Have you found a good bargain lately, made a repair, or figured out something that works for you?
This is also for any topic requests, suggestions, or tips that might not require their own thread.
Coles has a 20%/25%/30% discount on booze if that’s your thing. OzBargain link
Expires soon.
Not sure if this is a good fit for this thread, but it’s a request about shoes.
I need to buy a new pair of runners (women’s) that are super comfortable. I’ve got an off brand air cushion sole pair that my MIL gave me but they’ve sadly fallen apart after barely 2 months of wear. I’m on my feet most of the day at work, and mostly wear steel caps for heavy duty stuff (they’re falling apart too lol), but it is nice to zip around the factory kitchen in a pair of comfy runners.
Can anyone recommend a women’s runner that’s the comfiest shoe but isn’t hideously expensive? Bonus is if they’re non slip. I’m a flat footed peasant with wide feet, size 10 in womens, or a mens 7.
Hmm…look they are not super cheap but I bought a pair of Merrell’s hiking shoes a couple of months ago because I was sick of trashing my sneakers within a few months and needed something that would last and stay supportive. I wear them nearly every day and they do all my commuting and walking round town and all day at work and have no wear and tear after a few months. But I have small “duck feet” - narrow but wide at the toes.
+1 on the Merrell walking shoes. I’ve been buying the same pair of jungle moc for 15 years now and I’m only on my 4th pair, but still have the 2nd and 3rd pairs I use for camping and gardening. They have a store in dfo bundoora
I’m not sure because I’m the opposite fit and tend to buy anything dirt cheap from big box shops…
That said it might be worth checking out sites like Catch.com.au. I found new wide fit New Balance sneakers at a discount and while that size was out of stock there might be another bargain.
You could also try to find discount codes or sales using Ozbargain?
There’s currently a big markdown on a wide fit pair from a site called Pain Free Aussies so have a poke around their stuff, or you could try orthopaedic or nurses shoes.
If you want to try them on though that’s extremely reasonable. I know Athletes Foot had a machine you could stand on to see where your feet would need support, I’d suggest going there and telling them what your price range is.
Also definitely try adding padded innersoles with boots. I would even stack a couple. The steel Taipans I had years ago were very comfortable though and both acid/heat and slip resistant.
Thanks for the advice, I’ll check those out. I bought gel cushion soles for my work boots, like the scholl brand ones but about ⅓ the price, from a $2 type shop in Sydney road, and they were just as good. Unfortunately my latest pair of boots (Everlast) aren’t as good as the first ones I bought. They seem to have gotten stingy with the quality of the upper material and are already disintegrating (I bought them before the end of the financial year).
My MIL just told me that the shoes she gave me (the runners that this original query was about) were sitting in her wardrobe for 20 odd years. No wonder they’re falling apart!
Boots wise, Redback elastic side steel caps have big squishy soles.
For sneakers, if you’re wearing them for work, consider getting two pairs so you can alternate days for longevity. Shoes prefer a day off to dry out.
There’s a lot of runners on ozbargain.
Adidas. Often pick up a pair of galaxy 5’s for 30 bucks from ozbaragin or 60 from DFO. Had mine ~18 months and they are still going strong!
I finished my bottle of Cerave gentle face wash. I got a $1.50 bamboo soap dish and have a sensitive Dove bar sitting at the sink to use instead. Not sure how well this is going to go as it could be too drying but it’s worth a shot for the big price difference.
Instead of buying more art supplies I’m making myself use the basic greylead pencils and sketchbooks I already have.
I’m playing old free to play computer games instead of buying or subbing to current ones.
Watching YouTube instead of subscribing to a streaming service.
