not have the opportunity to try on the shoes he plans to buy. To do this, you can measure the fullness of your feet at home in order to correctly determine your shoe size without trying on.

Completeness can be determined using the following formula: W = 0.25V – 0.15C – A , where W is the fullness of the leg, B is the girth of the foot in millimeters, C is the length of the foot in millimeters, A is a constant coefficient (for men – 17, for women – 16)

Here's an example: Let’s say your foot length is 26 mm, your foot circumference (at the widest point) is 24 mm. Therefore, 0.25*240 – 0.15*260 – 16 = 2. We come to the conclusion that according to the Russian system, the fullness of your foot is 2.

You can also find out the fullness of your legs using the table. First, take the leg measurements shown above using paper and pencil.

Then compare the width of the foot and the length.

The fullness of the foot is shown in the top cells of the table:

In most cases, the values ​​​​given in the table are suitable mainly for classic shoes, since their material is more rigid and does not have the ability to stretch. Shoes made of soft material may lose their shape over time when worn and stretch.

Size chart for women's shoes - table of shoe sizes for women

Before paying attention to shoe sizing charts, you need to measure the length of your foot and compare it with the measurement system you need.

For example, if your leg length is 24 cm, then according to the Russian measurement system the size will be 37.5. If 23.3, then it is better to give preference to shoes with size 36.6.

Determine your size using the table below:

Shoe size chart for men - size chart for men's shoes

The size of men's shoes can also be determined according to the table:

Attention: According to the Chinese system, there are almost no large shoe sizes for men.

If you liked our article and have any thoughts on this matter, please share with us. It is very important for us to know your opinion!

Men's shoes are an integral part of the wardrobe of every representative of the stronger half of humanity. When looking at a man's shoes, you can tell a lot about his status and personal qualities. That is why the choice of men's shoes should be approached with complete seriousness.

Of course, today fashion in the world of shoes dictates its own rules, but shoe stores can offer the client shoes for every color and taste. When choosing shoes, a man needs to pay attention to several nuances. It’s clear that everything comes down to a “matter of taste,” but the rules still exist.

Details about the choice

For example, a man short With large size For feet, preference should be given to models with a blunt or rounded toe. If a man is tall, then it is better for him to buy shoes with a pointed toe. Heeled shoes are a great option if a man has legs that are a little short in relation to his body. Also, these shoes can be selected to match certain clothes and the time of year in which they will be worn. Like all shoes, they come in summer, autumn, spring, demi-season and all-season. As for the type, here we can distinguish: ordinary shoes, light shoes, low shoes, dressy shoes, moccasins.

Now, let's talk about how to choose men's shoes without looking stupid. We will talk about how to choose shoes to match the clothes a man wears.

So, let's limit ourselves to seven rules:

1. The color of the shoes should not be lighter colors trousers - either matching or darker;
2. should also be matched to your shoes. It is better to choose a belt from the same manufacturer. In general, the difference in color shades should not matter much;
3. If you need to choose shoes to match your jeans, then you should also be careful here. In no case do we forget about rule 1. If the jeans are a youth version, then you should take a closer look at moccasins or casual shoes. It is better to exclude the option of youth jeans with holes and classic shoes, although in some cases even this choice looks good. In general, it’s easy to choose shoes for jeans, the main thing is not to go too far. By the way, it is worth paying attention to the fact that some models of jeans are longer than trousers, although the size seems to be the same. Or the problem is that the legs are too short and you constantly have to hem both trousers and trousers. In general, what is this for? The fact is that wearing such jeans with sneakers is easy - they fold easily at the base of the foot, and there are no problems. When shoes are put on with these jeans, the back of the legs begins to wrap around the heel and gradually wears down, which subsequently does not look very aesthetically pleasing. And, finally, to this point I would like to add that you should not wear jeans and patent leather shoes - it looks ridiculous, although here you can prove the opposite. Fashion, what can I say;
4. If we are dealing with dark blue trousers, then you can wear any shoes with them dark shades– brown, black;
5. One of the most important rules that should be set at the beginning is that every man should have black classic shoes in his wardrobe. These shoes can be worn with almost anything, not counting sports outfits;
6. Can this be considered a rule? Brown shoes are a must have in a man's wardrobe. The latest fashion trends speak about this;
7. Suede shoe models are a very individual choice, which, moreover, does not fit with every outfit. In some cases, you can wear it with jeans and a shirt, as well as with trousers and a shirt.

Yes, what kind of rules are these? And also 7 pieces? What the? You can do it simpler - take money for shoes, a boyfriend and girlfriend, and to the store. We tried it on, looked in the mirror, liked it, didn’t care about the opinion of our friend and bought it.

It is recommended to purchase shoes in the second half of the day. The fact is that during the day the legs are tired and a little swollen, so it will be difficult to make a mistake with the size. If you go to choose shoes in the morning, you yourself understand how this can end. When you try on your shoes, they should not press, otherwise your feet will bleed the first time you wear them. Be sure to put on both shoes and walk - you need to feel yourself in them, to merge as one. It should also be taken into account that the sizes that are written on shoes do not always correspond to reality, or they correspond only to a different reality. Don’t let the seller deceive you and impose his opinion on you - for example, you came to the store to buy light brown leather shoes, and left with a black classic model. Yes, of course, black shoes will not interfere with your wardrobe, but you wanted brown ones.

It is worth remembering that good men's shoes should match both the style and image of their owner. That is why before buying shoes you need to think about what to wear with your new clothes. If you buy shoes with the hope that someday these shoes will be found, then there is a very high risk that the poor shoes will gather dust in your closet your entire life.

Finally, I would like to talk about popular brands men's shoes. Gucci encourages men to wear shoes with a round toe. They can be with or without laces, from black classics to dark red shades. Louis Vuitton focuses on the unusual and presents wool and fur, with additions in the form of a metal heel and toe. Connoisseurs of minimalism should take a closer look at Hermes men's shoes. This brand has put an emphasis on chic, because sleek classics are always delightful. Sport style in shoes, no one has canceled it yet, which means you need to pay attention to the Lanvin brand. The Dsquared collections have been replenished with brutal shoes with low heels. Made from suede and leather, they fit perfectly to the modern man, well, the color scheme does not play a special role here. There are other types of men's shoes in modern fashion. For example, shoes in the style of the sixties from the Calvin Klein brand are popular.

The average cost of high-quality leather men's shoes is $300. Of course, there are models for $100, but their quality leaves much to be desired. Cheap shoes, even leather ones, do not last long and quickly lose their good quality. appearance. For this reason, it is worth buying shoes at average prices - they will not quickly wear out, crack, or stretch, which means that such investments are very profitable and, of course, pleasant.

When choosing shoes, you want them not only to decorate you, but also to ensure that they do not cause harm and keep your feet in good shape. These 10 tips will help you choose the right shoes:

1. Take cardboard and outline your foot with a pencil. Take this blank with you. If the shoes are narrower or shorter than your cardboard cutout foot, don't even think about buying those shoes.
   

   To accurately determine the width of the leg, you need to measure the distance between several distant points of the drawing along the width and again reduce this number by 5 mm. For online shopping, this measurement option is indispensable and effective.

2. You need to buy shoes in the afternoon, as feet tend to swell towards the end of the day and increase slightly in size.
3. Take with you to the store exactly those socks that you plan to wear with the chosen shoes.
   
4. Measure both feet every time you buy new shoes. Feet change with age, often becoming larger and wider. If one foot is larger than the other, buy a shoe size that fits the larger foot.
5. Stand in your chosen shoes. Gently press down on the top of the shoe to make sure you have some room between the long toe and the end of the shoe. This provides ample room for your feet while walking. Move your fingers, they should not be stiff.
   
6. Put both shoes on and walk around the store to make sure the shoes fit you. Walk for a few minutes, then you will feel whether your foot fits correctly in the chosen shoes. Make sure that there is no pinching or rubbing anywhere. Don't think you can wear your shoes in. This will cause a lot of discomfort to your feet and to you in general. Find shoes that fit right from the start.
7. Trust yourself when choosing shoes. If you are comfortable with a particular shoe size, do not look at the described size. Sizes vary between manufacturers. So, what size shoes to take is up to you.
   
8. When giving preference to one model or another, it is important to pay attention not only to its size, but also to the completeness, comfort of the last, and texture. If your foot feels tight, ask for a different size, wider or longer. Tight shoes will lead to blisters and calluses on the soles of your feet, and deformation of your toes. If the width of the shoes is not suitable, buying a longer model will not solve the problem.
   

   No less trouble awaits those who are tempted by too loose shoes. Initially choose a comfortable width and length of shoes.

   

9. Look carefully at all internal seams, pay attention to protruding internal seams, which, subsequently, can rub your feet or create unnecessary discomfort.
10. Study the soles. Are they durable enough to provide protection from sharp objects? Are they deformable? Put on your shoes and walk around different surfaces, if possible. Try to walk on both hard surfaces and soft ones, such as carpet, and only then make a purchasing decision. If you are comfortable in any case, then of course you need to buy this particular model.

Video men's shoes:

| 24.12.2013

Your today's article portal website I decided to devote myself to the process of choosing men's shoes. In general, shoes are considered to be a kind of mirror of a person. Regardless of whether you are having an interview at a new job, are on a date, or are holding an important meeting with your subordinates, high-quality shoes that are correctly selected in style and size will count as a plus for you. The main thing is to know how to choose these shoes.

Types of shoes

First, try to decide what type of shoes you actually need. These could be oxfords, brogues, derbies or monks. Let's look at each of these types in more detail.

Oxford shoes- usually made of patent or smooth leather, although the option of suede is not excluded. Color – brown or black. Other colors are extremely rare and are absolutely not suitable for official events and business meetings (as, in fact, suede models). The most formal shoes are considered to be black oxfords made of non-perforated (without small holes) smooth leather.

Brogues- in fact, these are slightly more decorated oxfords. Their distinctive feature is the cut-off toe, decorated with patterned perforations. Almost all brogue models are official. For their production, as a rule, smooth brown or black leather is used. However, there may also be two-color models - for example, combining White color with brown or the same white with burgundy. It looks very, very specific. By the way, the holes found on many brogues are through, and therefore you should not be afraid of them.

Derby- a type of shoe with open lacing. Perhaps the most common in our (and not only) country. Available with polyurethane or leather soles. With or without perforation. Popular colors are black, burgundy, brown. The most formal are the black non-perforated derbies with leather soles. If funds allow, it is better to buy two pairs of such shoes at once - brown and black.

Monkey– shoes without lacing, but with buckles. The shoes are informal, but you can wear them, for example, in the office without any problems. The sole, like derby shoes, can be polyurethane or leather; main colors are brown and black. Due to the absence of laces, monks are recognized as the most practical and comfortable type of men's shoes.

Upper material

Currently, men's shoes are made from both genuine leather and its artificial substitutes. Leatherette itself is a fairly cheap and practical material, however, it looks very poor, and it does not allow your feet to breathe properly. Therefore, if you are not very limited in funds, it would be better to purchase shoes made of real leather.

How shoe leather differs by origin:

• Pigskin - you won't find it cheaper. Short-lived, soft, gets wet through and through. In general, not the best option.
• Cowhide leather is a little more expensive. Strong, durable, tough, does not get wet. However, shoes made from it have one serious drawback - quickly forming creases and folds at the folds. You can prevent such a nuisance with the help of special pads (they cost around 1,500 rubles).
• Cow leather is even softer and even more expensive. Can easily last several years. They feel good in rainy weather.
• Calfskin - used for sewing expensive shoe models. Very strong, soft, durable. No creases are scary with it. Considering the price-quality ratio, this is an ideal option.
• Exotic skins (snake, crocodile, etc.) are terribly expensive (from $1,000 for one pair of shoes). But the most durable, the most durable and very stylish.

How shoe leather differs by tanning:

• Sanded leather is short-lived and very cheap. It's not wise to buy it.
• Velor is a velvety type of polished leather. Impractical and again short-lived. We pass by again.
• Smooth leather is inexpensive, comfortable, practical, and easy to care for. It is perhaps the best and most versatile option.
• Patent leather is by far the most beautiful. However, it is neither practical nor durable. Requires ongoing care. Shoes made from such leather are not worn in either hot or cold weather (the optimal temperature is from minus 10 to plus 25). If you buy it, then only for the collection and as a third (fourth, fifth...) pair.
• Suede is specially tanned leather. Comfortable, soft, perfectly breathable. If you learn how to care for it, you can wear it for several seasons without any problems. What can we say, the shoes are beautiful, but they are definitely not suitable for “official” wear.

Outsole material

As we noted above, the soles of men's shoes can be polyurethane or leather. And if the first is considered more practical, then the leather sole makes the shoes truly noble and official. Shoes with leather soles are in no way suitable for walking through muddy puddles and gravelly roads. Rather, they can be called office ones. They are expensive, and also require so-called prevention and special care.

Types of attachment of the sole to the upper part of the boot

In total, it is customary to distinguish between four types of fastening: using threads, using glue, combined (glue + threads) and vulcanization. The last two are the most reliable; fastening with threads alone cannot be inherently highly durable, and fastening with glue is even worse, especially if it is of poor quality (shoes can fall apart in just a couple of days).

Insoles

Insoles can be removable or non-removable. Of course, the first ones are more practical, since as they wear out you can always replace them yourself. In addition, when drying shoes, the removable insoles can be taken out and dried separately, which is very convenient and efficient.

The most best insoles– these are those that allow the legs to breathe, i.e. made of leather or other natural materials. If you are lucky enough to come across insoles with silver threads, know that they also have an antibacterial effect.

The most important aspects when choosing shoes

• Size. Choose shoes that fit true to size. They should neither press nor dangle. If you feel that the size of your shoes is just a little larger than required, you can put additional insoles in them - this should help. It is also important to remember that shoes of the wrong size for you can deteriorate very quickly: on the one that is larger, multiple creases and folds will certainly begin to appear, and on the smaller one, minimum terms will simply lose its shape. But there are also such unpleasant consequences as calluses and flat feet.
• Convenience. If your shoes feel too tight when you try them on, it’s better not to buy them in the expectation that over time they will wear out. In any case, walk around the store in them. If they seem uncomfortable, refuse the purchase and choose a more comfortable model.
• Quality of leather, soles, seams. High-quality shoes should not have scuffs, scratches, or traces of glue. The seams on both shoes should be neat and even, and they themselves should be exactly the same in color and quality.

Brands and prices

Cost up to 1,500 rubles, or lower price segment

Such shoes are usually sold in passages, markets, sales (for example, in a chain of stores CenterShoes). They are not of high quality, however, they can last even several years. Materials: polyurethane, leatherette, low quality pork or bovine leather. As a rule, they paint, squeak, get wet and crack.

Cost from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles, or price segment below average

Both “market” shoes and shoes from stores fall into this category. Popular brands – CenterObuv, Unichel, CITY Obuv, Westfalika. The comfort and design of such shoes may suffer for the sake of good quality, or vice versa. However, at sales for that kind of money you can find quite nice ones. Salamander, Ralf Ringer and even Ecco.

Cost from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles, or average price segment

This segment includes models from Ralph Ringer(domestic production, but good quality), Rieker(Swiss company, production usually Chinese), Salamander(German company, made in Russia). At seasonal sales for this price you can snatch quite comfortable and durable shoes from Geox(Italy), Ecco(Denmark, made in Slovenia) and Rockport(USA).

Separately, we note the shoes offered by stores specializing in the sale of clothing: ZARA, Henderson, etc. It has a nice design, costs between 4-5 thousand rubles, but is noticeably inferior in quality to shoes from the same Ralf Ringer, Salamander and Ecco.

Cost from 5,000 to 8,000 rubles, or price segment above average

It's usually a great combination of comfort, quality and design. Here you can find models from Lloyd(Germany), Ecco, Salamander, Rockport, Geox, on sales - Barker And Loake(both are England). There are many so-called werewolf shoe brands in this segment, which position themselves as German, English and Italian, but in fact are Russian-Chinese. Vivid examples of this - TJ Collection, Paolo Conte, Carnaby, Thomas Munz, Carlo Pazolini, Chester.

Cost from 8,000 rubles, or the upper price segment (as well as the premium class segment)

Here we highlight several English and Italian companies. Among the English - the already mentioned Loake And Barke r. Their shoes are mostly of classic design, made only from high-quality materials and with significant use manual labor. They are definitely worth their money (from 8 thousand rubles).

Baldinini And Fabi- Italian middling companies, but in Russia for some reason they are positioned as premium companies. Prices range from 14-15 thousand, during sales they drop to about 8-10. Baldinini shoes today are made in China, hence their “lame” quality. Among the undoubted advantages are an attractive design and an extremely comfortable last. As for Fabi, they sew only in their homeland. The quality of the shoes is generally better, and the design is quite interesting. But there are a lot of complaints about the block.

Cost from $1,000, or luxury segment

Luxury shoes of wonderful design and highest quality produced by several world-famous “Italians” - Prada, Gucci, Tod's.

But special attention in this segment we are awarded to an English company John Lobb, which sews perhaps the highest quality shoes in the world. There is a legend that when good care John Lobb shoes can serve their owner for 100 years (read: a lifetime). By the way, John Lobb is one of the few companies that sews shoes to individual orders: leather, color, design are selected specifically for the customer, and a last is created. Prices for ready-made shoes from these Englishmen start at $1,500.