How long since you bought shoes?

[Glenn9643]

Monroe, LA has about 150K population, and a decent shopping mall. Before today I would have thought buying something as simple as a pair of shoes wouldn’t be a problem.
I retired in 2000 from wearing black boots every day and most of my footwear needs now is satisfied by shoes from LL Bean (Bean Boots). However, my "casual" shoes have seen their useful life go by and I've been shopping for replacements. Went to the mall today and shopped at McRae's, Sears, JC Penny, Dillards, Mervyn's, and about a dozen other "shoe stores".
None of these stores carried traditional shoe sizes that I was familiar with. I was looking for 8-1/2EEE. I found Euro sizes, and they were limited to "medium" width for the most part. Apparently all of the large retailers have converted to Euro sizes, and many of the manufacturers only offer “medium” widths.
I've located several web sources where traditional sizes could be ordered, but would really prefer to see and touch the shoes before purchase. I'm already familiar with the Bean boots, so that's a different story. Have we become so globalized that we can't even buy shoes anymore?

 

[rdln]

My feet were built to hold 6 toes each but thats another story....finding ski boots that fit now thats a real pain!

You can always send beans or masons back.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> Have we become so globalized that we can't even buy shoes anymore? </font>


Globilization is getting out of hand. I wouldn't be too surprised if we all had to buy metric wrenches to work on our tractors /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[ronjhall]

Last September. It was a pain finding a pair that fit. All the ones in my size, 8 1/2 D were too narrow. Finally found a pair that fit at Kohl's.

 

[LMTC]

I need 11-1/2 EE or EEE depending on the cut, and sometimes 12. I buy chukka boots or 6" leather boots of some variety from Rocky. Sometimes at the factory outlet (they are 2+ hours from here), sometimes from Cabelas online. I wear them every day 6 days a week, probably 10-12 hours at least, and usually get 12-18 months out of a pair. I buy casual slip-ons for around the house and such at Cabelas...their "wide" is always wide enough.

 

[OkeeDon]

We live in an area with about the same population, but there are no old-fashioned shoe stores in the area. I grab cheap boat shoes anywhere I can find them, but for "real" shoes, I wait until we get to our cabin near West Jefferson, NC. There, in a town of about 5,000 in a county of about 22,000, is the Family Shoe Store, where I can still find most of the things I'm used to, and where the shoes still fit. My wife has very narrow feet, and also waits until our trips North.

Of course, now that a Wally World has finally made it to that tiny mountain town, I wonder how long the privately owned shoe store will survive...

 

[fractal]

Standard disclaimer. I don't work for them. I just buy their products..

Go to http://www.redwingshoes.com/ , type in monroe, la. There are 3 stores in west monroe and another half dozen within 30 miles. They used to be the only place in town I could buy 12 1/2 AA's. My feet have mellowed over the years and now wear normal sizes. Redwing has always had sizes from AA to EEE and H. Most of their shoes are steel toed as well. I haven't bought any in years but they used to make some of the most comfortable work shoes I ever wore.

 

[goodoleboy]

I keep tennis shoes for about 1-2 years. Actual work boots for about 6 moths.I get the magnum brand for $40 a pair made in china I walk about 2 miles a day at work so I dont to attached to a brand of boots they all wear out.
Home working boots about till i cant them clean. My wife like to throw away shoes just becuase they are caked with mud. I take and wash them and she wears them happily.

 

[daedong]

<font color="blue">Globilization is getting out of hand. I wouldn't be too surprised if we all had to buy metric wrenches to work on our tractors </font>


Bob,

Heaven forbid /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Vin, sorry but I couldn't help myself.