What do you look for in a pair of trainers? The majority of people want quality out of their trainers, especially if they are spending a large sum of money on them; you’d want them to last. A quality pair of trainers will fit perfectly, protect your feet and last a hell of a lot longer than a cheap pair.

Budget

The amount you spend on your trainers will depend on your budget, but no matter what your budget is you can still find a pair of quality trainers that will last you. The most important thing to consider if you are worried about spending a lot of money on a pair of trainers is to think about the economical benefits of a more expensive pair. A pair of trainers that cost a little more will last a lot longer, feel comfier and if you want more bang for your buck, you’d be better off splashing the cash.

Quality

The saying, ‘you get what you pay for’ is usually right, but not always. Look out for the quality signs in a pair of trainers, the main one being good stitching. If the stitching has frayed edges or looks uneven, chances are it’s been sewn up haphazardly in a sweatshop. You should look for signs of good quality craftsmanship in the sewing. Make sure any buckles or buttons are securely fastened, give them a pull to see how secure they are.

Avoid the Sweatshops

It’s a well-known fact that some of the big name brands use sweatshops to mass produce their trainers, this sometimes means the quality can be lacking. You can pick up designer brand trainers that you know have been made in good conditions sometimes for cheaper prices than the more popular brands.

For example, a recent collaboration between Universal Works and Maians has resulted in Mediterranean-style casual trainers that are hand-made and eco-friendly. Universal Works use dead-stock fabrics to make their garments. These are old or unsold fabrics that would otherwise be wasted. This makes their products environmentally-friendly and not wasteful (like a lot of fashion brands can be).

Maians is Spanish plimsoll company who make every piece of their footwear from local materials including vulcanized rubber – as well as being carefully crafted and handmade. Maians creates shoes that are casual and practical yet chic.

Make sure they fit

It might sound silly, especially if you’re a grown adult, but it’s worth getting your feet measured. Feet sizes can change and often people have one foot half an inch bigger than the other. If this is the case, buy the larger size and wear an insole in the one show, this will ensure maximum comfort and keep your feet protected. Wearing shoes too small can be bad for your posture. It’s not true that you can ‘wear shoes in’ – it’s actually very bad for you, so always go larger and find insoles rather than cramming your toes into shoes that are too small. A fact you may not know is that your feet swell slightly during the course of the day so your shoes can never be too tight, give your feet room to breathe.

Clair O\’Hara is writing on behalf of The Shed Community, specialists in YMC clothing and Universal Works.

Clair O\’Hara is writing on behalf of The Shed Community (http://www.theshedcommunity.com), specialists in YMC clothing and Universal Works.

Author Bio: Clair O\’Hara is writing on behalf of The Shed Community, specialists in YMC clothing and Universal Works.

Category: Advice
Keywords: YMC, Universal Works, Shed menswear, men\\\’s fashion