Happy New Year! I hope that 2012 served you well and that you are settling into the first few weeks of 2013. Did you make a New Year’s Resolution? Does it include an exercise program, a daily walking routine, traveling or just plain moving around more? If so, did you set a Shoe Year’s Resolution as well? I hope so, because everywhere you go, every single day, your feet are the foundation to your entire body. Who wants to go through 2013 with sore feet, legs or back? Not me. That already happened a few years ago and it was no fun. So, with that being said, here is my Shoe Year’s Resolution Guide.
Working Out/Exercise
If you made a New Year’s Resolution to exercise more, make sure you have proper athletic footwear that fits correctly. If you were going to start sailing, you wouldn’t kick off your maiden voyage on a boat that had a hole in it, would you? Of course not. Don’t just dust off your old shoes. If they are worn out, get new ones that have good support for your feet and arches. Be sure that you have on the correct shoes for the type of exercise you want to participate in. Most importantly, get your feet measured (both of them) and make sure the shoes fit and feel good. Walk around a bit first to make sure. I can tell you, exercise is NO FUN AT ALL when you have shoes on that are too tight (true story…I learned the hard way). After I had my first child, I didn’t realize that my feet had changed size…for the bigger. OUCH!
We carry an extensive line of New Balance shoes for walking, running and cross training. The great thing about New Balance, besides the fact that they are a solidly built shoe, is that they come in a wide range of widths and sizes. We love that about New Balance.
We also carry Vibram FiveFingers. Vibram FiveFingers are nice for people interested in barefoot running, walking, standing, etc. Make sure to ease into this type of shoe. Start by wearing them for short periods of time at first and build up the correct muscles to handle this type of shoe. The Vibram FiveFinger has also been loved by athletes for kettlebells and yoga. New Balance, Keen and Merrell all have their own versions, but look more like a traditional running shoe and not with the seperate toe feature.
Traveling
If you have plans to visit faraway cities or even just intend on doing some sightseeing around your own town or city, we have a wide selection of walking shoes. Of course, we have quality New Balance walking shoes that have an athletic look to them, but sometimes our customers want a dressier look when out and about. If you are interested in something a little dressier, we have a wide selection of casual dress shoes that work great when you are on your feet all day long. Morynn Marx, one of our Board Certified CPEDs says that many of our customers enjoy the Naot, Aravon or Wolky for a dressier walking shoe. Lance Vidger, Board Certified CPED also suggests the very popular very popular Keen, Ecco or Merrell for a more casual look.
Warm Places
If you are going on vacation or you winter somewhere warm, wear sandals that offer plenty of support. Avoid flip flops…no matter what your age. Morynn also recommends our cork based sandals that offer superior support, as they naturally form to the shape of your foot (Finn, Naot, Think, Haflinger and Birkenstock). If you need a sandal that accommodates an orthotic, we carry Aravon and Wolky. We also carry great sandals/warm weather shoes from Keen, Merrell, Teva and Chacos.
At Work
If you are on your feet all day (teacher, hair stylist, etc) and your feet or back hurt, the cause could be as simple as your shoes. Make sure you are wearing quality shoes that support your arches. A few popular brands for people on their feet all day are Dansko, Sanita, Wolky, Clarks and Aravon. If you visit us at one of our stores, let our Shoe Fit Experts know that you work on your feet all day. They can offer suggestions on shoes that will support you all day long.
At Home
If you have hardwood, tile or stone in your home, get some indoor shoes or slippers. A very popular choice is Haflinger. They have a wonderful cork footbed that molds to the shape of your foot and offers excellent support to your feet. If your feet or back hurt around the house, it might be a welcome change from going barefoot on those hard surfaces.
Yes, this is quite a bit of information. I hope it helps. Keep in mind that this is just a sampling of the styles and brands that we carry at Schuler Shoes. For best results, come in and visit us at one of our neighborhood store locations. We would love to visit with you. Let us know your plans for work or play and we can help you find shoes that will work best for your lifestyle.
So, here’s to a healthy, happy 2013…whatever you decide to do with it! We look forward to seeing you and hearing all about it!
