Whether you’re pounding the pavement, tripping the light fantastic, running like the wind or simply strutting your stuff, you definitely need shoes. But not just any shoes, shoes that let you do your thing in comfort and style. Because who wants to wear shoes that make their feet hurt? Read below to learn about shoes that offer ultimate comfort, and just what makes these brands so special:

Clarks Shoes

Clarks shoes began with a flash of inspiration. It was 1825 in the Somerset village of Street, and James Clark was busy working at the tannery owned by his brother, Cyrus. Among the sheepskin rugs, the off-cuts and cast-offs were piling up, when suddenly James had a brainwave: “Slippers!” And the rest, as they say, is history. A few stitches and a few years later, the sheepskin slipper was born.

It was the very first of many Clarks shoes, and the opening chapter in a remarkable story that continues to unfold to this day. In the decades that have passed since the young Mr. Clark’s eureka moment Clarks shoes have seen social, political and economic revolution. They’ve seen fashions in footwear come and go, and come again – everything from court shoes and winklepickers to wedge heels, sandals and sneakers. They’ve tapped to the beat of crooners, rockers, Britpoppers and hip hoppers. They’ve walked, marched, strode and sashayed through an ever-changing world, and they’ve done it all in fashionable comfort.

Dansko Shoes

Dansko shoes have a tradition of engineering shoes that are constructed of the finest materials available, making them exceptionally friendly to feet. Dansko offers the best quality leather shoes for women and men and are famous for their comfort, quality, and style. Dansko shoes have roomy toe boxes that follow the natural shape of your foot, and allow the toes to move comfortably as you walk. Danskos feature rocker bottoms that propel you forward as you walk. The slightly raised heels ease leg and back muscles during long hours of standing or walking. Next time you need some TLC for your feet just slip on a pair of Dansko shoes and experience a level of comfort you’ve rarely enjoyed and will never forget.

MBT Shoes

MBT shoes are among the most comfortable and technologically advanced shoes in the world. MBT stands for Massai Barefoot Technology, and the shoes are designed to simulate walking in the sand. It’s a multi layered, curved sole that accomplishes this by creating a natural but uneven walking surface. MBT shoes have been called the “world’s smallest gym,” since they increase muscle activity. Strengthening and toning of the leg, buttock, stomach and back muscles takes place during everyday activities while wearing MBT shoes. MBT shoes provide increased muscle activity, increased circulation, and encourage upright posture and relaxed stride.

Naot Shoes

Naot is a leading manufacturer of anatomical footwear. Naot shoes are scientifically designed to distribute body weight for the ultimate in walking pleasure. The high-tech, multi layered insoles provide superb balance and support by allowing Naot shoes to take on the shape of the foot. The cushioned arch supports and latex padding for shock absorption supply the softest sensations ever experienced in active footwear. Everything from boots to sandals, classic business shoes to the latest trend setting styles, all showcase Naot shoes’ strong design sense and attention to the details that matter. Naot shoes are committed to absolute comfort for the people that wear them.

As the Internet is fast turning into a haven for shopping convenience, more and more busy mothers are embracing the trend. This acceptance comes even in light of the fact that online shoe shopping poses one big disadvantage: you will not be able to try the shoes on before making a purchase. Despite this the many and varied positive aspects of online shoe shopping seems to have won over many customers. For proof of the popularity of online shoe retailers just look at the vast number of online shoe shops on the web. Just try doing a search for “kids shoes” to see what we mean! While the huge amount of choice may have advantages, the huge number of sites you have to browse before you find the shoes you are looking for may overwhelm you. The good news is that there some basic rules you can adopt which will aid you in finding that the perfect online shoe retailer from amongst the masses.

Find out who’s running the online shoe store.

If you are a customer looking for advice on choosing shoes be sure to first consider the people running the website. A good site should freely give you details about the company founders and reassure you that they know their trade.  You want to be able to communicate with this company and be sure they are able to answer your questions, ease your doubts when it comes to shoe purchases, and give you helpful advice on your footwear or the care of your feet and your children’s. Online shoe stores operated by a person or a group of people with extensive experience within the shoe industry are out there! Find out about them through their site’s About Us page.

Inspect their wares.

When you go into a store looking for a particular item, it is natural that you would want to have a wide array of selections to choose from. This is the same with online stores. Browsing online shoe retailers who have a lot to offer can help save time as there is no need to go looking for other shoe types at other web sites. An excellent virtual shoe store puts on display a vast range of shoes to help the customer find something suitable. A good online shoe store should also offer assorted brands at a range of prices to suite most budgets.

Check the sizing options offered.

Compared with traditional shoe vendors that carry only a limited collection of shoe styles, colors, and sizes, a good online shoe retailer will make a wide selection of shoes available. If you are looking for children’s shoes, a good online shoe retailer should have a range for wide and narrow fitting shoes for both boys and girls. Equally the retailer should provide a precise way of measuring children’s feet such as a kids shoe fitting guide to ensure that they get the best fit.

Check if the retailer provides advice personally.

As a customer, you may well need to talk to an expert for advice, whether it’s choosing the best shoes for you or your child, accurate foot measurement, general foot care, holding a Shoe Parties, and other matters pertaining to shoes.

Deciding on an online footwear retailer to supply your shoe requirements needn’t be too difficult. Just look out for the clues highlighted above when looking for a shoe vendor and you will eventually find one you can trust to take care of the footwear needs of you and your family.

Shoes On is an independent retailer specializing in children’s and ladies’ shoes. It is run by two busy mums who have 18 years of commercial experience between them working for a popular firm buying shoes for children. Shoes On is built on the concept of bringing shoes and friends together, which is the reason why a big part of the Shoes On business involves holding Shoe Parties. Visit Shoes On ([http://www.shoeson.co.uk]) to learn more.

Time is precious for the working mother. With a multitude of chores to accomplish at home and at work, Mums often find themselves struggling to manage their busy schedules. So when it comes to other tasks which aren’t on top of the to-do- list such as finding replacement shoes for your kids mums need help! This is where online shoe retailers can help you.

It used to be that women, lovers of shoes and shopping, would happily combine these two passions and brave the high streets and shopping centres, trundling for hours trying on hundreds of pairs just to find the perfect pair. But with the Internet revolution just about everything, shoes included, can be bought or researched on line with a simple click of a button – thereby potentially saving Mums a lot of precious time.

Why Buy Shoes Online?

There are many reasons why people with full to-do lists prefer to shop for shoes online. The main reason is that you can check out hundreds to thousands of shoes offered on the Internet, from the cheapest to the priciest, including designer shoes. Another reason for the popularity of online shoe shopping is that you can let your finger do the window shopping. Instead of battling it out with another shopper for a parking space, you can merely click your mouse and see the wide range of offerings online shoe stores have for you.

Buying online is a quick and time efficient process. If you work all day, the last thing you need is to have to rush out to the local shopping centre after work hours and ruin your heels looking for shoes. However, if instead you conduct an online search, you will find that most of the footwear available on the high street is listed online. In addition, you can investigate the comfort and quality of various shoe quality as well as gauge the buying experience by reading customer reviews. Such reviews rate not only the shoes but the overall service provided by on-line retailers. This can be very helpful when you’re considering buying your first pair of shoes an on-line.

How to Buy Shoes Online

If you are not yet familiar with how shoe shopping is done on the Internet, then here are a few basic procedures for you:

1. Determine your shoe size. Before you begin browsing the web for shoes, make sure you already know your shoe size as this will help to speed up the process. If measuring your children’s feet, use a kids shoe fitting guide.
2. Know what you are looking for. When buying shoes online, its likely you’ll be overwhelmed by the vast array of types, styles, and colors of shoes available. So before starting your search spend a little time making sure you have a clear picture of the shoes you need.
3. Don’t forget to consider the date by when you’ll need your new shoes. When shopping for shoes online you’ll have to take into account the lead times for delivery. Good online retailers will clearly states delivery times. You can then plan ahead and get your order in on time to ensure your shoes turn up when you need them.

Shopping for shoes for yourself and your family needn’t make a large dent in your daily schedule. Just opt for the quick and easy way and don’t be afraid to buy shoes online. Make sure though that the online shoe retailer you choose is a reliable one and is experienced enough to provide you with guidance and advice on all things related to shoe buying.

We would recommend contacting the on-line retailer for advice if anything isn’t perfectly clear or you have questions. Any well run shoe retailer should respond to your query quickly and professionally.  This is a great way to determine if an online shoe retailer is worth its salt and should lead you to finding the right service and shoes!

Flat feet (pes planus) are very common across a broad range of people. The strain placed on the foot and body due to the flatness of the feet can cause numerous foot problems. Unfortunately, the necessary use of shoes at an early age to protect our feet does not allow those with flat feet to develop the muscular and structural adjustment needed to function better. The result are feet that need added structural support to prevent tendon and ligament strain, as well as delay the progression of foot deformities that are related to flat feet, such as bunions and hammertoes. This can include special inserts in the shoes to provide that support. However, the first part of this support is the selection of the proper shoe for a flat foot type.

The choice of shoes can make a significant difference in the comfort of someone with flat feet. In general, a supportive shoe needs to provide just that- support. The following characteristics make a shoe more supportive for those with flat feet. Keep in mind that to best support a flat foot, the shoe itself should rest flat on the ground. Heels are inappropriate for both flat feet and high arches.

1) Stiff sole- the sole of the shoe needs to be stiff to resist foot collapse. Many shoes are highly flexible, and this does not help stabilize a flat foot. When examining a shoe for purchase, try to bend the sole of the shoe. If it bends towards the middle of the shoe, then the shoe is too flexible. If the sole bends near the toes or the ball of the foot, then the shoe will be more supportive. Also, try to twist the shoe. Grab the front and back of the shoe and try to twist and wring it like a drying towel. If the shoe twists easily, it is not supportive enough. If the shoe resists this, then it is supportive.

2) Wide sole- many shoes, especially athletic shoes and some flats and sandals, will have an hour glass shape to them in which the sole will narrow along the sides at the middle of the foot. No human generally has a foot this shape, especially those with flat feet, and support along the side of the foot will be lost if a shoe with this shape is worn. Look for a shoe that has a wider sole by looking at the bottom of the shoe. If it narrows in the middle, then it may not be suitable for someone with flat feet.

3) Stiff heel- the stiffness of the material at the back of the heel can also have a factor in how supportive the shoe is. The heel bone will rotate outward in various degrees when the foot flattens. A stiffer heel material in the shoe (the heel counter) will help to resist this, and improve the overall stability of the shoe.

Don’t be fooled by new trends or gimmicks when it comes to shoe construction. Fancy additions to the outer sole of the shoe that are marketed to provide increased support usually are mostly cosmetic, if barely useful. Unless something is integrated inside the shoe to contact the arch itself, the only indicator one needs to assess a shoe’s support in the sole is to test for stiffness. One can usually ignore most ‘new and improved’ claims. Likewise with unusual shoe shapes or constructions. Shoemakers have been engaged in their trade for centuries, and foot specialists have had a good idea how the foot functions biomechanically for sometime now. There is no breakthrough technology out there springing up overnight that surpasses traditional shoe construction, which itself has evolved on its own. The influx of non-traditional shoe construction is based on poor understanding of foot function or principles of shoe use meant only for those with specific deformities, and in some cases can create other problems, like heel or leg strain.

Lastly, one must always consider the basic principles of shoe fitting as well. Shoes should be fit based on measured length AND width, with the assistance of a shoe salesperson familiar in their products who can provide more detailed fitting as manufacturers may slightly differ from stated shoe sizes. A size ten foot may fit in a size ten in one specific shoe and a nine and one half in a different shoe/manufacturer. Shoe sizes are a good guideline to go by, but may not be exact due to different shoe shapes and construction. Above all, a shoe should feel immediately comfortable, as one should not have to ‘break in’ a shoe in order for it to be comfortable. Supportive shoes for flat feet can and should be comfortable as well, otherwise there is no point to wearing the shoe.

Shoes and footwear have not only become an essential part to our everyday outfit but they have become a fashion icon all on their own. In the olden days shoes were a means of protecting your feet from the ground and to keep the feet warm in the winter and colder months, nowadays shoes are a fashion statement and a way of dressing up your outfit and feet.

Men and Women’s Shoes

There are many different types of shoes whether it is women’s shoes, men’s shoes, or children’s. Within the section of women’s shoes you can have wedges, stilettos, dress shoes, trainers, work shoes, court shoes, sandals, and flip flops. Men have the options of dress shoes, trainers, sport shoes, boots, casual shoes, and wellies. And these are just to name a few.

It used to be that only women were mad about shoes and had a wardrobe full of shoes for every occasion and every outfit imaginable but now men are just the same. They usually don’t have an array of heeled shoes generally speaking, but the range of trainers and sport shoes has increased ten fold, and now men have nearly as many shoes as women do. Not only do they have a wide selection of trainers to choose from but guys now have a choice of dress shoes and usually own 3 or 4 different pair of shoes for casual wear.

Brand Shoes

Due to the massive and growing need for fashion and shoes in the Western society the amount of shoe brands and shoe companies have increased and are continuing to increase as well. There used to be a time when nearly everyone went to Clarks for their shoes but now there are masses of shops and names to choose from such as Scholl, Kurt Geiger, Office, Faith, Dune, Barratts, New Look, Next and so on.

Shoe Prices

Due to the vast amount of shoe companies and shoe brands available today the price of shoes is varied greatly. For example a designer shoe such as Kurt Geiger can be as much as a few hundred pounds for a pair of stilettos, whereas a pair of trainers from Primark can be as a little as ten, but obviously as there is a huge difference in cost there is a huge difference in quality.

Next to the search for the wedding dress, looking for your wedding shoes are one of the hardest things on your to do list. You might have to sacrifice comfort for style. You might have to choose comfort over style. You might have to choose price over comfort. Or you can go on the quest for comfort, style and price as most brides do. Expect to do a lot of shopping and expect a lot of frustration.

Wedding shoes are a once in a lifetime purchase. They are part of your wedding attire and will show when you take off your garter, so you want them to complete your look. Remember to budget in wedding shoes so you don’t think of them as an additional afterthought expense.

Why are wedding shoes so hard to find?

Most retail stores don’t stock them, they order them because its expensive to stock a lot of shoes that will go out of style or may discolor if they sit on their shelf for long periods of time. Most shoes will not discolor, but if they are cheap shoes with glued on satin, the glue may yellow and give the shoes a yellowish color.

Wedding shoes are special occasion shoes and the demand isn’t the same as a flip flop or pair of cute boots.

Wedding shoe buying tips:

Shop early and keep your options open. Shop so that you have your shoes in time for alterations because your hem length on your dress is dependent on the size of your shoe heel. You may need to buy the shoes before you order your wedding dress if you are having your dress ordered with your hem length.

Some brides decide to wear a color to match the accent on their wedding dress. If you decide to do color, make sure you wear color accents in your jewelry to tie it all together.

Don’t rule out leather shoes. There is no rule that your wedding shoes have to be fabric. Fabric shoes don’t breathe like leather and don’t stretch like leather.

Look for a shoe that supports your foot and ankle and that you can stand and dance in for long periods of time.

If you choose a heel, look for a shoe that has padding in the ball of the foot so your feet don’t start to burn and hurt.

Strappy shoes can cut into your feet after standing a long time and cause blisters.

Feet will swell as the day goes on. Buy them large enough to accommodate dancing and happy feet. You can put in a comfort gel pad and take it out as your feet swell.

Buy shoes that you can wear all day. Taking off your shoes at the reception looks tacky and will make your dress too long. You risk falling or tripping if your dress is too long, not to mention having your feet stepped on with your dance partner.

There is a huge difference in quality in wedding shoes. Price doesn’t always indicate quality. Sometimes you are paying for the designers name. Sometimes you are paying for silk shoes versus satin or polyester fabric. Some of the same shoes that are unaffordable in silk can be ordered in a less expensive fabric so you have the same look at a more affordable price.

If the shoe rubs your foot, pinches or feels like it won’t bend, don’t buy it.

If the shoe is too big at the heel of the shoe, see if adding a heel pad will make a difference or try a shoe size down. If you walk out of the shoe, don’t buy it.

If the shoe is too narrow, don’t buy it, you will be miserable. Some wedding shoes come in wide widths, some don’t. If you wear a very narrow width, it may be unavailable except in the most expensive custom shoes. Consider buying a leather shoe if your foot is very narrow.

After you buy your shoes, make sure you break them in. Wear them around the house with a pair of socks to make them comfortable. If they have a leather sole, make sure you take them to a shoe shop to have a non skid pad put on the bottom so you don’t fall. Bring along some self adhesive moleskin to the reception that can be applied to the part of the shoe that is rubbing so you don’t get blisters.