Shoe Budget is a library of practical guides for people who want comfortable, durable footwear without paying full retail: how to get the fit right, when prices actually drop, how to avoid fakes and how to make the shoes you own last longer.
The cheapest shoe is the one you keep. Most bad purchases are fit problems, so we start there.
Last season's model and end-of-season sales beat coupon hunting almost every time.
A $90 shoe worn 400 times costs less per wear than a $35 shoe that falls apart in three months.
Rotation, drying and basic cleaning add months of life to shoes you already own.
What over-the-counter insoles can and cannot do, how to choose one, how to fit it in your shoes, and when an insole is a better buy than a new pair of shoes.
Read the guide →How to choose affordable work boots that hold up, including safety ratings, construction types, materials and fit, plus where you can safely save money.
Read the guide →How to measure children's feet, how much growth room is sensible, how often kids need new shoes, and where it is and isn't worth saving money.
Read the guide →A simple way to compare shoes by what they cost each time you wear them, with worked examples, what to include, and when the cheapest pair really is the best choice.
Read the guide →Which shoes actually need breaking in, a sensible schedule for wearing new shoes, how to prevent blisters, and the signs that a shoe simply does not fit.
Read the guide →A gentle step-by-step method for cleaning mesh and knit sneakers by hand, how to treat soles, laces and insoles, and why the washing machine is a last resort.
Read the guide →