As a basis for our research, Marlie Conway and I, Celia Struve-Auletta, took a short walk around Stuart in our socks. Eyes were drawn to us from all directions, many people asking why we weren’t wearing shoes. They were troubled, distracted, confused. It became clear that in order to keep the learning environment of Stuart Country Day School stable, we all must cover our feet. The question is: which shoe does the job best? Below, you will find discussions of mobility, comfort, and style with common shoe options. The best one? That’s up to you.
Converse
The basketball shoe of the 1920-60’s, the ultimate pop artist collab shoe, the “wait twenty minutes I have to untie my shoes” shoe— Converse has taken on many a title over the years. With all its history, it’s become a classic a front-door-pile staple with endless variations. When connected with this piece of history, foot to sole, you will feel grounded and steady. The thin canvas lining and rubber bottom layer leave space for your feet to feel the air and earth around you while still feeling as secure as a baby in a blanket. Though, like an infant, it will take you a while to remove the intense security system of Converse laces, as they are not ideal for popping off right after school or work.
Sami Feldman, Stuart senior, Tartan writer/editor, and a self-proclaimed unofficial branded partner of Converse, feels that the age-old shoe has lost its quality over time. She compares it to the current Apple iPhone market, where as each “new and improved” device is released, the standard decreases, pushing buyers to return for more merchandise. Additionally, it is her observation that she now has to buy wide-fit style Converse instead of regular. Is Converse closing us in both in market and foot? Despite her grievances, she is an almost daily wearer of the Converse brand, appreciating their comfort and style. They are no longer the top choice for basketball practice in the current market, but they are a slam dunk choice for a long day of strolling the Stuart halls.
How Fast I Can Move: 10/10
Mobility: 9/10
How Much it Hurt: 1/10
How Fast it Started to Hurt: 2/10
General Public Likability: 10/10
Mary Janes
If the motto “Nothing Stops a Stuart Girl” were to be absorbed within the soles of a shoe, Mary Janes would carry the spirit. When you slip on the cool leather, the structure of the shoe will force your ankles upright and into a forward march. You will crunch doubt and fear under foot, the mere inch sending you miles above the old, unhappy self you used to be. A soldier in history, a meticulous lab partner in science; Mary Jane has gifted you the spirit of motivation, and you are living it to its fullest. Though the argument can be made that the time needed to break them in discredits this unique power, after a week of double-socks and an impetus to believe in yourself, you will be transformed.
At Stuart, we walk among Mary Jane experts, the shoe being a popular choice among lower school. The first grade class was consulted on this matter, and out of the seven present students, all had worn Mary Janes before, with a whopping six in favor and a single negative review. If the Jane’s leather and buckles can satisfy the restless Stuart youth through the morning scramble out the door, a long day of learning, and recess, they are most definitely a top tier choice for anyone looking to switch up their shoe rotation.
How Fast I Can Move: 7/10
Mobility: 6/10
How Much it Hurt: 5/10
How Fast it Started to Hurt: 9/10
General Public Likability: 7/10
Sambas
Sambas, oh sambas… where do I begin? Sambas are perfect as fashion sneakers and indoor soccer shoes. They are good for walking, but if you have flat feet, sometimes the ones for indoor soccer will hurt the arch of your foot. Sambas come in many different styles and colors and have done collaborations with athletes like Lionel Messi. Because these shoes are made for athletics, they provide lots of ankle support and they also don’t restrict your movements. They only start to hurt after a long period of walking. When I asked Ms. Marcy, a perpetual samba wearer, about her samba-wearing experience, she described it as “stylish, comfortable and made [her] feel like [she] scored the winning goal in the FIFA World Cup”. Sambas are the kind of shoes you can throw on with anything, plus they look great.
How Fast I Can Move: 10 /10
Mobility: 10/10
How Much it Hurt: 8/10
How Fast it Started to Hurt: 10/10
General Public Likability: 10/10
Slides
Have you ever wished you could just run around school in your socks and not be confined to the social norm that says to cover those feet? Well, now you almost can with slides! With approximately sixty percent of your sock out, you can have the steadiness of the firm foam bottom with the comfort of walking around in socks. Why choose slides over a nice pair of Birkenstocks? It is widely known that Birkenstocks are stiff and uncomfortable until you break them in. You have to force yourself into a place of belonging, while slides welcome you with open arms straight out of the box. Though the soft foam material may cause you to slip slightly in the hallway every once and awhile, you’ll recover quickly, and no one will even notice because they’ll be consumed with jealousy at how comfortable you look in your easy breezy slides.
How Fast I Can Move: 6/10
Mobility: 5/10
How Much it Hurt: 0/10
How Fast it Started to Hurt: 0/10
General Public Likability: 9/10
Birks
Though they may initially give you shin splints and feel like walking on bricks, Birkenstocks are a wonderful investment and worth all the physical pain and blisters. They are perfect for every season: socks off for spring and summer, socks back on for winter and fall. The cork on the bottoms of traditional Arizona Birkenstocks is made to mold to the bottoms of your feet. As it wears down, the cork will get darker and more comfortable. Though Birkenstocks are an investment in both time and finances, it is 201% worth it. Once the shoe molds to your foot, the shoe will act as a memory book for every step you have taken in it. People may laugh at how dirty the inside of your shoe looks or how goofy socks and sandals appear, but don’t let that stop you from fulfilling your Jesus sandal dreams.
How Fast I Can Move: 6/10
Mobility: 6/10
How Much it Hurt: 6/10
How Fast it Started to Hurt: 4/10
General Public Likability: 9 /10
Crocs
From the moment you put these shoes on, you will feel like a cool cat or a toddler walking into their first day of Pre-K. When we tested Crocs for their overall agility, we found that you can move extremely well and fluidly. Though Crocs will not restrict your movement, but you may find that you are more likely to trip on air. You won’t experience any physical injury, though— just damage to ego. Crocs come with a strap that, when put down, wraps around the ankle for more support. When this is done, it is often called “Sports Mode.” When Crocs are in sports mode, you will feel like you could run a marathon with the support it give your feet. One of our research analysts, Celia Struve-Auletta, said, “It is like walking in a bouncy house with socks on”. Take that how you will. Everyone will love your Crocs. You will be the most awesome kid in class! If anyone dares to make fun of your Crocs, you can flip the strap down and sprint away in style. Who needs sneakers when you have rubber magic on your feet?
How Fast I Can Move: 9/10
Mobility: 10 /10
How Much it Hurt: 0/10
How Fast it Started to Hurt: 0/10
General Public Likability: 10 /10
Athletic Shoes
Have you ever felt like time was escaping you? Like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done? With a pair of athletic shoes on your feet, this problem will plague you no longer. Is lunch almost over? Are they packing up the food at one-o-clock like they always do even though it’s supposed to be open until one-thirty? It can be mission impossible out here, or so you think. With slip-on or easy tie up athletic shoes, every hour of the day can become go time. With the support of gel or foam professionally crafted inside the heart of your athletic shoe, you’ll feel a pep in your step that carries you through the long day. When under academic or professional pressure, time can feel like an obstacle in the way of your success. Do yourself a favor. Tomorrow, when your alarm blares in the morning, telling you it’s go time, be ready. Put on a pair of athletic shoes and speed through your to-do list.
How Fast I Can Move: 10/10
Mobility: 10/10
How Much it Hurt: 0/10
How Fast it Started to Hurt: 0/10
General Public Likability: 7/10
Heels
Today is your day. You came ready to work; you’re wearing heels, after all. While you may not be able to chase your dreams physically with heels, you can reach taller heights than ever before. They may not always be the epitome of comfort, but you are not always looking to be comfortable. Maybe you want to get things done and making a statement while you doing them. For students, heels might seem out of place with a relaxed school outfit, but that is only because you’re not making room. Every heel has a call if you’re willing to listen— like putting a sea shell up to your ear and hearing the ocean clear as day. Pick up that wedge. What’s it saying? Hear that click-clacking down the halls? We sure do, and around here, everyone knows it means business and style is coming this way.
Ms. Michalak, Director of College Counseling and Academic Advising at Stuart, was kind enough to share her thoughts on heels, as a frequent sports the shoe. She notes the importance of having a well-worn pair of heels, saying she feels most comfortable when they’ve had time to mold to her feet, as newer ones often cause blisters. When asked how well she thought heels would hold up if one was being chased down the Stuart halls, she used her expertise to determine they would “not be an ideal shoe for that”, describing the restrictions they have on speed and mobility. However, if you’re looking to curate an elevated, professional look or simply add a sprinkle of style into your every day, heels are the shoes for you.
How Fast I Can Move: 4/10
Mobility: 6.5/10
How Much it Hurt: 2.5/10
How Fast it Started to Hurt: 1/10
General Public Likability: 5/10
No one person is the same, and therefore no definite choice of shoe or systematic ranking of them can be offered here. As American journalist Bill Keller once said: “The curse of a journalist is that [they] will always have more questions than answers” (Journalism Education Association). We only hope that the information and queries presented above will guide your feet, open or close-toed, down a path of exploration.
