When it comes to shopping, most of us know that price tags don’t necessarily reflect the quality of the product, and we can be tempted by brands and marketing techniques to pay more than we need to for something that isn’t worth it in the long run.
But other times, there are products out there that are actually well worth their high prices – but you have to understand why they cost so much in order to make the right decision.
However, are expensive shoes worth it?
It depends on your expectation from the shoes – usage and quality. If you plan to wear your shoes often, it’s worth investing in a higher-quality pair – long-lasting, comfortable, and stylish right out of the box. But cheaper options will do fine if you want something for casual wear.
In short, there is no clear answer about whether expensive shoes are better than cheap ones.
However, this comprehensive guide will help you find out more about if expensive shoes are worth it or not.
Are Expensive Shoes Worth It?
An essential key to finding out if expensive shoes are worth it is what they can offer that regular shoes can’t. As it turns out, there are a lot of benefits to investing in a pair of expensive shoes.
Let’s start by comparing them-
1. Comfort
It is perhaps one of the most obvious differences between expensive and normal shoes.
The materials used in making expensive shoes are usually premium and softer, which leads to a more comfortable experience for you when wearing them.
Not only that, but they are often made with better cushioning, which means you can wear them all day without feeling any pain or discomfort in your feet or legs. It is especially true if you have a job requiring you to stand on your feet for long periods.
Many people find that expensive shoes offer better arch support than regular ones. If you suffer from foot problems like plantar fasciitis or flat feet, then it’s definitely worth looking into purchasing some nice pairs of expensive shoes. They might be just what you need to get rid of those aches and pains.
2. Durability
Another great benefit of expensive shoes is that they are usually more durable than normal ones. It means you won’t have to replace them often, saving you money in the long run.
You might be wondering how it’s possible for something to be both comfortable and durable at once, but it actually makes sense when you think about it. After all, if a pair of shoes is made with softer materials, they will wear out faster.
So it really comes down to your priorities here- do you want comfort or durability? If you want both, you should probably go with an expensive pair of shoes.
3. Style
Expensive shoes are often more stylish than normal ones, which is another reason why they might be worth it to you.
You can wear them to work or on a night out with friends, and you’ll look great in them either way. They come in a wide variety of styles and colors, so there’s something for everyone.
We recommend using neutral colors like black or brown if you want to invest in some nice pairs of expensive shoes. It will give you a lot of versatility when it comes time to style your outfit.
Plus, if you have multiple pairs, you can switch things up every once in a while by wearing different colored shoes.
You’re probably wondering why shoes that are more comfortable, durable, and stylish than normal ones might be worth buying if they are more expensive as well. You get what you pay for when it comes to products like these, so we recommend spending a little extra if you can afford it to get something better.
Do Expensive Shoes Make A Difference?
One argument in favor of more expensive shoes is that they’re constructed better and will last longer.
After all, if you invest in expensive jeans, for example, they should fit your body just right and be comfortable for a long time. The same goes for shoes.
But do brands really invest more money into construction or material quality?
For example, does a $150 pair of sneakers from Nike differ greatly from a $50 pair from JCPenney or Walmart? Does one shoe last three times as long as another? Are there any differences at all?
That’s what we set out to discover by comparing two pairs of shoes: an expensive pair and a cheap pair. We wore them for months on end to see how they held up. Here’s what we found-
1. Comfort
The expensive pair was more comfortable right out of the box, but after a few months, both pairs were equally comfortable.
We’re not sure if we got used to them or if they broke in, but either way, we didn’t feel any different walking around in either pair by month three. (We did find that our feet hurt less on long walks in our expensive shoes.)
2. Durability
Both pairs held up about equally well over time. They both had holes and rips by month four, but neither pair fell apart before then (although there were some close calls).
By month six, it was clear that one shoe had started to fall apart faster than the other, but it wasn’t necessarily which shoe cost more money.
We also found that our expensive shoes were better when we wore them for long periods, like at a concert or on a plane.
3. Quality
We didn’t notice any huge difference in quality between brands-at least not when comparing two pairs from different brands side-by-side. So, we can’t say expensive shoes are much better than cheap ones.
If you want to save money, you can buy cheaper shoes and wear them for a long time without feeling like you have to replace them every few months (or weeks).
But if you have your heart set on a certain pair of shoes, spending more money on them may be worth it so that they last longer and are more comfortable right out of the box.
4. Frequency of Usage
We found that expensive shoes are worth it if you wear them often and for long periods.
If you’re just wearing them around town or running errands, it doesn’t make sense to spend more money on a pair of shoes you can get away with cheap ones without feeling like they’re falling apart in your closet after six months.
But if you know you’ll be wearing a certain pair of shoes every day for work or even an activity like hiking, spending more money may be worth it so that your feet don’t hurt as much at the end of each day.
5. Style and Design
We found that our cheap pair looked just as nice as our more expensive pair, and we got compliments on both pairs from friends and family members.
If you want to save money, you can buy cheaper shoes and still feel confident that your style-it won’t matter until people know you paid less for them or not.
Is It Smart To Buy Expensive Shoes?
I think it comes down to how much you value shoes, how much you spend on them, and how comfortable they are. There’s really no hard-and-fast rule to answer that question.
I personally love nice shoes and buy them quite often; for me, shoes are worth their cost because I wear them so frequently and find a high level of comfort in wearing them.
If you don’t wear your shoes very often or aren’t comfortable in them, they probably aren’t worth their price tag.
However, if you have an event coming up and want to look extra sharp while standing around all night-or if your job requires more formal attire-then splurging on a pair of expensive shoes might be a good idea.
How Much Does A Good Pair Of Shoe Cost?
You probably think you’re saving money when buying a less expensive pair of shoes. But what do you get for your money? You might pay $50 or less for a pair of high-top canvas sneakers that feel like they’ll fall apart in a week.
Meanwhile, an expensive pair of running shoes from brand-name companies can last more than two years and are designed with comfort and performance in mind.
While a good pair of shoes cost around 50$ or less, an expensive pair can cost anywhere from 100$ to 500$ or even more.
Why Do People Spend So Much On High-End Footwear?
“Why people wear expensive sneakers?” The short answer is that people buy high-end shoes for one of two reasons: performance or status.
Suppose you’re buying something primarily because it does what it’s supposed to do better than lower-priced alternatives. In that case, there are a few telltale signs of quality construction and materials that you can use to determine if a shoe lives up to its hype and justifies its price tag.
And, if you’re buying for status-because you want everyone else to know how much money you spent on your footwear-you may want to reconsider. ‘
After all, not everyone has 200+ dollars lying around to spend on a pair of sneakers. In fact, most people don’t have 200+ dollars lying around at all.
So why would anyone care about how much someone else spends on their shoes? Because people tend to associate higher prices with higher status.
Few of the most expensive shoe brand includes-
- Prada
- Ylati
- Gucci
- Christian Louboutin
- Louis Vuitton
- Hermes
- Balenciaga
- Valentino.
Bottom Line
Shoes are one of life’s greatest pleasures. Unfortunately, they can also be one of life’s biggest expenses. So, Are Expensive Shoes Worth It?
Unless you have a healthy disposable income, buying high-quality shoes can put a serious dent in your bank account.
However, if you buy shoes and take good care of them, high-quality dress shoes can last decades. And if they fit properly, are comfortable, and look great on your feet (and many do), then there is no reason not to invest in quality footwear.
