# "Without our expensive shoes/matresses you will ruin your health" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 18, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582 "2005-08-18T14:25:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/1 "2005-08-18T14:25:34Z")
Say, you’re buying a new matress. Or a pair of good shoes, with a footbed. You’ve been to cheaper stores and found some that were comfortable, at a reasonable price. Then, on a whim, you decide to pay a visit to a Quality Store. Surely salespeople in a Quality Store (with nothing but real Brands, so there) must know their stuff. You will walk in, they will look you up and down with an Expert Eye, and they will fit you with the perfect Mattress, the Perfect Walking Sandal, right? So you’ll pay a bit more, but the next decade, you’ll be in Comfort Heaven. Right? Hah. **Me** : I’d like a good mattress please. I always roll to the middle in my current one" **Saleslady** : “Hmnn…yes, you’ll like the DreambedDeluxe then. Here, try it”. **Me:** “Okay….um, no, this one doesn’t feel comfortable. I still roll to the middle in this one” **Sales lady** : “No, that’s impossible. It has got Special Reinforcement to prevent rolling” **Me:** “Huh? Sorry, but I just rolled.” **Saleslady** _(coolly)_ “Impossible”. I have tried on a few hideously ugly sandals who claim to be Comfort Incarnated. **Me:**"Sorry, these shoes just aren’t comfortable on my feet. Could you help me to find out why, so"ll know what to look for exactly? **Saleslady:** \*(with a look of caring disdain) \* “I’m sorry dear, but those shoes are orthopedically designed to align feet just right. They should be really comfortable. You have probably ruined your feet all these years with those cheaper shoes you claimed you were comfortable in, and you have forgotten what a really decent shoe feels like. Good shoes are really important. On bad shoes, you will ruin your hips, your back, and you will get health problems eventually.” **Me:** but I’m thirty-eight. I’ve worn no-brand shoes, very often cheap, shoes without orthopedic claims, all my life. All my shoes had only one thing in common: they felt comfortable. So shouldn’t I have feet and backproblems by now, it what you say is true? **Saleslady:** “Ha! That’s just the treacherous thing about it. Healthproblems due to bad shoes may take untill you are fifty or sixty to surface.” \*\*Me: \*\* :rolleyes: I’m beginning to think Fit is far more importantly then Quality. If I feel comfortable in it, and my back or feet agree, then the matress or shoe is good for me, period. I’m sure you can do damage to your back or feet by not replacing your mattress or your shoes when they hurt, but when your shoes and mattress feel just fine…. Damn scare-tactics. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/2 "2005-08-18T14:31:42Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > I’m beginning to think Fit is far more importantly then Quality. Damn straight! ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/3 "2005-08-18T14:43:35Z")
I’m a big fan of form AND function. Makes shopping a little more challenging but I’m usually very satisfied with my decisions. Oh, and those damn box springs are a huge scam! ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/4 "2005-08-18T16:45:35Z")
Are you ready for the next big thing: M B T: Masai Barefoot Technology. [http://www.mbt-uk.com/](http://www.mbt-uk.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/5 "2005-08-18T17:06:47Z")
As some one who recently and most painfully had to buy another mattress for another child in my family that has developed an allergy to dust mites, ( his mattress was a hand me down and from the late 60’s…there is probably a colony of dust mites in there 2 bajillion generations old.) mattress shopping ranks up there with a brazilian bikini wax in January in Michigan, if you know what I mean. Thank Og for the interent to help with the initial sticker shock. The prices are outrageous and box brings are one of the greatest scams of our time. What is wrong with your mattress resting on some OSB board, huh? Fortunately, I learned that a local Salvation Army sells brand new, heremtically seals mattresses starting at $99. Compared to $275 starting price at sears, I am so very happy. As for thos **MBT shoes** I am ashamed to admit this, but I want them so bad it is nearly palatable. I beleive in all the tummy toning and leg firm stuff they write about because I am a woman and desperate for a quick fix to a soggy ass and flobby tummy. The fact that the shoes are about $250 a pair makes me covet them even more. That what is the most unobtainable is the most desireable. I am so embarrassed. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::_flees_:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/6 "2005-08-18T17:08:47Z")
Modern advertising distilled: ‘Buy our product, or you will _die!_’ ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/7 "2005-08-18T18:00:39Z")
> [@Rodd Hill](#): > > Are you ready for the next big thing: > > M B T: > > Masai Barefoot Technology. > [http://www.mbt-uk.com/](http://www.mbt-uk.com/) Ah, hell… we already did that under another name… > **[Women's Fall Shoes | 2020 Collection | Earth Shoes](https://earthshoes.com/collections/all-shoes)** > > Shop new Earth shoes for Fall. Earth shoes are beautifully styled without sacrificing comfort, perfect for any occasion. Barefoot technology is sooooo 1970’s… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/8 "2005-08-18T18:11:44Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > As for thos **MBT shoes** I am ashamed to admit this, but I want them so bad it is nearly palatable. I beleive in all the tummy toning and leg firm stuff they write about because I am a woman and desperate for a quick fix to a soggy ass and flobby tummy. The fact that the shoes are about $250 a pair makes me covet them even more. That what is the most unobtainable is the most desireable. I am so embarrassed. Spend half of that for a really good pair of cycling shoes and get your soggy ass and flobby tummy in the gym for spin classes. Bargain at the price and your cardio improvement is like a free bonus gift, your’s to keep. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/9 "2005-08-18T19:30:18Z")
I think it’d be far funnier if _this_ happened… > [@Maastricht](#): > > **Me** : I’d like a good mattress please. I always roll to the middle in my current one" > **Saleslady** : \ > **Me** : _sigh_ fine, where do you have the _Dog Kennels_ 😉 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/10 "2005-08-18T19:33:54Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > Modern advertising distilled: ‘Buy our product, or you will _die!_’ “Volvos, they’re boxy, but they’re good” “Metamucil, it helps you go to the toilet, if you don’t use it you get cancer and die” “Come to New York, there were less murders here last year…” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/11 "2005-08-18T19:50:11Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > Fortunately, I learned that a local Salvation Army sells brand new, heremtically seals mattresses starting at $99. Compared to $275 starting price at sears, I am so very happy. I have no problem at all spending $275 for a mattress IF it’s good quality, let’s me sleep well, and will last. If you assume 10 years, that’s only $27.50 a year, for something I use a lot. For myself, I’d not buy a Salvation Army mattress. There seems to be to good of a chance that I’ll be rolling to the inside of the mattress in fairly short order. Now $250 for any shoe makes me cry. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/12 "2005-08-18T20:52:45Z")
> [@Tastes of Chocolate](#): > > I have no problem at all spending $275 for a mattress IF it’s good quality, let’s me sleep well, and will last. If you assume 10 years, that’s only $27.50 a year, for something I use a lot. For myself, I’d not buy a Salvation Army mattress. There seems to be to good of a chance that I’ll be rolling to the inside of the mattress in fairly short order. > > Now $250 for any shoe makes me cry. I spent $1000 on mine, on sale. D’you think I should check inside for hidden gold bricks? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/13 "2005-08-18T20:54:19Z")
I figure my great-grandmother lived to 102 without any of this crap, so why do I need it OR ELSE? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/14 "2005-08-18T22:35:45Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > I think it’d be far funnier if _this_ happened… > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally Posted by **Maastricht** > > **Me:** I’d like a good mattress please. I always roll to the middle in my current one" > > **Saleslady:** \ > > **Me:** _sigh_ fine, where do you have the _Dog Kennels_ > > 😉 _And did those feet In ancient times Walk upon England’s mountains green…_ ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/15 "2005-08-18T23:41:13Z")
There’s a lot of smugness in this thread but if you’ve seen a lot of elderly feet (and working in a hospital, I have) there are a LOT of old people, especially old women, with really deformed looking toes thanks to uncomfortable but stylish shoes of ages past. The most popular seems to be middle toe pushed over the big toe and unable to move. My cheap solution is to try to go barefoot as often as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/16 "2005-08-19T00:10:26Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > As for thos **MBT shoes** [If you kneel in MBT shoes](http://www.footsolutions.com/mbt_copy.html), you can break them. I tend to stay away from expensive shoes that I can easily damage, because I’m an absent-minded klutz. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2005, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/17 "2005-08-19T01:11:48Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Spend half of that for a really good pair of cycling shoes and get your soggy ass and flobby tummy in the gym for spin classes. Bargain at the price and your cardio improvement is like a free bonus gift, your’s to keep. 🙂 I’m sorry, sir, it’s like you are trying to speak to me, but the message makes no sense. /$120 top price I’ve paid for shoes. Dansko’s. Love 'em. //The mattress is a left over from a local store closing down. It has a big name manufacturer on it ( not one the Big Ones, but I’ve heard of them.) and it was a devil of a time to get the plastic off. ///Slashy goodness! ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-our-expensive-shoes-matresses-you-will-ruin-your-health/317582/18 "2005-09-04T07:08:32Z")
> [@Silentgoldfish](#): > > There’s a lot of smugness in this thread but if you’ve seen a lot of elderly feet (and working in a hospital, I have) there are a LOT of old people, especially old women, with really deformed looking toes thanks to uncomfortable but stylish shoes of ages past. > > The most popular seems to be middle toe pushed over the big toe and unable to move. Absolutely. That’s why I mentioned that my shoes have to be comfortable first and foremost. It’s just the claim to “Absolute Quality” that bugs me. Usually, I will buy a couple of (pillows, shoes or mattresses - with all of these, fit is vital) and try them on for a while. If they don’t feel right, I donate them to the Salvation Army. If I end up paying as much for all my tries, as I would have for one expensive item, so be it. But the way I see it, I just have more chance of finding the Perfect Shoe or The Ultimate Pillow if I buy five, try them all and keep the best. The alternative is to buy one expensive one, and try to convince myself in vain I’ve got the best on the market.