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Ben Franklin probably didn’t say “show me a grumpy man and I’ll show you a man with bad shoes”, but he should have. They say that shoes make the man, and they’re right on that one in more ways than one. Good, quality shoes do more than make you look good – they make you feel good. A pair of high quality shoes makes your feet happy, and when your feet are happy, the rest of you is in a much better frame of mind to deal with your day. Poorly made and ill-fitting shoes are at the root of many a miserable day, and here’s why.

Poorly made shoes hurt more than your feet.

Your feet are your skeleton’s foundation. When there’s a problem with the foundation of a building, the symptoms can show up in cracks in the walls or ceilings, floors that tilt in the wrong direction – even in electrical and plumbing problems. The same is true with your body. When your shoes don’t support your feet properly, your legs and hips and spine and shoulders and neck try to compensate. Taking any of those out of alignment can cause discomfort, pain and other problems.

You’re far more likely to notice the discomfort of things like bunions and blisters caused by rough seams, heel pain from poor support and generally aching feet from shoes that constrict them. Between the obvious pain caused by shoes that aren’t made well and the more subtle effects of poorly fit and low quality shoes, you can end up in constant low-level pain. Who can think clearly and be cheerful when their feet and their body are in pain?

How high quality shoes can help

Well-made, quality shoes like those made by Naot support your feet in a number of different ways. Naot shoes are designed to keep your feet happy. The heel cup is designed to keep your heels steady, preventing your ankles from tilting when you walk. The shank that runs from the heel to the ball of your foot gently encourages your feet to distribute your weight evenly. A roomy toe box gives your toes the room they need to move and grip the ground while you walk – even if they’re not actually in contact with the ground.

The materials that go into making up your shoes also make a big difference. Real leather breathes, wicking moisture away from your feet and letting air circulate around them. That means cooler feet, less chance of infection and a lot less stinky feet.

What to look for in quality shoes

Now that you know why quality shoes are important, let’s talk about how to choose a good pair of shoes that will support your feet – and your body – properly.

-First, look at the shoe.

Style may be important to your eye, but there are other things to look for. Are the seams straight and evenly stitched? Is the leather smooth and well-finished? Does the shoe LOOK well-made?

-Feel the shoe.

Take the shoe in both hands and try to twist it. It should have a little give, but not bend out of shape easily.

Try to bend the shoe in half so that the heel and toe meet. Again, it should have a little give, but you shouldn’t be able to fold it. The shank of the shoe should prevent the shoe from bending beyond the ball of the foot.

Push up against the bottom of the toe of the shoe. The front of the shoe should bend easily so that your toes and the balls of your feet can do their work.

-Poke around inside the shoe.

Go on, push your hand inside the shoe and feel around. You should feel no protruding seams or rough areas. The inner surface should be comfortably padded and smooth. The tongue of the shoe should have enough padding to let you lace shoes without cutting into the top of your foot.

-Check the materials.

The uppers and lining of the shoes should be leather. Leather breathes and molds to fit your feet comfortably. You may not be able to look under the shoe’s hood, so to speak, but you can ask about other materials. A steel shank is the most supportive, and leather soles will wear far better than most manmade materials.

-A few last things:

Excellent quality shoes like Naot clogs and sandals can be pricey, but it’s money well-spent. Still, like anything else, shoes do show wear. You’d hate to find a pair of shoes that fit perfectly and make you feel so good – only to have to replace them in just a few years. A good quality pair of shoes will last you up to ten years – if you care for them properly. Look for shoes that can be resoled and reheeled easily. Naot shoes are among the most versatile in this respect – you can replace the entire shoe bed when needed to keep them feeling fresh, new and comfortable for years.

Nike does it again with their Shox line of footwear. Nike Shox shoes, sneaker, and clogs defy the laws of physics by giving you an unnatural amount of bounce in your step. Yet at the same time, they help absorb all the pressure when you come down. Ideally designed for athletes seeking that ultimate edge over their competition. They have over 60 different types of Nike Shox shoes for men, women, and kids.

The Nike Shox 2:45 offers the best of both worlds: a fusion of Nike Shox™ technology with Zoom Air™ cushioning. You get the same buoyancy of the Nike Shox columns but with a special low-profile response typically found in Nike Air Zoom shoes. Available for men and women.

The Nike women’s basketball shoes are a great fashion statement. Several top women basketball players use Nike shoes to play WNBA and NCAA games. Women in other walks of life also use these shoes because they are lightweight and well cushioned. The most popular of Nike’s basketball shoes are the Dunk series. These basketball shoes were introduced in 1985, and became a rage in most American campuses. Nike attributes a part of the success of these shoes to the highly successful sponsorship campaign that it launched at that time targeting American colleges. The result was that Nike Dunks in their flashy colors became a major fashion symbol across the nation. In fact, they became the forerunner of the crazy basketball-style shoes that swamped the market in the nineties. The Dunks were re-released in 1998, and this time they have caught the fancy of skaters too! The Nike Dunk series has two models. These are: Dunk Low, which costs $65, and Dunk Pro Low, which is priced at $31.99. Another Nike basketball shoe that won loud acclaim is Air Taurasi. This shoe, according to Nike, has been built for the energetic and dominating style of play of Diana Taurasi. The shoe has a full-grain leather and synthetic leather upper with heel TPU for increased support and lockdown, full-length polyurethane midsole, and a durable solid rubber outsole with herringbone and nubs for enhanced traction. The Air Taurasis are available in several color combinations. These include: black/metallic silver, white/metallic silver-midnight navy, white/metallic silver-black, white/metallic silver-varsity red and white/metallic silver-varsity royal. Besides this, Nike has a range of women’s Shox Revolution basketball shoes. These shoes are considered most suitable for those women players who are looking for the best in lightweight support and responsive cushioning. These shoes come in a combination of white, orange and silver colors. Their prices range from $85 to $100.

Timberland boots, shoes, clothes and gear are rugged and outdoor inspired. In everything Timberland makes and does, Timberland strives to be the premium brand that equips people to make a difference in their world. When people think of Timberland shoes, they first think of the classic Timberland boot. Today, we will introduce to you top Timberland shoes & boots for women.

1. Timberland Shoes “Winter Park” – Rugged & Cool

As much as I love pretty evening shoes, I also have a think for shoes that are a little on the rugged side. These shoes have waterproof leather uppers, moisture-wicking linings and a rubber toe cap. I like them for the way they look, but there are loads of comfort features as well.

2. “Baldaci” – Ballet Flats from Timberland

I have to be honest; the last style I expected to find in Timberland’s catalog of shoes was a ballerina flat, but here it is. A sporty, driving-styled ballet flat, but a ballet flat nonetheless. These casual shoes are super cute, and very “now,” featuring soft suede, canvas, or smooth leather uppers. The colors are awesome, and include white with red, black, brown and taupe.

3. “Shertang” – Cute Clogs from Timberland

With suede or leather uppers in shades like red, taupe, black and brown, these mules feature 1.5″ heels and buckle detailing. Totally casual and comfortable, these shoes will inject a little bit of personality into your day.

4. Timberland Shoes – Adorable Boots “Nellie Premium”

These are so much fun with an adorable boot in pink bubble gum. If you can’t carry-off the pink, definitely check out the dark red.

5. Tall Timberland Boots ‘14″ Premium’ – Stylish Classics

Here’s the pick you’ve all been waiting for – a Timberland boot. A fabulously tall and stunning, casual boot. These boots have lots of practical features like waterproofing, lug outsoles, and rustproof hardware – but the real treat is the style. Front-lacing and chunky heels make these boots a great match with everything from jeans to casual, longer skirts. Pink and brown are the two standards, but don’t miss the black version, or the white with black trim.

6. “Sidra Bay” – Thong Timberland Sandals

Perfect with jeans, casual skirts or shorts, these unique thongs are super-cute and come in lots of great colors. I love the linked leather uppers, and the extra comfort features are an added bonus.

Article source: http://shoes.about.com/od/womens_shoes/tp/timberlandshoes.htm

Editor: Jenny