Do you have problems buying shoes?
By scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
January 8, 2012 7:31am CST
I have some friends who find buying shoes a nightmare.
Some of them have flat foot, and they cannot wear most of the shoes selling in the shopping center.
They are likely to get leg pain if used those shoes when standing or walking for half an hour.
Some friends have feet of different sizes.
One foot is one size bigger than the other.
Since they cannot get another person to share the shoes, they always have to buy shoes of different sizes.
Do you have such problems in buying shoes?
Or do you know of people who have problems buying shoes?
3 people like this
9 responses
@thatgirl13 (7294)
• South Korea
9 Jan 12
Nope I have no problems buying shoes. And no one I know does actually.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
10 Jan 12
Hi Thatgirl, that is surprising, since many people have problems buying shoes.
Some girls have very big feet, and they have to buy men shoes.
Some women have too small feet, and they have to buy shoes from the teenager's section.
Some have legs injury and cannot wear high heels or certain shoes.
Maybe you do not talk about shoes in conversation with your friends, relatives and other people.
Or perhaps you never go shopping for shoes other than with your best friends.
It is more common than you think!
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
13 Jan 12
Hi Thatgirl, most of my family members do not have problems buying shoes too.
Only my aunt has a bone that sticks a bit out on the big toe.
She has to buy sandals, and never tight covered shoes.
i do not know of her problem until she called up one day to say that she needed a covered shoes for her daughter's wedding.
Imagine knowing her for so many years, and not knowing that she got such a problem at all.
Sometimes, we think we know people very well, but we really do not know them as well as we think.
I know some of my friends have problems buying shoes, because I went shopping with them before.
It is almost a nightmare!
@thatgirl13 (7294)
• South Korea
13 Jan 12
Hmm I don't really think anyone I went shoe shopping with had problems buying shoe rather than because they didn't really like the shoes there. I ususally go shoe shopping with my mom and sis and friends and sometimes with dad. But yeah maybe you are right, maybe I haven't been shopping with people with shoe problems.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
8 Jan 12
My mother had differently sized feet and finally found a shoe store that would sell her two sizes at the price of one. I have flat feet. My ankle bones nearly touch the ground when I walk barefoot and sometimes it's very painful. I have orthotics but they are almost 20 years old and I need newly fitted ones but they are so costly that I haven't even thought of getting re-fitted. I would love to wear pretty shoes but can't.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
8 Jan 12
haha Dragon54u, your family seems to have all the bad genes when it comes to feet, and the problems of buying shoes.
Fortunately there is a shop that allows your mum to buy different size shoes at the price of one.
Over here, there is no such practice.
Either they get two different pairs or just get the bigger size shoes, and wear two socks for the smaller legs.
I think you should check about funding or subsidy for refitted orthotics.
Best to call up and check if there is any way to reduce cost for refitting.
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
9 Jan 12
Dragon, in fact this is my first time heard that there is such a shop that allowed us to purchase shoes of different sizes as a pair. So far, in my area here, if anyone having this type of problem, they will have to undergo the measure and re-make type of shoes. And it is very costly at my area here. Only those who are rich able to afford this type of service.
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
9 Jan 12
Scheng, so far i don't really have any problem in buying shoes. As long the pattern that i like is available in my size, then it is not a big problem to me. If the pattern that i like don't have my size, then it would takes me some time to choose another different pattern. Because i will only buys shoes that gives comfort to my feet. Now, Chinese new year is coming soon, and it will be another headache for me to choose my comfort shoes. Hopefully, i can get my another pair of comfort shoes without much difficulties. How about you, Scheng?
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
10 Jan 12
Hi Myfb, I like to buy leather shoes which are very comfortable, and can last a very long time.
Most people do not pay attention to the sole or the insole.
But these are the most important factors in selecting shoes.
I think you can buy a pair of good leather shoes with rubber soles, and leather insole, then you can use them for years and years.
Most of my leather shoes can last for many years, and still look good.
I think some leather looks nicer when aged!
I have some cheap China made shoes for grocery shopping or nearby. No point using leather shoes to buy a chicken from the supermarket.
@unique16 (1531)
• United States
9 Jan 12
Hello,
I personally do not have a problem buying shoes and making sure they fit right.
My yoingest daughter Shawn does. Her foot can still in child size 4 shoe and she is 19 years old and only 4'-10" tall. Regular size 5 are still too big most of the time and boots for winter are hard to find. We finally find a pair and gave her extra 1" inch in size boy was she happy. Those boots are rarely off her feet. (lol) They look really good on her. They are black and with top part with faux fur light grey in color. We got to the spray to protect them against water etc... than can cost extr $5.00 but she spray her other swayed shoes with it to protect them too.
Thanks and Have a great day
Sincerely Unique16
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
10 Jan 12
Hi Unique, I think your daughter has to get shoes from Asia.
Our feet are much smaller, and she can get many good shoes over here.
I am using size 4 shoes too.
If I buy European size, then I use only size 2 1/2, and even then the shoes are rather big for me.
Fortunately we do not have four seasons over here, and buying summer shoes is much easier.
@viju0410 (2286)
• India
9 Jan 12
HI,
Yeah due to the small size, I always used to land up in problems and take most our time finding the actual size, which usually annoys my husband. Now what I do is I select two pairs at one go so it lasts longer. Also I have identified few shops/ brands that have variety in the smaller size as well. LOL.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
9 Jan 12
Hi Viju, I think your husband wants to make your feet longer!
Then he does not have to suffer from waiting at so many shoe shops, and also searching for your size from one shop to another.
Those who have very big shoe size also have the same problems.
Some of my friends have to buy men size, even though they are not very tall as women, but their feet are really big.
@champoy186 (1638)
• Philippines
9 Jan 12
I feel lucky for not having this issue on buying shoes. Every time I buy a pair of shoes I always look at the design. I don't buy those very expensive brands. Then, test if it makes me feel comfortable on it. I haven't met a person who has a similar problem with you. It is hard to buy a pair of shoes if you have that such problem. I know you are having a hard time looking for a perfect shoes for you.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
10 Jan 12
Hi Champoy, I think you read my discussion thread wrong.
I do not have a problem with buying shoes, since my shoe size is rather common, and there are so many shops in my area.
I am talking about my experience with friends who have problems buying shoes.
It is a pain to go shopping with them.
Some people cannot buy shoes that are A shape, since their toes cannot fit in, yet they love the design.
Some people have different foot size.
I really pity them, and I think it is better that they tailor made their shoes.
Perhaps you need to widen your contact to find people with problems buying shoes. Maybe you have many such friends, but they do not want to talk about it, and you have never thought of asking them about it.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
8 Jan 12
I was blessed with small feet. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find adult looking shoes when you have to shop in children's sizes? My two children both have bigger feet than I do. It is often our family shoe joke and somewthing i tty to live with smiling. sometimes it can be a bit frustrating.@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
9 Jan 12
Hi Sender, I think you should visit Asia.
Most of us have very small feet size.
My shoe size is the smallest for adult in Europe, and my mum is worse.
Her shoe size is a size smaller than mine.
Fortunately there are many Asia shoes factories making shoes that are meant for Asians.
I think you will get very good shoes if you visit China or Thailand.
A pair of soft leather shoes just cost a few dollars.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
8 Jan 12
I also have the same problem. my shoe size doesn't really belong in standard shoe sizes so I really have to shop for a pair that fits me and with a good design. also don't usually wear high heels becuase it causes my legs to strain. My mother shares this problem with me - she has little feet and she also has trouble finding a pair that she likes without going to the teen's section.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
8 Jan 12
Hi Jeanneyvonne, most Asians have smaller feet, and our shoes sizes are much smaller than the Europeans or Americans.
Even then it is rare to find an adult who needs to buy shoes from teen's section.
Those teenagers must find your mummy very funny.
It is hard to imagine a person of her age choosing shoes with the teenagers!
@Triple0 (1904)
• Australia
9 Jan 12
I don't have much of an issue buying shoe sizes, there's always a size that I fit and I only need to find that exact size. But buying shoes online is a big pain! The shoes that I like, the branded ones are way to expensive so I prefer to buy online instead for a way cheaper deal. But the problem is that different show brands size differently depending on country. That's why I get worried when I buy or bid on shoes because I have no idea if it's going to fit me. Luckily, I've bought 2 pairs of shoes and they fit me perfectly but they were the same brand so same size. I'm going to have issues buying shoes of a different brand.
But I do have a friend who can never find the right shoe size for herself. She's like in between and there are no shoes that has her type of size so she has difficulty buying shoes. 
What's more frustrating than shoes are jeans! I can never buy them online, all the brands vary and the sizing is always different.
What's more frustrating than shoes are jeans! I can never buy them online, all the brands vary and the sizing is always different. @scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
9 Jan 12
Hi Triple0, yes, I understand the problem.
Over here, shoes are made in different countries.
I normally wear size 4, which is already small, but I need to get size 2 1/2 when I buy European shoes.
China shoes are worst, since I do not understand the sizing method they use.
I never buy shoes online.
Offline is already so problematic. I cannot imagine how I can buy shoes online without problem.
