steve kwan user experience designer

Tips for buying shoes

(January 17th, 2006 - 10:51PM)

A while back, I purchased a pair of orthopaedic insoles to help correct a problem with my knee. They work wonders. If you have knee or back problems, I highly recommend them.

In any event, one problem with orthopaedics is that shoes don't fit the same if they have orthopaedic insoles in them. When I got my orthopaedics, I had to stop wearing all my old pairs of shoes and buy new ones. So when I buy new shoes, I have to make sure that they still fit when I put my orthopaedic insoles in. The problem is that I have to take out any insoles that are already in there.

If you've ever tried taking out manufacturer insoles, you've probably noticed that a lot of them are glued right into the shoe. I'm not entirely sure, but I perceive this as a sign of low quality: if you can't take the insole out, the shoe's probably no good. I find it highly entertaining to ask shoes salesmen to take out the insole and then watch them struggle as they dismantle the shoe for me.

Generally, Rockports have removable insoles. I personally perceive Rockports to be of excellent quality.

Shereen thinks I should wear some sort of sporty, athletic shoe. I always feel out of place whenever I walk into a Champs or some other sports shoe store. I'm not the sort of guy who dresses up like a gangster or hip hop artist; I don't think Nike runners would look good on me.

After prowling Metrotown, I couldn't find a pair of shoes I liked. I wound up going home without. Some other day.