Comfort : February 2009

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Weekly Comfort Item: Finding Comfortable Equestrian Boots

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Feb 25, 2009 by Rica

Equestrian riding boots are a fashion item that never goes out of style. For those who ride for a hobby or in competition, equestrian riding boots are a necessity. For those who choose to be fashion conscience and stylish, adding a pair of fine, well made leather riding books is a lifetime addition to a wardrobe. When taken care of properly, fine leather riding boots last forever.

There are various brands of equestrian riding boots, most are very well made, comfortable and require a good fit. It is imperative that equestrian riding boots fit properly to not only ensure comfort, but also to ensure one's safety. Several of the top brands of riding boots include Sudini, Fitzwell, Frye, La Canadienne, Matisse, Stuart Weitzman, Vigotti and more.

A popular style among the collection of equestrian riding boots is the Frye Dorado Riding Boot. Made in a traditional style, the well made boot is made from fine leather with a leather lining, leather cushioned insole, leather sole and a 1-inch heel made of stacked wood with a rubber tap. The Frye Dorado Riding Boot is sleek, stylish and available in black or dark brown with a stylish buckle feature at the top of the boot and at the ankle. The retail price for the beautiful riding boot is $462.

Another excellent equestrian riding boot is the Pixie by La Canadienne. The traditionally styled boot is made from fine Italian calf leather available in either brown leather or black pebble leather. Features of the Italian made boot include memory foam cushioned insole, stacked heel, waterproof construction and a flexible TPR sole for added traction and durability. The pull-on style boot has side buckle detailing and retails for approximately $245. This is a beautiful boot to add to one's winter wardrobe.

The selection of equestrian riding boot is quite varied, however, anyone looking to purchase the popular boots should look for a good fit and well made boot, because it is definitely an investment in a timeless pair of boots whether purchased for riding or fashion.

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History of Shoes: White Mountain Shoes

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Feb 20, 2009 by Eisla Sebastian

The history of shoes is filled with interesting and innovated designers. Each designer offers shoe lines that incorporate what the designer thinks shoe buyers want. WhiteMountain is a shoe company that focuses on shoes that are affordable, comfortable and fashionable. From the 1980s to the present, White Mountain has been offering a great selection of chic styles.

History of White Mountain
White Mountain started business in 1980. From their beginning they had a mission, and that mission was to make feet happy. They accomplished this by combining old world craftsmanship with modern technology. This combination produced shoe lines that had the supple feel of handcrafted leather with the ergonomic advantages that modern technology lends to shoe designs. Throughout the last several decades White Mountain has produced several great lines of shoes and shoe styles, and they have sold millions upon millions of fashionable shoes to women around the globe.

White Mountain Shoes
White Mountain has launched several shoe lines. One of the most popular shoe lines is the Rialto. This shoe line is a value price line, which basically means that these shoes are affordable. This line includes both every day shoes that are appropriate for work shoes and hanging around the house, as well as occasion shoes, which are appropriate for special events like date night, weddings and other celebrations.

Another popular line offered by White Mountain is Happy Feet. This line of shoes is dedicated to casual footwear. This includes great strappy sandals called Gladiators, flats, sandals and wedges.

White Mountain focuses on four different types of shoes. Their flats styles include Garrison and Granby. These shoes are great for work and casual wear. The second style that they carry is the Gladiators line. Gladiators are great strappy sandals that come in several styles from thongs to open toed sandals. The final styles offered by White Mountain are sandals and wedges. Both of these styles work well for both casual and dressy occasions.

Buying White Mountain Shoes
In order to buy White Mountain shoes you will need to find a White Mountain outlet or a shoe store that carries this line of shoes. Fortunately, there are many places across the country that carry White Mountain shoes. The next time you are out looking for a great pair of casual or dress shoes, look for the White Mountain label.

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Weekly Comfort Item: Update your Athletic Shoes

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Feb 18, 2009 by Rica

Whether you are a collector of athletic shoes, an athlete or simply wear them as a part of casual gear, it is important to ensure athletic shoes are worn to get the proper support and comfort one looks for and expects in a good athletic shoe. Keep feet comfortable by updating athletic shoes. This is more important for individuals who participate in athletic sports such as walking, running and other high impact aerobic activities in order to avoid injury and achieve maximum performance.

Foot comfort is one of the most important things in the world. For certain, if you can't walk well in athletic shoes or if they are ill fitting, it is going to take the swagger out of your step. Look at the bottom of the athletic shoes and the overall condition. There are a variety of athletic shoes available at great prices that allow the process of updating athletic shoes affordably.

Consider comfort first and fashion second, however, with today's brands one does not have to compromise either. Several of the top brands such as Asics, New Balance, Adidas and Nike all offer high performance shoes at great prices, particularly if you know how to show and look for the best when updating athletic shoes.

Again, select your athletic shoes based on how they will be used. If having fly gear is first and foremost, there are many choices. A great choice of athletic shoes for women that is stylish and very well made is the Nike Shox Turbo SI SL, which is available in white with white or white with black. Key features include cushioning columns, synthetic leather, mesh upper and midsole cushioning. This is an all purpose athletic shoe and is an ideal choice for one updating athletic shoes. The retail price for the Nike Shox Turbo SI SL is $119.99.

This is one of many excellent choices that are ideal for adding to one's wardrobe when updating athletic shoes. Irrespective of the brand and style, always check to see if athletic shoes are worn out to avoid discomfort.

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Shoe Encyclopedia: Pebax, Maxum-Lite, Predator and Electrical Hazard

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Feb 17, 2009 by Momie T.

Hey there, Shoe Encyclopedia class! Time to go over some new shoe terms. But first, let's take a quick look at last session's lessons, some of which got a little fishy and sticky. OK, almost sticky and fishy, but not quite. Last time we went over jellies, which sound sticky and maybe even yummy, but we learned that they actually are just slip-on shoes woven from plastic. We also covered fisherman sandals, Opanka construction and what ANSI stands for. If you missed the last session or any prior sessions, don't forget that they can all be found on Zappos. In the meantime, pull up your chairs to learn the meaning of the terms Pebax, Maxum-Lite, predator and electrical hazard in reference to shoes.

Pebax
Pebax is a type of thermos plastic used in the outsole to create support for the balls of the feet. It is lightweight, making it a perfect medium for athletic footwear. Nikehas used Pebax as a top plate in its Nike Shox columns to create even distribution of pressure and strengthen support in the medial arch and midfoot.

Maxum-Lite
Maxum-Lite is a polyurethane outsole that is designed for ultimate protection. Features of Maxum-Lite include slip resistance, oil resistance and abrasion resistance. Maxum-Lite is great for shock absorbency. These types of shoes often are used in industries where floors may be slippery, such as restaurants and manufacturing plants.

Predator
This is not the type of predatoryou'll be running from. However, they might instead help you in running. Shoes with the predator feature are commonly used in soccer. They are designed to help increase the power of kicks. The rubber strips added to the upper can add spin and power to kicks of the soccer ball.

Electrical Hazard
These shoes are just as they sound. Footwear with the electrical hazard feature is designed especially for situations in which electric shock may occur. This type of footwear can withstand high voltage application as outlined by specific ANSI and ASTM standards.

Sources:
http://www.shoebacca.com/resources/definitions/pebax.html
http://www.shoebacca.com/resources/definitions/maxum-lite.html
http://www.shoebacca.com/resources/definitions/predator.html
http://www.shoebacca.com/resources/definitions/electrical-hazard-shoes.html

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Weekly Comfort Item: Comfortable Fashionable Jeans

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Feb 11, 2009 by Rica

Suffice it to say, not all jeans are created equal. There are denim jeans, and there are the luxury denim jeans made from premiere denim. What generally separates the two is that little something extra that creates the comfort needed in a pair of well fitting jeans. Usually that extra element for the perfect fit is just the right amount of spandex or elastane combined with luxury denim designed to provide the perfect fit while still being comfortable.

High-end jeans are considered luxury jeans, and usually it is the quality of denim that puts them in this class. There are a wide variety of luxury jean brands to select from, including brands such as 7 for All Mankind, James Jeans, Rock and Republic, Paper Denim & Cloth and others.

7 for All Mankind is one of the popular brands of jeans offering a wide variety of cuts, lengths and styles from which to select. One of the most popular styles is the Edie which is the skinny leg jean available in New York Dark or Mercer (black). Features include five pockets, stitch details on the back pockets, a very skinny cut, distressed details and a fabric combination of 2% elastane and 98% cotton.

James Jeans are quite popular with the Hollywood set. The unique luxury jeans offer a variety of styles, rises and cuts in their collection. One of the most popular styles is the James Jeans 5-pocket slim legs jean with embroidered back pockets. Made from 2% Lycra and 98% cotton, these jeans provide a great fit and are definitely comfortable. The retail price for the 5-pocket style is $143.

Rock and Republic is probably one of the most expensive among luxury jeans. A great example of their popular styles includes the Rock and Republic Jaguar. Made with a boot cut and low rise, features include five pockets, belt loops, the signature embroidered back pockets and material made from a combination of 30% polyester and 70% cotton. The Rock and Republic Jaguar jeans retail for $350. Luxury jeans or not, finding a good, well fitting, comfortable jean is a fashion plus.

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Shoe Encyclopedia: Opanka Construction, Jellies, ANSI and Fisherman Sandals

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Feb 10, 2009 by Momie T.

Hi there, students of the shoe encyclopedia class. It looks like you're here and eager to learn again. Let's begin with a quick review of what we learned in the last shoe encyclopedia lesson. We covered the stability web in New Balance shoes, bespoke shoes, a special feature in children's footwear called adiFit and a shoe feature called Heel ProGrid. Today, we'll discuss opanka construction, the jellies some of you may remember from the 80's, the ANSI and fisherman sandals.

Opanka
Shoes designed with opanka construction are made to be very durable. The heavy threads allow for durable attachment of the shoe's upper and lower. While durable, opanka construction also ensures the shoe also is flexible. Opanka construction can be seen in sandals, boots, moccasins and more. Opanka construction generally is seen in casual footwear with a purpose.

Jellies
Jellies, also called jelly shoes are not as sticky as they may sound. Jellies were ultra-popular in the 80's and seem to be making a comeback. Jelly shoes are made mostly or totally of PVC plastic. They generally have a web-like woven design. Some jellies now are made with a little added support or extra features, but many are not. These are casual shoes and are popular in children, due to the shiny look, as well as ease of use. Jelly shoes have no laces. They are slip-ons.

ANSI
ANSI is an abbreviation for the American National Standards Institute. This organization exists to assist various aspects surrounding educational guidelines for many different types of businesses. It actually oversees all marketplace aspects including the creation and use of guidelines followed directly by businesses in the United States. ANSI also accredits programs used for these purposes.

Fisherman Sandals
A fisherman sandal is a shoe with vertical and horizontal straps which are woven together. Though this is an open design, the toe is generally closed. However, the toe also can be open. The shoes are secured to the foot, usually with a strap that comes around the heel and attaches like a belt buckle or with Velcro. Fisherman sandals generally are made of leather or imitation leather.

Source:
http://www.ansi.org/about_ansi/overview/overview.aspx?menuid=1

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History of Shoes: Big Band Era Shoe Fashions

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Feb 6, 2009 by Eisla Sebastian

Shoe fashion in the United States hit a sweet spot in the Big Band era, which stretched between 1935 and 1945. During this era, shoe fashion was big with both men and women. The explosion of the popularity of American cinema brought shoe fashion to the foreground of American popular culture and made having the right shoes as important as wearing the right dress or suit. This change in style awareness affected the way that people looked at the shoes they bought and how they coordinated their outfits.

Shoe Fashion Changes During the Big Band Era
One of the biggest changes in shoe fashion during the Big Band Era was that there were a lot more shoes to choose between. Not only did the number of available shoe designs explode, but so did the number of sizes and fitting options. In fact, there were more sizes and fitting options during this historical era in America than there are now. The importance of having a well-fitted shoe that looked good was a change in American fashion sense, and it was created by the popularity of American cinema, which played up the appeal of having a great pair of shoes that fit your feet properly.

Shoe Designs That Were Popular During the Big Band Era
Many of the shoe designs that were popular during the Big Band Era are still around today. A few of the styles that were popular include high-heeled sandals, lace-up shoes, wedges and chunk heels. For men, loafers and lace-up shoes were popular. One of the new developments in shoe design during the late 1930s was the addition of lace to women's dress shoes. Salvatore Ferragamo was the first to apply lace to women's shoes.

As far as shoe materials go in the 1930s and 1940s, leather was the leader, especially for dress shoes. Leather was used in solid pieces, strips, braids and fringe. The color choices during this era ranged from neutral colors like tan, fawn and black to fashion colors that matched the latest designer clothing fashions on the market. Multicolor shoes were also introduced and generally created by adding lace, embroidery, beads and rhinestones.

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Weekly Comfort Item: Tennis Court Shoes

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Feb 4, 2009 by Rica

No matter the sport, the importance of wearing the right shoes makes the difference in foot support, balance, comfort and ultimately who really has game. For those pursuing the game of tennis, wearing the proper tennis court shoes is a necessity and helps with one's footwork and maneuverability on the court. Being secure as an athlete requires well fitting, comfortable athletic shoes designed for one's sport and built to enhance performance.

Tennis lovers will find a great variety of court shoes in various brands and styles, all of which are made specifically for the tennis court. K-Swiss has long been a leader in the industry and offers several great styles from which to select. The K-Swiss Grancourt for women is an excellent choice, which offers features such as sturdy leather uppers, a padded collar, nylon heel pull tabs, rubber toe bumpers, padded foot beds, durable rubber outer soles with excellent grip and signature stripe detail. This is a sturdy shoe ideal for court activity at a retail price of $66.

ASICS is another leader in the industry, particularly when it comes to tennis court shoes. The ASICS Gel-Dedicate for men is one of the top court shoes for tennis and offers a great variety of features including durability and great balance. Other features of the ASICS Gel-Dedicate tennis court shoe include perks such as leather and mesh uppers, textile lining, the ASICS Forefoot GEL Cushioning System and a durable rubber outsole for good traction. The ASICS Gel-Dedicate is a great court shoe priced at $64.95.

For the younger set of junior players, a great choice of court shoe for tennis is the Nike Kids City Court 4. This ideal performance shoe is lightweight yet extremely durable. Key features include non-marking rubber outsoles, phylon midsoles, a classic lace-up design, textile interiors and a combination leather and synthetic leather upper. The Nike Kids City Court 4 retails for $47. The proper court shoes are important to the game in all sports and contribute to an athlete's performance.

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Shoe Encyclopedia: Rearfoot, Graphite Rollbar, Visible Air-Sole Unit and Biomechanically Efficient

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Feb 3, 2009 by Momie T.

Hello, shoe students. If you've been following along with the shoe encyclopedia, you have learned a great deal and come a long way. Nevertheless, the shoe terms are aplenty in the shoe encyclopedia. So sit back, relax and read up on four more interesting shoe related words. The last lesson from the shoe encyclopedia was about the throat of the shoe, the shoetree, TS2 and Cambrelle. This time around, look forward to learning about the rearfoot, the Visible Air-Sole Unit, being biomechanically efficient and the graphite rollbar.

Rearfoot
The rearfoot is the area behind the arch. Think about cars for just a moment to understand what the rearfoot is. In cars, the shocks absorb some of the force of impact and make that gentler on the car and riders. For a foot, the same holds true with the rearfoot. The rearfoot is there to absorb much of the impact each time the foot lands on the ground.

Graphite Rollbar
Existing in some New Balance shoes, the graphite rollbar is designed to stop the rearfoot from moving. To create this design, a piece of graphite is molded into the desired shape and then positioned properly in the midsole of the shoe. The purpose of installing the graphite rollbar in shoes is to create better stability in the rearfoot. This is why it must stop the rearfoot from moving.

Visible Air-Sole Unit
This is a unit inside of a Nike shoe that is visible from the side or the inside. The clear, see-through design allows consumers to see this pocket of air. The Air Sole was designed with comfort in mind. Wearers of this shoe may feel as though they are "walking on air." In fact, they are, in a sense.

Biomechanically Efficient
A person who is naturally biomechanically efficient has a gait cycle that is neutral. This means that person's feet do not need extra stability support in their shoes. The reason is because the feet already are naturally designed with an even dispersion, creating natural stability. For those not biomechanically efficient, there are a wide variety of shoes that offer stability and comfort through design.

Sources:
http://www.shoebacca.com/resources/glossary/shoe-terms-p-q-r.html
http://www.shoebacca.com/resources/glossary/shoe-terms-b.html

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