How to Choose Shoes & Sneakers

Define the shoe’s purpose

A running shoe is designed for running and sport with a shock-absorbing sole; a casual shoe suits everyday wear and pairing with outfits. The right choice starts with defining the purpose.

Wearing a sports shoe for long city walks is fine, but a running shoe in a formal setting — or a dress shoe for exercise — both spoils the look and strains your feet. One pair cannot play every role well.

Take size and comfort seriously

Check the toe room, the width and the sole comfort. A shoe should be neither tight nor too big. Look at each model’s size chart, because shoe sizing also varies a little between brands.

The simplest way to measure is to stand on a sheet of paper, trace around your foot and measure from heel to longest toe in centimetres. You need roughly half to one centimetre of extra room so your toes do not press into the front as you walk.

At Rizemize, shoes are offered with precise men’s and women’s sizing and a guarantee of authenticity.

Know the sole, the upper and the insole

A rubber sole grips well on wet surfaces and suits the city; light foam soles are more comfortable but wear down sooner. Look at the tread as well: the deeper and more regular it is, the less you slip on damp pavements.

A leather upper moulds to the foot over time and lasts longer; a mesh upper is light and cool, which works better for summer and sport. A removable insole is a real plus, since it makes cleaning easy and lets you fit an orthopaedic insole if you need one.

Shoes for different seasons and surfaces

In a hot Iranian summer, light shoes with a breathable upper and cotton socks prevent sweating and odour. In winter and on rainy days, a treaded sole and a water-resistant upper take priority, so you slip less and your feet stay dry.

If you are on your feet most of the day, give more weight to cushioning. For long periods of standing, a shoe with a low, broad heel is usually more comfortable than a completely flat one, because it spreads the pressure across the whole foot.

Care for your shoes

Extend their life with regular cleaning and by rotating between two pairs. Let a shoe breathe and dry after each use so it keeps its shape and comfort.

Never dry wet shoes next to a heater: stuff them with crumpled paper and let them dry at room temperature. Feed leather with a proper cream, clean fabric trainers with a soft brush and lukewarm water, and wash the laces separately so the pair looks fresh.

When is it time to replace a shoe?

Put the shoe on a table and look at it from behind: if the heel leans to one side or the sole is worn away unevenly at one corner, it no longer supports your foot properly. Deep creasing across the upper is another sign its useful life is over.

New pain in the knee, ankle or arch while walking is often the first warning that the sole has worn out. For sports shoes, replacement after roughly five hundred kilometres of walking or running is recommended, even if they still look fine.