Canvas shoes: style and comfort guaranteed

The saying that a man is judged by the shoes on his feet is at times taken too far with some people preferring to bear being uncomfortable in order to look trendy. But canvas shoes can remedy that; they let you be comfortable and at the same time look trendy. They are ideal for both men and women of different ages seeking comfort.The shoes are made of coarse cloth like the one used for tents and have rubber soles, making them light and compatible to the wearer’s foot. Most canvas shoes come with options of high tops (that reach the ankle) or low tops depending on the wearer’s preferences.Canvas shoes come in various colours, making it easy for the wearer to match them with the rest of the outfit. Donatha Umurungi, who works at a fashion store in Kigali and is a fan of canvas shoes, says: “Since canvas shoes come in every available colour, I match them with my top or scarf. It’s easy to have many pairs as they are not expensive.” Canvas shoes are also easy to maintain unlike leather or suede shoes. The coarse cloth is easy to wash with a brush and dries fast. However, Donatha says that most people have a hard time maintaining canvas shoes because they do not know how to wash them.“If not well washed canvas shoes look ugly and have ugly marks. While washing them one should use a soft brush or an old tooth brush. The hard brushes could easily rip out the cloth threading. Rinsing them well is another thing most people don’t do well. If you don’t rinse them well, the marks left become permanent with time,” says Donatha.One does not have to buy brand new canvas shoes as there are second-hand options in various markets in Kigali. Donatha says that it is also possible to buy plain colour canvas shoes and have them painted (sprayed with paint) by an artist with patterns or designs of your choice.In Kigali, a new pair of canvas shoes goes for between Rwf4,000 and Rwf15,000 while classic second-hand ones retail for about Rwf5,000.

Lifestyle

Canvas shoes: style and comfort guaranteed