The Perfect Pair of Kicks

                 Deciding on the perfect shoe, whether it is for physical activity or that you just need a pair of new kicks for the street, can sometimes be frustrating and overwhelming. For me, it is very difficult to find the exact shoe I want because I am very persistent on what qualities my shoes need to have. Not only is it about finding the right fit for the shoe, but many factors are included in the search, like design, quality, and color.

Usually when I go through this process, it is because I am looking for a new pair of Nike's Running Shoes, which is where I get a majority of my everyday shoes. When I first begin to survey the different types of shoes that are available to me, I start by just looking at the overall design of the shoe. During this process, I contemplate how the shoe looks from all different angles, mainly focused on the side and bird’s eye view. Also, I take into consideration the different parts of the shoe, including how the sole of the shoe looks, the laces, and the type of material used.

Once a shoe has gained my interest in its design, I begin to look at the quality and think where and when I would wear this type of shoe. A majority of the tennis shoes that I buy have to be able to endure my every day wear and tear. During this step it is helpful to read reviews about the shoes online and see how they have worked out for other people. By reading several different reviews, you can get a more informed idea of the quality of the shoe from a customer’s perspective and not just the shoe company itself, who is just throwing out a sales pitch to get you to buy them.

Finally, the last step in this process of finding the perfect shoe is my favorite step, which is picking your color combination. If you are that "I want to stand out in the crowd" type of person then go for bright, bold colors. Or if you are that person who is looking for a neutral pair of sneakers to match their everyday outfits then look for those whites, grays, and blacks. For those of you who are looking for a neutral pair of shoes, I do want to warn you that getting all white shoes has its pros and cons. Pro: they look sleek and go with just about anything. Con: they get dirty easily and must be kept up. It's up to you and your preference on what colors you want your shoes to be. Even if they don't have the exact color combinations that you want, most sports companies offer a build-your-own-shoe option so you are in control of your product. So if you are looking into the Nike Running Shoes, they off the Nike ID option to give you creative control of your shoes.

The bottom line is that they are your shoes, you are going to wear them, and you are going to buy them, so pick the ones you love the most. Make sure you are getting your money's worth in quality and design, and make sure your kicks are the coolest ones on the block.