What are comfortable shoes? How to choose "truly comfortable shoes" learned from mistakes

Choosing shoes is harder than you might think.
Have you ever chosen a pair of shoes based on their appearance or brand and thought they would be comfortable to wear, only to find that when you actually tried them on, they just didn't feel quite right?

I also love fashion and have tried out a variety of shoes, but I've come to realise that "comfortable shoes" are not simply about being "light" or "soft".
Here, I would like to introduce the important points I consider when choosing shoes, along with some stories of past failures.

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"Slippery" and "painful" - Small pitfalls that ruin comfort

To be honest, I have failed many times in the past.

For example, on a rainy day.
I went out wearing my favorite synthetic leather sneakers and almost slipped on the train platform. I liked the design, but the grip was weak and I immediately felt uneasy.

Since then, I have come to realize that non-slip properties are essential for "comfortable shoes." Recently, many shoes have been adopting high-performance soles such as Vibram soles, and there are an increasing number of types that allow you to walk safely even on rainy days.

Another “painful mistake” is walking for long periods of time.
When you walk continuously from morning until night, such as when traveling, the soles of your feet start to hurt.

Even so, there was a time when I put up with wearing them because I liked the way they looked, but looking back, it was completely counterproductive. No matter how stylish they are, if your feet hurt, it ruins your day.

No matter how good a shoe's reputation may be, if it doesn't fit your feet, it's not comfortable to wear.

"Because they're popular sneakers" or "Because the reviews were good."
There were times when the shoes I bought for that reason didn't fit my feet.

I have a slightly high instep and wide feet.

I once chose a slim model because I was focused on the design, but I found them to be too tight within a few minutes of putting them on.

What I learned from this experience is that "comfort" is not the same for everyone. Even within the same brand, each model has a different foot shape, and even if the size is the same, the fit is completely different.

Recently, there has been an increase in services that allow you to measure the shape of your feet and online stores that allow you to try on shoes and return them, so I try to know as much about my foot shape as possible before making a selection.

Shoelace issues—eliminating everyday stress

Although it may seem trivial, one surprisingly big problem is the hassle of tying shoelaces.
During the busy morning hours, you tie your shoelaces tightly, then untie them again when you get home...

Even though I'm used to it, there are days when I feel a bit reluctant.

Recently, many types of shoes have been released that can be adjusted with just one touch, such as dial-type and rubber shoelaces.
I tried it too and it's really comfortable.

You can adjust the tightness slightly each time you wear them, so you won't feel stressed even on days when your feet are swollen.

I have come to realize that an important element of "comfortable shoes" is not just how soft they feel on your feet, but also how easy they are to put on and take off.

Lightness is "justice" -- but lightness isn't always good

One day, I heard that "light sneakers are the best," so I bought a super lightweight pair.
It's true that at first it's surprisingly easy. It feels like walking barefoot.
However, after walking for a few hours, the cushioning is insufficient and you end up feeling tired.

This was an eye-opener for me, as I had always thought that "light" meant "easy to wear." The balance between lightness and support is important.

Recently, there has been an increase in designs that are light yet stable, supporting natural walking while reducing the burden on the feet.
Once I got used to this type of shoe, I honestly started to feel like other shoes were too heavy.

For better or worse, it may be a happy problem to have the feeling that once you get used to comfortable shoes, you won't be able to wear anything else.

Comfortability also changes depending on the environment

Even if you wear the same shoes, the way you feel about them will change depending on where you wear them.
For example, shoes that are comfortable in the city may be slippery when camping or at a festival, or conversely, outdoor shoes may feel a bit heavy when worn in the city.

Because of my job, I often go out to festivals and exhibitions, so I try to change my shoes depending on the weather and road conditions.

For example, if rain is forecast, wear waterproof sneakers.
If you're going to be standing for long periods of time, choose a model with good cushioning.
That alone makes a huge difference in how tired you feel throughout the day.

I feel that what makes a shoe comfortable to wear is determined by whether it suits your lifestyle.

Finally, the standard for "comfortable shoes" is determined by your feet

I think the most important thing when choosing shoes is to listen to your own feet rather than relying on other people's recommendations. I've failed many times before, but I finally understand what that means.

Comfortable shoes are not just light and soft,
✔ Non-slip and safe
✔Fits your feet and is stress-free
✔No fatigue even after long periods of use
✔ It's easy to put on and take off, and I think it has a good balance.

And above all, it's something that you feel like you want to wear.
That's the best thing that will lift your mood every day.

So that you can spend the day comfortably in your favorite shoes,
Today, I am once again searching for my next pair of comfortable shoes.