Why Investing in Quality Shoes Makes Sense

When it comes to shoes, it's tempting to grab the $60 pair from a fast fashion store. They may look appealing today, but who wants to spend over $200?

Here’s a crucial truth: Buying higher-quality shoes and repairing them is a smarter and more sustainable choice. When you consider your Price Per Wear (PPW), it’s a clear decision.

The True Cost of Cheap Shoes

Let’s consider a pair of synthetic leather shoes you purchase for $60. They may look good now, but after just a few months of regular wear, the soles begin to peel, the faux leather cracks, and comfort goes out the window. After one season of use, they’ll be tossed and replaced by another $60 pair.

Over five years, you might buy around 9 pairs—spending a total of $540 (9 × $60), which equates to about $108 per year. Each pair could be worn approximately 100 times (4 days x 4 weeks x 6 months). This gives you a price per wear of:

$0.60 per wear ($60 ÷ 100 wears)

Additionally, each discarded pair likely ends up in a landfill, where synthetic materials can take decades to decompose.

The Smarter (and Sharper) Alternative

Now, let’s envision investing in high-quality leather shoes. Consider these exceptional options:

• Allen Edmonds Park Avenue Oxfords: Retail price of $395, often found on sale for $250–$300

• Red Wing Heritage Iron Ranger Boots: Priced at $349

  
  

These shoes are crafted from full-grain leather, feature durable Goodyear welts (meaning they can be resoled), and actually improve with age.

If you buy a pair for $300 and properly care for them (including resoling every 2–3 years at about $150), here’s how the costs add up over five years:

Item	Cost	Notes
Initial purchase	$300	High-end, durable leather
First resole (after 2–3 years)	$150	Full resole + polish
Minor repairs (laces, cleaning)	$30	Maintenance over 5 years
Total (5 years)	$480	Averaging ~$86/year

Over the course of five years, you'll wear these quality shoes around 1,000 times (4 days x 52 weeks x 5 years). This dramatically reduces your price per wear compared to cheap shoes, despite a higher initial investment and periodic professional maintenance:

$0.48 per wear ($480 ÷ 1,000 wears)

Quick Comparison: Cheap vs. Quality Shoes

	Cheap Shoes	Quality Shoes
Cost over 5 years	$540	$480
Price per wear	$0.60	$0.48
Comfort & appearance	Declines quickly	Improves with age
Environmental impact	Landfill waste	Repairable and long-lasting

It’s About More Than Money

Buying quality shoes and repairing them isn't just about saving money—it's a complete lifestyle choice. Here’s why:

Sustainability Matters

Fewer shoes produced and discarded means a lower environmental impact. Investing in quality reduces waste.

Craftsmanship Shines

Good shoes are made and repaired by skilled workers who take pride in their craft. By choosing quality, you are supporting artisans and their work.

Personal Pride

Well-maintained shoes reflect care for quality over trends. They show an appreciation for craftsmanship, making a statement about your values.

How to Start

1. Invest in one quality pair of everyday shoes in a neutral color and versatile style. You can find incredible deals on secondhand websites for like-new, high-quality shoes.

2. Care for your shoes: Use shoe trees, polish them regularly, and keep them dry.

3. Coblrshop.com—you’ll be amazed at what expert cobblers can accomplish!

4. Plan for repairs rather than replacements in your budgeting.

   
   

You don’t need to be wealthy to afford quality footwear; you just need to rethink your buying habits.

Buy better. Repair often.