Choosing Footwear - Why Choose Sandals

Why wear sandals? This question comes up on so many occasions. It is like there are rules to the etiquette of sandal wear. Can you wear socks with sandals? Dress wear and sandals? Can you golf in sandals? Many people have their interpretation of when sandal wear is appropriate. In many countries and especially where there is a beach culture, sandals are the footwear of choice year-round.

The benefits of wearing sandals on your feet vary to the activities that you are interested in. Sandals obviously do not suffice for any activity that requires proper foot protection. Flip flops are great for using in public areas and can protect your feet from fungal infections, warts, and lacerations. They are great for wearing indoor as well and takes only seconds to put on or take off.

Sandals are stylish. At the beach, at parties or even at business meetings, there is a wide range of sandals that are available. From bright colored flip flops, to the strappy high heel, to casual wedge-style platforms, there are enough styles out there to suit any occasion.

There are many types of sandals on the market today that not only look good, they keep your feet happy with good ventilation and foot circulation. Sandals are even making winter appearances in cooler climate areas. Name brands such as O扤eill and Sanuk are beginning to produce sandals with quilted flannel and fleece attached to straps, or stitched wool socks lined in polo fleece for the die-hard sandal wearer.

The sandal industry has substantially increased in the last few years. Stats from March 2006 indicate that the sandal industry rose 13 % to 7.4 billion dollars nationwide in just one year. Sandals have now expanded to nearly one-fifth of the footwear market.

Shopping for sandals is quite easy. Most local shoe stores will have a small selection. You can pick up a cheap pair in a department store or even in some grocery stores. You also have the option of shopping online from a wide variety of sandals from any brand. As most sandal models have adjustable straps, you can be confident in your online purchase. You can choose from literally thousands of different sandal models. Check out some online today.

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What is the Best Footwear for Your Outdoor Activity?

There are many types of footwear on the market today depending on what activities you enjoy and what suits your needs as an individual. From posh parties to the beach to a casual shopping trip, what you wear on your feet distinguishes who you are. A day hiking the trails can be a disaster with the wrong footwear.

If you are the type of individual that enjoys a number of outdoor activities but none serious enough to warrant specific footwear for each sport, then a multi-sport shoe is for you. This type of footwear is ideal for that walk in the park, a light day hike through a well traveled trail, a fun game in the field, and is a definite life-saver on vacations. It allows you to multi task your activities and gives you enough support and versatility to not limit your enjoyment.

If you are more of an enthusiast and have an adrenalin-like craving then Approach Shoes are the ticket. They are great for those mountain visits with their excellent rock scrambling traction and climbing potential, yet stylish enough to cruise the mall. The soles of these shoes are made out of a sticky rubber and more closely resemble a climbing shoe than a hiking shoe. Approach shoes where intended to give a climber or mountaineer a comfortable yet solid footing for those short or long traverses to your climbing area. These shoes are not to be confused with climbing shoes. Though many climbers prefer them on easy multi terrain climbs, they are no substitute on difficult climbs.

Then there are your beach activities. Whether you are playing volley ball or just swimming, sport sandals are a good choice. There are many makes and models to choose from. These types of sandals are also referred to as 揗andals? because they are primarily worn by men (or in New Zealand slang 揓andals?. They are constructed with many types of materials. Synthetic fabric and leather is widely used along with a rubber treaded sole. These sandals sometimes have a removable rear heel harness to minimize foot slippage and are ideal for beach sports. They enable the user the mobility to maneuver over rough terrain and not have his or her sandal come off.

If you are just cruising the beach and do not need the support and versatility that a sport sandal offers, then a 揊lip Flop?is perfect for you. It consists of a rubber (usually) sole held on to the foot by two pieces of material ranging from plastic to leather called thongs. These thongs extend from the inner and outer side of the foot to the gap between the big toe. There is no strap to the heel and the sandal moves up and down, creating a 揻lip-flop?sound.

Flip-Flops (thongs) are very prominent in the surfer culture. They are becoming everyday footwear in the cities as well. Flip-Flops have stood the test of time and are growing more and more as some of the most popular footwear for the summer.

When choosing footwear for outdoor activities, ensure you consider the climate and the requirements of the activity. Does the activity call for extra traction, more ventilation, more insulation or more support? Above all, pick a shoe that will keep your feet comfortable. Choose the right shoes now and enjoy your outdoor activities even more.

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10 Tips To Shopping For The Perfect Athletic Shoes

If you are active in exercising, hiking, sports or any other type of physical activity that requires you to be on your feet often, athletic shoes are a must. These shoes are designed for comfort and support, durability and promise to withstand plenty of use. With a few simple tips, you will be ready to shop for athletic shoes and will soon be stepping out with confidence.

Comfort. The first thing to consider with any footwear, including athletic shoes, is comfort. If a shoe isn抰 comfortable, there is no use in wearing it. Blisters, balance problems and overall discomfort are the result of poorly fitting shoes.

Affordability. Just because you are looking for a new pair of athletic shoes, there抯 no reason to empty the bank account in doing so. Quality athletic shoes can be comfortable and affordable at the same time. By shopping around and comparing prices, you will find the perfect athletic shoes at the perfect price.

Durability. A good pair of shoes must be durable and able to withstand various weather conditions, including rain. The worst thing to have in a rain storm is leaky shoes, which is why durability is part of a quality pair of athletic shoes.

Design. Everyone wants a shoe that looks good, which is why design is very important. In selecting a color scheme that suits your taste and lifestyle, you will not only feel good in your new athletic shoes, but you will look good too.

Versatility. One of the most important factors of shoe selection is versatility. Will the shoes work with your daily exercise regimen and look equally snazzy with your favorite pair of jeans? Athletic shoes are a terrific compliment to blue jeans for a classic look.

Support. Every good athletic shoe has support. It should cradle the foot and make it feel as if every step is one of leisure. Support is very important, especially if you are involved in a lot of walking or running. In either of these instances, your feet really take a pounding on the pavement. Athletic shoes that feature support are noticeable immediately during wear.

Know what you are buying. Always purchase from a reputable, authorized athletic shoe retailer. There are a lot of imitation products out there, including clothing and footwear. Buying from an authorized retailer will eliminate the chances of buying fake merchandise.

Try before you buy. If you are purchasing locally, go in and sample several pairs of athletic shoes. Try them on, take a few steps and move your foot around inside the shoe. In making sure that you have ease of movement and a proper fit, you will be much happier with your purchase.

Layaway. Certain brands of athletic shoes can be expensive, which is why layaway is often a popular option for anyone who doesn抰 have quite enough cash to pay upfront. Even if it抯 just to secure a purchase until payday, layaway programs offer customers with the opportunity to own the perfect pair of athletic shoes.

Make sure the shoe fits with your lifestyle. Avoid purchasing anything that doesn抰 really fit your schedule. Athletic shoes are designed to work with you and your level of activity.

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Tips To Make Your Leather Shoes Last longer

Quality leather shoes cost money, so you want them to last as long as possible. Here's 5 top tips for getting ther maxium lifespan from them:
Clean leather shoes regularly. To efficiently clean your shoes without harming them, use soapy water and a soft cloth and wipe the excess. Apply saddle soap all over the shoes, both inside and out and wipe the excess again. Dry the insides carefully. Place a sheet of tissue paper or a paper napkin inside the shoe and leave it for a few minutes. Repeat the process to dry out the shoe entirely. After this, dust some talcum powder to suck up any remaining moisture. Remember that leather is skin, literally and figuratively, so treat your shoes as carefully as you would your own skin. If possible, clean the dirt off after every wear with a soft rag or brush.
Waterproof your casual shoes and outdoor leather boots with a quality shoe care product to shield your footwear from water, snow and salt stains. These products usually come on a spray. Apply a good two to three coats to make sure that your shoes are covered properly. Reapply the proofing on a regular basis to guarantee protection from weather and water damage. Leather tends to shrink and get hard if it gets wet, so waterproofing your shoes are essential. If they do get wet, let them dry naturally.
Condition your shoes to keep the leather soft and supple, to avoid cracks and to maintain a comfortable fit. Use quality leather conditioning oil or lotion. All-natural products are preferable as they allow the leather to breathe better, and harsh-chemicals can be harmful to the leather. Silicone-based products sit on top of the leather, making it look shiny. Leather conditioners are available at most large pharmacy chains in the shoe-care section.
Store your leather shoes on shoe trees to soak up excess moisture and maintain the shape of the leather. Do not put leather shoes near direct heat, and place them somewhere dry to avoid mildew. Do not put them immediately away after you take them off. Switch on the ceiling fan and allow them to air out. Leather retains moisture from your feet, which will eventually cause it to dry and crack if you don't give them a chance to air out for a day or so. Shoes need at least 12-24 hours of rest between wearing to avoid deformity.

Free Guides To Find Perfect Prom Shoes

You've spent countless hours searching for the perfect prom dress, and finally found it. Now you need to find the perfect shoe to go with your dress. But it doesn't have to be hard! All you need to know is a few fashion tricks, and the perfect prom shoe will be yours.
The most important thing to keep in mind is comfort. It doesn't matter how amazing and fantastic the shoe that you pick is - if you are unable to walk by the end of the night, it was the wrong one! How can you look at your best if your feet feel like they are about to fall off?
High heels are a common style of shoe, and for good reason - they make your legs look longer and slimmer and force you to keep good posture. But you don't need to go ridiculous with the heel height. Two-inch heels are more than enough to give the desired effect while saving your poor feet.

If you are used to them, strapped dress sandals are quite popular and can be worn with most dresses. But they can be a pain to wear - you may find it more comfortable to choose a dress shoe with an enclosed toe. If you get an enclosed toe, make sure they have a soft, cushioned upper lining (leather is preferable).
Another option for shoes that are extremely comfortable to wear are ballet shoes. Unfortunately they are only suitable with full skirts (they just don't look right with tight fitted dresses).
It probably doesn't need to be said, but do ensure that you pick shoes that are the correct size for you. Shoes that are too big or too small will never feel comfortable, and a shoe that is too big could leave you with blisters or even come off at an embarrassing moment!
Once you have decided on your shoes for the prom, make sure you wear them in before the night. The easiest way to do this is to wear them around the house for an hour or so each day for a week. If you aren't used to the style of shoe you bought, this also gives you a chance to become used to them.
One final tip; it can be difficult to find a colour that matches exactly, so you will have two options. You can try to find a complementary colour (for example, black to go with a dark coloured dress), or if the shoe is the right type you can dye it to match.
If you decide to dye your shoes, remember that dyed items look different indoors compared to outdoors. For example, shoes dyed grey may take on a purple tone outside. There is nothing that can be done to stop this, so be sure to tell your dyer if the event is indoor or outdoor.

Five Pairs of Shoes That Every Woman Should Have

We know that everyone loves shoes, buys shoes and has many pairs of shoes in their closets. While you might not need all the shoes that you have in your closets, here are five pairs of shoes that every woman should have:
- Great Looking Business Shoes. You need to have a special pair of smart shoes for work. These should look great, and match well with your suit. They will be perfect for interviews, as well as those important presentations and business trips.
They would usually be black shoes with medium size heel, to make you look taller and in control, but still comfortable enough to wear all day.
- Great Looking Shoes to Wear With Jeans. Who wears jeans with sneakers anymore? As jeans are becoming cooler, and more embellished, you need something cuter then a basic sneaker to go with them.
We recommend cool high heel sandals in the summer, or great looking boots in the winter.
- Great Looking Sneakers. You still need to exercise and go to the gym. While you will not wear sneakers with your stylish jeans, you still need sneakers for exercising and walking outside. There are lots of different sneakers on the market now - pick the ones that fit you, and that fit your exercise routine.
- Cool Dressy Shoes. You have that gorgeous dress, and you need matching shoes to go with it. Get something fun and gorgeous to go with the dress. Splurge a little - here the right shoes will make all the difference.
- The Pink Shoes. You know, everyone has at least one pair of completely impractical, bright pink or bright red shoes. You found them at the store, they didn't really match any of your outfits, but you just had to have them.

Tips on How To Choose Large Size Women's Shoes

Maybe you were teased as a child. And, you've politely ignored the references to your feet looking like gunboats. Well, the joke isn't on you anymore. Large size women shoes are widely available like never before. Whether you want a dressy pump or a comfortable athletic trainer, retailers and manufacturers are figuring out that there is an ever-growing market in large size women shoes.
With over 30 percent of all women's shoe sales being size nine and above, there is big money in selling large size women shoes. The fact is women's feet are getting bigger. While women over the age of 35 have an average shoe size of seven and a half, their younger counterparts average a shoe size of eight and a half.

This "growing" demand for women's shoes in sizes nine through fifteen has spawned many new retailers and shoe manufacturers who specialize in larger sizes. Twenty years ago, a woman with big feet had very limited options in shoes. Now, she can choose from a vast array of business, casual, and even golfing shoes.
It is estimated that approximately 85 percent of women buy shoes in the wrong size. Most often, they buy shoes that are too small. Ill-fitting shoes can contribute to a whole host of medical problems including bunions, corns, hammertoes, and calluses. With the larger sizes more commonly available now, women are finding the styles that they want in the sizes that they need. This is a welcome relief for the many women who have bought shoes in a too-small size because there was no other option.
If you are a woman with big, glorious feet, make sure that you have both of your feet sized every time you buy shoes. Take the measurement standing up and sitting down. Ask the salesperson for suggestions on shoe brands that might work with your foot size and shape.
If you are trying to minimize the size of your feet, look for shoes with rounded toes and moderate heels. You may want to stay away from pointy pumps, ballerina flats, and t-straps that can lengthen the appearance of your feet. It is also best to stick to neutral tones or colors that blend well with hose or pants.
Finally, keep in mind that if the average shoe size of women keeps growing, you may find yourself having smaller than average feet. Those jokes about your less than dainty tootsies will certainly be a thing of the past.

Vera Wang Shoes - Make It Popular Among The Brides

Soft, haute-couture, delicate and made to perfection - nope not food but the breath taking collection of Vera Wang shoes on the Mecca of fashion - 5th avenue, New York. Vera Wang shoes have long been famous for their unique satin work and brace yourself - yes, their comfort. Unheard of in the fashion world till a couple of decades earlier, Vera Wang shoes are designed such that you can forget those shoe bites on the special day that you wear one.




More and more ladies are choosing Vera Wang shoes to express their style and sense of fashion on the most important day of their lives - their wedding day. Vera Wang shoes are made of satin or silk and come in ivory, white and silk shades mostly. Exquisite craftsmanship ensures that the shoes are spotless - no thread popping out from the ankle strap or no bead hanging loose. The cloth is creaseless and the stitches are perfectly hidden under folds. The soles of the shoes are padded and so are the edges. So say no to swollen toes, painful heel and even bruised feet. You can wear those all day long.




The satin or silk make of the Vera Wang shoes make it popular among the brides. You will also get the shoes in matte or semi-glossy finish. Choose the look as per your outfit but one thing is for sure that you will get elegance. The Vera Wang shoes can come in simple designs without any frill and attachments and you can buy one that can be dyed later on. This simplistic make often helps the buyer in accessorizing the shoes as per her needs. For example add a big rhinestone on the front or hang a bead work from the ankle strap. You also have the option of shoes with or without heels. Knowing the length of the heel is important so that you can adjust your gown length accordingly.


Once the wedding is over, you can choose to dye your shoes and add different matching accessories. With a price tag kicking off from $300, Vera Wang bridal shoes may appear within the budget for many. The shoes are definitely worth the expenditure because these are bound to stay strong for long and can be worn in evening parties and special occasions. The elegance of material like silk or satin lies in its smoothness. Rest assured that once you touch a Vera Wang shoe or glide your fingers along one, you will know that we are not bluffing. An exquisite feeling of smoothness surrounding your feet and comforting it on your special day - now that's worth some mullah!
So go ahead and kick start your marital life in style, walk down the aisle and ensure that heads are turned in every way - Vera Wang shoes have been chosen by many celebrities over the years and their wedding shoes are definitely a class apart. Make your special day memorable from head to toe and complete your attire with Vera Wang shoes. Remember the best part is that you can dye the shoes, accessorize those differently and wear those later.

Odd Shoe Finder Evolves and Joins the "green" Movement

I launched OddShoeFinder.com in 2007 after becoming aware of the millions of people around the world who must buy two pairs of shoes at a time or one shoe because of severely mismatched feet, an amputation or an injury. I envisioned users selling pairs of mismatched and unused shoes stuck in their closets to those with similar problems, but complementary shoe sizes. After six months, fewer than 150 single shoes and pairs of shoes were posted, leaving me discouraged about the future of the site.
I received an unexpected e-mail through the Web site a few weeks ago offering to sell me thousands of new, name brand mismatched shoes at one dollar each. I felt this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to populate the site, make matches with users more likely and keep thousands of shoes out of landfills.
Around the same time that those shoes were being delivered I received another e-mail from someone else offering to sell me thousands of new, name brand mismatched shoes to me for ten cents each (if they shipped them) and free if I could pick them up. I realized that this was a twice-in-a-lifetime opportunity that just happened to come within weeks of the first of the offer.
Before I had a chance to make shipping arrangements for the second batch of shoes, I received yet another e-mail through the site from a shoe manufacturer asking if I was interested in taking 3,000 shoes off their hands. It was becoming clear to me that new, mismatched shoes are an extremely common problem in stores that sell shoes - especially self-service stores and thousands of these shoes are being thrown away each year.
How do stores end up with so many mismatched shoes? Sometimes, people open more than one pair of shoes to try them on and unintentionally put one of the shoes of each pair in the wrong box. Some of those people come back to the store when they realize their mistake but others do not. Perhaps more common is people with mismatched feet intentionally switching out shoes to get one in each of their sizes, leaving a pair of mismatched shoes the store cannot sell.
With most chain stores, the mismatched shoes are sent to a central location. In some cases the chain itself sorts through the shoes and makes as many matches as possible to return to their stores and take whatever they can get for the shoes that cannot be matched. In other cases, the chain just sells the entire batch of shoes to salvage companies, who sort through the shoes to find matches to sell at discount stores.
Mismatched shoes are worth very little to shoe stores, but are potentially worth a lot to those who normally have to buy two pairs of shoes at a time. Until now there has not been an efficient way to match the shoes with those who need them.
OddShoeFinder.com is the first searchable Web site that matches otherwise unwanted shoes that would normally end up in a landfill with those who can use them. It offers business opportunities to some and low-priced shoes to millions. While it was launched for people with mismatched feet, there is no reason for users not to post their matched pairs of shoes. It costs nothing to post shoes on the site, and there are no commissions.
OddShoeFinder.com started as a very simple site. People registered with the site and posted their shoes and others clicked on "buy this shoe," triggering an e-mail to the seller including the shipping address and contact information of the buyer. Buyers and sellers decide pricing and shipping and payment methods. Users are encouraged to give feedback on the site and enhancements have been developed based on their input.
Some users complained of the inability of to communicate with each other prior to a sale, so a messaging system was added. If they decide to complete the sale then we recommend they use the "buy this shoe" button because it removes the shoe from the listings and helps the seller and Webmaster keep track of sales.
Realizing that many people may visit the site repeatedly to search for shoes in their size, only to find nothing new, we installed a feature that allows users to receive an e-mail each week to when someone posts shoes in their size(s).
A few users asked for a means of rating sellers and buyers such as those found on eBay and Amazon.com. While we have not reached that point yet, OddShoeFinder.com now has a forum where people can post information about their experiences - or anything else (in good taste, of course) they want to talk about. Many users of the site suffer or have suffered from similar health issues and we hope the forum provides a place for them to find each other for advice and comfort.
Our plan is to help the site reach critical mass by purchasing and posting mismatched new shoes so that everyone will have the opportunity to purchase an inexpensive pair or shoes, a mismatched pair or a single shoe in the perfect size.
(c) 2008, Odd Shoe Finder. Reprints welcomed so long as the article and by-line are not changed and all links are made live.