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.

I Got a Message from My Fiancé’s Phone Saying, ‘Cancel the Wedding, He’s Mine!’ Hours Before the Wedding – I Turned It into My Victory

When my wedding day arrived, everything was perfect—until that text came in. What I saw shattered all my hopes and dreams, and I instantly fell out of love with the person who was supposed to be my forever after!

My wedding day began like the opening scene of a fairy tale. The air smelled of lilies, the room hummed with soft chatter, and my bridesmaids were fussing over the final touches on my gown. But soon enough, it all turned into my worst nightmare.

A happy bride on her wedding day | Source: Midjourney

A happy bride on her wedding day | Source: Midjourney

I smiled at my reflection—a picture-perfect bride ready to walk down the aisle to Ian, the man I thought was my soulmate.

“Today’s the day!” my best friend, Rebecca, squealed, fluffing my veil. “How are you feeling?!”

“Like I’m living in a dream!” I replied, and I truly believed it.

But then my phone buzzed on the vanity table. I picked it up absentmindedly, expecting a last-minute wedding update. What I saw instead made my heart drop to my stomach.

A disturbed bride looking at her phone | Source: Midjourney

A disturbed bride looking at her phone | Source: Midjourney

The message was short and devastating:

“Cancel the wedding, he’s mine!”

Attached to the text was a photo of Ian, unconscious in bed next to a woman who looked all too familiar—his ex-wife, Cynthia! Thinking it was some sort of crazy joke, I replied, “Thanks for the laugh before our big day!”

But then came the reply, “He is in BED with ME. Are you blind?!”

The bed. I finally noticed that they weren’t in some random hotel room—they were in Ian’s apartment downtown! And the worst part of it all was that the message had come from Ian’s own phone!

I froze, my hand gripping the phone so tightly that my knuckles turned white. My bridesmaids must have noticed the change in my expression because Rebecca rushed over.

A group of concerned bridesmaids | Source: Midjourney

A group of concerned bridesmaids | Source: Midjourney

“Charlotte, what is it?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Wordlessly, I handed her the phone. The room erupted into chaos as the other bridesmaids crowded around, gasping and shouting over each other.

“What the hell is this?!” I demanded, my eyes darting between Rebecca and the screen.

“It’s a prank, right?” another bridesmaid, Lisa, offered weakly.

I couldn’t speak anymore. My throat felt tight, and my mind raced. I stared at the photo again, desperately searching for signs it had been doctored. But the evidence was clear. Ian had been with Cynthia last night—on the eve of our wedding.

A distressed bride | Source: Midjourney

A distressed bride | Source: Midjourney

“Charlotte, say something!” Rebecca pressed, shaking my arm gently.

I finally exhaled, my hands trembling as I set the phone down. “I need to call him. This can’t be real,” I replied. I dialed Ian’s number, but he didn’t pick up. The wedding hall was packed, everyone was waiting for the ceremony to start, and my fiancé had vanished.

“If this day’s going down in flames,” I said quietly, a renewed determination rising in me, “then I’m the one lighting the match.”

The room fell silent. My bridesmaids exchanged nervous glances.

Nervous bridesmaids | Source: Midjourney

Nervous bridesmaids | Source: Midjourney

“What do you mean?” Lisa asked cautiously.

I straightened my shoulders, a surge of clarity washing over me. “I mean, we’re not canceling anything. But there won’t be a wedding.”

At that moment, I chose not to storm off and hide or break down. I decided that would define my strength. I asked my bridesmaids to call the event planner, and when she arrived, I calmly revised the day’s plans.

My wedding planner and bridesmaids were initially in disbelief, but when I explained exactly what I wanted to do, they rallied around with fierce support.

A wedding planner taking notes | Source: Midjourney

A wedding planner taking notes | Source: Midjourney

They all helped me prepare not for a wedding, but for something far more powerful.

Rebecca, who’d gone out to see if everyone had arrived, reentered the room, her face set in determination. “Everyone’s seated. Are you sure about this, Char?”

“Yes,” I said firmly, smoothing my dress. “They came for a show, so I’m going to give them one. Just not the one they were expecting.”

I stepped onto the stage with a microphone in hand, still dressed in my wedding gown, the sound of my heels echoing in the hushed room. A sea of faces turned toward me, all of them expecting me to explain why the groom was nowhere in sight.

Wedding guests | Source: Midjourney

Wedding guests | Source: Midjourney

“Thank you all for coming,” I began, my voice calm but steady as I smiled at my guests. “Today was supposed to be a celebration of love and commitment. But sometimes, life has other plans.”

I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in. Murmurs rippled through the audience, but I pressed on.

“There won’t be a wedding today,” I continued. “Not because I don’t love Ian, but because I love myself more.”

Gasps erupted from the crowd. My heart pounded, but I held my ground.

“I received a message this morning,” I said, holding up my phone. “From Ian’s phone. It was a photo of him in bed with his ex-wife.”

An upset bride | Source: Midjourney

An upset bride | Source: Midjourney

There was a collective intake of breath. I heard someone whisper, “No way,” while another voice muttered, “Poor Charlotte.”

“Here’s the proof,” I said, handing over my phone with the picture and message from his ex visible for all to see. The guests passed the phone around, each one reacting in shock, disgust, or dismay as they viewed the evidence of my fiancé’s betrayal.

Ian’s parents, seated near the front, looked stricken. His mother covered her mouth with her hands, while his father sat stiffly, staring straight ahead. Feeling furious, his mother started apologizing and consoling me from her seat, but I politely held up my hand, signaling for silence.

An emotional bride talking | Source: Midjourney

An emotional bride talking | Source: Midjourney

“I tried calling Ian,” I added, “but he hasn’t answered. The message was clear: he cheated on me. And I refuse to start a marriage built on betrayal.”

The room was silent except for the sound of someone stifling a sob. Rebecca appeared at my side, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder, giving me the strength to continue.

“But although Ian ruined my wedding,” I said, my voice breaking slightly but my smile shining through, “this isn’t a day to mourn. It’s a day to celebrate something just as important: choosing yourself when the person you love lets you down.”

An emotional bride giving a speech | Source: Midjourney

An emotional bride giving a speech | Source: Midjourney

With that, I pulled a folded piece of paper from my dress pocket, cool, I know. “These are the vows I wrote to myself after getting the message from Ian’s phone,” I announced. I didn’t confess that I’d written them while crying in the bathroom.

I began to read:

I vow to honor my worth, to never again settle for less than the love and respect I deserve.

I promise to protect my heart, nurture my spirit, and build a life filled with joy and authenticity.

I choose to forgive myself for staying too long and to walk forward with courage and grace.

I vow to trust my intuition, value my independence, and embrace the strength that grows from this pain.

I promise to love myself fiercely, to hold myself accountable for my happiness, and to never forget that I am enough.

A bride reading from a paper | Source: Midjourney

A bride reading from a paper | Source: Midjourney

When I finished my speech, the audience erupted in applause. Tears streamed down my face, but I smiled through them. My mother stood up and clapped, her face glowing with pride as she wiped away a tear.

Rebecca hugged me tightly, whispering, “You’re incredible!” My male childhood friend, Danny, shouted, “You go, girl!” My bridesmaids, groomsmen, family, and friends swarmed around me, congratulating me on my strength and newfound stance—until the door burst open suddenly.

A groom arriving late for his wedding | Source: Midjourney

A groom arriving late for his wedding | Source: Midjourney

Ian stood there, 30 minutes late for his special moment, his hair disheveled and his suit rumpled. His eyes darted around the room until they landed on me.

“Charlotte!” he called out, his voice desperate.

The room fell silent as every guest turned to watch the spectacle. Rebecca stepped protectively in front of me, but I shook my head. “It’s fine,” I murmured.

I walked toward Ian, stopping just a few feet away. His face was flushed, his hands trembling. “Charlotte, please, just give me a second of your time to explain! It’s not what it looks like!” he said, his voice cracking.

A distressed groom | Source: Midjourney

A distressed groom | Source: Midjourney

“Really? Because it looks like you spent the night with your ex-wife,” I replied coolly. “Anyway, there’s no point to this because I already said my vows.”

Confused, he asked, “What do you mean? To whom?!”

“I said my vows to myself, so you’re not needed here,” I replied.

“Listen, babe, you don’t understand, my ex, she called me for help,” he stammered. “She needed someone to move a heavy closet at her place. I went over, and one thing led to another. We had some wine, talked… went back to my place because I wanted to be home to prepare for our wedding the next day. I guess I drank too much and passed out. But I didn’t sleep with her! I swear!”

“Nice story,” I said, crossing my arms. “But how did she get into your bed? And why was her arm draped over you like she’d won some kind of prize?”

A man and woman sleeping | Source: Midjourney

A man and woman sleeping | Source: Midjourney

Ian’s mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. “I don’t even remember how that picture happened. Please, darling, you have to believe me!” he pleaded when he finally found the words.

“Even if you didn’t sleep with her,” I continued, my voice rising, “you let her get close enough to destroy what we had built. That’s not love, Ian. That’s selfishness.”

He took a step closer, his eyes pleading. “Charlotte, please… I made a mistake. I can fix this. Just give me a chance.”

I shook my head. “Trust isn’t about fixing things after the fact. It’s about protecting what we have before it gets broken. And you failed.”

An upset bride | Source: Midjourney

An upset bride | Source: Midjourney

Tears filled Ian’s eyes, and his shoulders slumped as I walked away, leaving him behind, both literally and metaphorically. The rest of the evening was a blur of laughter and dancing! The reception transformed into an impromptu celebration of independence!

I danced with my friends, laughed with my family, and even toasted to the future! My wedding dress twirled under the lights as I moved with a newfound sense of freedom. At that moment, I realized I was surrounded by people who truly cared for me!

A happy bride dancing | Source: Midjourney

A happy bride dancing | Source: Midjourney

At one point, I snapped a photo of myself holding a glass of champagne, my dress glowing under the fairy lights. I posted it online with the caption:

“Not every ‘forever’ starts at the altar. Sometimes, it starts with walking away. Here’s to self-respect and new beginnings!”

The post went viral within hours, inspiring countless people to share their own stories of strength and resilience.

The wedding had gone well—actually, better than I expected! Danny, whom I hadn’t seen for 26 years, pleasantly surprised me when he asked me out on a date. I said yes!

A man talking to a former bride | Source: Midjourney

A man talking to a former bride | Source: Midjourney

In the weeks that followed, I continued ignoring Ian’s attempts to reach me. I focused on myself and the people who had my back from day one—and I felt no regret.

Confiding in a friend one day, I said, “You know, it wasn’t just the photo; it was the fact that Ian allowed someone like his ex to get close enough to even pull that kind of stunt. I want a partner who values what we have and protects it, not someone who leaves the door wide open for chaos.”

Two women talking | Source: Midjourney

Two women talking | Source: Midjourney

My story became a source of strength for others. As I moved forward with my life as a single woman, I realized that my real love story wasn’t about Ian at all—it was about rediscovering myself.

I felt a profound sense of peace. Ian’s betrayal had hurt, but it hadn’t broken me. If anything, it had reminded me of something far more important than any wedding vows: my own worth.

And that was a love story worth celebrating!

A happy woman | Source: Midjourney

A happy woman | Source: Midjourney

If that tale had your blood boiling, then you’ll enjoy this next one about a man’s wife who walked out of her house to find a stranger in a wedding dress standing on top of her husband’s car. After the stranger explained who she was, the wife’s marriage fell apart!

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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