THINGS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN BUYING SHOES FOR MEN AND WOMEN

The ten suggestions that follow will serve as a helpful manual for your next shoe purchase. Aside from proper width and size, other key elements of quality and selection include a proper fit, expert craftsmanship, and the use of premium materials for the outsole, lining, and top. We want you to continue to feel at ease in your shoes for as long as you can.

1. Let’s begin with the most crucial piece of guidance:

It should be the opposite way around—your feet should fit the contour of the shoes. As such, a new shoe should be precisely the right length and breadth for your foot. The most crucial thing to remember is that as you walk, your toes roll through, causing them to shift up to 0.5 cm. For the heels, however, which need to be securely supported, such is not the case. For a shoe to fit ideally, one of the most crucial components is well-supported heels.

2. A lot of individuals purchase shoes that are too small:

Nearly 80% of Germans purchase ill-fitting shoes, according to research done by the German Shoe Institute, a division of the Association of German Shoe Manufacturers, of which we are also members. That is an incredibly high number. Men are more prone to purchase shoes that are too big than women, who typically choose shoes that are too small. This should be avoided.

3. Maintain a high standard of excellence:

When feasible, shoes should be constructed of soft leather and provide your feet enough space in all three dimensions: height, breadth, and length. You may tell a shoe is not suited for you when it begins to irritate. The old clichés “they will wear in” and “they will widen over time” should not be believed. A shoe should fit flawlessly the moment you purchase it, or else you shouldn’t buy it. You owe your feet that!

4. When purchasing shoes, take your time:

Additionally, look inside the shoes for any bulges or stiffened regions, as well as any seams that can be bothersome. To save money, several shoe makers choose not to line their shoes completely—for example, stopping the lining where it is not visible. Seams, bulges, and edges become visible as a consequence. At Guddies, we always line our shoes completely and try to sew together as many huge areas as we can. By doing this, we can prevent needless edges and seams that could lower the degree of comfort while worn. But larger leather components are more expensive, which is why we don’t make cheap shoes—rather, we make high-quality shoes that are well worth the money.

5. Shoes must have flexible soles:

Once the width and size are correct, you should focus on the flexible shoe sole and the suppleness of the leather. To be flexible is to be able to bend. Many confuse the softness of the inside cushioning with the sole’s flexibility. You ought to do the “bending” test as a result. The shoes have exceptional flexibility if you bend them—that is, bend the toe and heel sections toward one another—and the soles form a V.

6. Try to keep them as flat as you can:

One further suggestion we’ve made is to get shoes that are as orthopaedically and anatomically flat as feasible. Because there is no unequal weight distribution at the foot’s arch and metatarsals, the foot can only roll through as naturally as possible in flat shoes. In order to avoid ruining your enjoyment, wear high heels sparingly and only when your feet can tolerate the pressure of the heels due to foot workouts and activity that develop the muscles in your feet. Maintaining a balance between this type of footwear and casual, cozy footwear is crucial.

7. Put on both pairs of shoes:

It is rare for feet to have identical lengths and widths. The larger of the two feet is often the dominant right foot for right-handed individuals. For those who are left-handed, this is the opposite. For this reason, you should never try on one shoe but rather both. Additionally, as people age, their shoes get larger and longer. As a result, shoe sizes might vary as people mature, so when purchasing shoes, be flexible. It makes no difference if a shoe is wider or bigger than the last pair as long as it fits. The sizing of shoes manufactured by various manufacturers varies. What counts is how each foot feels unique to you.

8. The hour of the day matters:

Depending on the time of day, especially on hot summer days when swelling can happen, your feet might fluctuate in size and form. Therefore, it’s better to buy shoes in the evening and jog a little before to allow your feet to get up to “working temperature” and somewhat swell before trying them on.

9. Examine the leather’s finishing:

Whether the shoe is made of leather or a synthetic substance shouldn’t be ignored. Every day, people’s feet sweat around 0.1 cl, or a shot glass, of perspiration. Therefore, the shoe’s ability to breathe and absorb moisture is essential. Natural products like leather have unique material qualities. Nothing other has the same flexibility or ease of absorption and release of moisture as this substance. Here at Guddies, we either completely line 90% of our shoes with genuine leather or use breathable microfibre (this lining is only included in a portion of the canvas Grashopper shoe range). This prevents sweaty feet and creates a healthy foot environment.

10. Determine if you can trust the manufacturer:

Not only is the craftsmanship of the shoe vital, but the materials used by the maker and the conditions in which the raw materials have been processed—that is, the tanning of the leather—as well as the craftsmanship involved in making the shoe are all significant factors. Customers are become more aware of the sustainability and place of origin of the leather they purchase. And with good reason. On the other hand, consumers are finding it more and more challenging to ensure the quality of their leather. These days, imitation leather is getting so sophisticated that only professionals can distinguish it from real leather. With their strong reputation, German brand manufacturers like Guddies ensure excellent quality and compliance with all required social and environmental criteria. For more than 60 years, we have been producing just shoes. Each and every one of our shoes is completed with skill, care, and attention to detail.