Buying sneakers might seem like a walk in the park, but there’s a lot at stake when you buy a pair of new shoes. When perusing your options for sneakers, note that there are a number of mistakes that you can make that cost you money, time, and even some physical pain.
We’re going to look through a few of the most common mistakes with buying sneakers that people make. Hopefully, some of the ideas below can make your next purchase a little longer-lasting and beneficial to you.
Let’s get started.
- Compromising Size
We’ve all been torn buying a pair of shoes because the store doesn’t have the right size. It’s the perfect look for you, but the shoe is either a size too small or too big.
The wrong shoe size can have lasting impacts on your posture, your back, and your feet in general. Further, a size too small will naturally wear a little faster than a good fit.
That means you’ll have to run back to the store and pick up a new pair sooner than later. If you’ve got the time, it’s wise to go in and have your feet sized. Many of us have never done this.
Getting the accurate dimensions of your foot allows you to be a lot more specific with the fit that you wind up getting.
- Forgetting Foot-Swelling
A little-known fact about feet is that they actually expand or swell throughout the day. This might be a shocker to some of us.
As we work through the day, our feet start to loosen and spread in the later part of the day. Some people have the opposite experience, and their feet are a little bigger when they wake up in the morning than when they go to bed.
Strange as it is, it’s true. Keep this in mind if you find that your shoes fit differently throughout the day. Try on shoes at the point in the day when your feet are expanded.
- All-Purpose Shoes
The reality is that no shoe should serve all of the purposes in your life. Even a shoe as versatile as the New Balance 530 should be swapped out when you’re doing activities that require a specific fit.
Your flat-footed tennis shoes might look great on a night out, but wearing them day-in and day-out can be damaging to your posture. Further, different shoes provide support for impact activities.
Make sure to have distinct shoes for activities that you spend a lot of time doing. If you’re going golfing in your work shoes, you might find that 18 holes put less strain on your body in golf shoes.
- Buying Based on Style Alone
It’s important to like the shoes you’re wearing. Feeling good about the way you look is important, especially when it comes to something that you wear every day.
That said, there are other considerations to make when you’re purchasing shoes. Comfortability, support, and relevance to the activities you’ll be doing are a few other factors to think about.
That isn’t to say that you should avoid buying the most stylish shoe. If you love something on the rack, pick it out and take it home. Just make sure to switch things up here and there to support your feet in the ways that they need.
Maybe those stylish shoes should stay in the closet until a night out. They’ll last longer that way, too.
- Repeating The Same Purchase
Many of us have a consistent look. The shoes tie your look together, and you might have found the perfect fit for yourself. That may very well be true, but it’s important to find out for certain.
If you’re a person who gets the same shoe time and time again, ask yourself a couple of questions. Do your feet get sore after a long day? Does your back hurt and ache consistently? Are there times when you could use a different shoe to meet your needs?
There’s nothing wrong with a routine, but make sure to note when your shoes could be causing you pain.
- Getting “Sold”
Something about shoe salespeople makes it hard to say no. Shoes are all so tempting, and it’s not hard to make a pair seem like the next best thing.
That said, taking the suggestion of a salesperson isn’t always the best thing for you. They might be knowledgeable and have your best interest in mind, but they’ve got to make a living, too.
So, it’s important to have some specifications in mind before you hit the store. Do your research on the kind of support you need, the style you’re looking for, and the price range you need to commit to.
If you keep those things in mind, you’re much less likely to be sold when you get into the store.
- Trusting Reviews Over Experience
“This got great reviews, so it must be good, right?”
Not necessarily. Everyone’s feet are different, so blanket statements about the quality of a shoe can never be accurate. You might have some specific needs that have to be met by a shoe.
If you try a shoe on and it doesn’t feel great right away, don’t ride on the buzz of the reviews and make the purchase. Use your gut, find a shoe that agrees with you in the store, and then make the purchase.
- Rushing Online Purchases
An online purchase is a difficult thing to make when it comes to shoes. It’s hard because you’re not able to try the shoe on for yourself.
That said, you can still make a great shoe purchase over the internet. Just make sure to have a shoe fitting before you try to buy a pair online. Get a clear idea of the needs that you have and the dimensions of your feet and you’ll be able to make a solid purchase.
Are You Making Mistakes With Buying Sneakers?
Mistakes with buying sneakers are common, but more information will help you avoid them the next time you buy shoes. We’re here to help you with comparing sneaker prices, finding sizes for sneakers, and more.
Explore our site for all of the information you need when it comes to shoes.
