Footnotes: The Official Blog of Footwear etc.

Category Archives: Flip-Flops

Sandals by UGG Australia – All the Comfort of Sheepskin, but for Warmer Weather

Did you know that one of our favorite boot companies, UGG Australia, makes sandals? They do! You can get sandals with all the outstanding qualities that you find in their boots, right down to a little bit of sheepskin for comfort and softness.

I happen to like gladiator-inspired sandals, and UGG Australia’s Sechura fits the bill! I love how the two straps around the ankle exhibit the gladiator style, and provide adjustable comfort. The soft leather upper feels great as it practically shouts out, “I’m stylish!”  You can even wash the suede insole. There’s great traction from the rubber outsole, so getting caught in the rain shouldn’t be a big deal!

If you love flip flops, check out the UGG Australia Deitra. Not only does it have a cork-wrapped ergonomic footbed with outstanding arch support, the straps are adorned with either gold or silver studs (depending on whether you have the brown or the black shoe). The sheepskin in the heel is incredibly cozy. What’s not to love?

Wedges are also really popular this year. The UGG Australia Lourdes has a beautiful, 3-inch wedge that’s sculpted and studded! The footbed feels luxurious due to the lambskin and sheepskin used, and the comfy leather upper is beautiful and interesting to look at. The Lourdes is easy to wear, easy on the eyes, and easy on your feet!

UGG Australia isn’t just about boots. Check out their beautiful and comfortable sandals. You really can wear UGGs year-round!

 

FitFlops: The Choice of Travelers Worldwide!

Just got back from my first-ever trip to Europe, and among all the amazing sights, I noticed what people were wearing. Much to my surprise, the overwhelming favorite in footwear that I noticed, was… FitFlops! I saw them in the UK, in Norway, in Copenhagen, and even Estonia! I really shouldn’t have been surprised, FitFlops contain the perfect features for weary, traveler’s feet.

The patented Microwobbleboard technology allows you to work muscles you don’t usually use in conventional shoes, but still give some stability. You get the benefits of rocker sole technology, but the back part of the shoe does provide a stable platform. As a result, as you walk, you’ll be working out those leg and gluteal muscles! And being flip flops, they are the perfect summer sandals. Need to do some serious sightseeing? FitFlops will keep your feet comfortable while giving you a workout as you walk. Need to just kick back this summer? FitFlops are casual, cool, and oh-so comfy!

I really like the Oasis, which is available in Black, Stone, and Chocolate suede. Very stylish, and they can go with any casual outfit! This style was one of the most popular ones I saw on my trip!

The Electra is also a terrific model, which you can wear with dressier clothes! Available in Black, Bronze, and Pewter, these shoes provide excellent versatility as well as all the wonderful features that FitFlops provide.

Road tested all over the world, FitFlops are fantastic shoes for your active vacation, or for just kicking back at home.

Flip Flops in any Color, for any Occasion!

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Footwear etc. carries over 300 models/colors of flip flops. You could have a flip flop in your closet for each day of the week! You could have a flip flop for each color in your wardrobe. You could practically get a new flip flop each time your mood changes! There’s no shortage of comfortable flip flops in our catalog; here are a few that “called out” to me:

Want rocker sole technology in your flip flops? Check out the models by FitFlop. The Microwobbleboard technology activates muscles in your legs and helps you tone. FitFlops are also superior in shock absorption and help realign your body as you walk. The Walkstar 3 comes in neutral as well as fashion-forward colors and is a great addition to your wardrobe.

For a luxurious, cushioned feel, try the Clarks Latin Samba. It’s a flexible shoe that has extra cushioning and intake vents to help channel out warm, moist air to keep your feet cool. I also like it because it has a flower on the top – definitely a girly flip flop!

Think makes a beautiful flip flop suitable for dressy occasions. The Soso has really cute metallic accents, and a stylish 1 ½” heel. The cork/latex footbed is anatomically contoured for your comfort. You can feel the support and cushioning while you wear a fun-looking sandal.

Men have many choices in flip flops, including those from Olukai. The Ohana is a terrific casual flip flop with a comfortable nylon webbing toe post. The anatomical EVA insole provides support and feels great on your feet.

I also really like the Chaco Flip X Ecotread. This is a waterproof sandal that has a great arch support, and the outsole contains 25% recycled material. I feel so politically correct wearing these shoes! And they’re really cute!

The choices in flip flops are almost limitless, so check out what’s online at Footwear etc. and have fun!

Happy Colors to Brighten Your Mood!

When I think of summertime, I think of great weather and bright colors. What better way to have fun in the sun than with some fun-colored shoes?

I love wedge sandals during the warm-weather months. Indigo by Clarks has an adorable shoe called the Long Pond, in burnt orange leather. The padded footbed provides long-lasting comfort, the cork-wrapped wedge is very fashion-forward, and the outsole gives you great traction and durability. This is a fantastic shoe for a night out on the town!

Aravon has really cute slide with a leaf pattern on the upper, called the Petra. Available in green patent leather, it’s a comfy, stylish summer shoe. This versatile slide is casual enough to wear to the beach, but dressy enough to wear to work. The cushioning in the forefoot makes for a shoe that you can wear all day long.

Orthaheel makes a lot of flip flops in a rainbow of colors. I particularly like the Orthaheel Tide in Plumberry Polyurethane. It’s an amazingly supportive and stable flip flop, and the beautiful purple color is bound to boost your mood! The podiatrist-designed footbed is so comfortable you’ll want to wear them for any occasion!

Need a really dressy shoe with a fun pattern? Check out the Beautifeel Alba in Leopard Suede/patent leather. Leave it to Beautifeel to find a way to combine exceptional quality and comfort with a fun yet elegant print. This is the perfect dressy shoe that can transition from work to an evening out.

My absolute favorite colorful shoe is the Think! Women’s 82337-9 Black Combi flip flop. The variety of primary colors always puts a smile on my face. The anatomical footbed provides superior support and comfort, with exceptional stability. This is a fantastic summer shoe, and who could be grumpy looking at this fun model?

Check out the bright colors and happy patterns available at Footwear etc. You can have your fun in the sun with exciting shoes!

More Sandals to Expand Your Collection!

Summer is approaching, and you can never have too many sandals, can you? I need casual sandals, dressy sandals, rugged sandals, in all sorts of colors and styles. A sandal for every mood? Why not? Check out these new models from Olukai, Dr. Andrew Weil, and Chaco!

The Olukai Kukuna is one of those exceptional shoes that you can easily wear for both everyday purposes and for a night on the town. I love the pattern on the leather straps! Those straps are also soft and comfortable since they’ve been oiled, tumbled, and distressed. The anatomical compression-molded EVA midsole provides comfort as you go about your activities. I’m looking forward to taking these to work and then out to dinner!

Olukai has also come out with the Men’s Kono, a spiffy slide for casual wear. The hand-sewn leather or nubuck upper has decorative stitching for visual interest. As with all Olukai shoes, the anatomical, compression molded EVA footbed provides great support. Added bonuses are the removable and washable PU sockliner, and the anti-microbial/anti-odor treatment applied to the microfiber suede lining and footbed cover. This is a great all-around slide for men.

Dr. Andrew Weil has a women’s flip flop called the Restore, which I love because it’s girly! You get phenomenal support benefits from all of Dr. Andrew Weil sandals, and now you can also get stylish and feminine styles! Dr. Andrew Weil sandals are recommended by the American Podiatric Medical Association and feature a motion controlling footbed, recycled slip-resistant outsole, and orthopedic footbed. These cute flip flops blow the stereotype of what people think orthopedic shoes should look like. You get far more support and comfort from these than you would from many other flip flops. And they’re available in a bunch of colors! The men’s version of the Restore has all of the supportive features of the women’s version, in a more masculine style.

Chaco has also come out with some great sandals, with Vibram outsoles! The Z1 (for men and women) and Z2 (for women) with the Yampa outsole is a fun sandal you can use for all sorts of outdoor activities! They’re slip resistant, and the platform sole helps you keep your body in proper alignment and provides excellent arch support. It’s the perfect shoe for water sports, or for going to the beach, or …you get the idea!

Don’t wait to expand your Sandal collection; Olukai, Dr. Andrew Weil and Chaco have a lot of fantastic models to choose from so you can have a different model for every occasion!

Fit Flops: Not Just “Thong-style” Shoes anymore!

FitFlops are great toning shoes. And until just recently, the styles were pretty much limited to “thong-style.” Wonderful for warm weather, a little more challenging to use during cool, damp months. Fortunately, FitFlops are now available in a variety of styles that you can enjoy year-round!

The Supertone is FitFlop’s foray into the sneaker market. And you don’t have to advertise that they are “toning” shoes; FitFlop has specifically designed this shoe to utilize its patented Microwobbleboard technology yet not look like a toning shoe. The upper is available in Pewter, White or Black leather, and looks great with all sorts of casual attire. It’s perfect if you don’t want to look like you’re wearing a toning shoe!

Boots are also a welcome addition to FitFlop’s catalog of models. The Mukluk, as indicated by its name, combines the Microwobbleboard technology with a comfortable, warm, sheepskin upper. Here’s your go-to boot for cold weather! Available in Black or Smoke, the Mukluk will keep your feet toned and toasty all winter long.  And for sufferers of Plantar Fasciitis, finally here’s a warm boot that won’t hurt your feet!

Another great looking boot is the Superboot Short. These leather, pull-on boots are very stylish and work well with skirts or jeans. The soft, flexible fit will keep your feet and ankles comfortable while you walk, and the midsole will keep you toned! Choose Chocolate or Black leather for all your wardrobe needs!

So keep FitFlops in mind when you choose shoes during the winter. Be stylish and warm as you tone!

Fit Flops – Not Your Everyday Flip Flops!

I don’t know about you, but I like to wear flip flops year round. There’s nothing better during warm weather, and they’re so easy to slip on when the weather is cool and you just want to run out to get the newspaper. But I hate flip flops that have no support, and fall apart easily. My feet were so happy when I discovered FitFlops; they are everything I love in flip flops.

Let’s face it, most flip flops are boring. But FitFlops are anything but boring! Where else can you get shoes like this with interesting metallic leathers, or patent leather, or even suede? There’s a style for every look in your closet! And you don’t sacrifice comfort for style. In fact, you may want to stay in them all day long!

Thanks to its Microwobbleboard technology, FitFlops create muscle toning properties while also providing outstanding support. They actually increase the amount of time that your muscles are engaged as you walk, and therefore allow your muscles to get a better workout than in conventional shoes. They also absorb shock, and can help reduce foot pain and pressure from plantar fasciitis. You can feel the arch support, which I really love. And they’re fun to wear!

The FitFlop Walkstar 3 in Bronze is a particular favorite of mine. Who knew that there could be dressy flip flops that provide toning properties? I love that you can have dressier attire and still have flip flops to go with your outfit! Perfect for a night on the town. Another favorite is the Oasis in Chocolate – the suede is soft and feels great on my feet. These are wonderful all-around flip flops, great for any occasion or attire.

Don’t sacrifice comfort and potential toning properties just for the ease of a flip flop. Check out the great styles and colors of FitFlops. You’ll never purchase a pair of no-support flip flops again!

New Italia “Air on Feet” Shoes Can Stimulate Your Reflexology Points!

Everybody loves a good food massage. Some people swear by acupressure on various points of their feet, citing all sorts of holistic properties and stimulation points that correlate to all sorts of areas of the body. But now there’s a shoe that contains technology that relates to the concepts of reflexology: the New Italia “Air on Feet” collection.

I have to admit I’m always a little skeptical of eastern-medicine philosophies. But I can safely say that whether you buy into the concept of reflexology or not, the New Italia shoes FEEL great.

Perfect for both casual and more formal wear, the “Air on Feet” collection is handmade from the finest Italian leather, and the soft leather footbed is incredibly comfortable. My favorites are the Kosumi Toe in white/beige – it can go with any outfit for a casual outing, and the Twister in black leather. If you’re looking for a really comfortable dressy, low-heeled shoe, this is the one!

The arch support in the collection provides support while relaxing the foot and stimulating reflexology points. Reflexologists believe that this stimulation can improve energy circulation and be of great benefit to vital organs. It’s the same principle as acupressure; if you press on certain points in your foot, other parts of your body may benefit besides your foot! I don’t know how to evaluate if this is really working anywhere else in my body, but it definitely feels good on my feet.

Another great design aspect of the Kosumi Toe: it contains an adjustable buckle toe strap. This way you can customize exactly how tightly or loosely you want that part of the shoe to fit. I’ve never seen this done on any other flip flop-type shoe, and I think it’s a fantastic idea.

The “Air on Feet” collection is currently composed of the Kosumi Toe, Kosumi Scuff, Twister, and Capretto. Watch for more designs to follow! Discover how principles of reflexology can make your feet feel GREAT with these shoes.

Get out and play with Chaco Shoes!

Looking for some rugged shoes that can survive lots of outdoor activities, yet still support your feet? Take a look at Chaco shoes.

Chacos are exceptional shoes for casual wear, particularly for folks who tend to overpronate as they walk. The BioCentric footbed was designed with the help of a pedorthist, and its contours help ensure that your foot is as stable as possible. This allows for extra comfort and reduced pronation. The “aggressive” arch support, sculpted heel cup, and heel risers give you maximum support, shock absorption, and lateral stability as you walk. All of these factors led the American Podiatric Medical Association to award its seal of approval to these shoes.

A huge plus in my estimation is that the EcoTread outsoles are made from 25% recycled rubber. Now I can feel morally superior and politically correct with my footwear! They are great if you’re going “green” in your lifestyle.

Available in both men’s and women’s styles, Chaco shoes may even help prevent injuries caused by poor posture, and rotation issues. This can help alleviate problems to your back, hips, and knees.

The Chaco Flip Leather Eco Tread in Shitake Nubuck Leather is a really nice, all-around flip flop for men, and can be worn with extremely casual or slightly dressy clothing. In women’s shoes, I particularly like the Chaco Aurora in Bungee Cord Leather: the perfect flip flop for all occasions! Another really fun shoe is the Chaco Zong X EcoTread in Multi Red, which even has adjustable straps for a custom fit – even around the toe!

So go out and play in some Chaco shoes. They’re the perfect summertime rugged yet stylish footwear.

On Sale! Limited Availability! Get ‘Em While They Last!

Footwear etc. has a bunch of brands on sale that have limited quantities available. Check out these brands for some fabulous deals!

Acorn: these slippers are perfect for insulating your feet against cold tile, or even to just slip on when you go out to get the paper! Comfy and durable, these slippers contain Poliyou® open cell PU foam that is breathable, wicks moisture, and fights odor and bacteria with natural active carbon and Aegis® anti-microbials. The Wooly Scuff in particular is a wonderful all-around choice for a slipper.

Asgi: among the styles still available, check out the Carina bootie. The Soleplex technology provides comfort and a very unique look. This is definitely a great dress shoe! For Mary Jane fans, there are several choices available. I particularly like the Splendor Mary Jane; the strap comes across the top of your foot diagonally, which adds visual interest as well as comfort.

Dunham: men don’t have to be left out of a great sale. Dunham shoes excel in their waterproof and slip-resistant properties as well as support. For a slip-on, look at the Holyoke – it’s available in brown and black. For a lace-up shoe, check out the Oakdale Sport.

Teva: these shoes are well-known for being superb for the Great Outdoors. You won’t bat an eye if you get them wet while on the trail, or on the boat! The Women’s Cerellais a really cute “ballet flat.” Who’d have thought these could be so stylish?

Xsensible: the perfect shoes if you need a little “give” to the uppers, Xsensible’s claim to fame is that these shoes stretch if you need them to! If you get swollen feet during the day, these shoes can help alleviate the discomfort you might feel by the evening. Available in both casual and dressy styles, I really like the Esmerelda in Brown Stretch Leather – perfect for a weekend outing! Also check out the Style in Pampas Grass Leather/Suede – it has beautiful detailing and can give your wardrobe a new look!

Don’t miss out on these incredible prices! Check out these amazing deals while they last!

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