What makes a quality shoe and what is a good price to pay

[Jay2TheRescue]

Nice T-Shirt!

Hey, good catch.  I didn't realize it was right there.  I just picked it up from the cleaners the other day.

-Jay

[Big Daddy Audio]

One brand that hasn't been mentioned that not only makes a quality shoe but in classic style is Clarks of England. They make the classic Desert Boot and Wallabees, both of which have a high-quality crepe sole, are extremely comfortable, and wear well.  However, they are suede, so saddle soap and regular waxes are out.  I also use cedar shoe trees in my Clarks and they have  helped immensely with keeping them looking great and stink-free. 

My closet looks very much like Jay's, with the canvas sling racks (except there are three across of double wides).  I have a bunch of Doc Martens, the oldest of which is more than 10 years of age and is a wing-tip - really neat looking and very comfortable.

The key (in my opinion) is to find shoes that are really comfortable for you, and look for that brand.  I gravitate towards Doc Martens and Clarks.  I also like Brooks running shoes, but I bought out a discount store of all the Brooks in my size that they had when they were closing about 18 months ago, and won't be needing running shoes for a while.

That is all. 

[ChrisMiss]

Wow!  You guys are very organized!  I'm impressed. 

I hadn't thought about shoes in boxes not being able to breathe.  I think I'll look for some of those shoe bags for my daughter to ensure that she stores her shoes where she see and find the pair she wants to wear. 

Currently in our RV we have a small space in the closet where the shoes are stored.  I have a pair of "nice" shoes for special occasions, a pair of athletic shoes and about 4 pair of sandals/flip flops. Husband has more shoes than me and his are bigger so his take up a lot of room.  I even have shoes stacked in a small vertical space between the shelves and the wall.  I've thought about one of these shoe storage "skirts" from Camping World but I'm concerned that the shoes would stick out too much and cause a tripping hazard for me.  I wouldn't buy one though, I'd make one from some thrifted fabric that would coordinate with my decor. 
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=24506&src=SRQB   


Oh yeah, just a reminder that those who hesitate LOSE!  I went back to the thrift store and of course those Doc Martens were gone!  That was dumb of me to expect that they would still be there.  Even a couple of purses that I was going to look at again were gone.  There are plenty of eagle eye thrifters around Reno.  I bet those shoes were gone the same or next day.

[Sprocket]

Oh yeah, just a reminder that those who hesitate LOSE!  I went back to the thrift store and of course those Doc Martens were gone!  That was dumb of me to expect that they would still be there.  Even a couple of purses that I was going to look at again were gone.  There are plenty of eagle eye thrifters around Reno.  I bet those shoes were gone the same or next day.

I can relate...I've decided to wait on so many things that I really wanted, went back, and they were gone!  *sigh*

-Sprocket

[Jay2TheRescue]

Oh yeah, just a reminder that those who hesitate LOSE!  I went back to the thrift store and of course those Doc Martens were gone!  That was dumb of me to expect that they would still be there.  Even a couple of purses that I was going to look at again were gone.  There are plenty of eagle eye thrifters around Reno.  I bet those shoes were gone the same or next day.

I can relate...I've decided to wait on so many things that I really wanted, went back, and they were gone!  *sigh*

-Sprocket

That's the thing about thrifting.  If you don't buy something immediately then it may not be there later. 

- Jay

[alexandra]

Chrismiss, if you have a bench in your RV, get those over the door hooks.  I keep them on the back of the dinette bench that is right by the door.  We hang shoes on them -- a great way to avoid tracking in schmutz.

I never thrift sneakers unless they are new -- especially not running shoes.  Even if the outside looks pretty good, the soles could be shot.  Not to mention the risk of getting some sort of fungus.  People sweat more in sneakers!

I do buy Keds and Converse All Stars if the tread looks good, though.  They are "apparel" sneakers, not sport shoes.

Thriftily,
Alexandra
www.livingwithoutmoney.blogspot.com

[ChrisMiss]

I think I saw a picture from your blog of your bench and hooks.  That's a good idea.  We took out our bench seat dinette and installed a desk area instead.  More floor space now with that thing gone. 

We have a queen bed that is like a pedestal bed.  It raises up and underneath is a lot of storage.  Many people have a bed skirt around theirs.  Some have the shoe bags like in the link I posted earlier.  It would probably work well for me to make one, at least for my side of the bed.  I'm pretty sure my shoes could fit there standing up in the bags and not be a tripping hazard for me.  I'll have to keep my eyes open for some cool fabric and try making some shoe bags.  I'm lazy though; I can think of all kinds of neat things but am really slow and lazy on the doing of any project.

I'd never buy athletic shoes at a thrift store unless I was absolutely sure they were brand new.  Since I've had my knee replaced my gait has changed so much.  I wouldn't want to mess it up by wearing shoes that have been walked in a different pattern than what I walk.  I even had to get rid of my "old" shoes since I'd walked differently before and after surgery. 

[Magpie18]

regarding going back to the thrift for something & finding it gone... I find when I put something down & 5 minutes later it is gone

It is like something isn't interesting unless someone else picks it up LOL

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

regarding going back to the thrift for something & finding it gone... I find when I put something down & 5 minutes later it is gone

It is like something isn't interesting unless someone else picks it up LOL

I SWEAR that's so true! The amount of people who've asked me "Where did you get that?" when I'm carrying something that's been there all along in plain view is truly astounding.