So you've come back for another lesson in shoe talk, eh? You must be getting good at shoe lingo by now. You may even be able to stump the shoe salesman with your shoe encyclopedia knowledge. Aw, c'mon, you know you are eager to try it out at least once -- or twice. Shoe parts, shoe-making processes, specialty collections and more have been discussed. In this week's lesson, you will be following that trend with a medical foot condition, a type of shoe measurement, a synthetic material and a style of shoe with safety in mind.

Safety Shoe
Safety first, right? The safety shoe is one designed specifically with the consumer's safety in mind. Most safety shoes have steel toes. Safety shoes can also include other safety features, such as waterproofing and oil-resistant fabrics and materials. Designed for the professional, the Timberland Pro collection of work boots and shoes is an example of safety coupled with comfort and style. The Timberland brand is well known among the pros for its safety and durability.

Polyurethane (PU)
Polyurethane, or simply PU, is a chemical-based synthetic material. It is commonly used to create faux leather. Hey now, when I said "PU," that was not a reference to a foul odor. Although, if you've got an odor problem, you may wish try some odor-fighting polyurethane shoes.

Shaft Height
The shaft height is the inside measurement of the boot's shaft from bottom to top, starting at the arch. If you were at thinking of a mine shaft instead, you may want to pick up a set of climbing shoes before you head off to explore.

Neuroma
Neuroma is a foot condition that a person could be born with due to a defect. It can also be caused by wearing shoes too narrow for the foot, wearing high-heeled shoes or injuries. If you have neuroma, this means that the two metatarsals on your feet have pinched the nerve located between them. The pinching action causes a tissue mass to form on this nerve. That mass is known as a neuroma.

Today fashion luxury shoe lines are very much in style. Popularized by television shows like Sex and the City and movie stars, fashion luxury shoes are now just as much of a fashion statement as a person's clothing. This is a great time to be alive if you love exotic shoe designs that are crafted for luxury, elegance and intrigue. Three of the top fashion and luxury shoe designers in the world today are Elise Ferare, Guiseppe Zanotti and Claudio Merazzi.

Elise Ferare - Fashion/Casual/Contemporary/Luxury Shoe Designer

Elise Ferare is a contemporary shoe designer whose original shoe designs are very much a study in contrasts. Her designs routinely pair textural and style elements that play off each other, such as rough and smooth, edgy and traditional, and dark and light. Ferare likes to keep her shoe designs fresh and innovative and avoids subscribing to shoe fashion trends when at all possible. One of the things that make Ferare shoes unique, is their comfort, as Ferare believes that you "shouldn't have to suffer for fashion."

Guiseppe Zanotti - Fashion/Contemporary/Luxury/Dress/Evening Shoe Designer

Guiseppe Zanotti is an Italian fashion shoe designer that has continued the traditional of superior Italian shoe craftsmanship. Zanotti gained his footwear expertise by working with top Italian luxury shoe companies before starting his own line of designer shoes in 1994. Creative and artistic are the words that can be used to describe Zanotti's shoes. He draws his inspiration from the arts, music and cinema, where he says shoe evolution is charted. This is a shoe designer that is favored by celebrities.

Claudio Merazzi - Fashion/Luxury/Contemporary Shoe Designer

Claudio Merazzi is one of the most influential fashion luxury shoe designers in the world. Not only has he been the creative director for his own shoe line CLAUDIO MERAZZI, but he has also served as the creative director for Cesare Pariotti, Gruppo Esade and Oscar de la Renta. Merazzi gained his shoe design experience working with shoe designer legends like Casadel and Bruno Mogli. His shoe designs are known for their modern edge, unique shapes and innovative construction.

Comfort boots actually exist. For all the women who think they have to give up style for comfort, it just is not so. There are a wide variety of brands that offer boots specifically categorized as comfort boots including Clark's, Hush Puppies, LaCanadienne, Easy Spirit, Aerosoles, Born Biddy, Gabriella Rocha and Lucchese, to name a few. If you are vertically challenged, heel height doesn't have to be sacrificed, and if you are tall, heel height is accommodated. Most importantly, comfort and style definitely do not have to be sacrificed.

So what is different about comfort boots as opposed to other boots? There are a few features that enhance comfort boots, providing not only a well fitting boot, but a comfortable boot. If you're looking to purchase comfort boots from an online retailer, all of the features should be provided prior to purchasing. Several of the top features to look for include: cushioned insoles designed to absorb shock, which reduce foot fatigue and pressure; rubber outsoles with tread detailing designed to provide a lasting grip while walking; OrthoLite foam shock absorbing foot bed, which is designed to reduce shock; an EVA Midsole, which is also designed to absorb shock and create an ease in walking; and rubber outsoles with ABS heels which help to reduce the weight of the shoe.

The price for comfort boots ranges just like any other boots based on the brand and quality of boot. A classic example is a pair of black patent leather Aerosoles Patrol Car comfort boots, which retails for $89 and has a 2 ¾-inch heel. If looking for a higher heeled comfort boot, a great example is the Gabriella Rocha Studio Scarlet comfort boot in gray with lace up front eyelets and a 3-inch heel retailing for $99. Lucchese, on the other hand, actually offers comfort boots in the form of cowboy boots. Lucchese boots are known as the best fitting cowboy boot made. Lucchese comfort boots generally range from $500 and upward, are made to last a lifetime and are worth every penny.

Let us undertake another fun session of shoe encyclopedia. If you've been following along, you've already learned so much. You should be proud of yourself. You may have already discovered that shoe talk can be, not only fun, but very useful. Let us continue on with this fifth installment of the shoe encyclopedia. You'll learn about the approach shoe, exactly what supination is, about the exclusive Skate Park line and the definition for blucher.

Approach Shoe
The approach shoe is not going to walk up to you by itself. Rather, an approach shoe is one that will help you approach that mountain top with greater ease. It is actually a shoe designed with a special grip on the sole that is meant to aid rock climbers on the trail back and forth from the climbing area.

Supination
Supination is not a shoe or a shoe feature. Instead it's an action that can be done by the foot. It is when, during walking or running, the outermost part of the heel touches the ground as it's supposed to, but instead of rolling inward, like in a normal walking pattern, the pressure stays on that outside part of the heel. This causes pressure on the smaller toes and the lateral side of the foot. To help with this problem, supinators (those who walk or run with supination) can try neutral running shoes.

Skate Park
I'm not talking about the place you go hang out with your skateboarding buddies. This Skate Park is actually an exclusive Zappos collection made especially for skaters. It contains shoes, clothing and accessories for skaters, boarders and surfers. This is the place to get all the shoes and other gear you need to look awesome while you enjoy these great outdoor sports.

Blucher
A blucher is a shoe that features two side flaps of fabric or other material. These two materials feature lacing to hold them together. For instance, many tennis shoes feature the blucher style, as can dress shoes and even boots. In other words, many, or even most, shoes that contain laces display this style.

With the Olympics behind us, it is pretty obvious that swimming is a sport that more people are becoming interested in. Swimming is the best exercise, as well as the best therapy in the world. Just ask your doctor, and he or she will confirm that the buoyancy of water, the water resistance when working out during a water aerobics class, or the exercise received during swimming, far surpasses any other physical fitness activity.

The strength build by swimming may be a way to combat the back and neck pains many children experience at any early age as a result of the increasing number of cell phones, PDA's and other items weighing down the backpacks of today's youth. Swimming can also be the perfect remedy for the lack of exercise in a child's life. The benefits of learning to swim at any age far outweigh any excuse to not learn to swim.

Deciding to pursue swimming for fitness and comfort will require purchasing comfortable swim trunks or swimsuits, nonslip comfortable shoes to be worn around the pool area, and in some cases, other swim accessories. Some individuals prefer covering their eyes with goggles. Other individuals prefer wearing a swim cap to protect their hair from chlorine exposure.

You may not be the next Michael Phelps, but it is important to indulge in a sport like swimming that provides health benefits. But if purchasing the latest Speedo Goggles motivates you or your child to consider venturing into the water as a means of a healthy lifestyle, more power to you! Water is soothing, comfortable and definitely therapeutic. You can't go wrong if you make the decision to swim as a sport, for relaxation or simply to feel better. Even if you don't win a few gold medals, the time spent was well invested.

If you've been keeping up, you've already learned quite an array of shoe terms to keep you up to date. If not, don't despair. You can easily take a few moments to catch up by reading the previous installments of the shoe encyclopedia. At this point in the game, you should be really starting to impress your shoe-savvy friends while shoe shopping and gossiping. In fact, you're becoming quite the shoe connoisseur yourself.

Mule
This mule won't be carrying your baggage, but it could get you around with both style and comfort. In shoe talk, a mule is a slip-on shoe with a closed toe and an open heel. They are available in an array of choices, such as slippers, casuals or dress shoes. Mule shoes can come in a variety of styles for both women and men.

Hammertoe
Hammertoe is pretty much what it sounds like. It's a medical condition where a toe is bent in a shape that resembles a claw or the end of a hammer. Most of the time, hammertoes develop due to an imbalance of the muscles. However, they can also be caused by arthritis or even by ill-fitting shoes. So, be sure you pick the right size when you are shoe shopping.

Last
A last is a form used to make a shoe. The form can come in metal, wood, or plastic. The shoe is pulled and shaped around the form. That process is called lasting. Some shoes are hand lasted, while others are made using a shoe lasting machine. Since the use of a hand last is more time-consuming, hand-lasted shoes can sometimes have a higher price tag than machine-lasted shoes.

Lug Sole
A lug sole, when talking shoes, is a sole that is heavily treaded and made of rubber. Ever need some shoes strong enough to get you up a mountainside and also weather a storm? Maybe you're not quite that brave. How about some cute boots to get you around town during the winter season? Footwear with a lug sole can do either and more.

With the fall season around the corner, many people will quickly realize their relaxed summer habits may have left them in an emotional and physical slump. So what's a body to do? Get busy, get moving and start hiking. Fall is the perfect time of year to take on hiking in order to beat an emotional and physical slump.

Hiking may look like a major challenge to individuals who have never hiked before, but it is really all about following a couple of rules. First and foremost, buy a good pair of hiking shoes. There are a number of excellent hiking shoes made for all types of feet. These hiking shoes will insure the proper support for the feet, ankles and lower legs. Comfort and support are major safety factors when walking and trekking along an uneven surface. This is why you can expect a good workout during hiking. Hiking uses the legs and core region of the body.

Secondly, if you are a rookie, don't hike alone. Find a friend or associate who is also up to the challenge of hiking. Get the necessary hiking equipment including maps, compasses, water bottles, first-aid kits, mosquito repellant and other survival equipment. More importantly, know the environment and take on a terrain that is not an expert trail. Choose a trail that is ideal for the beginner to intermediate hikers. There are many specified hiking trails with park rangers in the area simply depending on the region one lives in.

The good thing about using hiking as a means of beating an emotional and physical slump is that the body and mind feels rejuvenated after a good workout. Being in the outdoors with nature is an ideal way to clear the mind, and definitely a great way to get back in shape after lounging all summer.

Fall is the perfect time to get busy, get moving and start considering taking on a new challenge. When you want to beat an emotional and physical slump, hiking is a healthy way of shaking up the body and the mind.

The history of shoes is littered with crazy ideas for footwear. Some of these crazy ideas last only a few minutes, while others spark fashion trends that last for years. One of the crazy ideas for footwear that seams to have stuck is the idea for Heelys. Heelys are shoes that have wheels that are built into the shoe's sole. The position of the wheel makes it possible for the shoe's wearer to roll, run and walk without having to change their shoes. What an invention!

The History of Heelys
Heelys are the brainchild of Roger Adams. This licensed psychologist invented these rollerskate/street shoes during what he refers to as his mid-life crisis. At the turn of the 21st century Adams was facing many challenges including a divorce and a stressful career. One day he was daydreaming and he thought how great it would be to be able to just shift your weight on your shoes and be able to roll away. That daydream turned into a multi-million dollar business in a matter of years.

In December 2000 Roger Adams opened his business, Heelys. He introduced his basic Heelys model at a trade show and he found a store that was interested in carrying his shoes. The first day that the store offered Heelys, their entire stock of the rollerskate street shoes sold out in a matter of hours. This sell out trend continued for months, and during the first year that Heelys were offered to consumers, over one million units were sold.

Heelys Models
The most popular Heelys model is the single wheel model. However, this is not the only option you have. Heelys also come in double wheel models, single wheel models with a grinding plate and Mack models with wheels on the sides of the shoe. One of the best features that all Heelys offer is the ability to remove the wheels and just wear the base of the Heelys as a great looking street shoe.

While Heelys are very popular with kids, teens and adults, they have also received some negative press because of their perceived dangerousness. However, this press hasn't dampened sales. As fashion trends change it will be interesting to see if Heelys are able to maintain their amazing popularity or if they will be replaced by the next great idea in footwear.

Shoe fashion in Europe has been very important throughout history. In England,
the capital of the shoe manufacturing industry has traditionally been
centered in Northamptonshire. This area is popular with shoe
manufacturers because it has all the ingredients needed for producing
shoes, including livestock, water and natural resources. This is where
the famous Padders shoe brand got its beginnings.

The Groocock Family Launches a Shoe Empire
The
Groocock family of Rothwell, England were retailers by trade. In 1905,
they opened a very successful retail store which was run by family
members. In 1914 the family branched out and started manufacturing
welted shoes. This was an interesting era to be in the shoe business,
because it was the height of the Edwardian era of fashion, which meant
that small feet were in fashion. The shoes
that were manufactured during this era by Thomas Groocock, the founder
of the T. Groocock & Co, ltd. company, were narrow and tight
fitting. Women of the day went to extremes to get their feet to fit
into the slim line shoes produced by this company including having
their little toes surgically removed.

The demand for Groocock
shoes was high from the get go, and by 1922 the family had to expand
their business by building a larger factory. By 1939, World War II was
impacting business all over the globe. The Groococks did their part for
the war effort by focusing their manufacturing efforts on army boots
and what they called men's "utility shoes."

After the war, the
company went back to producing high fashion shoes. In the latter part
of the 1950s they focused on pop culture fashion shoes like the
winkle-pickers and the beetle-crushers. The shoes manufactured by this
company were so popular that by 1959 they were manufacturing shoes
around the clock.

Padders Are Launched
The
Padders brand of shoes was launched in 1982 as the Groocock family
tried to redirect their shoe lines. The comfortable fit and extra
support provided by these shoes made them more attractive to the aging
communities of England, as opposed to the teens and twenty somethings
of Britain. This move was radical but smart, as the company has
continued to flourish even during a few downturns in the UK's economy.
Today Padders are manufactured, distributed and sold from a brand new
42,000 square foot building in Rothwell, as well as sold in 1,000
independent retail outlets scattered throughout the UK.

The fact is, everyone wasn't born equal. Just talk to an athlete with flat feet, and he or she will quickly tell you how the purchase of athletic shoes must be done carefully. Stepping into orthotics with style is easy since most of the athletic shoes and daily footwear now provide orthotic support. Some individuals are required to have professional orthotics made based on the severity of a foot disorder. However, footwear with features that include multi-density orthotic support that is removable is available.

There are a number of brands that offer the privilege of stepping into orthotics with style including Timberland, Ryka, Ara and Rockport to name a few. There are a few specific features to look for when selecting a shoe that provides orthotic support. If purchasing a product from an online retailer, all of the features should be listed. The wearer should look for the shoe product that offers removable or built-in orthotic support, a contoured foot bed to provide added arch and heel support, a polyurethane midsole for maximum support for the wearer, and a durable multi-density rubber outsole.
With the wide variety of attractive, popular shoes available that provide quality support, why not be smart and provide the feet and body the proper support needed, which results in overall better health?

The feet are the main support of the human body and if one's feet hurt, this will cause awkward walking in an effort to steer away the pain, which results in misalignment of the body. Why not stop the madness and take the initiative of voluntarily stepping into orthotics with style by purchasing the proper shoes that provide the necessary orthotic support for the foot and body type?
Shoes with built-in or removable orthotic support do not necessary cost more than other shoes. Great care has been taken by leading shoe manufacturers to ensure their products are competitive on all levels. In this day and age when much is demanded of an individual, being able to be comfortable and avoid foot pain is important. In fact stepping into orthotics with style is in fashion.

Lesson two ranged from comfort to tannage, and even a bit of gore. If you missed it, be sure to catch up. In this third lesson, learn how to impress your fellow shoe connoisseurs with a bit more knowledge on shoe speak. From toes to laces, get to know the ins and outs of those those fancy (or not so fancy) things on your feet, most commonly referred to as shoes. Plus, learn about a great spot to find the hottest shoe trends that's easier than trekking from mall to mall.

Aglet
Is this a farming reference? Well, you can certainly try making a planter out of a shoe if you want to, but I don't think crops will harvest too well that way. I could be wrong. Back to the shoe language, an aglet is that piece of plastic at the tip of shoelaces. It keeps them from fraying so you can keep those kicks looking nice and neat.

Cap Toe
At first glance this sounds like some illness or toe condition, like corns or blisters or something. But, no worries. A cap toe is actually what the toe or tip of the shoe is called when there is an extra strip of leather covering it.

The Strip
The Strip is not a tease, well, not the kind you may be thinking of. It's definitely sure to entice you with lots of great choices. The Strip is actually the hot spot on Zappos for the latest and greatest shoe trends and designs. Some of them are limited editions, so be sure to visit The Strip Collection for the latest updates.

Slingback
No, this is not some sort of device for back injuries. Hopefully, you know how to walk in your shoes well enough to avoid one of those. If not, that lesson's for another instructor, not this one. LOL When speaking shoe, a slingback is any shoe with a strap at the back of the heel or ankle to hold the foot inside. These can be sandles, heels, or various styles, such as crocs. Slingbacks can be worn by women or men, depending on the shoe.

The history of shoes would not be complete without talking about Nike shoes. This shoe manufacturer has changed the way we not only view athletic shoes but also how we view athletes. Nike's sponsorship of athletes created many of the sports heroes of the 1980s and 1990s, and Nike continues to bring new athletes into the limelight. The history of this company is truly a rags to riches tale.

Nike's Modest Beginnings
Nike originally was called Blue Ribbon Sports, or BRS. This small business sold Onitsuka Tiger shoes (a Japanese brand) out of the back of the company founders Philip Knight and Bill Boweman's car at local track meets. After a half decade of selling from their car, the founding fathers of BRS opened their first retail outlet in 1966 in Santa Monica, California. By 1971 the company dropped the Onitsuka Tiger line and launched their own shoe line with the official Nike symbol, the Swoosh. The Swoosh first appears on "Nike," which was a soccer cleat.

Nike - The Goddess of Victory
In 1978 BRS was officially renamed Nike, Inc. The name "Nike," which had christened their first original shoe design, and now was the banner head of their company, was derived from the Greek goddess of victory. A fitting name for this sports shoe line that would eventually capture over 50 percent of the U.S. athletic shoe market.

Victory was a theme that Nike lived by over the next four decades. To market their products they sponsored top athletes in a variety of sports. These athletes not only wore Nike products, but they also were the spokespeople for the Nike brand. Nike sponsorships brought many winning athletes into the spotlight and created athletic superheroes that kids, teens and adults around the globe idolized.

Nike Products
Nike is responsible for some of the most popular athletic footwear and equipment on the market. Their brands include Nike Golf, Nike+, Nike Skateboarding, Nike Pro, Air Jordan and Team Starter. They also own the subsidiaries of Cole Haan, Umbro, Hurly International and Converse. With such a huge presence in the athletic shoe world, if you have bought a pair of athletic shoes in the last thirty years, chances are you bought a Nike brand.

We all know that aromatherapy can be used to ease tension and quiet a busy mind. Finding products that do the trick, however, can be another matter. Many people make the mistake of giving up on aromatherapy when the techniques they've tried just aren't working. Fortunately, there are more ways to use aromatherapy than you probably know of. Below are some of the best ways to use your favorite scent.

Scented Candles
Everyone is familiar with this one, but how well they work depends on two things - the scent used and the amount of scented oil mixed into the wax. A quick test: before buying a candle gently brush your finger over the top of the wax. If you can't see the oil, or it doesn't have a pleasant smell, then it likely won't diffuse well when burned.

Scented Oil Burners
This one can be a little more complex than candles, though all that's needed is an oil burner, tea light and vial of scented oil. Pros: the oil in the burner spreads the scent very quickly. Cons: the scent can smell a bit differently coming from an oil burner, and you have to watch them closely. If the oil burns too low, it causes a very unpleasant burning odor. The best way to see if this works for you is to try it.

Scent Diffuser Reeds
When I first saw these, I thought they looked completely ineffective, until the office I worked at got one. To my surprise, the diffuser reeds left the room smelling pleasant and fresh every day for weeks. They work by setting a few small reeds in a container of scented oil. The reeds absorb and slowly diffuse the aromatherapy oils over days and weeks.

Aromatherapy Body Products
Although these types of products can be found everywhere, don't simply buy whatever aromatherapy blend the company claims is "stress-reducing." Take the time to find a formula that you find pleasant and relaxing. If you use aromatherapy shampoos, conditioners or lotions, they should work well beyond the initial application. If the scent is short-lived, then it's not worth your money.

Do you know shoe talk? If you've been paying attention, you caught lesson one on the language of shoe. If not, it's easy enough to catch up. Learning this lingo could be pretty useful, so what are you waiting for? Grab a friend and read on. Then, when you're done, you could test your knowledge with another friend who is more shoe-savvy than the pair of you. Better yet, use it to grab that pair of whatever those saucy things were in the mall window. Who knows? With these four extra words from the shoe encyclopedia, you may even know what you're talking about this time.

After Hours
Well, normally when you think after hours, you are probably thinking of a hot exclusive party after your favorite band's concert, right? Well, in the case of shoe talk, you'd be off just a little. Okay, maybe a lot. After Hours shoes are comfy shoes that you would not be caught chilling in at any party, but would definitely want to wear while chilling at the house. These would be slippers, moccasins, booties and other casuals.

Gore
Usually, you might associate gore with movies, not shoes. However, there is another definition besides the one used in horror flicks. When referring to shoes, a gore is actually a piece of material, generally elastic, fitted into both sides of the shoe vamp to make it easier to slip and off. It can also make the shoes more comfortable.

Tannage
This type of tannage doesn't involve your swimsuit or a beach. Tannage is actually the process that raw hides and skins go through to get turned into leather. There are actually a number of steps in the process. Leather footwear is made of material that has gone through this process.

Spectator
Spectators are a type of shoe. No, they won't be watching you. However, you might be eyeing and admiring them. Spectators are made of two materials, with one material being more dominant. The dominant material will have a pinking edge and the toe of the shoe will have a perforated design.

I live in Bangkok, Thailand, where I teach English to corporate employees. When I moved here a few years ago, I wore the usual business suits and low-heeled conservative shoes, wanting to project a professional image. It was only after several weeks of working in a Bangkok multi-national corporation I realized I was just about the only one in my office who was "suited up." The women in my company had a completely different dress sense that I loved. Cute, girly, frilly......office wear in Thailand differs a great deal from our Western culture.

Typically, skirts are never longer than the knee. It's floral or has swirly designs, brightly colored or black and white. It's usually A-line or smocked at the waist and moves fluidly when walking. This Hurley Sinclair Convertible Skirt is similar to Thai fashion and perfect for the office. Often times, the women in the office pair these skirts with t-shirts in block colors (short or long sleeves) or perfectly fitted dress shirts in pretty, solid shades.

Often times, girls in the office have perfect jewelry to accessorize (often costing less than $1 a pop at the local market) and everything is finished off with high heeled strappy sandals. And many Thai women have a lot..... One of my office co-workers photographed every one of her 60 plus pairs of shoes, so she can easily find them when she's late for work in the morning.

Thai women are known for their beauty anyway. But matched with sexy, feminine clothes, adorable shoes and, ... oops wait, I forgot to mention the handbags? The current trends are Kate Spade or Guess and many Thai girls on low salaries will save for months to buy the real thing.