My current el-cheapo shoes are falling apart. I’m thinking of getting some decent shoes this time, ones that won’t only last a few months.
The problem is, I’ve heard that many high-end brands of shoes are made in terrible conditions in poor countries. Can anyone recommend a good brand of shoes that will last a while and that weren’t made in such bad conditions?
I’d prefer if they also weren’t expensive, but if I know the shoes will last a while, I don’t mind spending more money than I usually do on shoes.
ETA: I’m looking for sort of a running-shoe type of shoe, one I can do a lot of walking in.
Munro is one of the last remaining American shoe manufacturers. All of their shoes are manufactured in Arkansas. They are comfortable, and they last. Their line includes some shoes that are specifically designed for doing a lot of walking. They are expensive, but I think they’re worth it.
About 90% of my shoes are from Munro, and I own well over 30 pairs. I’ve also met the owners (not in a personal relationship; at regular store appearances to promote their shoes), and they seem very thoughful and knowledgable.
Since you’re female, my suggestion probably doesn’t apply*, but I think you need to clarify this. Are you looking for a running shoe because you want a comfortable shoe, or are you looking for a running shoe because you plan to do some running as well?
*The reason I ask is because before I saw your username I was going to mention that the most comfortable pair of shoes I’ve ever owned is the motorcycle boots I have on right now, so you might want to look in a different direction…but I’m guessing you’re not interested on wearing them. People ask me why I wear them all the time, but not only are they comfortable (once the leather broke in), but I stopped rolling my ankles all the damn time).
My best friend (a female) also swears by her motorcycle boots. Says they’re the most comfortable shoes she’s ever owned. She got hers from Harley, but if you want them made in the USA (or any other particular country (I know EmilyG is in Canada) do a google search for motorcycle boots made in (whatever country you want).
Just for reference, this friend used to do a job that had her on her feet and walking around for eight plus hours a day.
JoeyP, I don’t actually plan to run, just do a lot of walking.
Good suggestions so far, but yes, as **Missy2U **pointed out, I am indeed in Canada. Though if I could get US-made shoes in Canada, that’d be nice. I should look around at the local shoe stores.
I buy most of my shoes from SASnowadays, all of which are made in Texas. They do have some walking shoes, but I’ve always purchased shoes to wear at the office. They’re pricey, but they last forever. After five years when they’re too scuffed up for the office, I get another five years out of them as casual shoes around the house.
If you use Munro’s find a retailer page, they include stores in Canada. Just put in the name of your city, and it will tell you which stores stock Munros.
Perfect for the Montreal winter and they are made in Montreal by Montrealers and the shoes are in fact quite good and I believe they are fluently bilingual.
I like Hotter Shoes. They are expensive (but probably not that expensive compared to haute coture shoes) but made in the UK. They’re both stylish and comfy. And they make wide shoes!
Buy a good, high-quality (good brand), solid pair of used shoes- they’ll be cheaper, better for the environment (it’s like recycling, but even better!), and you won’t be giving money to the big companies who use near-slave labor. If you can get past the ick factor for wearing used shoes.
Not seeing how this helps. If the shoe * was * made by one of the companies that use near-slave labor, then you’re enabling the previous owner (by dint of paying them money) to go buy more from them. Or, at the very least, you’re forcing someone who would otherwise have bought the used shoe to go buy a new one.
While if the shoe is made by one of the companies that doesn’t, then you’re not directly rewarding them for their enlightened social policies, which may result in them changing those policies or going out of business.
I strongly second this recommendation. I’ve owned two pairs of this shoe, one black and one brown, for the past four years. As long as I polish them regularly, they still look like they’re brand new. They are also very stylish and very comfortable. They cost about $150 per pair, but in the long run that’s much better than a $60 pair that will wear out after a year or two. Reliable sources tell me that the women’s shoes from SAS are just as good as the men’s.
I love American-made boots and shoes from Frye. My pairs from them have lasted years with no repairs needed, though I do care for them obsessively (always treating them with neatsfoot oil). They are extraordinarily comfortable after breaking them in, made of high quality leather (good for my sweaty feet), with durable soles, and I find them much more attractive than similar brands.
They are also very expensive new (not that getting 10 years of regular wear with no end in sight from my favorite pair of boots doesn’t mitigate that). But I have bought all but one of my pairs used, at thrift stores or on ebay. Used is actually better because you don’t have to break them in.
I guess opinions vary but most of the Harley Davidson brand boots I have seen were godawful pieces of third world manufactured crap. Seriously they were Walmart bargain isle quality. They were so bad it was embarrassing.
Truly. If you want decent engineer boots, try Red Wing or Chippewa. Chippewa’s engineer boots (which is what most people mean when they say “motorcyle boots”) are made in the USA. Red Wing makes good boots, but a lot of their shoes are made in China.
If you really want to go nuts with engineer boots, or highway-patrol-style motorcycle boots, these people will oblige with custom-made boots. But the prices are outrageous.
I’m a fan of Toms. They donate a pair for every pair that’s purchased from them. Plus the shoes are relatively well made (mine are fine after nearly a year of daily wear). They make vegan shoes if that’s a concern of yours. The only downside is it seems like everyone else wears Toms too.
