I need motion control in my athletic shoes because I tend to overpronate. I also need outstanding stability and support, since my feet are prone to stress fractures. New Balance has just come out with an update to their popular 1123 model, the 1540. Available for both men and women, this shoe excels in stability for runners and is also a great shoe for walkers. The big difference between this model and the 1123 is that the 1540 is lighter. I love the fact that these are so easy to wear, I might even get up off the couch to do so! As always with New Balance shoes, there’s a nice high, wide toe box and great ventilation so that your toes aren’t squished and your feet stay cool and dry. They’re even certified under Medicare as a Diabetic shoe, so you know that they’ll be good to your feet. And they’re made in the USA!

ASICS makes some fabulous running and walking shoes. For walkers, the Gel-Tech Walker Neo 2 is a very supportive shoe that will make exercise walking or strolling very enjoyable. These are lightweight yet highly supportive shoes, and even have the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association. They are designed to enhance your foot’s natural gait while providing maximum comfort. Definitely worth a try! ASICS also makes some outstanding running shoes, for your neighborhood or the trail. Check them out!

Need new hiking shoes? You can’t go wrong with Merrell products. They were designed for great support and rugged durability. I really like the Moab – my favorite version is waterproof and can take whatever trail has to dish out!  The anatomical footbed keeps your feet supported, while the breathable bellows tongue and mesh upper keep your feet cool and comfortable. The Moab is available in an oxford style as well as a mid-boot for both men and women, and are fantastic for those weekend outings.

Fans of Barefoot running shoes will be thrilled by the choices from Vibram Fivefingers. The KSO model for both men and women is a particularly nice all-around shoe, suitable for running, water sports, yoga, and other fitness activities. They’re flexible, are slip-resistant, and really let you feel the pavement under your feet. If you don’t know anything about barefoot technology, definitely check them out to see if they are right for you! Many runners swear by these shoes. If you don’t want a lot of support, these could be the answer to your prayers!

These are just a few models from some of our favorite brands to help entice you off the couch this year. Stay motivated, and treat your feet kindly with some new athletic shoes!

This shoe is designed as a high-mileage trainer for runners who require maximum motion control and stability. While I am not a runner, I definitely need the stability. My right foot is prone to stress fractures, so having the extra stability and support is very helpful. This shoe contains Abzorb SBS, which is an engineered foam that provides outstanding shock absorption in the heel and forefoot. For enhanced stability, there is a rollbar that controls pronation and supination.

This shoe also contains the usual outstanding features found in all New Balance shoes, including a wide, high toe box to allow your toes room to move, exceptional durability, lightweight comfort and support, and mesh in the upper to help keep your feet cool. The 1123MC got me through Europe, and it gets me all through my neighborhood on my daily walks. I feel good about choosing a shoe that provides all the stability I need to avoid reinjuring my foot.

Runners tell me that this is a superb shoe for over and under pronators. Avoiding repetitive stress injuries is key to a successful athletic shoe, and the 1123MC provides as much stability and support as you can get in a running shoe.

Even Diabetics can feel good about wearing this shoe given its outstanding support properties and roomy toe box. It’s even rated under Medicare/HPCS code A5500 as a bona-fide Diabetic Shoe. Available for both men and women, it’s a great shoe for everyone!

Don’t be intimidated by a shoe that’s advertised as “a high mileage trainer” if you’re not a runner. The New Balance 1123MC is a fabulous shoe for all of us.

This set off all sorts of red flags in my head, for a variety of reasons:

1)      MBTs are not designed for people with neuropathy. When you have sensory loss in your feet, your balance is adversely affected. Wearing a shoe that provides natural instability creates a huge risk of you falling. As a result, MBT does not recommend its shoes for people with neuropathy.

2)      MBT shoes, even the GTX models, are really not designed for tromping around in the snow. Yes, they are waterproof, but they do not provide the level of traction that a bona-fide snow boot does. So yes, you can wear your MBT shoes out in sloppy weather, but I’d stick to regular snow boots if you’ve got any level of accumulation on the ground.

3)      Neuropathy sufferers really need stable shoes. Regardless of what caused the Neuropathy, those folks should look for the same types of shoes as those folks with Diabetes. Generally, you should look for: a MILD rocker sole (to help propel you forward) but with a stable heel, and a high, wide toe box so that your toes won’t rub against the shoe. Any shoe with a lot of support is also excellent. Look for shoes that are soft and with cushioning if possible. It’s also helpful to find a shoe that can accommodate custom orthotics, just in case.

Generally, any shoe that is rated HPCPS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) A5500 compliant is acceptable for Diabetics under Medicare and Medicaid.  These are fine choices for people with Neuropathy and Plantar Fasciitis as well due to their excellent supportive properties.

Finding shoes that help both of these medical conditions can be a challenge, but Footwear etc. carries a bunch of shoes that are worth considering.

Drew Shoes are specifically designed for Diabetics, but also have many of the supportive properties needed for those with Plantar Fasciitis. Available for men and women, they come in a wide variety of styles.

Finding slippers for Plantar Fasciitis as well as Neuropathy is a little tricky. While they are not specifically rated for Diabetics, the Orthaheel slippers are definite possibilities. I would suggest you try them on and see if you have enough toe space for these to work for Neuropathy patients. They definitely have good supportive properties and can help Plantar Fasciitis. Qwaruba makes some front and side wrap slippers that are definitely gentle for your feet, although they are not particularly supportive. If you’re not going to do a lot of walking, these could be beneficial.

New Balance makes some great athletic shoes that address both of these issues.  I would particularly look at the models that have the HPCPS A5500 rating. I particularly like the New Balance MW927BK walking shoe (and the corresponding WW927BK for women). It’s very stable, has a roll bar for motion control, is lightweight, and has great cushioning and support. This is a great all-around shoe.

Don’t assume that the products needed to alleviate Plantar Fasciitis and Neuropathy symptoms are mutually exclusive. There are a variety of shoes out there that can be beneficial. Try different types of shoes to see what works best for you!

Footwear etc. offers a myriad of types of shoes for many occasions. On my grand adventure, I’ll be doing lots of walking. Given that I have some foot issues anyway, I wanted to find a really stable, supportive shoe that I could count on. My choice? The New Balance WR1123MC. I’ve been a big fan of New Balance shoes for years, particularly since they come in different widths, always have a nice wide toe box, and are of excellent quality. Given my recurring stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis, I wanted to have a really stable shoe with good arch support and a roll bar to help keep me from overpronating. This shoe fits the bill in all of those areas. I’ve been wearing them to walk around my neighborhood in preparation for our trip, and I think my feet should hold up just fine. I love the support and comfort, and they are lightweight too. Fabulous shoe.

But I can’t live with just walking shoes alone! I like wearing sandals in the warm weather, and I love some of the new styles out right now. Again, I need supportive, stable shoes, so I decided on the Naot Trovador. The cork footbed provides phenomenal support and feels absolutely terrific. I’m finding that they actually help alleviate some of my chronic foot pain. These are also the first sandals I’ve owned that my daughter has wanted to borrow! This gladiator-style shoe is very fashion-forward and looks great with both casual and dressier outfits.

We’ve got formal nights to contend with too. What should I wear with the ubiquitous Little Black Dress? I’m opting for the Beautifeel Women’s Star. These are truly special-occasion shoes. This elegant pump is adorned with little roses for a touch of extra femininity! These handmade shoes feature superior shock absorption and flexibility in a durable, stylish shoe. Ever have a shoe practically call out to you from your computer? This one did it for me. I adore the gorgeous styling of this shoe.

Don’t forget about helpful handbags! I’m trying out the AmeriBag extra small Healthy Back Bag. This should make it easy for me to carry around what I need every day, without being bulky or obtrusive. For a small bag, it really holds a lot. Perfect for the wallet, sunglasses, cell phone, passport, etc. I also love the fact that it’s practically maintenance-free. I’m using a microfiber version, and it’s easy to clean with a damp cloth. You can use it on one shoulder, or crossing your torso for added security.

Don’t forget to plan your footwear for your next vacation! There’s a shoe for every occasion, and your feet will thank you!

The lightness of this shoe is created by the REVlite midsole foam compound. The 890s are 1.6 oz. lighter than even the Nike LunarGlide. This midsole is very durable and long lasting, making this shoe an exceptional value.

Another feature that sets this shoe apart from the masses is that it is specifically designed for those with neutral gaits (or even those who slightly underpronate). In fact, the May/June 2011 issue of Women’s Running magazine awarded it “Best Neutral Shoe.”

Available in both men’s and women’s models, the New Balance 890 series offers optimal ventilation, stability and support, shock absorption and durability. While it was designed for serious runners, it’s a great shoe for anyone who has a neutral gait.

See what a difference a 30% less weight makes as you run! Check out the New Balance 890 shoes!

Now there’s another new style for me to love: New Balance’s True Balance. Another great toning shoe from my favorite athletic shoe company!

As with all New Balance shoes, the True Balance models come in narrow, medium, and wide widths. There’s no sacrifice in comfort here, there’s a width for everyone.

But the exciting part about these shoes is that they are terrific toning shoes! Using their True Balance Sole, these shoes create natural instability so that you unconsciously work a little harder with each step. The solid rubber outsole provides superior durability, and the balance board technology contains a spring system design that helps you tone as you walk. The ABZORB insert also provides great shock absorption, protecting all of your joints. We can all use that, can’t we? And True Balance technology also helps those of us with plantar fasciitis, keeping that sheath stretched as we tone our glutes and calves.

The New Balance True Balance shoes come in several styles, including: the WW850 (which comes in silver, white, black, or light blue mesh), and the WW1100 (which is available in silver with blue, silver with black, or white).

But it’s not just New Balance coming out with the True Balance technology; you can also get more formal shoes that utilize it as well. Enter the Aravon Riley and Ria for everyday wear!

The Aravon Riley (sneaker style) and Ria (Mary Jane style) utilize all of the True Balance benefits but in a shoe you could even wear to the office. The hook and loop closures ensure a custom fit, the antimicrobial sock liners help keep your feet dry and odor-free, and the removable Velocor footbeds allow you to use custom orthotics if you need them. Here are the toning shoes you can use for everyday wear, without them looking like they belong in a gym!

Discover the benefits of the True Balance technology in New Balance and Aravon shoes. There’s a toning shoe for every aspect of your life!

 You’d actually have to look closely to see that they’re not your typical athletic shoe. The rocker sole is not very prominent looking, but it definitely is there and you can feel it when you walk. I also really like the fact that the sole is rigid, so that I don’t add pressure to the metatarsal area where I tend to get foot pain. But the absolute best feature of these shoes is that they are very lightweight! There is a huge difference in weight between these shoes and many other brands on the market.

 I’ve owned other New Balance athletic shoes and have always been impressed by the quality of workmanship and how well they fit my feet, and I’m delighted that I can add some muscle-toning shoes to my collection. New Balance claims that it can increase your calorie burn by as much as 8% just by normal wear, so I’m very anxious to see those results!

 Just be sure to use your Rock and Tones for walking only; New Balance doesn’t recommend them for other types of athletic activities due to the natural instability that the sole creates. If it makes my legs feel more toned by just walking, I’m happy to go for a stroll!

 The Rock and Tones currently are available in 3 styles, with more coming out soon! I particularly like the WW1442SB, which is grey with a mesh upper. I really enjoy wearing shoes that let my feet breathe when I’m getting some exercise! So be sure to check out these fabulous new rocker-soled shoes, and go for a stroll with style!

As determined contestants set their sights on burning off Christmas cookies, we thought it would be a good idea to give away adequate footwear. The popular, high-performance styles from New Balance showcase cushioning and flexibility from heel to toe. A combination sure to keep you moving and feeling great on your feet.

Challenge #11: The New Balance Giveaway Contest starts 1/8/2010 and runs through 1/20/2010. The winner will receive a brand new pair of New Balance from our selection here at http://www.footwearetc.com/New-Balance-Shoes/.

If you’re new to the weekly Footwear etc. Twitter Challenge, you can read the (very simple) rules here. If not, you’re all set: Follow Footwear etc. on Twitter to get started!

One suggestion given in the article is to pack fewer pairs of shoes, choosing styles that can serve several purposes. Here is what John, an avid traveler, recommends based on his experiences:

Ecco Track IV:

John writes, “Choosing a single, versatile pair of shoes that meets all your needs is one of the keys to packing light. The Gore-Tex lined Ecco Track IV, described as a ‘rugged hiking Oxford,’ sports leather uppers that pass muster in West End theaters and lugged soles that perform well on pub walks in the Cotswolds.”

Footwear etc. has a few styles of Ecco shoes Track IV. Take a look by clicking on the picture of the shoes.

Merrell Chameleon:

John adds later in the article, “for hiking trips with just a little bit of city, I bring a pair of light hikers, as they’re called, low-top hiking shoes such as Merrell’s Chameleon.”

Waterproof, sturdy, wonderfully comfortable — what more could you ask for in a stylish hiking shoe? We have a few styles of Merrell shoes similar to the Chameleon at very good prices.

New Balance Country Walkers:

John concludes his shoe recommendations with the following advice: “For trips more or less divided between city and country, I wear New Balance’s Country Walkers, a good all-around compromise.”

One great advantage of New Balance shoes is that they come in a wide range of widths and sizes. Footwear etc. is proud to carry a large selection of New Balance shoes in all widths from 2A to 6E.

What do you wear on vacation trips? We would love to hear your suggestions. Click on the word “comments” below and share your hard earned recommendations.