When it comes to comfortable shoes that don’t sacrifice style, Skechers and Pavers are two of the most popular brands.
But with so many options to choose from, how do you decide which brand is right for you?
This comprehensive guide examines the key differences between Skechers and Pavers to help you find your perfect pair.
Skechers vs Pavers
The primary difference between Skechers and Pavers shoes is that Skechers specializes in casual, athletic, and performance footwear while Pavers focuses more on dress shoes and sandals.
Skechers emphasizes technology like memory foam in their shoes while Pavers prides itself on quality leather materials and craftsmanship for classic and comfortable dress styles.
Before comparing the specifics, here is an overview of Skechers vs Pavers Shoes:
Feature | Skechers | Pavers |
---|---|---|
Country of Origin | United States | Australia |
Year Founded | 1992 | 1965 |
Types of Shoes | Athletic, casual, dress, work, kids | Comfort, casual, dress, outdoor |
Popular Shoe Lines | Go Walk, Go Run, Flex Appeal, Work, Relaxed Fit | Cloudsteppers, Dream Walk |
Typical Price Range | $50 – $100 | $100 – $200 |
Technologies Used | Air Cooled Memory Foam, FlexSole, Hyper Burst | Microsuede, cushions, arch support |
Width Sizing Availability | Medium, wide, extra wide | Narrow, medium, wide, extra wide |
Quality & Durability | Good, with shock absorbing soles | Excellent, made for comfort |
Style Variety | Very high with athleisure and casual focus | Moderate classic and comfort styles |
International Availability | Available globally | Mainly Australia and New Zealand |
Celebrity Associations | Demi Lovato, Kelly Clarkson, Kristen Bell | N/A |
In summary, Skechers focuses on casual, stylish and athletic shoes at moderate prices while Pavers offers premium comfort shoes with excellent quality but lesser style choices. Skechers likely wins in style and price whereas Pavers takes the edge in comfort technologies, durability and fit options. Both brands cater to different consumer segments.
You May Also Like:
Skechers vs Red Tape
Pros and Cons
Pros: Skechers
- Wide range of styles for different activities
- Many models have memory foam insoles for comfort
- Good arch support in some models
- Durable construction
- Well-known brand
Cons: Skechers
- Not specifically designed for orthopedic needs
- Limited size and width options in some styles
Pros: Pavers
- Focus on comfort and orthopedic shoes
- Wide range of sizes and widths
- Good arch support and cushioning
- Diabetic and therapeutic shoe options
Cons: Pavers
- Limited styles for athletic activities
- May have a more “orthopedic” look
- Less brand recognition
Which Shoes are Good for Different Activities
Shoes for Running
Skechers
- Skechers has dedicated running shoe lines like GOrun and Max Road, which are designed with responsive cushioning, breathable mesh uppers, and flexible soles for a smooth and comfortable ride during runs.
- The GOrun series and Max Road series are specifically engineered for running and offer good shock absorption and support.
Pavers
- Pavers does not have a dedicated line of running shoes. Their shoe collection is primarily focused on casual and everyday wear rather than performance running.
Walking Shoes
Skechers
- The Skechers GOwalk line is designed specifically for walking, featuring lightweight, flexible construction with responsive cushioning and a supportive fit.
- Other casual and walking shoe lines like D’Lites and Skechers Street also offer good cushioning and support for walking and everyday wear.
Pavers
- Pavers offers a variety of casual and walking shoes that can be suitable for walking and general everyday use.
- Their shoes often feature cushioned insoles and durable outsoles, which can provide comfort for walking.
Standing All Day
Skechers
- The Skechers Work line is engineered for people who spend long hours on their feet. These shoes offer excellent cushioning, support, and slip-resistant outsoles, making them ideal for prolonged standing.
- The Max Cushioning line from Skechers is also a good choice for extended standing due to its exceptional cushioning and shock absorption.
Pavers
- Pavers does not have a dedicated line of shoes specifically designed for prolonged standing like Skechers’ Work line.
- However, some of their casual and walking shoes with good cushioning and support may be suitable for extended periods of standing, depending on individual preferences and activity levels.
Now that you have an overview of Skechers vs Pavers Shoes differences, read on for an in-depth feature-by-feature comparison.
A Brief Background
First, let’s take a quick look at the history and reputation of each brand.
The Skechers Story
Founded in 1992 by Robert Greenberg, Skechers quickly made a name for itself with comfortable and stylish walking and athletic shoes. They pioneered the “ugly but comfortable” shoe trend in the 1990s and 2000s with chunky sneakers like the Skechers Energy and Skechers Shape-Ups.
Today, Skechers has expanded into nearly every category of footwear including boots, dress shoes, sandals, and more. Comfort, innovation, style, and affordability remain at the core of the Skechers brand.
Known for:
- Comfortable and supportive athletic/walking shoes
- Trend-driven casual sneakers
- Budget-friendly prices
- Innovative comfort technologies like Air Cooled Memory Foam
The Pavers Story
Established in 1971, Pavers England Footwear takes great pride in its English heritage. Using fine leathers and materials, Pavers shoes are still handcrafted in England using Goodyear Welted construction.
While Paver’s selection is relatively small compared to Skechers, they offer timeless men’s and women’s dress shoes, sandals, boots, and casual shoes. Understated luxury defines the Pavers brand.
Known for:
- Classic English style
- Fine leather dress shoes
- Goodyear welted construction
- Comfort without sacrificing fashion
- Higher price points
Now that you know a bit about the backgrounds of each brand, let’s compare the specifics of Skechers and Pavers to determine the best choice for your needs.
Key Differences
Style
When it comes to style, Skechers and Pavers cater to quite different sensibilities.
Skechers trends towards casual shoes inspired by athletic sneakers. Chunky silhouettes, prominent logos, and bold colors define much of their lineup. While offerings like slip-resistant clogs and basic oxfords provide some professional options, Style variety over sophistication.
Pavers, on the other hand, stick to classic silhouettes and understated colors. You’ll find more wingtips, loafers, Chelsea boots, and other timeless styles. Their shoes effortlessly transition from the office to date night. Those seeking trend-driven looks won’t find much to love.
The Winner? Pavers for sophistication and refinement. Skechers to make a style statement.
You May Also Like:
Skechers vs Orthofeet
Comfort Technologies
As comfort brands, both Skechers and Pavers utilize special materials and designs for all-day wearability:
Skechers Comfort Technologies
- Air Cooled Memory Foam – Cushiony foam molds to your feet
- Relaxed Fit – Roomy toe box prevents pinching
- Stretch Fit – Flexible athletic shoes move with feet
- Skech Air Cushioned Midsoles – Absorbs shock and impact
Pavers Comfort Features
- Leather Lining – Natural breathability
- Cushioned Insoles – Shock absorption
- Flexible Soles – Natural foot movement
- Goodyear Welted Soles – Allow resoles for extended wear
Both achieve comfort through cushioning, flexibility, and roominess utilizing manmade and natural materials. Skechers relies more heavily on synthetic foams while Pavers favors traditional fine leathers.
The Winner? Tie. Skechers offer athletic comfort. Pavers provide luxury comfort. Choose the footwear lifestyle that suits your needs.
Feature | Skechers | Pavers |
Style | Casual, trendy designs inspired by athletic shoes | Timeless silhouettes using classic English sensibilities |
Construction | Glued soles | Goodyear welted soles allow for resoling |
Comfort Technology | Air Cooled Memory Foam, padded insoles, stretchy uppers | Leather lining, padded insoles, flexible leather soles |
Fit | Roomy toe boxes, wide sizing available | Traditional medium-width sizing |
Quality and Construction
Skechers and Pavers take very different approaches when it comes to construction:
The majority of Skechers shoes utilize glued soles rather than stitched ones. This decreases durability in favor of affordability. The use of many synthetic materials also lowers the lifespan compared to natural leathers. Skechers compensate with reinforced high-wear areas on some styles.
Pavers, on the other hand, uses premium Goodyear welted leather on most shoes. This highly durable stitching technique allows for soles to be replaced, extending their life for years. While costly, properly cared for Pavers shoes become a long-term investment.
The Winner? Pavers by a landslide for durability and repairability. Skechers compensate with budget prices on shorter-lived shoes.
Fit and Sizing
Finding the right size shoe contributes greatly to all-day comfort. Here’s how Skechers and Pavers compare:
Skechers Footwear skews towards the roomier side with wide toe boxes and innovative fits like Relaxed Fit and Stretch Fit offering extra space. The included removable insoles allow you to insert your orthotics as needed. Wide-width options are available in select styles. Runs true to size.
Pavers Footwear utilizes traditional medium-width sizing for most styles. Expect a more tailored fit true to size. Those needing wider widths or inserts may need to size up or pass on Pavers.
The Winner? Skechers for accommodating fit. Pavers offers a sleeker contour for average feet.
Affordability Price
From budget sneakers to Goodyear welted dress shoes, Skechers and Pavers cover both ends of the price spectrum:
The majority of Skechers shoes fall under $100 with their casual sneakers around $45 to $70. Flats, clogs, athletic shoes, and even some boots hit affordable price points hard to beat. Some leather options reach $120+ but synthetic materials keep costs down.
Pavers prices sit at the higher end as expected from their fine English craftsmanship. Expect to spend $150 to $300+ for full-grain leather dress shoes made to last years. While an investment, their Goodyear welted construction allows you to extend their lifespan with resoling services down the road.
You May Also Like:
Skechers vs Oofos Sandals
The Winner? Skechers dominate for budget shoppers. Pavers defines premium comfort footwear.
Feature | Skechers | Pavers |
Price Range | $45 – $120 | $150 – $300+ |
Construction | Glued Soles | Goodyear Welted Leather |
Material Quality | Synthetic Blends | Full Grain Leather |
User Reviews
Category | Skechers | Pavers |
---|---|---|
Comfort | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Durability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Style | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Value for Money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Variety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Key comparison points:
- Skechers offers superior comfort thanks to memory foam and cushioned insoles. Pavers also comfortable but Skechers edges it.
- Pavers shoes are extremely durable and long-lasting, made from high grade leather. Skechers good but Pavers better for durability.
- Skechers has trendier and more modern shoe styles. Pavers styles more classic.
- Both provide good value at their respective price points.
- Lots of variety in Skechers collections. More limited options from Pavers.
In summary, Skechers wins clearly on comfort and style while Pavers is known for exceptional durability. Depending on the customer’s needs, one brand can better serve over the other.
Skechers vs Pavers: When to Choose Each Brand
Choose Skechers For:
- Budget-friendly prices
- Athletic-inspired style
- Innovation features like Air Cooled Memory Foam
- Roomy toe boxes and wide-width options
- Casual settings over professional ones
Choose Pavers For:
- Classic sophisticated style
- All-leather construction
- Goodyear welted durability
- Office and formal environments
- Long term investment
Getting the Right Fit
While the differences between Skechers and Pavers are clear, finding your perfect pair depends most on getting the right fit. Keep these tips in mind for comfort and support all day long:
Test Wear Potential Shoes:
Walk around the house and even outside to make sure feet remain:
- Comfortable without pinching, rubbing, or slipping
- Properly supported without tiring muscles or joints
- Align toes straight without uneven pressure points
Consider Insoles/Orthotics:
- Removable insoles allow you to insert arch supports, heel cups, or orthotics for customized comfort.
Know Sizing Nuances:
- Skechers run true to size but fit wider than average Pavers fit narrow/medium more true to size
- Consider wide sizing or half size up if feet spill over the edges
Take the time to assess potential shoes rather than assuming your normal size will fit properly. Testing wear allows you to decide if Skecher’s innovative comfort or Pavers tailored leather works best for your feet.
Conclusion
While Skechers emphasizes casual athletic comfort and Pavers excels at refined craftsmanship, both brands offer quality footwear to suit different needs. By understanding your requirements around style, fit, use cases, and budget, you can confidently choose between them for your next perfect pair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to buy Skechers and Pavers?
Both Skechers and Pavers shoes can be purchased directly from their websites as well as from authorized retail stores which include:
Skechers:
Skechers retail stores
Department stores like JC-Penny, Kohl’s, Famous Footwear
Large online retailers like Amazon and Zappos
Pavers:
Directly from their website with free returns
Available via catalogs like Herrington and Sahadi’s
Where are They Made?
While founded in America, Skechers outsources a great deal of production overseas to Asia and South America based on product lines. More complex comfort technologies like Air Cooled Memory Foam are still constructed in Skechers-owned factories.
All Pavers shoes continue to use premium British leathers and their signature craftsmanship standards in their workshop in England.
Can You Resolve Pavers or Skechers?
Resoling extends the usable life of shoes once outsoles show wear. Unfortunately, glued construction makes resolving challenging for most Skechers styles. Some styles do allow for replacement.
Thanks to Goodyear welted soles, quality cobblers can easily resolve Pavers by stitching on a new leather sole. This allows the uppers to last for years before needing replacement.
How to Clean Skechers and Pavers?
Follow these general guidelines while keeping materials in mind:
Skechers: Remove laces and insoles if possible. Machine wash canvas/fabric uppers in cold water on a delicate cycle. Air dry away from heat.
Pavers: Never submerge leathers in water. Carefully hand wash by dampening towel with warm water and mild soap. Dry immediately with a clean cloth. Condition with appropriate polish or leather cream.
Be extra cautious cleaning Pavers fine leather which can easily stain and mark without gentle care.
Share your love