h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Heels on hiking boots make sense, but they arn't exactly 'huge heels, and I guess those mentioned above are in the larger class of heels but I'm a guy, so why would I understand such things Still can't believe how many pairs of shoes everyone seems to have,

Well, it's all to do with co-ordination innit!

When I said heels I was talking about high heels. I'd just prefer to wear flats, or dress shoes with a tiny, tiny heel, but I'm going to a wedding at the end of the summer & I'm told I need dress shoes with a good heel .

So get some good shoes, and I'll go with you.

pedboy <---(a good heel)

I am mostly surprised by how many folk here on H2G2 have shoes with steel cap toes!

My onw justification (for good or ill) for owning as many pairs as I do is that I am succeptible to athlete's fungus, and rotating shoes to give them time to dry out is a good thing.

"How can someone *need* heels?

I don't understand heels at all in the first place to be honest."

I have 3 pairs of trainers in various states of decay.
2 pairs of brogues for work etc.
3 pairs of walknig boots of different weight etc.

Also, 2 pairs of stilletto court shoes with 4 and 5 inch heels and a pair of high heeled thigh boots.
Nothing wrong with heels!

Bet that beats most peoples shoe collection?

I got a new pair of shoes a week or so ago nice black leather 'smart' shoes, rather nice and comfy haven't thrown out my old pair, they are now reserved for those ocasions that require an old pair of shoes to be worn

Far too many according to my younger son (who has 1 pr trainers, 1 pr school shoes, 1 pr walking boots & can't understand why anyone needs more). My explanation is shoes for Summer/Winter/Other, everyday/dressing up, socks/tights, to match different clothes. Quite logical really

Let's see:
4 pr sandals (different colours/heel height)
1 pr slippers
3 pr slip on shoes for indoors
5 pr flat lace-ups/slip-ons (different colours)
4 pr heeled 'posh' shoes (different colours)
1 pr heeled ankle boots
2 pr flat ankle boots
1 pr walking boots
1 pr furry lined short boots
1 pr Wellies
4 pr lace-up canvas shoes
1 pr slip-on canvas shoes

I think that's a complete inventory
I'm not good at throwing away shoes unless they're falling to pieces or too uncomfortable. I keep old ones for doing gardening/grubby jobs.

I now understand the purpose of high-heels - to make short people easier to cuddle.

I have waaaaaaay too many shoes.

1 pair black clogs w/huge cracks in the soles
1 brown clogs (replacements for above?)
1 pair weird pink/purple/tan/can't possibly describe the design clogs
1 red clog/mary janeish thing
1 pair brown cloggy sandals
walking sandals
cheap flip flops
shower flip flops
regular sneakers
fun green bowling sneakers
black dress shoes
flat black dress shoes
high heeled velvety black dress shoes
strappy black with little silver stars shoes
really high shoes that I haven't quite dared wear out but they're great for reaching the top shelf
another pair of clogs (clunky gray) (can't you tell that I don't like shoes with backs?)
flip flops in the shape of duck feet
bunny flip flops (like bunny slippers only not slippers)
one more pair of sandals

So yeah, wow.

plus my tap shoes, my ballet slippers, and lyric sandals but dance shoes don't quite count

let me preface this by saying i have been in the footwear industry for 15 years and with vendor promos, contests and that kind of thing i have accumulated a collection.

I have:
1 pr allen-edmonds tasseles handsewn loafers (burgundy)
1 pr allen-edmonds venetian italian slip-ons(black)
1 pr allen-edmonds venetian driving moccasins(chili)
1 pr allen-edmonds wing tip balmorals(black)
1 pr johnston& murphy 3 eyelet chukka boots (dress black)
1 pr Johnston&murphy penny strap handsewns (tan rough out)
1 pr johnston& murphy venetian moccasins bologna construction (light tan deerskin)
1 pr Johnston&murphy woven vamp driving mocs ( brown)
1 pr johnston&murphy of my own design(black waxhide)
1 pr ecco track II boots (bison)
1 pr ecco walkathons (olive nubuk)
1 pr ecco receptor white leather sneakers
1 pr ecco track II oxfords (bison/black nubuk)
1 pr ecco brown nubuk moccisin toe boots
2 pr ecco black monk straps
1 pr clarks wallabees (sand suede of course)
1 pr saucony jazz running shoes (white)
1 pr lake of the woods work boots(yellow nubuk)
1 pr ecco track III boots (brown waxhide)
1 pr mephisto tyrus walking shoe (brown nubuc)
1 pr teva sandals black
1 pr gold toe grey fleece mule slippers

oh by the way I am a heterosexual man
jackhinx

thats a lot of shoes So as someone who's been involved in the shoe inudstry, what make of shoes would you recomend?

ok, I am currently employed by allen-edmonds men's shoe corp. but any of the brands on my list are very good. in mens dress once you break the $250 mark they're all pretty good. I like Ecco alot for casual, and I like Saucony alot for sneakers.

so roughly speaking over £100 for a pair of shoes
if I spent that much on my shoes I'd have very little else in my flat

I have an interesting mix of shoes from motorcycle boots and doc martins through spangly glitterly mules to my ballet slippers and pointe shoes.

15 in total I think.

Ahh, so thats where I've been going rong; spending £40 to £60 on a pair of shoes and then wondering why they are c**p and dead in about six month is cause I should be paying tha tlittel bit mor e might have guessed *wonders if he's ant proper shoe shops near by

I have only spent more than £60 on a pair of shoes once... and that was only because I had to....

I have:
beige suede trainers
black leather ankle boots with a 2" heel
black leather flat Faith biker-style boots
black leather heeled Faith knee high boots
black steel toe-capped boots
gold strappy sandals
silver beaded ankle strap mules with a 2" heel
gold beaded kitten heel mules
brown patchwork leather wedges
brown flat sandals
white strappy sandals
black snakeskin effect flat mules
black leather court shoes with brown stitching
Scarpa nubuck walking boots (complete with mud)

And I've had most of these pairs for over 3 years - I hate shoe shopping!!!!!! My feet are a 6EEE so once I find a pair that fit I hang onto them until they die.

If you find buying ordinary shoes hard work you should try shopping for pointe shoes for ballet they have to fit perfectly or you can damage your feet. It is quite common to try on around 20 pairs in a fitting to find the right one. And as they are made by hand and are all slightly different you can end up trying on multiple pairs of the same size and make just to find the perfect pair.

Ordinary shoes can dammage your feet too but not to the same level as ballet shoes obviously Half the problem I find is that I go to shop that sells shoes only to find they hae absolutely nothing i like so I end up buying a pair I don't even like that much