Monday, April 06, 2009

Shoes

This weekend Tetsu bought me some new shoes. I hate buying shoes. I'm not so fond of shopping to begin with but I especially don't like trying on shoes. I can't seem to think fashion when in comes to shoes and I can go through a whole season with just one pair of walking shoes and a pair of black dress shoes (for funerals).

So the soles of the shoes I bought in October were wearing down so much I felt like I was walking on a slant (I do a lot of walking so I am hard on shoes). Someone even commented that I needed to buy some new ones so you know they were getting pretty bad. Tetsu was so surprised when I suggested we visit the shoe store on Saturday.

"YOU?! You want to buy shoes?!"

Shoes have to have some support because of all the walking I do. They can't hurt because I've already got bunions. They should be black or brown so that they won't show the dirt when Choco steps on my feet. They also have to be easy to get on and off because we live in a Japanese house where we are removing shoes every time we enter a building. (Yes, not only houses. We all remove our shoes when we enter a school or the kindergarten or wherever.)

I don't buy shoes in America either but I have a feeling shoes are a little different. What do you think? I looked at some shoes (but didn't buy them) that have soft backs at the heel area. I considered these because I have a TERRIBLE habit of stepping on the backs of my shoes when I get into them. I think most Japanese do this and that is why these types of shoes are becoming popular. The back of the shoe is soft so that you can pull it up around your heel, or if you are in a hurry you can smash them down like mules. Mules are VERY popular shoes in Japan for just this reason.

What I ended up with are MAROON colored walking shoes. (Tetsu chose the color for me). They've got the reflectors on the back of the heel for walking at night, and they have a good arch for walking. Best of all they have zippers on the sides. Do shoes elsewhere have zippers? If I'm going to buy shoes I look for some with velcro or zippers so that I can get in and out of them quickly. I just can't be bothered to sit down on the entry way step and tie or untie tennis shoes every time I go in or out of the house.

I'm ready for a lot of spring walking!

13 comments:

CT said...

I like the shoes that Tetsu bought for you! the color is so nice!!!

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

I have to say that I've never seen zippers like that before, what a GREAT idea! Happy walking.... :)

Mimi said...

I love the zippers!! That is such a good idea and I've never seen shoes with them.

Take care and enjoy your walks.

Hugs

Vicky F said...

Those shoes look very comfortable.
That's funny, the laces are there just for looks?
You could tie them into a serious knot and never have to worry about them coming undone while you walk!
Vicky F

Anonymous said...

I have never seen a zippered shoe such as that on an otherwise normal looking shoe.

Although on Saturday, my daughter did find a pair of high top (very high) funky shoes at a second hand store that had a zipper with the same idea as a boot (although there were laces, too).

Amanda said...

I'm with you on this - I hate buying shoes too. We don't have the taking off/putting on business here, but I do have specific requirements due to a dodgy ankle. I have to wear flat, lace-up shoes and the insole has to come out so that I can insert my orthotics. Thankfully I have found an online store that sells attractive lace-ups and is happy for you to send them back as often as you need until you find ones that fit properly. I love your new shoes - pretty and practical - though I've never seen laces and zips before.

Shasta said...

I have a hard time buying shoes too. I haven't seen any with zippers like that - I really like them. I like to take my shoes off a lot too, so ease of putting on and taking off is a big factor for me as well.

dianne said...

my favorite little red-headed boy has a pair of shoes with laces AND zippers - but he doesn't keep them on long enough for me to know how practical they are ...... i have a leather chair the same color as your shoes - i think the saleswoman called it "ox blood" - maroon sounds much better ... and i'm with you - i hate buying shoes - i always end up wandering over to the the men's side of the store, wondering why they get to wear shoes that are so much more comfortable?!?

The Calico Quilter said...

What a brilliant design! And love the maroon color. Someone had a good idea - zippers for everyday use and laces for fitting the shoes just right. You can tie "kid knots" in the laces so they don't loosen. By "kid knots" I mean tying a half hitch or full hitch using the shoelace bow loops to keep them tied. I do that with my walking shoes. I knew someone once who tied her kid's shoes that way, so that's why I call it "kid knots"! I'm always kicking my shoes off, so that's why I love mules and loafers.

BrendaLou said...

I take my shoes off the minute I get home....I just don't like to wear shoes! I like the idea of the zipper,lol I thought it was revealing a pocket for your key!
I hate to shop for shoes too and end up ordering them through a catalog mostly....I've gotten the same white sandals 5 times...worn them out and just got the same ones!

Connie W said...

I've seen shoes with Velcro but not zippers, other than on boots. I like your choice.

Tracey in CT said...

The zippers are cool, my daughter had a pair of sneakers with zippers up the middle.

I think that the shoes with the squishy backs would be good for me.

You might want to think about buying yourself a pair of Crocs when you are in the US this summer.
They are my absolute favorite, I wear them all the time unless there is a lot of snow and ice.

G'G'ma said...

What a wonderful idea to have a side zipper. I have to wear a SAS tie shoe with orthotics. It is so hard to take off one pair of tied shoe when I come inside and then put on a different pair. Especially so when I am in and out many times a day doing yard work. I wear a 5 WW so they have to be a special order. Just hate shoe shopping!!!

I think we still may have a can of Ox-blood shoe polish in the shoe polish box. I used to have a pair of shoes that color.

Is that an American shoe brand?