While they can’t necessarily work miracles, comfort shoes provide the wearer with benefits such as additional padding, observation of pressure points, wider soles and better support that improve the walking experience.

When you have a medical condition that makes walking uncomfortable, comfort shoes come to the rescue with special construction that can help make walking easy again. While they can’t necessarily work miracles, they do provide the wearer with benefits such as additional padding, observation of pressure points, wider soles and better support that improve the walking experience.

Sometimes referred to as “orthopedic,” comfort shoes are produced by a wide variety of manufacturers, such as Dr. Scholl’s , Comfort One and even New Balance. In some cases, they are geared toward specific conditions that consumers might be dealing with, such as diabetes, while in some, they are designed for the average consumer who might need some extra protection against the rigors of walking.

For example, Arcopedico is one of the most popular manufacturers of comfort shoes, and they provide options in a wide variety of styles, colors and widths. Their most notable feature is the polyurethane outsole, which helps absorb the impact of every footfall while providing additional traction to avoid slipping and falling. Other companies use similar materials for shock absorption and traction.

You’ll also find that comfort shoes provide more room for the wearer, making it easier to stave off injuries to the foot, such as calluses, Dansko , for example, produces occupational comfort shoes that have Thermoplastic toe boxes that simultaneously provide the toes with more room and provide reinforcement for the shoe itself. Dansko also uses PVC for the inner frame, which protects the entire foot without sacrificing flexibility.

Dr. Scholl’s also provides innovative designs in comfort shoes, such as their Women’s Client mary janes, which have cushy memory foam insoles for shock absorption as well as suede leather uppers for maximum flexibility while walking.

Soft materials such as gel, memory foam and leather are the cornerstones of comfort shoes, as they allow the foot to move freely regardless of the speed or gait at which the wearer walks. In many cases, these materials are combined with reinforcements, such as the PVC in the Dansko shoes, providing support for the moments when you need it most. Some are also made with different variations of canvas, which is both breathable and durable.

Additionally, most comfort shoes are built upon a foundation of extreme traction because consumers who buy these types of shoes are more prone to slip-and-fall accidents. Rubber tread is the most frequently used material for this type of feature, and can vary depending on the amount of slip resistance required for the shoe. Cross-hatched tread is generally the most effective, and is common with tennis shoes, walking shoes and sometimes even sandals.

And finally, clogs are the latest style in comfort shoes, and are preferable to many closed-toe versions because of their breathability. In years past, comfort shoes were often considered ugly and were easily identifiable, but now manufacturers are focusing on style as much as function. Clogs often have adjustable heels that allow for swelling and other changes to the foot during the day, and are sometimes just as comfortable as your standard walking shoe.

One of our very own Content Team members recently achieved something pretty spectacular. The amazing Angela Chege received her Master’s degree from the University of Southern Nevada, and we couldn’t be more proud of her great accomplishment. Now, one of the first things I thought was, how in the world does someone as hard-working as Angela, manage to find enough time to do such a stellar job at Zappos AND go to classes, and crank out thesis papers? I know many of us often feel like there are just not enough hours in a day to get everything in…so, with this in mind, I just had to have a little Q&A with Miss C. herself:

H: So Angela, rumor has it that you recently earned your Master’s Degree! That’s quite an accomplishment! What did you get your Master’s in?

A: Who is spreading those rumors? Is it because I have a large head? Yes, I received my Masters in Business Administration.

H: Wow…Congratulations! It’s so cool to have an MBA among us! Was it hard to balance working here at Zappos +and going to school? How did you manage your time and what tips can you give to those of us who never can seem to squeeze enough hours out of the day?

A: Thanks.The funny thing is working at Zappos actually brought some relief from my hectic school schedule. Advice?? Anything is possible, so just believe in yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything. I mean, just look at Zappos. Set your mind to do what it is that you want to do, keep your mouth shut, and keep it simple. More importantly, I could not have done anything without the support of my family, friends and Zappos co-workers. So many people have made sacrifices, altered their schedules, etc. to accommodate me, and this degree belongs to them too.Smart-sounding people always use quotes, so let me think of one…..

“You become effective by being selective. It’s human nature to get distracted by minor issues.”

- Rick Warren

Ahh, yes…that’s very sound advice from our resident MBA, always end with a good quote! This one is definitely a good one to live by especially in such a fast-paced, hectic world.

Thanks Angela! I believe this calls for a….Happy Hour celebration??, Yes? =)

James Cleveland Owens is one of the most famed record breaking athletes in the world.

In 1913, James Cleveland Owens was born as the seventh child of Henry and Emma Owens in Oakville, Alabama. Right away, the family started calling him J.C. and the name stuck. As a result, when the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio and James started at a new school, he introduced himself as J.C. The only problem was that his southern drawl got in the way. His teacher and fellow students were unable to understand James’ thick southern accent. So J.C. sounded to them like Jesse and this situation is what forced J.C. Owens to eventually go by Jesse Owens.

As most of you probably know, Jesse Owens is one of the greatest record breaking runners of all time. One of his most celebrated moments was in 1935 at the Big Ten held in Ann Arbor Big. After falling down a flight of stairs earlier that week and still reeling from back pain, he ran well enough to break 3 world records. They are as follows:

• 220-yard dash in 20.3 seconds
• 220-yard low hurdles in 22.6 seconds

• Broad Jump at 26 feet 8¼ inches

These record breaking events convinced Jesse Owens, who was a sophomore at Ohio State at the time, that he was ready for the 1936 Olympics. It was a moment that inspired him as well as others.

A year later at the 1936 Olympics held in Nazi Germany, Jesse Owens continued to break records. As a consequence, he ended up winning four gold medals and being the first American in History to do this in a single Olympic meet. It was an event that showed his strong athleticism and bucked against Hitler’s idea that his Aryan nation was superior.

From this point on, Jesse Owens name was a staple in American history. Although he wasn’t offered endorsements and other deals Olympic athletes get today, he didn’t let this stop him. He used his athleticism to provide for his family in a variety of ways including as a motivational speaker up unto his death in 1980. However, even in death, he triumphed. Ten years after his death, he was awarded (posthumously) the Congressional Gold Medal by President George H.W. Bush. It was an honor well deserved because Owens showed humanity that when hard work meets up with opportunity it can do great things regardless of all of the barriers put in front of it. Therefore, he is a role model for anyone trying to do big things in life.

Source: http://www.jesseowens.com/biography/