# 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:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/21 "2014-10-20T10:49:54Z")
Not as bad as some other folks’ situations, but it’s mine. I wear a 9.5 narrow shoe and have wide, muscular calves. I take \*very \*good care of any boots that I can find that fit, and give my cobbler a Christmas bonus. ---
**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, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/22 "2014-10-20T11:17:38Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > 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! They also didn’t have people coming in, trying out shoes, and then leaving to buy them cheaper online. And yes, a product that isn’t moving or takes years to move is wasted capital. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/23 "2014-10-20T20:05:10Z")
I did some buying for a little while for a small chain of 10 athletic stores. Buying shoes was always a pain. You’d try to load up on the popular sizes and get just a miniscule amount of those outlying sizes. No matter what it would always come back to bite you in the ass. Eventually you’d sell out of all the popular sizes and be stuck with those odd sizes. Even when the shoes eventually become obsolete and get marked down it’s always easier to sell the popular sizes. So we dropped buying the odd sizes. Sure, you’d get the complaints once in a while but it’s just not worth it to carry even (1) unit of that odd size in 15 different styles of sneakers when you’ll only sell (5) of them that year. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/24 "2014-10-20T20:14:54Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > Not as bad as some other folks’ situations, but it’s mine. > > I wear a 9.5 narrow shoe and have wide, muscular calves. > > I take \*very \*good care of any boots that I can find that fit, and give my cobbler a Christmas bonus. Check out [Duo Boots](http://www.duoboots.com/us/?ref=us_redirect) – they allow you to select boot shafts that fit you, down to the centimeter. Also good for women with very narrow calves. I haven’t bought from them yet (a bit outside my price range), but I have two friends that swear by them. I’m hoping they can help me find boots that fit – I have 16" calves and 8" ankles. Regular wide-calf boot makers seem to think that if your calves are wide, your legs are thick all the way down. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/25 "2014-10-20T23:58:27Z")
I run 11.5E/2E, which are relatively easy to find, so I’m no help to this discussion at all. However, I would like to say hi to friend **longhair**. Hi! ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/26 "2014-10-21T00:14:16Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > 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. Tell me about it! Although a lot of stores only carry mens sizes starting at an 8. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/27 "2014-10-21T00:21:40Z")
> [@gallows\_fodder](#): > > Check out [Duo Boots](http://www.duoboots.com/us/?ref=us_redirect) – they allow you to select boot shafts that fit you, down to the centimeter. Also good for women with very narrow calves. > > I haven’t bought from them yet (a bit outside my price range), but I have two friends that swear by them. > > I’m hoping they can help me find boots that fit – I have 16" calves and 8" ankles. Regular wide-calf boot makers seem to think that if your calves are wide, your legs are thick all the way down. Exactly! I have muscular calves from dance and running for years. My ankles aren’t thin, but they aren’t cankles, either. Thanks for the link; I’ll check it out. I can justify expensive boots because I wear them almost every day for six months. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/28 "2014-10-21T17:19:51Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I used to sell motorcycle parts. Don’t talk to me. I don’t think those are supposed to fit on your feet. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/29 "2014-10-21T21:10:13Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > 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. Oh, yay! I’m glad you were inspired. The Tony Lamas are breaking in so nicely and making me feel very happy. Good luck in your quest. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/30 "2014-10-22T00:14:43Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > 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. If Keen casual shoes and boots work for you, you might check out [Alegria.](http://www.alegriashoes.com/) They are similarly wide in the toe box, and have better arch support than Keens. And they have some dressier styles. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/31 "2014-10-22T00:41:43Z")
Female, 12 wide. I feel your pain. Shame we can’t carve up our two pairs of feet and redistribute things so we each have average-size feet. I simply don’t shop in women’s shoe stores any more. Fortunately I don’t need to dress up for work much any more, and when I do I can get away with slacks and therefore don’t need dressy shoes. Even Nordstrom rarely has anything in my size unless I order online. I am seriously considering a road trip to New Jersey to visit [Globe Shoes.](http://www.globe-shoes.com/catalog_c132513.html) just to shop. Last time I was there was about 12 years ago when we were in town for a family funeral, and snow was predicted, and I realized I didn’t have boots. I went in with my usual "we’ll see if they have even a single pair that I can jam my feet into without actually breaking a bone and I’ll buy it and I’ll be grateful. So we went in, and they started asking questions, like I had CHOICES. Style? color? heel height? It was terrifying :D. I’d actually shopped there before - my husband’s family was local - so I knew to go there. SAS (San Antonio Shoes) has a decent selection in larger sizes, dunno about short/wide sizes. Their prices are quite high, but they ARE made in the USA. Nordstrom doesn’t carry them any more (sigh). They are, generally, fugly, but when you’re 12W and injury prone like me, that’s not the primary consideration. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/32 "2014-10-22T00:45:27Z")
> [@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). Oh hell, the shoe stores around here don’t do that even if you’ve got average feet. You have to go to the counter and beg for one, and use it yourself. OK, this is at DSW and the like, but still… ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/33 "2014-10-22T01:32:44Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > SAS (San Antonio Shoes) has a decent selection in larger sizes, dunno about short/wide sizes. Their prices are quite high, but they ARE made in the USA. Nordstrom doesn’t carry them any more (sigh). They are, generally, fugly, but when you’re 12W and injury prone like me, that’s not the primary consideration. I buy SAS shoes at a local shoe store. They are high priced but with care they last and last, and have good support. I even got a pair of dressy flat shoes there, I simply can’t wear heels. Female, 9 wide. ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/34 "2014-10-22T01:39:32Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > Not as bad as some other folks’ situations, but it’s mine. > > I wear a 9.5 narrow shoe and have wide, muscular calves. > > I take \*very \*good care of any boots that I can find that fit, and give my cobbler a Christmas bonus. 9.5AA here. I feel ya, rabbit. I feel ya. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/35 "2014-10-22T20:16:51Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > SAS (San Antonio Shoes) has a decent selection in larger sizes, dunno about short/wide sizes. Their prices are quite high, but they ARE made in the USA. Nordstrom doesn’t carry them any more (sigh). They are, generally, fugly, but when you’re 12W and injury prone like me, that’s not the primary consideration. > [@Baker](#): > > I buy SAS shoes at a local shoe store. They are high priced but with care they last and last, and have good support. Hell, even without care, SAS shoes last and last. I wore a pair of their sandals all summer for years, and it took them about 8 years to start looking grungy. I also have [these loafers](http://www.sasshoes.com/slip-on-shoes/simplify-c-1556-181) for work and wear them all the time. They’re super comfy, and while they’re not too exciting looking, they’re not too hiddy, at least in the croc pattern. (I fully agree with MZ’s contention that SAS shoes are generally fugly. In fact, that understates the case.) Those loafers do come in 12W according to the website. I can’t agree that they are high-priced, however. I think I paid $110 for the loafers, which is pretty low for a very good-quality shoe. ---
**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 23, 2014, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/36 "2014-10-23T00:27:42Z")
I agree. My current work shoes are $300 retail (I got a deal on them in trade for shoe repairs for a business owner) but since I’m on my feet for an 8 hour shift having quality shoes that fit well is a necessity. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/37 "2014-10-23T01:15:31Z")
I look with suspicion on any industry that _forces_ you to buy TWO of something. What if I only want one? It’s a racket, I tell you, a racket, pure and simple. This is why I don’t buy shoes on principle. I won’t buy walkie talkies for the same reason. _No one_ is going to take advantage of _me_. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851/38 "2014-10-23T14:08:06Z")
> [@Patch](#): > > 9.5AA here. I feel ya, rabbit. I feel ya. I’m male. I have size 11 feet but B width. Every pair of lace up shows I have ever worn have the eyelets scrunched together and they are still usually not tight enough. Running shoes are about the best I can find. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-retail-shoe-industry-sucks/701851.md?page=1)