13 Simple Tips of How to Spot Poor Quality Shoes Right On

Ideally, a new pair of shoes should be comfortable and fashionable. However, you may find a lot of options in footwear shops that meet these 2 criteria, but at the same time their quality is so bad that they won’t last long. We decided to find out what things you should pay attention to in order to choose a really high-quality pair.

Check the shoes for smudges and glue marks.

Manufacturers often use glue to stick together different parts of the shoe. If the glue is of high quality and the work is done properly, the pair will last a long time. However, small glue drips in the spots where parts meet or traces of glue on the surface indicate that you are looking at low-quality shoes and that there were issues during production.

When a part of the shoe, its sole or insole, comes off a bit, it means the shoemaker probably used bad or expired glue, and this pair will fall apart quickly.

Examine whether the pair is symmetrical.

Quality shoes in a pair should be symmetrical, and any differences between the right and left shoes most likely indicate a defect. To check this, you need to put the soles of both shoes together and see if they match in length and width.

It’s also worth putting the pair on the floor to understand whether the height and outline of the upper edge of the heel are symmetrical. If the soles are painted in different colors, check whether the paint is within the borders of the sole and whether the pattern matches. Gross irregularities in symmetry indicate that the manufacturer didn’t pay much attention to quality.

Check the seams carefully.

Any uneven or diverging seams make shoes look not that good. This happens if the manufacturer used too thin threads or the work was done poorly. As a result, such a pair will fall apart much faster. It’s also necessary to check the uniformity of stitches and the evenness of the seam itself.

If its line is curved or zigzag-looking, this means that the shoes you’re looking at are of poor quality and will lose their appearance in a couple of months. And zigzag-looking stitch is often used to hide the imperfections of the stitching.

Examine the heels.

The heel must be firmly attached to the sole and not wobble. It’s necessary to look at the shoes from the side. In good quality pumps, the high heels are positioned exactly under the center of the heel and touch the ground at a slight incline.

It’s worth looking carefully at the heels from behind – any deviation of the heels from the angle of 90⁰ indicates a defective product. Moreover, these shoes are simply dangerous to wear – this may lead to ankle injuries.

Loose eyelets are a bad sign.

Any metal or plastic parts on the shoe (especially those that come into contact with the skin) should be tightly fastened. Thus, it’s worth carefully examining the eyelets for laces. Although this defect is quite rare, it can lead to wearer’s injury.

You should also check how well any embellishments are attached to the shoe. If they fall off at one point, the pair won’t look good anymore.

Carefully inspect the inside of the shoe.

Some manufacturers save on the training of workers and don’t calibrate equipment before the production of a new product line. As a result, shoes, boots and sneakers may have seemingly insignificant defects such as wrinkles and creases. If these defects are small, they won’t cause much trouble to the wearer. But large creases can rub the skin while walking, which will lead to abrasions and blisters on the feet.

Examine the insoles.

Even if a shoe looks perfect from the outside, you need to scrutinize it from the inside too. If the insoles show small wrinkles and creases, this pair is likely to be uncomfortable to wear. In addition, you should carefully feel the insoles to make sure that there are no bubbles on them.

Another important thing is that there must be cushioning between the insole and the sole, especially in the toe and heel area. Otherwise, a long walk in these shoes will make not only your feet and legs sore, but also your back.

Check how the shoes smell.

Low-quality and cheap shoes often have a strong chemical odor. It’s best to refrain from buying this pair. But if shoes or boots exude the scent of leather, polish or wood, you’ve found the shoes of high quality.

Take a photo of the shoes.

Of course, shoes made of synthetic materials can also be of high quality, especially when it comes to sports models. But good shoes should ideally be made of leather. They are softer and fit better on the foot, which means they will be much more comfortable to wear.

However, the quality of leather also varies. Often, manufacturers don’t mention the type of leather they use to make shoes in order to keep costs down. To determine the quality of the product you are holding in your hands, you need to take a photo of the shoes and enlarge the image. If you can see pores on the leather, you can safely buy the shoes.

Bend the shoe a little bit.

You don’t need to knead your shoes too much, but you can bend the shoe slightly to see how flexible the sole is and whether it remains attached to the upper part when moved. In addition, it’s worth pressing the sides of the shoe a little bit. Throughout the day, our feet usually increase in size a little, so a quality pair should adapt to these changes.

Check how your shoes sound.

Most shoe shops have soft carpeting on the floor, so it’s a good idea to take a short walk on a harder surface before making a purchase. If the soles and heels make unpleasant clanking noises when you walk, you are likely to be wearing a low-quality pair. And platform or wedge shoes shouldn’t sound like there are voids inside the sole.

Examine the material of the sole and heel carefully.

Usually the sole of a really good quality pair is made of leather or good rubber. These shoes are comfortable to wear, and in addition, they almost don’t slip. At the same time, if the base of the sole is uneven, then these shoes will be uncomfortable.

In addition, it’s worth examining the material from which the heels are made. If the manufacturer used plastic or didn’t cover the heel with leather or fabric, then you are looking at a cheap product that is far from being perfect.

Rub the shoes with a cloth.

Sometimes manufacturers use poor quality leather dyes, which can leave marks on the skin or clothes. Therefore, before buying, you should carefully rub the shoes inside and outside, first with a dry cloth and then with a damp cloth. If there are no marks on the fabric, the shoes are okay.

And here’s a list of fashionable shoes that are not as cool as they look.

Can you guess which cup will fill up first

Logic puzzles are always a great way to test our problem-solving skills and attention to detail. The image above presents a deceptively simple challenge: out of the seven cups shown, which one will fill up first? At first glance, it might seem like an easy question, but if you’re not careful, you might end up with the wrong answer. Ready to take on the challenge?

Why This Puzzle Tricks So Many People

At first, most people glance at the image and rush to answer. They might choose the cup closest to the teapot or the one that appears to have the shortest path. However, this puzzle isn’t as straightforward as it seems.

One of the most common mistakes people make is ignoring the blocked paths. The diagram cleverly includes sections where pipes are blocked or sealed, preventing water from flowing to certain cups. If you don’t pay close attention to these details, you’re likely to pick the wrong cup.

Another mistake is assuming that all paths are open and functional. Our brains are wired to think in terms of simplicity and efficiency, which often leads to us overlooking small barriers or obstructions in a puzzle like this.

The takeaway? Details matter. To solve puzzles like this, slowing down and carefully analyzing each component is crucial.

Step-by-Step Guide to Solving the Puzzle

Let’s solve this puzzle together. Grab a cup of tea (or coffee) and focus on the diagram. We’ll analyze the flow of water step by step.

  1. Start from the Source
    The teapot is pouring water into the topmost pipe. From here, the water will naturally follow gravity, flowing down into the first available path. But not all paths are open.
  2. Follow the Flow
    The water flows down the central pipe and begins to branch out toward different cups. However, not all cups will receive water because some pathways are blocked.
  3. Analyze the First Branch
    As the water moves downward, it reaches the first branching point. This branch splits into two directions:
    • To the left, it leads toward cup 5.
    • To the right, it leads toward cups 4 and 6.
    Here’s the critical detail: the pipe leading to cup 5 is blocked at the bottom. This means water cannot flow into cup 5, and it is effectively out of the running.
  4. Check the Right Branch
    Moving to the right, the water encounters two more pathways:
    • One path leads to cup 4, but it is also blocked at the base, preventing water from reaching the cup.
    • The second path leads directly to cup 6.
    Since the pathway to cup 6 is completely open, the water will continue flowing downward and into this cup without any obstruction.
  5. Confirm the Flow
    Once the water reaches cup 6, it will fill up. No other cup can intercept the water because all other paths are blocked.

The Final Answer: Cup 6

So, the correct answer to this puzzle is cup 6. It’s the only cup with an unobstructed path for the water to flow into. Cups 4 and 5, despite being closer in appearance, are blocked and cannot fill up first.

Why Puzzles Like This Are Great for Your Brain

Puzzles like this aren’t just fun—they’re also an excellent way to sharpen your problem-solving skills and boost your logical thinking. Here are a few benefits of tackling logic puzzles:

  • Improved attention to detail: Small details often make the biggest difference, as seen in this puzzle.
  • Enhanced critical thinking: Analyzing each component step by step trains your brain to approach problems methodically.
  • Patience and persistence: Puzzles teach us to slow down and think things through rather than rushing to conclusions.

By practicing regularly with puzzles like this, you can develop sharper analytical skills and even apply them to real-life situations.

Share Your Thoughts and Join the Conversation!

Did you guess the right answer? Or did the blocked paths trick you? Share your reasoning in the comments and let us know which cup you thought would fill up first.

If you enjoyed solving this puzzle, why not challenge your friends and family to see if they can figure it out too? Share this article with them and compare your answers. You might be surprised at how many people miss the small details!

Conclusion: Keep Sharpening Your Mind

Puzzles like this are a fun reminder that things aren’t always what they seem. They challenge us to look beyond the obvious and consider every detail before reaching a conclusion.

So, next time you encounter a tricky riddle or logic puzzle, take a deep breath, slow down, and analyze the situation step by step. Who knows? You might discover that you’re better at solving these challenges than you thought.

Ready for your next brain teaser? Stay curious, keep challenging yourself, and embrace the joy of problem-solving!

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