Shoes · 5 min read
Choosing Everyday Shoes That Last
How to pick a pair you'll actually wear four days a week.
Your everyday pair does the most work and gets the least thought. Here's how to choose one you'll wear four days a week for two years.
Fit the wider foot
Feet aren't identical. Try both, and buy for the bigger one. There should be a thumb's width between your longest toe and the front.
Prioritise a full-grain leather or knit upper
Both age well. Coated synthetics crack. Mesh runners look tired in six months.
Rubber outsole, replaceable if possible
A vulcanised or Vibram rubber sole lasts. Cemented soles are cheaper up front and cost more per year.
Test the flex point
The shoe should bend where your toes bend, not in the middle of the arch. This one check filters out most poorly built shoes.
Neutral colour, low branding
White, off-white, black, tan. You'll wear them with more things and replace them less often.
One pair of everyday shoes done well beats three pairs done cheaply.