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Making the Most of Your Footwear Updates

A good newsletter should save you time, not fill your inbox. Here is how to put each update to work so the shoes you pick fit well, suit your routine and last through Portland's long wet seasons.

Read new arrivals with your week in mind

When a fresh drop lands, think about how you actually spend your days before you think about colourways. If you commute on foot or by bike across the city, look for grippy rubber outsoles and uppers that shrug off drizzle. If most of your time is spent indoors, breathable knit or mesh sneakers may be more comfortable. Browsing the new arrivals with a clear purpose makes it easier to spot the pair that earns a place in your rotation.

Check your size every time

Sizing varies between brands and even between models from the same brand, so a size 9 in one running shoe may feel snug in another. A few habits help:

• Measure your feet in the afternoon, when they are slightly larger.
• Measure both feet and size for the larger one.
• Leave roughly a thumb's width of space beyond your longest toe in sneakers.
• Consider the socks you will wear, especially with winter boots.

Our size guide walks through measuring at home and comparing lengths across styles.

Know the return basics before you order

Trying shoes on carpet indoors keeps the soles clean if a pair does not work out. Keep the original box and any tags until you are sure, and note how long you have to send items back. The details are set out on our shipping and returns page.

Care tips that extend a shoe's life

Rotating between two pairs lets foam midsoles recover and lets leather dry out fully between wears. Stuff damp boots with newspaper rather than placing them by a heater, which can crack leather and weaken glue. A soft brush and mild soap handle most sneaker cleaning, and a water-repellent spray applied before the rainy months goes a long way in the Pacific Northwest.