Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with shoe

Spira shoes: fact or crap?

middleclasstool — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:06:34 -0800

Spira running shoes: horseshit? I'm looking for personal experiences running with them, particularly running marathon distance, but I'll take any solid data on them. Are they snake oil, or good shoes for running?

Won't you be my neighbor and identify sneakers?

Sprocket — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:44:34 -0800

What brand of sneakers did Mr. Rogers wear? Does anyone know what brand of sneakers Mr. Rogers wore? You know, the ones he changed into thousands of times.

Or even better, do you know where one could buy said sneakers?

Here is a pic of an authentic set.

Which to buy? Original Adidas GSG9 or GSG9 v2?

Void_Ptr — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:49:21 -0800

Adidas GSG9.2 vs original GSG9? Which to buy? Adidas has released an update to the classic GSG9 tactical boot. I have an opportunity to buy either the updated GSG9 or the original. Price is irrelevant.

Which should I get?

Should I Fix My Shoes?

rossination — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:41:51 -0800

What am I doing to my shoes? I have two pairs of Kenneth Cole Reaction loafer-type shoes -- the Key Note and another pair that is very similar in style. I bought them both at about the same time and, while they were wearble, wore them each 1-2 times a week.

Within about 4 months, the bottoms started to wear out a lot on both shoes, in various ways that made both unwearable. Almost all of the rubber came off of the bottom of one the shoe and started to wear through in points, and my little toe started wearing out the side of anoter -- not enough to make a hole, but enough to be noticeable.

I really like both these pairs of shoes -- they look great and I used to get compliments on them all the time. And while I'm sure they're not The Best Shoe You Can Buy, they weren't cheap -- $100 on Zappos. I haven't brought them in to a shoe-repair place yet (I'll go on Monday) but from calling around it looks like it could be about $60 to get them re-soled.

Other information that is probably worth mentioning: I have large (size 14 US), flat feet, and from the way I wear out cheap foamy flip-flops, it seems like I put an uneven amount of weight on my feet; the instep area always wears down first.

So, the question: is it worth it? Should I cut my losses and save up for a different pair of shoes that will last longer?

Recommendations for Seattle shoe-repair shops, shoe care tips, and shoe shopping tips for size 14 men's shoes (I buy my shoes at the Nordstrom Rack downtown and Zappos) are all welcome.

Where do I get shoe goo in downtown Montreal?

PowerCat — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:09:33 -0800

My shoes are broken up and I'd like to repair them. I'm at work in downtown Montreal, near McGill College/Ste-Catherine. McGill Metro. Where can I go within 30 minutes where I could get shoe goo?

Shoe repair recommendations in Portland, OR?

thinman — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:10:45 -0800

Shoe repair recommendations in Portland, OR? The girlfriend's beloved 14-eye Docs need insole repair. Anyone know of a good shop?

New soles for old Birkenstocks: worth it?

lewistate — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:57:55 -0800

Does resoling Birkenstocks really work? If so, what is the best online company that resoles Birkenstock sandals? I love my Birks and they're still in great shape, except for the rubber sole, which is almost worn down to the cork. I'd like to save some money and get them resoled, but I can't find a local store that is an "authorized" Birkenstock repair shop. Have you had experience with a good repair shop that accepts mailed-in sandals? (Ideally, I'd like to find a nice balance of quality, price, and speed.) Most importantly, did your new soles stay attached to the cork footbed?

Am I doomed to buy three pairs of sneakers a year?

goingonit — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:45:58 -0800

What are some durable everyday men's sneakers? I walk a lot and I shuffle my feet. I've been wearing New Balance shoes for awhile (usually I buy the "casual" or "retro" ones like 574s; I know they're not the best but I like the style and find them comfortable), and I find I tend to wear holes in the soles after about 4 months of daily use. What sneakers can I buy that I can wear every day for more than four months?

My feet are overheating!

mouthnoize — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:57:59 -0800

Shoe search is not going well. I am looking for a slip-on shoe for casual work environment that is really well vented - I mean, with something like mesh for the main side panels. Merrell made a great version of their Jungle Moc called the 'vent' - but it seems to be long gone.

Can I have my favorite sneakers repaired? How?

citron — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:16:37 -0800

Should I/how do I repair my favorite Puma sneakers? They're black leather with black suede on the toes, sort of like cap toes, but right where the suede meets the rubber sole they've gotten quite worn. I guess I must scrape them on the sidewalk often, right in that spot. Otherwise they're in good shape, the only decent commuter shoes I have. I could afford it, but I hate to buy a new pair already, it seems like such a waste of resources to just keep buying new shoes. Is there a way I could get them fixed instead? (And if you know a place in the DC area, that'd help too!)

I'm not sneaker-obsessed, but I'd like to learn.

lekvar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:55:13 -0800

To all the sneaker pimps* out there: what can you tell me about sneaker culture? *no, not the band I've seen multiple references online to "sneaker culture," some kind of ultra-obsessive otaku-like group (or groups) of athletic-shoe enthusiasts. I am curious to know more. What are the good websites? Discussion forums? Magazines?

Finding saddle shoes in Vancouver/Toronto

Lemurrhea — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:57:10 -0800

Where should I look in either Vancouver or Toronto for shoes that look something like this that aren't Kensington Market? I have a half-black, half-white suit, but sadly no shoes to go with it. I've considered wearing one black, one white shoe, but everyone knows that's tacky. Live near Vancouver, and I'm in Toronto for the holidays. I've checked out Kensington Market - any other suggestions?

Alternatively, what have peoples' experiences been with online shoe-shopping? Any places to avoid?

Help me find this shoe!

allthewhile — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 16:14:01 -0800

nikeshoefilter: Where can I find this exact style and color of nike shoes? PLEASE help me find it!!! If you got skillzzz show me where! I already have one pair but love them so much, I want a new pair. My wife bought them for me at a nike outlet in Orlando, Florida, and I live in Chicago. I've searched the nike store downtown chicago and the nike outlet outside of chicago all to no avail. If you can find them online I would be your best friend.

p.s.

They are not "air force ones". They are size 9. They have hot pink ski silhouettes on the inside of the shoe. They may be "nike dunk low" but I'm not exactly sure. On the inside of the shoe is the following:

UPC: 00823229594569

313940-001

Help me find my monochromatic Qbert shoe!

suedehead — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 10:14:37 -0800

Help me find this Qbert-esque shoe! I wasn't dreaming, was I? A week ago or so, someone took me to a mall in Jersey (can't remember the name), where I found this great shoe, incredible, and even though I'm normally very picky (read: indecisive) about my shoes/sneakers, I decided to buy it on the spot. It was a Converse slip-on -- not the ones with lacing holes but without shoelaces, but the kind that looks like the Vans slip-ons.

This particular shoe had a pattern that looked incredibly like the Qbert playing field, except it was in monochrome, so with shades of black/white/gray. Unfortunately, the store didn't have my size, so I took the box and jotted down what I thought was the model name: Converse Deck Star Geo Ox. (The 'Ox' may have actually been 'Ax', as I can't tell whether I used a large lowercase A, or an O.)

Now, I can't find it anywhere! I've been to the Converse website, browsed through their slip-on shoes -- no such luck. Google returns no results. I can't go back to the place because 1) I don't remember where it was 2) the friend with access to a car is no longer in the country 3) I don't drive, and I'm in NYC. Have you heard of this shoe? Seen? Thank you hive mind!

When I look at my feet I want to imagine I'm a Pipette

Well that's a lie — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:52:51 -0800

What media to use for customising Converse-style canvas shoes? Fabric paint, arcylic, an oil-based paint, tippex (wite out) or something else? I'm trying to do something like this, but white on black and the spots larger and more widely spaced apart. (Ignore the stripy tongue).

What's the best for coverage (it's going to be white spots on black), durability, water-fastness and stiffness?

Hard Leather Shoes: Why?

amber_dale — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:38:17 -0800

Why are shoes made out of hard, ouchy leather? It is really hard to find shoes, especially women's shoes, made out of leather that is soft or flexible. Why is this?

Background: Nearly every pair of shoes I buy gives me hellacious blisters on the backs of my heels because the upper is made of rigid, inflexible material. Sometimes (more frequently overseas) you can find heels made of materials that are softer (I test by pushing with a thumb on the heel area; if the leather does not bend, it will eat my feet). But in the USA even fancy designer shoes are made of materials that don't conform to the foot. Why?*

- Is leather just crappier now? Some brands of shoes, like Dexter, that formerly used moccasin-soft leather now put out shoes with rigid uppers.

- Is there no market for this kind of shoe in the USA because we drive more?

- Is a shoe with a soft leather upper harder to design? Clearly it couldn't be too soft and have any kind of heel because you wouldn't stay up, but that hardly seems to require the sort of inflexible stuff that most shoes are made of, and heels with relatively soft leather do exist.

* The worst are shoes that look like they have soft leather with an elasticized band and actually have no elastic and a hard, serrated edge. WTF???

Aye, there's the rub.

oflinkey — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 21:11:37 -0800

Shoe issues-- My Earth shoes are ripping my feet apart. I have these shoes. I love them but the backs of the shoe keep biting into my upper heel. The problem appears to be the back edge; specifically not the heel cup but the very back lip. I've worn them 4 times and all 4 times I get a blister on my upper heel. I have tried moleskin to no luck. I would rather not have to rid myself of these shoes as they were a bit pricey and I like the style quite a bit. Any suggestions?

Fix for slipping shoe tounge

MysticMCJ — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:53:15 -0800

Is there any way to keep the tounge of my shoes from slipping to the side? This seems to have perplexed my googling abilities, and nobody I know seems to have an answer. I have two pairs of docs that are functionally the same, just different colors, and the tounge keeps sliding to the right on the right shoe of one pair.

Is there anything I can do to stop this? They are laced in the exact same manner.

Shoes for making men taller

hodyoaten — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 08:29:04 -0800

Is there such a thing as a shoe insert for men that adds an inch or so to one's height, maybe by lifting the ball of the foot up a little bit? Or are there specially designed tennis/casual/etc shoes? I'm not talking about anything as extreme as platform shoes, but rather something more subtle. I think I could benefit from another inch. I have no idea what is available out there.

Looking for tiny plastic toy shoes

leapfrog — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 07:52:18 -0800

Please help me find lots of tiny plastic toy shoes. I am looking for approximately one gross (144) of small plastic toy shoes. They should be brown men's dress shoes (or loafers) and sized to fit Ken or G.I. Joe. Monopoly token sized is also good. If they come in other colors, I can spray paint them brown.
For example: link, except cheaper, non-vintage, off-brand, out of package, not on eBay and all brown. I want to get my hands on them within 10 days.
I've tried google, froogle and a few toy importer/distributors (US Toy, Oriental Trading, Kipp Bros) but no one seems to carry them. The closest I've found are baby shower favors shaped like booties, and those are too big and don't look right. I have faith in you, O Hive Mind.

Help me get rid of the squeak in my shoe

c:\awesome — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 07:24:08 -0800

There is a squeak in my shoe and it won't go away. Help! The heel of my right shoe squeaks nearly every time I step on pavement in my normal walking style. This is not an "air-escaping" type squeak; it's rather a "rubber-rubbing" squeak that is quite annoying. I can't, for the life of me, determine where exactly it is coming from--whether it's a crack in the rubber (nothing visible shows that) or just pieces of the tread rubbing together. The left shoe is completely silent.

I can cause it to stop if I under or over-pronate, but that's uncomfortable and could lead to problems later. Walking on grass, or surfaces softer than concrete also cures the problem temporarily. Any other time it sounds like a pig is following me.

The shoes are Columbia in brand, Prima in style. [Zappos link] - and here's an image I've created detailing the offending area.

I've tried WD40 which--aside from causing me to almost fall on my ass--only fixed the problem temporarily.

Anyone have any ideas as to how I can fix this so I don't have to buy new shoes?

Put a spring in my step!

dmd — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 17:03:56 -0800

I have (a) a bad back (herniated L4-L5) and (b) very flat feet, so with every step I take when walking I feel a huge jolt go up my spine. Without resorting to the ridiculous looking Z-coil shoes, what's the next best thing? I've tried Merrells and Eccos of various types, and find them to be not much better than anything else - they're comfortable on the foot, but I'm specifically looking for *springiness* - when I rock back on my heels, there should be a distinct sensation of bouncing. The best footwear I've worn in years has been the Teva sandals I got recently which have a "Shoc Pad" in the heel, which I think is some sort of encapsulated gel. I'd really like to find something like that, but in something I could wear during the winter...

Goes Together like Shoes and Keys!?

grex — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 14:09:15 -0800

What is the connection between shoe repair and key cutting? It seems like every store that cuts keys also repairs shoes . I assume this is some historical artifact , but I can't for the life of me figure out why this would be .

Shoe shop recommendations for a walking shoe? (L.A. area)

anonymoose — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:58:10 -0800

Help me find somewhere to buy a really great every-day shoe like you helped find me a running shoe shop! Last week, AskMeFi produced some great suggestions for running shoe shops in the Los Angeles area. I went to one, where they had me run back and forth, noticed my severe overpronation/flat feet and gave me 3 pairs to try, then had me run in those, gave me 4 more pairs, had me run in those, then again gave me 4 more pairs, until they told me that I had 2 shoes to choose from that corrected my overpronation just right.

That was awesome. My shoes are fantastic (Mizuno Wave Alchemy 5's, size 14 [1 size larger for when my foot swells over large distances]), and they were only $80. I'd like to repeat this experience for every-day walking/standing shoes, since standing is totally uncomfortable, and I'd also like to get some good court shoes for racquetball.

Where do I find a store that has people that will have me run/walk/whatever and tell me what to do without just trying to take my money?

Alternatively, should I be looking into some sort of crazy insole or orthodic? I used to get custom insoles from a ski shop, but they didn't really help.

Help me find a good running shoe store

anonymoose — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 21:38:29 -0800

Running Shoes: Where should I get them and what should I know? Bonus points for Los Angeles running shoe store suggestions, but general advice appreciated. Alternatively, help educate me on what a comfy shoe (of any type) is supposed to feel like. I'm going to run my first marathon in November, and step one (ha ha) involves getting some good shoes. I'm not a runner. From the book I'm reading, it seems like I have a normally pronating foot, but it would be nice to have a knowledgable person look at my walking and measure my foot and tell me what to get, since I know basically nothing. Where should I go, and what should I know before I get there? (Studio City area, next to Los Angeles)

Regarding the alternative question: As my last 2 shoe purchases have begun with my remarking on how comfortable the shoes are and my feet aching/toes getting pinched/etc the next day, I'm losing faith in my ability to judge whether a shoe is comfortable. I've even had custom footbeds made for me by a ski-boot guy in the area, which feel great until my feet start to ache anyways a few weeks later.