When we think about some of the hottest and most luxurious brands in the fashion industry, ones like Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Jimmy Choo might come to mind. A product is a promise made, but a brand is a promise kept; generation after generation. A brand and its label are a statement of quality, craftsmanship, and service found in each of its products.

When assessing the products on our list for “brand,” we took into account the quality of its products, its attention to detail and style, its reputation within the fashion industry, its commitment to customer service and its perceived luxuriousness and exclusiveness, to create an overall score for brand equity. Brand equity can loosely be defined as the pricing power a brand has in the marketplace due to each of the aforementioned factors.

So, while a product that scores high on this list may be gorgeous and exclusive, you can also bet it will much pricier, as well. After all, if everyone could afford it, it wouldn’t be exclusive or luxurious, would it? Be prepared to look amazing, but feel the pain at the bank, if a product scores high on this metric!

A shoe that breathes is critical to providing the wearer a comfortable and healthy experience when sporting a pair of shoes, sandals or boots. A lack of breathability will create a wet and humid foot, leading to discomfort and possible fungal or bacterial infections that are painful and difficult to cure.

How does a manufacturer ensure their product will allow maximum airflow? There are several ways to achieve this, including using special fabrics in the upper of the product, lining the midsole with moisture-wicking technologies and finally, the good old use of perforations of holes throughout the product.

If a product scores high on this metric, the buyer can rest assured that the manufacturer has used some or all of the above techniques to ensure the wearer a comfortable and dry wearing experience.

We all know how hard it can be sometimes to find the perfect pair of shoes that we not only love, but that also fit snugly and comfortably. With so many styles, brands, colors, and models, how can one compare hundreds of supposed “size 6s?"

To assess for trueness-to-size, we considered the opinions of thousands of wearers from across the globe to find out the answer to the ultimate question: do these 6s fit like a 6? While some things can give you a hint as to whether they will fit true, small or large; like brand name, shoe type and year of make; we believe that the opinion of buyers cannot be wrong. If they say the shoe doesn’t fit the way it’s supposed to, then you won’t find it in our 10-best list.

You will find that a pair of shoes or boots or sandals that score high on this metric tend to experience a trueness-to-size that was verified by our large community of sampled buyers. Just don’t forget to take into account the factors above to also make sure your favorite pair will fit you perfectly.

Heels
Admittedly, the term ‘heels’ is a broad one. Here, we are thinking of every type of shoe which doesn’t have a flat sole, or rather which has a heel height of one inch or above. Heels can be kitten heels (two inches), classic heels (three inches) or high heels (four inches and above), and their comfort levels decrease with the rising height of the heel. Consider how much time you’ll be spending in these, and if you’re expected to walk for extended periods – or even dance – and choose the correct heel height accordingly. Additionally, heels come in various shapes as well. On our list, we have two prominent ones:

Pump
The pump is a type of a shoe which has a low-cut front, a vamp, no fastening, and a closed toe area which can be rounded, almond-shaped or pointed. In the past, pumps have been popular among dapper gentleman, however, today they are mostly confined to women’s footwear collections. Pumps are elegant, versatile, and easily paired up with any type of outfit, whether it be jeans or skirts, for work or for a party. When shopping for pumps, pay close attention to that toe box. Toe cleavage is unseemly, and if your toes don’t have enough room to wiggle, you are at risk of developing bunions, corns, or ingrown toenails.

Sandal
Sandals are the type of shoes where the foot is mostly exposed, usually covered only by a strap or two, and where the toe area is open. They allow the foot to breathe, prevent any unpleasant odors and dramatically reduce the chances of fungi infections, such as athlete’s foot. Heeled sandals, in particular, are popular for spring and summer, as they are suitable both for formal occasions and for more casual ones, depending on the type of outfit you’re wearing.

Clogs
In the past, clogs were made in part, or completely from wood. And while these clogs still exist – and are considered traditional, folkloric footwear of some countries – wood as a material has been mostly abandoned in the fashion world. Today’s clogs are half-open shoes made out of a variety of materials and worn for their easy slip-on design which allows you to put them on in a blink of an eye. They are an informal type of shoe, sometimes even heavy or clunky, and as such are reserved only for the most casual of happenings – most commonly for lounging by the beach, or for a leisure stroll through the neighborhood.

Flats
Flats are shoes which – unsurprisingly – have flat soles. They are popular among women as go-to footwear for the change of seasons, when it’s not too warm yet for sandals and far too hot for sneakers and boots. The benefits of flats are that they are very easy to wear, and are often very cute and attractive in design. Usually, they are not appropriate for a formal event but, barring that gala or wedding, you will find flats everywhere else you turn. While most flats are comfortable to walk in – especially if they are made out of natural, conforming materials and sport some kind of cushioning in the sole – we should mention here that wearing flats for prolonged periods of time can lead to some health issues. Namely, flats often have no arch support, no fastening straps or laces, and no shock-absorbing material. This can cause too much friction in the heel area, Achilles tendon, and toes, and can result in blisters, corns, and calluses. What’s more, flats can also lead to fallen arches, or flat feet (pes planus). But don’t let this deter you from the sweet and versatile silhouette of the flat! Just make sure you don’t wear them every day for too long, and all of these issues can be easily avoided.

Boots
Boots are a type of footwear which have been used mostly for their practicality. They are waterproof, protecting the feet and legs from cold, mud and hazards, and providing ankle support for strenuous activities. However, boots are also a fashion statement and are part of the runway in every autumn/winter season. Depending on their design, they can be regular, functional boots to keep your feet dry and warm in rain and snow, but they can also be sexy stiletto heeled boots that go up to mid-thigh, or of any design in between. Butterfly boots, in particular, are endearing, we think, as they offer a touch of vibrancy in what is most likely a dark and grey day otherwise.

Sneakers
The epitome of everyday footwear, sneakers are the ubiquitous shoe. They are multi-purpose – for exercise, walking, running, playing around, shopping, sightseeing, even dressing down classier outfits – as well as comfortable and practical. Butterfly sneakers bring color and whimsy to any outfit – except maybe for the formal and semi-formal events, where the sneakers should give way to a more refined model – and you are sure to love going out and conquering your days in them.

The midsole is designed to provide cushioning and shock absorption to the shoe, nestling the foot in comfort. Whereas running shoes tend to have thick midsoles, flats, and thinner shoes not designed for high-impact activities often have thinner midsoles.

The reason for this is simple: you need more shock absorption and vibration dampening during high-intensity movements or activities to maintain comfort and prevent foot injury than you otherwise would with a regular shoe, flat or sandal. Midsoles are often made from EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate), a synthetic plastic also used to make insertable orthotics. A firmer type of EVA for the midsole will make the shoe heavier, but more durable; whereas a softer type of EVA, like those found in running shoes, improve shock absorption, but wear much quickly.

Podiatrists tend to prefer firmer midsoles for those suffering from orthopedic conditions, such as plantar fasciitis. A higher score on the “midsole” criteria means that the midsole is firmer. Whether or not this is beneficial for you depends on your foot type and orthopedic issues!