Comments on: Pay For Quality – Birks for Dress and Keens for Play

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:14:53 +0000

ha ha that is a “problem!”

I LOVE the point you raise about Keens being cheaper than orthotics shoes, great insight.

By: Dana

Dana — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:25:38 +0000

And I just said “problem” way too many times in one sentence. Clearly, I need to go to bed now. >.<

By: Dana

Dana — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:24:47 +0000

Don’t completely discount the idea of getting quality shoes for kids. Sometimes they are needed. My daughter’s feet do something called “pronating” where they kind of roll inward onto their arches. It’s a natural variation and she’s got feet like her dad’s, which had the same problem when he was her age, only problem is that she might wind up with knee problems later. The only real fix is to get shoes with good arch and ankle support. Believe it or not, Keens fit the bill. When they’re fastened properly her ankles are straight like they’re supposed to be.

I wouldn’t be as bothered about it if she didn’t have the structural problem, but getting Keens for her is actually cheaper than buying orthotics, which wouldn’t have done her that much good anyway.

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:22:05 +0000

ha ha… you should have bought them just to give them away to someone you do know! That’s a great deal. For future reference, I wear an 11.5 shoe.

By: Craig @ Money Help For Christians

Craig @ Money Help For Christians — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:02:53 +0000

I was at a Salvation Army over the weekend and thought of you! I saw a brand new looking pair of Keen sandals for $9.95. They were size 9 so they were too small for me. I thought I should buy them and send them to you, but I didn’t know your size . I guess at times you can get your cake and eat it too – quality and a huge discount.
.-= Craig @ Money Help For Christians´s last blog ..Faith Based and Socially Responsible Investing =-.

By: » How to Deal With a Bad Deal

» How to Deal With a Bad Deal — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:02:12 +0000

[...] Pay for quality. Don’t shop solely based on price. A low price is a good thing, but sometimes the trouble that can come along with it far outweighs the money saved. [...]

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:31:38 +0000

Good point Karen, I like what you say about “alerts.” I would definitely not have the time to do it all manually, but if I could get simply set email alerts for when a good deal strikes – now you’re talkin!

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:59:22 +0000

Ha ha… the Target train – I like that.

I think we’re all on the TT for some things but like you say Veronica – “Quality items are an investment and so worth it for personal and environmental reasons.”

Thanks for stopping by!

By: Veronica

Veronica — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:42:32 +0000

I am a fan of Birks and Keens and have been wearing both for years. I try to encourage my friends to purchase more wisely in this area as well. It’s hard getting them off of the Target train, but those who have seen the light have not been disappointed. Quality items are an investment and so worth it for personal and environmental reasons.

Glad to have learned about your blog and funny that the first post I came across is one that I can relate to. I look forward to reading more.

Veronica
http://www.drrussbuss.com
.-= Veronica´s last blog ..Optimism of Individuals, Leaders, and Organizations =-.

By: Karen Joy

Karen Joy — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:08:31 +0000

You can also save money by doing a search on eBay and having them send you alerts when the price is only “x” dollars. I have a similar search going (because I want to pay $15 or less including shipping for a pair of leather fisherman-style sandals for my oldest son), and I have seen a couple of pairs of Keens pop in. You have to wade through the listings, of course, because people put used shoes on there, too, which I’m not… keen to buy. But, if you’re not pressed for time, searches/alerts are worth it.
.-= Karen Joy´s last blog ..Homeschooling reality =-.

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:52:30 +0000

@Ashley: Simplifying life & returning to “the old ways” is always appealing to me and always seems to leave us better off! Go figure…

@Art: The ones in the pic are mine. Newport H2′s – the leather ones… I LOVE EM.

@Tamara: I want to do this, my Birks are about due. Any suggestions on the best way to ship them over, etc??

By: Tamara

Tamara — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:27:25 +0000

The great thing about Birks is that you can keep them going forever by replacing the soles, cork and/or insole as needed. I am still wearing mine after more than 15 years. After they were repaired with new soles year before last they felt like new. I really think I can wear them for the rest of my life, with proper care.

By: ArtVandelay

ArtVandelay — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:43:07 +0000

Which kind/color of Keens did you buy?

By: Kevin@OutOfYourRut

Kevin@OutOfYourRut — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:22:32 +0000

Matt, this is well said. There are things you can buy where you can save money by paying more up front, and footware is a big one for me too.

I’d rather pay more money for name brand sneekers or shoes at mid-level department stores that I can wear for a couple of years, than to go to Payless or a discount outlet and buy an off brand for half the price but they fall apart in six months. (They also don’t look too good or wear well in the process!)

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:21:45 +0000

I totally agree with your philosophy of spending money for quality. Another big advantage of purchasing quality items is helping save resources and reducing the strain on our landfills. As a nation we throw away a ridiculous amount of clothing, shoes, and accessories every year that were cheaply made. If we all went back to the way things used to be, and started buying items we planned on having around for the long haul, we would reduce our waste output considerably.
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..Friday Grab Bag – 8/14/2009 =-.

By: FFB

FFB — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:14:04 +0000

Totally agree about quality! What’s even better is when you can get quality at a discount. I remember seeing Keens at Nordstron off the Rack (discount Nordstrom’s). I might have to keep an eye out for a pair since my trusty sandals are starting to split in the sole.

I think a lot of people go for the cheaper item without realizing how many times they will replace it when it breaks down or wears out. Many times in the end you are better off with quality for a little more cost.
.-= FFB´s last blog ..Cash For Clunkers – Who Wins, Stimulus Or Environment? =-.

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:41:25 +0000

Great points all…

@Jessica, thanks for bringing up “adults”. I suppose buying quality for kids is not always the best option considering they will most likely grow out of them quickly.

@Chris, I don’t have a problem w/odor either – if they do get funky at all I either throw them in the washer or put some baking soda on them to clear things up. Thanks for bringing up these other items that we should also buy quality.

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:34:19 +0000

Ha ha… not sure what kind of funk you’ve got going on!

As for Birks, don’t knock ‘em till you try ‘em my friend.

By: Chris R.

Chris R. — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:59:18 +0000

I agree with you on both counts. I’ve had a pair of Keen flip flops that were my everyday shoes for over two years. They still fit and look great. I just got a new pair that I also love. Not sure about the odor issue Paul mentioned. It must be a difference in body chemistry.
As for Birkenstock, the best shoe in the food industry is the Birkis Profi: one piece synthetic rubber with removable/replaceable inserts. The whole shoe is meant to be scrubbed and rinsed with a garden hose to clean it. I had a pair of those last over three years where even the best quality leather shoe would dissolve in six months. I still use my second pair to work in the yard. I’ve had those almost ten years.
Shoes, belts, luggage, tools- always buy quality.

By: Jessica W

Jessica W — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:55:39 +0000

My husband and I buy spendy shoes and make them last also. He buys a particular brand of combat boots, but I can’t recall what they’re called. this his is preferred “work shoe” (and practically everything else). Once a year he coats them in wax and bakes them in the oven to re-waterproof (and clean) them. It grosses me out and I make him clean the oven. In the 14 years I’ve known him, he’s had the same boots and they look brand now, (and they don’t stink!). He replaces insoles once a year. Similarly, I’m a big fan of Dansko-type clogs. I’ve always gotten a Nordstrom house brand instead of the actual Dankso ones though–spending $120 instead of $200+. These last 8+ years, and look great, are lightweight and can be re-soled if needed.

For adults, shoes are absolutely worth buying high quality.
.-= Jessica W´s last blog ..Sugar Shortage On Its Way =-.