Tips for Buying Shoes Online

Buying shoes online is one of the easiest items to acquire from the comfort of your home.  With easy to use websites, multiple views of the shoe, free shipping and returns, online stores have wooed lots us of from brick and mortar stores.  However, since the one thing you can’t do with online purchases is try on the item, buying a shoe online is a risky proposition.  Most guys have one (hopefully two) pairs of shoes they wear regularly so buying the wrong pair is a serious misstep – pun intended.  So here are three tips to remember when buying shoes online while at work, I mean at home.

First, be brand conscious.  What this really means is consider the quality of the construction.  Brands in and of themselves mean nothing except that well known ones have bigger marketing budgets.  But if there is a brand you like because you know the shoe is made well, stick with that brand.

Second, consider the purpose of the purchase.  Is this a loafer for casual Friday or a wingtip that will be worn three out of five days a week?  If it’s a casual shoe, taking on a little risk is ok.  Read the reviews, research the brand and if reports are favorable, try something new.  If it is to be your go to shoe, re-read the first tip.

Last, know your shoe size.  This means knowing more than your length.  You should be aware of your width and know if you have flat feet or a high arch.  Use this information to pick the right size when placing your order online.  This is so important that it warrants a visit to a podiatrist who can advise on what type of shoe to wear as well.  Your feet will appreciate it.

My personal success rate when buying shoes online is around .500 which would be good if I were in the line-up for the New York Mets but not great otherwise.  So use these tips.  But if all of this seems daunting, just go to the store.  They’d love to see you.