My shoooooooes!
August 10, 2009 8:41 PM Subscribe
My expensive ($140!) flats are falling apart after just a few months of wear, and I love them. It is incredibly hard to find flats (my default summer/autumn/spring shoe) that do not give me stabby tendonitis pains in my arches. It is even harder to find cute, plain, black flats that go with everything in my closet. I'd hate to lose them. Can they be saved?
I have been sadly negligent in getting them to a cobbler, since I've been very tight on time lately. There are actually three different points of damage, each of varying levels of severity:
1. Unclear picture of the first here. Basically, the rubber coating on the bottom of the shoe has worn away, creating a hole between the heel and the sole. The hole is larger than the picture makes it appear. It runs across the whole heel-to-sole interface region, though it's not very wide. This type of hole is on both shoes.
2. The black outer layer (some kind of faux-leather) is peeling away from the toe a little. I imagine this can be fixed easily with glue.
3. A third, unphotographable (at least, with my shitty webcam) kind of damage, present only on the left shoe: It has kind of "cracked" in the middle, such that the rubber sole has worn away on the bottom, and the foam innards have been revealed, weakening the structural integrity of the shoe (I imagine that if this isn't fixed, the shoe will eventually break in half.)
1 and 3 are the most serious. Can they be fixed? I'm still quite tight on time, and will be for the next few months, so I don't want to buy a second pair of temporary shoes, and go to a cobbler, if my flats are a lost cause. But without immediate intervention, I think they're pretty much gonna fall apart. If these problems can be repaired, does anyone know a good cobbler in downtown Toronto where I can take them?
I have been sadly negligent in getting them to a cobbler, since I've been very tight on time lately. There are actually three different points of damage, each of varying levels of severity:
1. Unclear picture of the first here. Basically, the rubber coating on the bottom of the shoe has worn away, creating a hole between the heel and the sole. The hole is larger than the picture makes it appear. It runs across the whole heel-to-sole interface region, though it's not very wide. This type of hole is on both shoes.
2. The black outer layer (some kind of faux-leather) is peeling away from the toe a little. I imagine this can be fixed easily with glue.
3. A third, unphotographable (at least, with my shitty webcam) kind of damage, present only on the left shoe: It has kind of "cracked" in the middle, such that the rubber sole has worn away on the bottom, and the foam innards have been revealed, weakening the structural integrity of the shoe (I imagine that if this isn't fixed, the shoe will eventually break in half.)
1 and 3 are the most serious. Can they be fixed? I'm still quite tight on time, and will be for the next few months, so I don't want to buy a second pair of temporary shoes, and go to a cobbler, if my flats are a lost cause. But without immediate intervention, I think they're pretty much gonna fall apart. If these problems can be repaired, does anyone know a good cobbler in downtown Toronto where I can take them?
I think it depends on the skill of the cobbler. A cheap five minute keys and shoes joint probably will tell you they can't be fixed, but someone who knows what they're doing might have a crack.
Also, what are consumer protection laws like in Canada? Where I live, shoes that fall apart with only a few months' wear would be covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act or the Sale of Goods Act as not fit for purpose, and you could insist on a refund or replacement.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 8:52 PM on August 10, 2009
Also, what are consumer protection laws like in Canada? Where I live, shoes that fall apart with only a few months' wear would be covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act or the Sale of Goods Act as not fit for purpose, and you could insist on a refund or replacement.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 8:52 PM on August 10, 2009
The fact is that you're a scuffer. So am I! Everyone doesn't wear down shoes like that, which is why I treat thin-soled flats as disposable products and buy them at payless. Shoe pricing works on a trajectory - from disposable to high quality... but the "high quality" price point is still much less than what you paid. You paid for a brand, and if you treat Fancy Special Occasion Shoes like everyday scuffing around town shoes, you're going to be disappointed.
posted by moxiedoll at 8:57 PM on August 10, 2009
posted by moxiedoll at 8:57 PM on August 10, 2009
I think it depends on the skill of the cobbler. A cheap five minute keys and shoes joint probably will tell you they can't be fixed, but someone who knows what they're doing might have a crack.
I have an astonishing shoe repair guy who specializes in fixing rubber soles (and affixing new rubber soles to boots and shoes) and I am certain he would tell me that those were unfixable.
Where I live, shoes that fall apart with only a few months' wear would be covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act or the Sale of Goods Act as not fit for purpose
"A few months' wear" is pretty much a win for women's dress shoes. Especially if the shoes were worn every day, or almost every day. Women's dress shoes are made much more flimsily than men's shoes.
In general, two pairs of shoes that you rotate wearing will last you more than twice as long as one pair of shoes, because that gives the shoes a chance to dry out in between wearing. Something to think about in future.
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:06 PM on August 10, 2009
I have an astonishing shoe repair guy who specializes in fixing rubber soles (and affixing new rubber soles to boots and shoes) and I am certain he would tell me that those were unfixable.
Where I live, shoes that fall apart with only a few months' wear would be covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act or the Sale of Goods Act as not fit for purpose
"A few months' wear" is pretty much a win for women's dress shoes. Especially if the shoes were worn every day, or almost every day. Women's dress shoes are made much more flimsily than men's shoes.
In general, two pairs of shoes that you rotate wearing will last you more than twice as long as one pair of shoes, because that gives the shoes a chance to dry out in between wearing. Something to think about in future.
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:06 PM on August 10, 2009
You paid $140 for shoes that aren't real leather? Sorry, you got hosed.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:09 PM on August 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:09 PM on August 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
You paid $140 for shoes that aren't real leather? Sorry, you got hosed.
The poster may be a vegan. Natalie Portman doesn't wear leather shoes, either.
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:13 PM on August 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
The poster may be a vegan. Natalie Portman doesn't wear leather shoes, either.
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:13 PM on August 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: ThePinkSuperhero: Yes, I prefer not to wear leather. Also, as I explained, cheap flats make me feel like I'm stepping on needles, and they tend to be ugly/gaudy. I didn't realize flats (especially expensive, designer ones) were so delicate - especially since cheaper pairs, worn daily, have stayed with me for far longer than 3-4 months.
Based on the responses so far, it's looking like I should get around to learning how to walk in heels, and buy a sturdy pair or two, rather than relying on flats for my everyday shoes (I wear a lot of skirts and dresses, things you can't really pair with sneakers.) Would those hold up better to everyday use?
posted by mellifluous at 9:19 PM on August 10, 2009
Based on the responses so far, it's looking like I should get around to learning how to walk in heels, and buy a sturdy pair or two, rather than relying on flats for my everyday shoes (I wear a lot of skirts and dresses, things you can't really pair with sneakers.) Would those hold up better to everyday use?
posted by mellifluous at 9:19 PM on August 10, 2009
Can you take them back? If they're a brand with its own storefront, you can probably return them and get a new pair. I had Sketchers boots and within a month, one had ripped open in two places along what should have been very light surface scuffs. I wore my nicest shoes to bring them back and politely explained that I'm not a scuffer, look at these ones I'm wearing, I think it's the boot! And the store took them back with only a little bit of attitude. In retrospect, I really do think it was a weird thin leather used to make just that one boot, because its mate, and the replacement pair, were totally scuff-free. Worth a try, maybe.
If you need to get replacements, Target has very sturdy black ballet flats (I have the Octavias) right now for under $15. I find them a little hard so I wear them with $1 heel cushions, and they're great. They feel incredibly sturdy and like they'll never stain, scuff, or tear.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:19 PM on August 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
If you need to get replacements, Target has very sturdy black ballet flats (I have the Octavias) right now for under $15. I find them a little hard so I wear them with $1 heel cushions, and they're great. They feel incredibly sturdy and like they'll never stain, scuff, or tear.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:19 PM on August 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
Oh, sorry, I missed that you were Canadian. Didn't mean to taunt you with Target. As for Toronto cobblers, I had good results getting my cowboy boots re-heeled at the cobbler in Eglinton subway station- that's a fairly annoying process as the heels were very worn down, and I tought the guy did a great job.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:22 PM on August 10, 2009
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:22 PM on August 10, 2009
A suggestion from another girl who dislikes heels- get yourself some low wedges. A half-inch to a one-inch wedge will make the shoe much sturdier, you won't teeter at all, and the shoes look basically just like flats.
posted by showbiz_liz at 10:10 PM on August 10, 2009
posted by showbiz_liz at 10:10 PM on August 10, 2009
Nothing lost in communicating with the people from whom you purchased the shoes (or the shoe company), relating your frustration, experiences getting longer life out of much-cheaper shoes.
I had that experience with a pair of Nikes, the store didn't want to do anything. I mailed them to Nike with a note saying I was shocked by how quickly the stuff between the sole and my foot had come apart, made the shoes useless--and except for that problem, the shoes were in great shape, clearly lightly used so my contention held water.
Nike very promptly sent me a new pair of superb shoes that lasted a long time.
posted by ambient2 at 10:47 PM on August 10, 2009
I had that experience with a pair of Nikes, the store didn't want to do anything. I mailed them to Nike with a note saying I was shocked by how quickly the stuff between the sole and my foot had come apart, made the shoes useless--and except for that problem, the shoes were in great shape, clearly lightly used so my contention held water.
Nike very promptly sent me a new pair of superb shoes that lasted a long time.
posted by ambient2 at 10:47 PM on August 10, 2009
If you bought thin-soled flats and wore them every day then I think that would be normal wear and tear.
If finding shoes is such a big issue, then you have only two options:
1/ Buy cheaper shoes and treat them as disposable.
2/ Buy more expensive shoes and take them to an experienced cobbler regularly for preventative wear maintenance.
I think it is far too late for these shoes, though.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:18 AM on August 11, 2009
If finding shoes is such a big issue, then you have only two options:
1/ Buy cheaper shoes and treat them as disposable.
2/ Buy more expensive shoes and take them to an experienced cobbler regularly for preventative wear maintenance.
I think it is far too late for these shoes, though.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:18 AM on August 11, 2009
"A few months' wear" is pretty much a win for women's dress shoes. Especially if the shoes were worn every day, or almost every day. Women's dress shoes are made much more flimsily than men's shoes.
Just a general piece of advice for OP: I've started wearing my dress shoes only in situations where necessary (at work, or say, at a party), and any time I'm doing heavy walking I switch into sneakers. My flats, which aren't really made to take real walking, it seems, last much longer and I get fewer blisters. It's a pain in the short term--carrying extra shoes/socks--but my feet and my wallet thank me.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 5:05 AM on August 11, 2009
Just a general piece of advice for OP: I've started wearing my dress shoes only in situations where necessary (at work, or say, at a party), and any time I'm doing heavy walking I switch into sneakers. My flats, which aren't really made to take real walking, it seems, last much longer and I get fewer blisters. It's a pain in the short term--carrying extra shoes/socks--but my feet and my wallet thank me.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 5:05 AM on August 11, 2009
I've done well buying some midium cost shoes and good insoles. Don't get the kind of insoles that are bouncy/squishy, get the kind that are rigid. I can't remember the brand that I bought and loved, but they were 3/4 shoe length and about $10. I'll try and find them and let you know what they are.
The other thing is if you have high arches, you just need to figure out what good brands of shoes are better for your feet. I don't know what your style is, but I wear dansko clogs 3 out of 4 days a year, and the arches in those are fantastic. I also have done well with chaco flipflops and sandals.
I used to wear teva flips, the squishy kind, and while the arches were the right shape, I found that the softness of them was allowing the arch of my foot to...press down? compress?... or something when I was walking, which inevitably caused the stabbing arch pain you describe.
I would contact the manufacturer of the shoe company, like others mentioned. I would expect wear like in your photo from a payless shoe after 4 months time, not from something I bought at Nordstrom.
posted by 8dot3 at 6:42 AM on August 11, 2009
The other thing is if you have high arches, you just need to figure out what good brands of shoes are better for your feet. I don't know what your style is, but I wear dansko clogs 3 out of 4 days a year, and the arches in those are fantastic. I also have done well with chaco flipflops and sandals.
I used to wear teva flips, the squishy kind, and while the arches were the right shape, I found that the softness of them was allowing the arch of my foot to...press down? compress?... or something when I was walking, which inevitably caused the stabbing arch pain you describe.
I would contact the manufacturer of the shoe company, like others mentioned. I would expect wear like in your photo from a payless shoe after 4 months time, not from something I bought at Nordstrom.
posted by 8dot3 at 6:42 AM on August 11, 2009
I didn't realize flats (especially expensive, designer ones) were so delicate - especially since cheaper pairs, worn daily, have stayed with me for far longer than 3-4 months.
Cheap vinyl or polyurethane shoes last longer than fine-quality artificial leather shoes. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but it's the case--making the faux-leather thin enough to be flexible as real leather isn't conducive to durability.
I agree with everyone who says you should send the shoes to the manufacturer and complain, because you've got nothing to lose except a bit of postage and potentially could get a refund or replacement.
But in future, rotating your shoes is going to help you get a lot more wear out of them.
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:22 AM on August 11, 2009
Cheap vinyl or polyurethane shoes last longer than fine-quality artificial leather shoes. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but it's the case--making the faux-leather thin enough to be flexible as real leather isn't conducive to durability.
I agree with everyone who says you should send the shoes to the manufacturer and complain, because you've got nothing to lose except a bit of postage and potentially could get a refund or replacement.
But in future, rotating your shoes is going to help you get a lot more wear out of them.
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:22 AM on August 11, 2009
Consider trying good arch supports in your shoes. It will make cheaper flats more comfortable and cushioned.
Also it doesn't matter what you paid for them, those are some cheaply made shoes. You got three unique failure points. The first is likely from dragging your feet, but the other two are really unacceptable.
posted by 26.2 at 3:44 PM on August 11, 2009
Also it doesn't matter what you paid for them, those are some cheaply made shoes. You got three unique failure points. The first is likely from dragging your feet, but the other two are really unacceptable.
posted by 26.2 at 3:44 PM on August 11, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by kimdog at 8:51 PM on August 10, 2009