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.
Mom Discovers Message from Her Deceased Son After Visiting His Grave
Nancy loved her son Henry more than anything in the world. She couldn’t imagine life without him. It had been 23 years since a tragic accident had taken Henry’s life, but Nancy kept a special tradition alive every year to remember him. On the anniversary of his death, she always baked his favorite pie and took it to his grave.
For 23 years, Nancy, now 61, had never missed a single year. She baked the same pie every time—a simple but delicious apple and cinnamon pie, Henry’s favorite since he was little.
The smell of apples and cinnamon always reminded her of the old days, when Henry would rush into the kitchen with excitement whenever he saw her baking his favorite treat.
It had become their special tradition, one that Nancy kept close to her heart after Henry’s tragic death at 17. The pie was her way of keeping his memory alive. It gave her a small sense of closeness to him, as if she were still doing something special for her boy.
Even though many years had passed, the pain of losing Henry never really went away. But this tradition helped soften the sadness, giving her a little comfort each year.
On this day, like every other year, Nancy carefully carried the pie to Henry’s grave. The dish always felt heavy when she walked toward his resting place. His grave was neat and covered with flowers, a symbol of the love he had left behind.
She knelt by the gravestone, placed the pie gently on top, and spoke quietly. “Henry, I hope you’re at peace. I miss you every day. I baked your favorite pie again. Do you remember how we used to bake it together?” she said, smiling but with tears in her eyes. “I wish we could do that again.”
After a few moments, Nancy kissed her fingers and touched the gravestone softly before saying goodbye and walking away, knowing she would be back next year.
The next day, Nancy went back to Henry’s grave to clean up the leftover pie. Usually, the pie would either be untouched or spoiled by the weather. It was always a bittersweet reminder of Henry’s absence.
But when she got to the grave, something felt different. To her surprise, the plate was empty. Nancy’s heart skipped a beat, and she stood frozen in disbelief.
Then she noticed something else—a small piece of paper on the plate, folded in half.
Her hands shook as she picked it up and opened it. The handwriting was shaky, as if written by someone who struggled to write. The note simply said, “Thank you.”
Nancy’s heart raced with confusion and anger. “Who would take Henry’s pie?” she whispered to herself. She felt upset—this was a tradition just for her son. No one had the right to touch it.
Nancy felt a mix of emotions—outraged and confused. She couldn’t let someone disrespect her ritual. She decided to find out who had taken the pie.
That night, Nancy baked another pie, just like before, using Henry’s favorite apple and cinnamon recipe. The next morning, she returned to Henry’s grave, determined to catch whoever had taken the pie.
She hid behind a nearby tree and waited, watching the grave as time slowly passed.
Finally, after an hour, she saw a small figure approach. It was a young boy, no older than 9, dressed in ragged clothes and with dirt on his face. He walked slowly toward the pie.
Nancy watched carefully. The boy didn’t immediately take the pie. Instead, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a small piece of paper, and began writing something with a pencil, his hand trembling.
It took him a while, but eventually, the boy wrote “Thank you” on the paper, just like the note she had found the day before.
Nancy’s anger melted away. This boy wasn’t stealing; he was just hungry. Her son’s favorite pie had brought him comfort.
When the boy went to pick up the pie, Nancy stepped out from her hiding place, startling him. He dropped the pie, and his face turned pale with fear.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to!” he cried. “I was just so hungry, and the pie was so good. Please don’t be mad.”
Nancy’s heart softened. She knelt beside him and said gently, “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m not mad. Where are your parents?”
The boy stayed quiet and shook his head. “What’s your name?” Nancy asked.
“Jimmy,” he whispered, looking down.
Nancy smiled softly and said, “Well, Jimmy, it’s okay. You don’t have to steal. If you’re hungry, you can just ask.”
Jimmy looked up, his eyes filled with hope and doubt. “Really?” he asked.
“Yes, really,” Nancy replied, her heart warmed by the thought. “You don’t have to be afraid.”
She offered him her hand, and slowly, Jimmy took it.
Nancy led him home, and when they got there, she baked a fresh pie for him. As the warm smell filled the kitchen, Jimmy watched in amazement, unable to believe what was happening.
When the pie was ready, Nancy placed it in front of him. “This one’s all for you,” she said.
Jimmy hesitated for a moment before grabbing a slice. His face lit up with happiness as he tasted it. “This is the best pie I’ve ever had,” he said.
Nancy watched him eat, her heart filled with emotion. As he enjoyed the pie, she thought of Henry, remembering how he used to eagerly wait for his first bite.
In a way, she was sharing her love for Henry with this boy, who needed comfort just as much.
As Jimmy finished the last bite, Nancy felt a deep sense of peace. Perhaps, she thought, this was how things were meant to be. Helping Jimmy had brought her a new purpose, a way to honor Henry’s memory by showing kindness to someone in need.
For the first time in years, Nancy felt her grief had led her to something beautiful—something that gave her life new meaning.
She smiled as Jimmy finished the last slice of pie, her heart full of warmth.
As Jimmy wiped his mouth and smiled, Nancy watched him with a quiet sense of peace. The sadness that had clung to her for so long seemed to lift, replaced by a warm feeling she hadn’t known in years. She had given him something small but meaningful, and in return, it had filled the empty space in her heart.
Jimmy looked up at her, his eyes shining with gratitude. “Thank you, Miss Nancy. I… I haven’t eaten like that in a long time.”
Nancy’s heart ached for him. She had been blessed to have the chance to care for Henry, and now, in a way, she was given the chance to care for Jimmy too. She took a deep breath and spoke softly, “You don’t have to thank me, Jimmy. You’re welcome here anytime. If you’re ever hungry, or if you need a place to stay, you come back, okay?”
Jimmy’s eyes filled with tears as he nodded, his small voice cracking with emotion. “I will. I promise.”
As the evening sun began to set, Nancy sat with him for a while, her heart full. For the first time since Henry passed, she felt a sense of hope and connection. Maybe this was the reason why she had kept the tradition alive for so many years—so she could share this love and warmth with someone who needed it most.
Jimmy stood up, his small frame looking a bit taller and stronger now. “I should go, but thank you. I’ll come back soon.”
Nancy watched as he walked down the path, a small smile on his face. Her kitchen, once filled with loneliness and grief, was now quiet but comforting. She glanced at the pie tin, empty except for a few crumbs, and it hit her: In that moment, the pie had been more than just a tradition. It had been an act of kindness that bridged the gap between loss and love.
As she closed the door, Nancy whispered to herself, “Maybe this is what Henry would have wanted. Maybe he sent Jimmy to me, so I could share his favorite pie, and in doing so, share the love that never faded.”
And with that thought, Nancy felt at peace, knowing that her son’s memory would live on—not just in the pie, but in the kindness she passed on to those who needed it most.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a soft golden light across the quiet home, as Nancy smiled softly and sat down, ready for whatever tomorrow would bring.
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