When choosing clothes and shoes, be sure to pay attention to the manufacturer. This will directly affect the convenience, quality of materials and the price of the item. After all, you agree that best shoes is it something you don't feel on your foot while walking? Buying a low-quality thing, you doom yourself to permanent corns, corns, curvature and the like. Below we will determine how to choose the right brand for men and women. women's shoes, and make a rating the best manufacturers for 2017.

How to choose the right shoes?

A properly selected pair of shoes (sneakers, sneakers, ballet flats, louboutins, moccasins, underline the desired option) prevents the appearance of growths, corns and similar muck. Inappropriate shoes can rapidly develop these same diseases that will constantly remind of themselves (according to my own bitter experience).

Let's take care of our feet and choose comfortable shoes for them. So, here are a few key rules that will help you avoid foot problems:

1. Go shopping in the late afternoon, when your foot has time to trample and increase in size a little.

2. During the first fitting, be sure to make a few circles around the store, and carefully "listen" to your feelings.

3. Be sure to take the insoles with you (if you wear special orthopedic or shoe inserts).

4. Don't pay attention to shoe size (within reason, of course). Many manufacturers may run small or large. Therefore, it often happens that your 38 size may fit 36 ​​or 40.

5. Do you order from an online store? Then take measurements of the foot immediately before buying. Foot size changes throughout life, so if you measured the size once at the age of 18, this is not an indicator.

Coming home, we recommend to give your feet freedom. Walk barefoot (if there are no diseases that prevent it), or buy light fabric slippers. After a hard day at work, it will be the perfect soothing for your fingers and feet.

Rating of the best brands of men's shoes

Do you want to experience the beauty of life? Then choose shoes that have stood the test of time. Below we present to your attention the brands men's shoes which, in our opinion, are the best.

1. Caterpillar - stylish and practical

This brand produces mainly boots and low shoes in classic, sports and casual style. You can find not only male models but also female. On the this moment, the Caterpillar boot brand is only gaining popularity in the CIS countries. But already, judging by the numerous customer reviews, it is one of the most reliable manufacturers in terms of quality.

The price of boots can be said to be average (in the region of 5000 - 6000 thousand rubles). Can be easily picked suitable model for winter, spring, summer and autumn. The rubber sole keeps well in any weather, does not peel off. All in all, this is the best deal on the market right now.

Pros:

• Affordable shoes (not too expensive).
• Very high quality, can be worn for years.

Minuses:

• Not revealed (although there is a marriage everywhere).

2. Nike - sport and comfort

Probably one of the most popular companies in the production of sneakers and sneakers. Interesting fact: in 2016, Nike became the most popular brand in the world. And this is not only a merit of good marketers in the state. Nike produces some of the highest quality and stylish models to date. You probably won't find one young man or a girl who would not like to buy AirMax for herself.

The price for one pair of shoes is very different, starting from 650 rubles and ending with an incredible 30,000 rubles. The quality of each model is excellent. The sole and upper materials are well combined, and withstand any load. Thus, it is very good shoes for daily wear and sports.

Pros:

• Price. You can find a budget model.
• High quality materials.
• Wide range for women and men
• Good for sports (running, basketball).

Minuses:

• Thick sole that not everyone likes.

3. ECCO - Absolute Confidence

ECCO is popular with men all over the world. Excellent quality, innovative technologies and stylish design make ecco products one of the most sought after in the world. In the store you will find shoes for all occasions: sneakers, shoes, sandals, flip flops and boots.

The price of products of this brand, of course, bite a little. The price for most models starts from 7000 rubles. However, the store is constantly running discounts and promotions that allow you to buy some models at a much lower price. In general, this good producer shoes for stylish men.

Pros:

• High quality products.
• Wide range for men and women.
• There are always discounts and promotions.

Minuses:

• The price is great.

4. Ralf Ringer - European quality

Ralf Ringer has been on the market for quite some time (since 1996). Previously, shoes were produced only for men, now you can find a wide range of shoes for women and children. Shoes are designed for people from 20 to 45 years old. The main advantage of this brand is high European quality.

The average price for one pair varies from 2000 to 7000 rubles. It's pretty acceptable price for this quality. Customer reviews of the product are mostly positive. This is not strange, because shoes from Ralf Ringer can serve you for more than one year.

Pros:

• Comfortable shoes for men and women.
• Relatively inexpensive in price.
• High European quality.

Minuses:

• Some models are not very well made.

The best women's shoe manufacturers

As a rule, women choose any elements of clothing very carefully. This also applies to shoes, sandals, sandals, loafers and the like. If you want to always look stylish, and at the same time not worry that the shoes will tear, then we recommend that you pay attention to the rating of the best brands in 2017 for women.

1. Geox - start breathing

Italian manufacturer of women's and men's shoes, which has established itself as a quality brand. Geox specialize in the production of classic, everyday and casual models. The company is famous for its relationship with customers, as it strives to satisfy all their needs as much as possible. Recently, the manufacturer has been using its own development of the sole membrane. It allows the foot to breathe while walking, and does not let moisture in from the outside.

The cost of production starts from 3,000 rubles and can reach up to 100,000 rubles. Depending on the needs and season, you can always find the right Geox model in the store. In general, user reviews are mostly positive.

Pros:

• There are collections for men, women and children.
• The sole allows the skin of the feet to breathe.
• Do not pass moisture.

Minuses:

• High price.

2. Rieker - comfort from Germany

Popular brand from Germany. They are mainly famous for their quality in casual shoes. You can be sure that it will last you several seasons without problems. On the other hand, it is better to choose more carefully for places where the climate is changeable. Judging by customer reviews, Rieker does not tolerate bad weather conditions.

The price for a pair, in principle, is average (around 5000 rubles). For this price you will get a pair of shoes or boots made of quality materials. The assortment of the brand is quite large, you can pick up shoes not only for a woman, but also for a man and your children.

Pros:

• A wide range of.
• Comfortable to wear.
• Sufficiently durable models.

Minuses:

• Poorly withstand severe frosts.

3. Bronx - good shoes as a tradition

Dutch manufacturer, which managed to spread in many countries. Due to the presentation of goods in different price categories, a large number of people use their products. Every year you can watch up to 4 Bronx fashion collections.

The price of the product can vary greatly depending on the selected model. For budget buyers, there is a collection called DIBA. Bronx products can be freely purchased on the territory of the CIS countries.

Pros:

• There are budget and expensive collections.
• The high quality of the materials used.

Minuses:

• Not detected.

4. Clarks - exquisite and tasteful

Once a solo project - British Grenson Shoes. It was started by a man named William Green. He learned the art of shoemaking from his mother when he helped her sew men's shoes, which the family provided to all their neighbors. Over time, Green moved out from his mother and opened his own business, and in 1866 he decided that it was time to hire workers for tailoring to take care of taking orders, finding materials and selling. The next step was the official registration of William Green & Son. In 1884, Green opened the Greens Yard factory. Green & Son soon became Grenson as it is known today, becoming one of the first trademarks to be registered in the UK.

The Great Depression somewhat crippled the company's business, but demand for Grenson boots returned again when the British army needed to shoe their soldiers going to the fields of World War II. By the end of the 1940s, production increased many times, and the staff of factory workers grew by 400 people.

Green's relatives led the company for almost a century - until William's great-grandson decided to sell the family business in the 1980s. Since then, two captains have changed at the helm of the company, but the quality of Grenson products still meets the requirements once formulated by its creator. Not only does the company now make perhaps the neatest and most elegant of the traditional working-class boots, but it also engages in useful creative alliances. For example, with the no less respectable brand Barbour, known for its waxed jackets. Especially for this experiment, both companies combined their best brand features: the aristocratically light skin of the Grenson brogues is topped with a colored cotton insert.

Red Wing Heritage 6 Classic Moc Toe Oro-original

Now this brand of traditional American shoes is an indispensable guarantor of quality and a symbol of masculinity. But the first pair of Red Wing boots in 1905 was sold for just $1.75. Shortly before this, Charles Beckman, a shoe dealer from Minnesota, noticed that the shoes of local workers were no good. Their work is difficult, and they need shoes to match - able to withstand any load and not let you down in the mine, in the field or in logging. At the same time, boots should be comfortable enough so that they are not remembered in the midst of work. And so Beckman, with fourteen investors, opens an enterprise whose slogan is short and simple: "Work is our work."

The company was named after the city where Beckman was from - and that, in turn, bears the name of the Indian chief Red Wing. His image in the mid-1910s became the company's logo. For more than a century, she has never moved: in the old building where the first pair was once sewn, there is an office in which models are developed for the Red Wing Heritage collection. The boots produced in it exactly repeat the design of fifty, sixty and even eighty years ago - for example, the so-called chiefboots, they are also “farm boots”.

Despite the obvious everyday focus of the brand, some models are not without a militaristic spirit. Take the same Red Wing No. 16: These were the shoes worn by the American infantry during the First World War.

Frye Locke Lace Up

The characters of the series True Blood suck blood in the boots of this particular brand, and one notorious bespectacled teenager fights with dark magic in them. Apparently, the magic of this shoe has not changed since 1863, when John Fry from the town of Marlborough, Massachusetts, sewed the first shoes. They were neither a style icon nor last word in design, but they did an excellent job of providing comfortable shoes for hundreds of New England factory workers. And when, at the end of the 19th century, these hard workers and their families went west in search of a better life, they set off in Fry's boots.

As Fry's family grew, so did his company. In 1938, during a trip to Washington, the grandson of the founder, John Fry Jr., met with one admiral. He complained: they say, it has become difficult to find your favorite Wellingtons - waterproof leather boots, the forerunners of modern rubber. Fry Jr. graciously offered to personally sew a pair for him. After that, orders poured in from all sides, especially during the Second World War. Fry's Wellingtons, also known as jetboots, have been trodden all over the world, from Normandy to Okinawa. Even the infamous American tanker General Patton had one pair. No less popular were the cavalry boots, which later became so fond of bikers - Frye Harness Boots. And the Smithsonian Institution chose the Campus model as one of America's most significant artifacts of the 1960s.

Often there is a debate on the Internet with what to wear boots from "working" brands of shoes. Answer: almost everything. Jeans, chinos, cargo pants, sweatpants and even an office suit can be combined with workboots if desired - for example, with the same Locke Lace Up.

Clarks Desert Boot

Price: 5000 rubles (Clarks stores)

The boots may not have the toughest character, but definitely the most loyal - despite the suede disposition. It all started in 1825 in the British village of Street, Somerset, where Cyrus Clark dressed sheepskins, and his brother James sewed slippers out of them. All of Clarke's tailoring was done by hand until she came along. sewing machine Singer - things went much faster with her. And when the Hygienic line was released, the models of which followed the natural contour of the foot, the brothers could finally boldly position themselves as manufacturers of truly comfortable and wearable shoes.

In the middle of the 20th century, Nathan Clark, James' great-grandson, developed the Desert Boot model. As a basis, he took ordinary boots that his comrades, military officers, found in the bazaars of Egypt during the Second World War. The British found the shoe to be quite suitable for desert operations - hence the name "desert". Thanks to their simplicity and versatility, the boots quickly gained popularity among buyers, and they can still be purchased at a very reasonable price - just £70. There is a version that "deserts" are a subspecies of Chukka boots, allegedly invented a little earlier. But true connoisseurs argue that only suede boots with two pairs of holes for laces have the right to be called "deserts", while "chukka" is the same, only in leather, with a hard sole, abundant lacing and narrower in ankle.

A decade later, when the passion for "deserts" subsided, Clarks creates another model that has become a classic - Wallabee, a good-looking suede moccasin. In the 1970s, the company actively invested in technical research, creating a new hardy and lightweight sole known as crepe sole (the term has nothing to do with pancakes - this is the name of a special soft type of rubber).

Doc Martens 1460

These world-famous British shoes were invented by a German - a young doctor, Klaus Mertens. Once, during an unsuccessful skiing trip, he broke his ankle. The Second World War had just ended, there were no other shoes, except for army boots, and the injured leg did not feel very comfortable in them. Then Dr. Mertens designed the first prototype of the legendary boot: he took and sewed pieces of a car tire to the sole. This reduced the pain of stepping on, but walking was still uncomfortable, and the doctor continued to improve even when the leg had already passed.

In 1947, Mertens met an old university friend, Herbert Funk, and together they came up with an air-cushioned double sole, patented the invention, and organized a shoe business. They made soles from rubber obtained from Luftwaffe bases, insoles from shoulder straps, and blanks for two pairs of boots were obtained from one pair of leather officer trousers.

By the end of the 1950s, Mertens and Funk's products had spread throughout Germany, with three-quarters of sales going to women over forty - and what more down-to-earth buyers could you imagine? The target audience changed dramatically when the British shoe concern R. Griggs Group Ltd. bought the rights to manufacture shoes in the United Kingdom. The head of the concern, William Griggs, anglicized the name of the brand, slightly changed the shape of the heel, added a branded yellow stitching and finalized the design of the sole, later patenting it under the name AirWair. The first British martens were produced on April 1, 1960, and the 1460 is still produced unchanged. Shoes were in incredible demand among cops, postmen and factory workers, and since the 1970s have become super popular with fringe youth movements.

American Chippewa Boots started out as a logging company. At the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, there was a huge demand for timber and lumber - the country was actively built, thousands of new buildings were erected. Accordingly, the army of lumberjack workers grew, and all of them needed good shoes. The factory producing it started operating in 1901 in the town of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, on the very border with Canada - the Indian name was inherited from the tribe living in these parts. Then she had 175 workers, mostly women, and released 1200 pairs daily.

At the forefront of work footwear, Chippewa Boots set out to make best boots and shoes in the United States. In pursuit of the perfect boot, she made her famous Logger Boot, designed to facilitate the difficult and dangerous work of American lumberjacks - the very ones who, in their prime, could steam almost half a hectare of forest in a day. Today, the company's products extend far beyond the founders of the boots: motorcycle, cowboy - the range includes more than one hundred models. In addition, all Chippewa boots and boots are equipped with developments from respected brands such as Thinsulate and Vibram, which means that the shoes are not threatened by temperature changes, moisture and other misfortunes.

A giant takeover corporation that managed to get at its disposal, in addition to Timberland, such brands as Hush Puppies, Patagonia and Harley-Davidson Footwear. The Wolverine brand has been on the market since 1883, and its creator, J. A. Krause, became famous for founding an electric company to open a tannery in Rockford, which was supposed to bring electricity to the city and power new production. Is it any wonder that the energetic entrepreneur in a short time brought the daily production to 300 pairs of shoes, which for its durability was nicknamed the “1000 mile boot”. They were made from horse skin, hence the name of the company: it does not go back to the wolverine (English wolverine), but to the breed of horses.

In 1919, the Wolverine Shoe and Tanning Company began to conquer the world, but these plans were buried by the Great Depression. And again, the war intervened: during the Second World War, the company develops pigskin gloves for the American Navy, which remain on sale even after the victory. Apparently, this success forced Wolverine to reconsider the production technology. The transition from horseskin to pigskin turned out to be very successful: the boots became much softer, which immediately affected sales.

In the late 1960s, the Wolverine Shoe and Tanning Company bought a newcomer to the market - the Hush Puppies brand, breaking all sales records: statistics show that one in ten American adults must have at least one pair of these shoes. In 1992, Hush Puppies introduced the Durashocks, "the first truly comfortable work boot." It's still available now, with shock-absorbing heel and toe pads and a signature Vibram outsole that makes it truly flawless to wear.

Perhaps the first serious boots that entered the Russian market. You say "tractors" - you mean Caterpillar. But to achieve such a stable association, the company had to go through a long winding path. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Californians Benjamin Holt and Daniel Best independently began to supply caterpillar tractors. Realizing that agricultural machinery is in demand more than ever, the partners merged their companies into the Caterpillar Tractor Company. Simultaneously with the United States, Caterpillar equipment appeared in Tsarist Russia, and later in the Soviet Union: the company supplied us with diesel engines.

The Caterpillar empire grew rapidly: more than 150 countries of the world were supplied with tractors, tractors and other brutal equipment. It was then that the need arose for the creation of strong and practical shoes for workers. For this purpose, Caterpillar Footwear Co was founded in the 1980s and licensed to produce professional footwear under the CAT brand. The first models did not differ much from modern ones: from the very beginning, manufacturers relied on strength and reliability - thick caterpillar soles and protective steel inserts in the noses. Such shoes quickly gained popularity among hard workers, and after 1994, when CAT Footwear became part of the American corporation Wolverine World Wide, among the rest of the population.

Born on a construction site, CAT footwear has become one of the leaders in the market of hiking, sports and casual footwear in a short time. Now the yellow nubuck pair literally hangs out of the TV, waiting for us on the street and meets us at the club. Model Mardy, for example, is especially dearly loved by Keira Knightley: the photo chronicle shows that the actress has actually grown together with them.

According to the press service of Roskachestvo, the experts came to the conclusion that shoes for men are non-toxic, but they are not always sewn well. In addition, a high price is not always a guarantee of quality.

The brands Ralf Ringer, Pazolini, Pierre Cardin, Chester, Ecco, Francesco Donni, Geox, Mascotte, Baldinini, Rieker, Paris Commune, Salamander, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Marks&Spencer, Aldo, Zenden and Tomas Munz took part in the study. Five of them were Russian production, 11 made in China, four in Italy, three in Germany, two each in India and Portugal, one each from Cambodia, Romania and Turkey.

Shoes were tested for toxicity, tailoring quality, flexibility, strength, deformation, and whether they were made of genuine leather. All pairs of shoes do not contain toxic substances. The upper material of the shoe is genuine leather. And each pair corresponded to the declared size 42.

“The leaders are low shoes for men of the brands Paris Commune (manufactured in Russia), Zenden (China), Hugo Boss (Germany), Clarks Tilden Plain (India).

Goods of another 15 brands were named as quality goods, including Fabi, Freccia by Tervolina, Geox, Ecco, Mascotte. Mango Man, Tomas Munz, Tommi Hilfiger, s.Oliver, Zara, Marks&Spencer, Bata, TJ Collection, Rieker, Unichel,” says Roskachestvo.

Inconsistencies were found only in 11 samples. The main complaints relate to the quality of tailoring, the fastening of the sole and heel, the color fastness of the lining and flexibility. The most durable seams of the upper details were found in the samples of Freccia by Tervolina, Pazolini, Chester, Paris Commune, Zara. The most fragile were boots from Francesco Donni, Ralf Ringer, s.Oliver, Pierre Cardin and TJ Collection.

“The lightest boots were a pair of Ralf Ringers and the heaviest were Tomas Munz. Eight pairs under the brand names Baldinini, Pazolini, Chester, Salamander, Calipso, Ralf Ringer, Ionessi and Pierre Cardin have their lining painted,” the study explains.

Shoes from Ionessi, Francesco Donni, Alessio Nesca, Chester and Calipso have problems with the sole, Baldinini and Aldo have heels. In addition, the experts found that the myth that Italian shoes are of high quality, and Chinese ones are not, has no factual basis.

“The quality of shoes does not depend on the price either, the experts found out: the cheapest sample (Zenden) and the most expensive product (Hugo Boss) are of high quality. And goods with violations are found among both cheap and expensive brands, ”the researchers added.

The myth about the so-called eco-leather was also debunked. In fact, it's just a marketing ploy. it synthetic materials that do not have the properties of the skin.

In footwear of domestic production, the presence of formaldehyde and hexavalent chromium was not detected. But it is found in shoes from China and other Asian countries.

All men have known since childhood that there should be at least one “fur-lined boots” in the wardrobe - the very ones that are not afraid of long winter walks, playing in the snow and skiing. But if in childhood such shoes are worn without desire, then the adult representatives of the stronger sex are in awe of their winter "friends". But finding the perfect pair of shoes is not easy. The Ferlenz online store will help you choose and advise you on how to purchase the warmest winter boots. Men's secrets- in our material.

Models of men's winter shoes

• "Work Boots" - universal option for harsh winters: powerful, warm, high on thick soles. These are familiar to everyone from the models of Timberland, CAT, Patrol. Suitable for those who spend a lot of time on the street and are not burdened with a dress code.
• "Duck boots" - so named because their noses resemble either duck beaks or paws. The front part of these models is covered with a rubber layer, due to which the shoes become resistant to moisture and more durable. Optimum "duck boots" for regions with large quantity rainfall and European winter, it is hardly suitable for low temperatures, as well as for a business suit.
• Sports shoes - will survive any bad weather and warm in the cold. Their advantage is that it is on such models that manufacturers most often experiment, introducing new technologies and synthetic compounds into production. Often, models of sports shoes are equipped with special valves for ventilation and a layer that retains heat. Suitable for casual wear.
• Shoes with fur are a rarity and shoes "for an amateur". Look like classic male shoes, only with thick soles and with fur trim inside. Perfect for a classic suit and fit into the business dress code.
• Classic boots - best option for those who are forced to comply with the dress code, but are not brave enough to buy shoes with natural fur. Such models are made of genuine leather, with fur trim inside. They are taller than shoes, but under classic trousers in fact they are no different.

How to choose high-quality winter men's shoes

• Material. If the shoes have to live in a harsh winter, genuine leather or nubuck will do. These materials are durable, able to retain heat and tolerate deformation well. Suede is not so practical, in winter it will get dirty and suffer from reagents, and the leather substitute will quickly crack or tear in the cold. You can distinguish leatherette from natural material by simply touching it: artificial leather will be cool to the touch, and real leather will be warm. For greater confidence, it is better to check the cuts: the inside of the leatherette will be fabric, and the real leather will be fleecy.
• insulation. severe frosts only natural fur is not afraid. If you push it apart with your fingers, you will see a fleecy base, artificial material fabric base. Quite often, manufacturers deceive buyers by making out the visible inside of the shoe. natural fur, and socks - artificial, so the owners of such winter boots constantly cold toes.
• Sole. The best men's winter boots will only have soles that are thicker than one centimeter. Anything that is thinner will not warm in winter. The ideal materials for this shoe element are rubber, polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride - they do not let water through. But not leather: it slips very strongly in winter, just like any smooth non-grooved sole.
• The size. It is better to choose winter shoes one or even two sizes larger. Firstly, it will be possible to wear boots with warm socks, and secondly, it will be better for the thermoregulation process to take place, and the feet will not freeze for a long time.
• Price. Obviously, the warmest winter shoes cannot be very cheap. The low cost should alert more than please. However, you can still save on purchases by using a service that works directly with suppliers. The Ferlenz online store is just that, so you can buy shoes on this site a little cheaper than in most other stores.

Rating of men's winter shoes

As part of the rolling study of Roskachestvo, men's shoes of the 30 most popular brands on the Russian market were studied. Shoes and low shoes are checked for 40 quality and safety indicators. Five samples are Russian-made, the rest are imported. Among the shoes made abroad, 11 pairs are made in China, 4 in Italy, 3 in Germany, 2 in India, 2 in Portugal and one each in Cambodia, Romania and Turkey. According to the results of laboratory tests, footwear samples of four brands were recognized as high quality goods. The leaders were men's low shoes of the Paris Commune (Russia), Zenden (China), Hugo Boss (Germany), Clarks Tilden Plain (India) brands. They meet the requirements of the current quality and safety standards, as well as the requirements of the advanced Roskachestvo standard. Of all high-quality samples, only domestically produced goods can qualify for the Russian Quality Mark. About how the tests were conducted and what conclusions the experts made, read on.

RUSSIAN QUALITY SYSTEM STANDARD

The Roskachestvo standard for men's shoes with leather uppers is identical in its main parameters to the current GOST and has tougher requirements for tailoring and toxicity. The required level of production localization is 56%

More about the requirements for shoes: GOST, TR TS, Roskachestvo

Roskachestvo has established improved parameters (STO) for shoes in three positions.

1. Requirements for tailoring.

The following defects are not allowed:

• poorly stretched, torn and poorly stitched lining, folds on the lining;
• lagging of the lining from the heels;
• fallen line;
• poorly riveted or asymmetrically spaced blocks and hooks;
• weakly or obliquely stitched tongues; two excessively closely spaced lines;
• poorly tightened line and stitch skipping; unequal distance between parallel lines and lines and edges of parts;
• wrinkling of details along the line of lines, etc.;
• different length socks, vamps, berets, toe caps, back wings in a pair;
• different height of berets, backs in a pair;
• poor shaping of the edges of tightened shoes;
• bumps, wrinkles and folds of the top of the shoe along the edge of the insoles, deformation of the top;
• shortened welt, deformation of the welt;
• burrs in shoe parts formed during vulcanization or casting, adhesive film;
• lag of the decorative welt from the side surface;
• lagging of the side of the sole from the side surface.

Leather or leatherette?

Genuine leather shoes are expensive. But the buyer hopes that in such shoes or boots he will be more comfortable than in leatherette shoes. In addition, there is an opinion that products from faux leather quickly lose their appearance and become unusable. main fear consumer - what if expensive leather shoes are made of leatherette?

To make sure the manufacturers are honest, Roskachestvo used two methods. First, experts dripped lye onto the leather of the shoe upper. Natural leather dissolves in an aggressive environment, but artificial leather remains intact.

However, if the manufacturer impregnates genuine leather with special preparations so that the shoes can withstand the pressure of street reagents and look like new for longer, the alkali may not work.

This happened with the Zara sample. The fact that the material is genuine leather, just very durable, treated with dressings *, the experts established by examining a section of the material under a microscope.

* Liquid dressings (dressings) for leather are colored saponified aqueous solutions of various resins, which are applied to the skin with a sponge or brush and after drying give a good gloss.

All samples that took part in the study are made of genuine leather!

Chromium, formaldehyde and bad odors

An important topic is the toxicity of shoes. Poisonous substances such as formaldehyde and chromium (VI) can be sources of health hazard. It is to the content of these two substances in the finished product that Roskachestvo has established requirements.

For reference

Where do toxic substances in shoes come from and why do the current GOST and TR TS do not regulate their content? The fact is that, according to the current legislation, only raw materials are checked for formaldehyde content: this is leather, which is later used to make the upper part of the product or lining. It usually contains no formaldehyde. But when the manufacturer connects this skin to the lining, it uses glue. If the glue is aldehyde, then a priori it is a source of formaldehyde.

As for chromium, it is used for tanning leather. At the same time, shoes made of leather treated with hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen, are quite rare. Now almost all leather for shoes is treated with trivalent chromium salts. They, contacting the collagen of the skin, become safe.

Our expert Alexandra Andrunakievich, Director General of the Russian Union of Leather and Shoemakers, notes that there is no hexavalent chromium in Russian leather:

– Our skin is being tested in Russian and European laboratories. And there is no free hexavalent chromium in shoes made of such leather and cannot be.

But as for imported shoes from China and other Asian countries, I cannot give a guarantee. Chinese manufacturers often use "dirty" chromium tanning agents, which may contain hexavalent chromium. This is a really dangerous chemical material, which should be buried using the technologies of radioactive substances. According to our standards, this material should not be present in the skin.

Ready-made shoes literally turn into a time bomb ... The health of the buyer remains on the conscience of the manufacturer. Why are the necessary changes not being made to the laws?

Alexandra Andrunakievich explains:

– At present, technical regulations governing the safety of light industry goods and goods for children are supranational documents, approved by the EEC (Eurasian Economic Commission. – Ed.).

Making changes to the regulations takes years, it is difficult to make changes to the TR CU, but if there is a problem, it must be solved.

Formaldehyde and hexavalent chromium were not found in the studied samples. In addition, there are no other toxic elements in the studied shoes that can affect the toxicity index. However, there is a risk of buying toxic shoes. And most importantly, in connection with the current legislation, such manufacturers cannot be called violators.

Another indicator that everyone who has ever bought shoes, boots, boots is probably familiar with is the unpleasant smell of brand new shoes. Most likely, dressings, resins for impregnating leather, smell like this. Indirectly, smell can signal toxicity.

Alexandra Andrunakievich comments:

- A strong smell in shoes can be caused by "dirty" chemical materials that are harmful to health. It is advisable to refrain from buying such shoes.

There are no "fragrant" violators among the studied samples. Experts noted the most pronounced smell in low shoes Zara and Pierre Cardin however, it is within the normal range.

Strong, durable and true to size?

It is unlikely that the buyer will like it if shoes made from the finest leather are sewn somehow.

Firstly, these are signs of marriage: bad lines, irregularities, burrs indicate poor quality control of tailoring.

Secondly, if there are creases in the heel or the lining wrinkles, such shoes can rub the foot.

According to the tailoring requirements established by Roskachestvo, deviations were found in shoe samples of 13 brands:

• Freccia by Tervolin a - glue burrs on the heel.
• Eco- fallen lines, asymmetrically spaced blocks, obliquely stitched tongues, unequal distance between parallel lines.
• Mascotte– folds on the lining (heel).
• Aldo and mango man- folds on the lining, unequal distance between the lines.
• Thomas Munz- Wrinkled lining.
• Tommy Hilfiger- wrinkled lining and unevenly attached insole.
• Zara- dents on the insole.
• Marks & Spencer- poorly stretched lining.
• Bata- poorly stitched lining, folds on the lining, lagging of the lining from the heel.
• T.J. Collection- wrinkles on the lining, wrinkles and bumps on the insole, lagging of the insole from the inside of the side surface.
• Rieker- unequal distance between parallel lines, different heights of backs in a pair.
• "Unichel"– folds on the lining, lagging of the lining from the heel, uneven stitching.

The experts also focused on the strength of the seams of the upper parts, the quality of the fastening of the sole and heels.

• The soles of pairs of shoes are not well attached and Calypso.
• Less strong than required fastening of heels at boots Baldinini, Aldo.
• The most durable seams of the upper parts were found in the samples under the trademarks.
• The most fragile seams that "creeped" under load, y.

As for the shoe size, all samples correspond to the declared size 42, there are no violations in this indicator.

Flexibility and deformation

If you regularly step on your feet, for example, in the subway or bus, the toes of shoes (more precisely, they are called toe caps) quickly lose their appearance. The same with the back. When putting on shoes, you can crush it. Shoes with a worn back and a damaged toe cap look unpresentable.

The experts tested how much the toe and heel of the shoes regain their shape after being crushed. According to SRT, the residual deformation after 50 loading cycles should be no more than 1 mm.

Inconsistencies found in samples Calypso and Salamander

• 5 times worse than necessary, the ability to recover from branded shoes Calypso(residual deformation of the toe cap was not 1, but 5 mm).
• Sample Salamander heel counter deformation was 1.5 mm instead of 1 mm.

Another point is flexibility. It was also tested for each half-pair of samples. If the shoes are hard, too fixing the leg, then a person can get injured or suffer. Samples were not flexible enough.

For reference

To bend shoes with foam rubber soles, a force of up to 63 N (Newtons) must be applied; for non-porous rubber, it will take a little more effort - up to 91 N. The adhesive sole bends the hardest - the applied forces should be up to 127 N. If the sole is denser, such a boot may simply break. For other materials - no more than 45 N.

Why is the lining painted?

Does a man wear light colored socks with black shoes? The color of the latter may suffer from ... shoe lining. Apparently, it was not by chance that fashion used to dictate to men to pick up socks in the same color scheme as well as boots. Black to black, blue to blue. This is because the lining, which is usually resistant to dry abrasion, can stain your socks (and along with your feet) if you get wet or sweaty.

Does this indicate the use of low-quality dyes? Alexandra Andrunakievich believes that this is not the case:

- Color fastness of the lining is a sore point. it a big problem in the production and wearing of shoes, even the most expensive. If the shoe lining paints socks, legs, this does not mean that the manufacturer used cheap, low-quality paint. The fact is that the sweat emitted by the feet destroys the dyes. The problem of perspiration-resistant coloring has been dealt with by shoemakers for a long time, but so far it has not been solved.

The study showed that the lining of 8 pairs of shoes is dyed: Baldinini, Pazolini, Chester, Salamander, Calipso, Ralf Ringer, Ionessi and Pierre Cardin.

- Shoemakers better put lining natural color, recommends Alexandra Andrunakievich

Weight matters

Some people like shoes light and weightless, others prefer to feel the heaviness of the boot on their feet.

But experts have their own requirements for the weight of shoes: in a pair, the weight of each shoe should be approximately equal to the weight of the other.

• Perfect weight match Calypso, Aldo.
• From 2 to 14 g, the discrepancy in the mass of half-pairs in 27 samples.
• The largest discrepancy in Chester: one boot is 54 grams heavier than the other!

Which shoes are the lightest and which are the heaviest?

The heaviest shoes Thomas Munz(total weight of a pair of shoes - 1.88 kg).

How much the rest of the contestants pull - see the table.

The men's shoes of 30 well-known brands sent for examination are mostly safe and of high quality.

• The upper material of each pair is genuine leather.
• All samples correspond to the declared size 42.
• Products are non-toxic, are not sources of formaldehyde and hexavalent chromium.
• The lightest shoes Ralf Ringer, the heaviest Thomas Munz.
• The strongest seams of the upper parts are at Freccia by Tervolina, Pazolini, Chester, Paris Commune, Zara.

The comments of the experts are mostly related to the quality of tailoring, fastening of the sole and heel, color fastness of the lining and flexibility.

• The soles of the shoes are not well attached "Ionessi", Francesco Donni, Alessio Nesca, Chester and Calypso.Less strong than required, fastening of heels at Baldinini, Aldo.
• The most fragile seams Francesco Donni, Ralf Ringer, s.Oliver, Pierre Cardin, TJ Collection.
• Shoes not flexible enough Salamander, Pierre Cardin, Marks & Spencer, Alessio Nesca.
• The lining of 8 samples is unstable to wet friction. She sheds, paints at brand shoes Baldinini, Pazolini, Chester, Salamander, Calipso, Ralf Ringer, "Ionessi" and Pierre Cardin.

Does the quality depend on the country of origin?

Comments received:

• 6 out of 11 products made in China;
• 3 out of 5 Russian-made goods;
• 2 out of 4 Italian products.

Does quality depend on price?

And the cheapest item Zenden), and the most expensive ( Hugo Boss) - high quality shoes. And goods with violations are found both among cheap and among expensive ones. We can conclude that, unfortunately, the quality does not depend on the price.