# The retail shoe industry sucks! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 19, 2014, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851 "2014-10-19T21:14:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/1 "2014-10-19T21:14:11Z")
Inspired by this thread:[Cowboy Boots!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735101) I decoded that a nice pair of Luccese boots was just what I needed. I have a few extra bucks and an upgrade sounded pretty good. All four of the local western wear stores have decided two things: 1. If you need wide width (EE) you need to be satisfied with a few pairs of the lower end of the scale. 2. If you wear a size 8 shoe, you are also limited to a few pairs at the lower end. 3. If both of these apply, in a metro area of almost a million people with four stores selling western boots. You have a choice of two choices, neither of which win any style points. Both offerings were made in China with leather uppers and man made materials for the rest. Exploring the Luccese web site shows me that they do not keep shoes in my size in stock either. I guess I better take real good care of my two pairs of Frye boots. It appears that the shoe industry is no longer interested in my business. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/2 "2014-10-19T21:27:31Z")
Size 8 EE? Are you a cowboy, or a horse? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/3 "2014-10-19T22:03:14Z")
I’m a size 8.5 EE. We do exist. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/4 "2014-10-19T22:34:11Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I’m a size 8.5 EE. We do exist. This means you can’t find shoes either… ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/5 "2014-10-19T22:38:48Z")
It’s really, really difficult, yes. I don’t even bother trying to find formal shoes. I can go to the men’s department for things like athletic shoes and winter boots because men’s shoes are more often available in wide widths. My sandals are Birkenstocks, which do make sandals wide enough for my feet. For work I have a fantastic pair of Nike walking shoes. I was fitted for them at a small and very old-fashioned shoestore in Valparaiso, Indiana. There is another shoe store of that sort in Lansing, Illinois. This also gets to be a problem with things like athletic gear - my ice skates are actually a bit too narrow, even after I subjected them to shoe stretchers, and I also bought my own cross country skis years ago when I was decades younger and my feet “merely” D width. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/6 "2014-10-20T00:09:52Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I’m a size 8.5 EE. We do exist. > [@LH75](#): > > This means you can’t find shoes either… Or it means she found the only 8.5EEs and that’s why you can’t. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/7 "2014-10-20T00:44:08Z")
Just a note: Children’s sizes often end at 6. Men’s sizes begin at 7. This poses a problem for those with 6 1/2 feet. Also selection is modest even at 7. Advice: If you find a pair of shoes that fit, wear them for a couple of months. If they truly are a good fit (as opposed to merely acceptable), order a duplicate at [shoebuy.com](http://shoebuy.com) or another online vendor. Box it, and save yourself some aggravation in a couple of years. Or wear them on alternate days. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/8 "2014-10-20T01:03:47Z")
New Balance makes nice running shoes and cross trainers that fit my short, fat feet. They look a little funny with my more formal attire… ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/9 "2014-10-20T01:37:18Z")
It’s not any better being a man with large feet (13 4E) either. It’s even worse when combined with a supination issue. So even if I find a pair of shoes that actually fit, the design of the shoe (even when using orthopedics) can be a problem and I’ve destroyed a pair of shoes in less than a week before. It’s bad enough with New Balance (they’ve still only got a few options) and practically impossible with dress shoes, steel toes, and so on. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/10 "2014-10-20T02:32:07Z")
Honestly the retail industry in clothing & shoes has to make money. Having obscure sized inventory lying around with the hope that the one person with those odd sizes comes into the shop to buy 1 pair of the odd size out of the 16 lines offered is not really a great way to stay in business. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/11 "2014-10-20T02:43:19Z")
One of the sad things faced by tall guys is that we can’t shop in a shoe store. The largest shoe that most American stores stock is 13, and I’m a 14. We end up buying all of our shoes online, and looking on in envy as our family members go to the shoe store to buy nice shoes. I really miss the days of sitting down in comfort while a kind man set my foot in a [Brannock Device](http://www.brannock.com). ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/12 "2014-10-20T03:20:49Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > Honestly the retail industry in clothing & shoes has to make money. Having obscure sized inventory lying around with the hope that the one person with those odd sizes comes into the shop to buy 1 pair of the odd size out of the 16 lines offered is not really a great way to stay in business. You could be right except that my experience is that clothes retailers can’t even keep the most popular sizes in stock. Consequently I tend to be ready to accept explanations involving incompetence ahead of those involving business planning. ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/13 "2014-10-20T04:09:42Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > One of the sad things faced by tall guys is that we can’t shop in a shoe store. > > The largest shoe that most American stores stock is 13, and I’m a 14. We end up buying all of our shoes online, and looking on in envy as our family members go to the shoe store to buy nice shoes. > > I really miss the days of sitting down in comfort while a kind man set my foot in a [Brannock Device](http://www.brannock.com). I’ll see that and raise you one. I wear a 15wide (EE or EEE). There’s an outlet store near me that sell nothing but Skechers. They’re already a bit forgiving when it comes to width. and I absolutely love the few pair I own. I went into that outlet store… wall to wall, and stacked to the ceiling Skechers… none in my size. “Tsk, sorry” was all the worker could say. I walked two doors down to the _Casual Male XL_ store; and immediately found two pair of sneakers that fit me. Care to guess what brand they are? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/14 "2014-10-20T04:24:22Z")
I used to sell motorcycle parts. Don’t talk to me. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/15 "2014-10-20T04:48:12Z")
Google’s my default when I can’t find things in stores. There are[these 8.5EEs](http://www.amazon.com/1883-Lucchese-Mens-N1115-54-Western/dp/B002SG7XPE) on Amazon when I googled. I assume $700 means they are high end. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/16 "2014-10-20T05:05:12Z")
I have wide feet (it’s mainly just at the ball of the foot and toes) that can make do with medium width if I go up ½ size (so my feet are technically a women’s 7D, but I usually _get_ a 7.5B). A few years ago I happily discovered I could wear girls’ and boys’ shoes in a 5 (rarely a 6). Kids shoes tend to be a bit wider and with a roomier toebox, which is exactly what I need! Obviously I need to stick to women’s sizes for boots or heels, but I have several pairs of sneakers and flats from the kids’ section. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/17 "2014-10-20T08:32:36Z")
> [@GrizzRich](#): > > I walked two doors down to the _Casual Male XL_ store; and immediately found two pair of sneakers that fit me. Care to guess what brand they are? Unless things have changed, though, Casual Male XL is overpriced. I tend to have good luck – except for 13.5EE shoes – in the Big and Tall sections of department stores. Yeah, that shirt still costs more than the short-person version, but not nearly what the dedicated Big and Tall stores seem to charge. One of the best things about my current position is I get to travel to a country where they’ll make clothes for me! Yeah, no denim, no shoes, but it beats hit or miss from Taobao. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/18 "2014-10-20T08:57:55Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > Honestly the retail industry in clothing & shoes has to make money. Having obscure sized inventory lying around with the hope that the one person with those odd sizes comes into the shop to buy 1 pair of the odd size out of the 16 lines offered is not really a great way to stay in business. Funny, 20 and 30 years ago shoe stores seemed to have no problem staying in business while selling those “obscure sizes”. Why was that possible a generation ago but no longer possible now? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/19 "2014-10-20T09:54:41Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Funny, 20 and 30 years ago shoe stores seemed to have no problem staying in business while selling those “obscure sizes”. Why was that possible a generation ago but no longer possible now? For one, there used to be fewer MBAs trying to apply [Just In Time](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_in_time_(business)) strategies. I mean, having shoes just sitting there in inventory, not making money? How inefficient! ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/20 "2014-10-20T10:34:28Z")
Here you go: [http://www.albertaboot.com/](http://www.albertaboot.com/) Plus you can say they are custom made just for you. If I wore boots, I’d probably use them. I don’t buy suits off the rack anymore, either. In Hong Kong I can get suits made, that actually fit, for the same price as I paid off the rack only better quality. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851.md?page=2)