The same is true for metal versus acetate frames for glasses. each material has advantages and disadvantages depending on season and activity. i try to look for real photos of the insoles and soles not only the outside of the shoe. if the first order goes well i slowly try more products from the same place. if anyone is interested in real user experiences i sometimes write short notes about the shops i test. you can find one of the pages here: visit this page sometimes i experiment with different materials just to see how they feel in daily life. for daily use items i try to balance price build quality and real user feedback. footwear is even harder because different brands cut shoes very differently. now i am more careful with impulse buys and limited time offers. trendy pieces are fun but i only buy them when the price is reasonable. if they reply politely and give detailed answers i feel more relaxed. sharing real world usage stories is often more helpful than any advertisement. hope this helps someone.