Footnotes: The Official Blog of Footwear etc.

Category Archives: Thongs

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!

Do Your Shoes Reflect Your Sense of Humor?

I don’t know about you, but I like my shoes to reflect my mood. I also like them to show that I’m not stuffy and like to have fun. Yes, this IS possible, you just have to choose the right shoe! Here are a few brands Footwear etc. carries that add some whimsy, lightheartedness and comfort to your wardrobe:

Think! shoes are particularly appealing if you want a unique style. They’re made with vegetable-tanned leathers and are hypoallergenic, toxin-free, and absorb moisture well. Think! shoes are very fashion forward, yet don’t skimp on style and fun. I particularly like the Think! 82337-9 in Black Kombi Leather. Not only is it colorful and happy-looking, its leather-lined cork footbed provides excellent shock absorption and helps reduce foot fatigue. It’s also a terrific shoe in terms of arch and heel support, and the durable outsole provides very good traction. What a fun, summery shoe!

You can really feel good about using El Naturalista products. The outsoles are made from recycled rubber, the footbeds are made from recycled polyurethane, and the leather is tanned in an all-natural process with vegetable extracts, tree bark and river stones. The Iggdrasil is an especially fun model. I love the whimsical stitching detail on the toe box! El Naturalista says that it makes shoes for people who embrace life as they walk, and you can really show off your personal style with this shoe. This shoe is available in black, Tibet (reddish color), and brown leather. It’s another happy shoe to wear on those happy days!

Show your sense of humor with some fun shoes, like those from Think! and El Naturalista. Wearing these is a great way to be comfortable, but not too serious!

Keeping Your Body Realigned with Orthaheel/Dr. Andrew Weil Shoes

As I took my car in for a realignment recently, I realized that keeping our bodies realigned isn’t something we tend to pay attention to until there’s a problem! Why we are so attuned to the stuff around us rather than our own well being will forever be a mystery to me, but I digress….so many of us have pain caused by basic alignment issues. As we compensate for biomechanical problems, we can end up with all sorts of join pain in our feet, knees, ankles, etc. All too often we wear shoes that we think look great but don’t actually provide the support and alignment we really need to be healthy. That’s where Orthaheel and Dr. Andrew Weil shoes save the day!

The premise of these shoes is to ensure that your feet are properly supported so that they can function optimally. Orthaheel and Dr. Andrew Weil shoes are designed with orthotic properties to help reduce pronation, stabilize the heel, absorb shock, and reduce stress on the joints.

Orthaheel makes a bunch of models in a variety of styles that are truly kind to your feet. Dr. Andrew Weil, an internationally-recognized pioneer in the health and wellness field, endorses Orthaheel products and actually came up with his own line of Orthaheel-made shoes as well.

Within the Orthaheel and Dr. Andrew Weil lines, there are so many different styles to choose from, you can definitely find a comfortable shoe for every situation. I do have to say that the flip flops are absolutely THE most comfortable I have ever worn. They have all the perks of traditional flip flops, with outstanding support. I could walk for hours in them! And you can even get slippers with all that support. Phenomenal!

I also really love the Orthaheel walkers. They’ve got full-grain leather uppers, with mesh to allow breathability. They offer all of the fabulous properties of Orthaheel shoes, and even have a mid-foot stabilizer to control the motion of your feet as you walk. The removable orthotic even has an antibacterial top cloth to help control foot odor! These shoes make walking easy!

Help keep your body aligned properly with Orthaheel and Dr. Andrew Weil shoes. You’ll really feel the difference!

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!

Dr. Weil recommends: Orthaheel flip flops, slides, and sandals!

Now that winter is finally over, isn’t it fantastic to go out and enjoy the warm weather and give our feet a chance to breathe? No more confining winter shoes; it’s time to break out the flip flops and sandals! But do you have to wear flip flops or sandals with no support in order to be stylish? Absolutely not! Check out our new Orthaheel products!

 Orthaheel Seaside SlideDesigned by podiatrists and recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil on the Oprah show, Orthaheel flip flops, slides and sandals contain a built-in orthotic profile. The beauty of this is that they restore the natural alignment of your feet, which improves hip alignment and knee function. Orthaheels also reduce excess pronation – which can lead to flat feet. The deep heel cup provides Who wants to be in pain when you just want to dash out to the grocery store or go to the beach? I love the fact that they take literally 2 seconds to put on (the benefit of flip flops!) yet provide the comfort and style that I require! (And don’t we all require and deserve that?)

 Orthaheel Tide SandalWith their flexible soles yet outstanding support, they are not only great for your feet and joints, they look great too! From casual styles like the Tide (available in fun colors like green, pink, and denim) to more dressy styles like the Seaside (available in Brown or Black Croc Leather), there’s a flip flop or sandal for all kinds of occasions. I’m excited to see sandals that I can wear on weekends or after work, but I think I really love the Seaside in Black Croc Leather because it’s perfect for a night out on the town! And men shouldn’t feel left out of the equation; the Ryder and the Kinetic are great options for them.

 Orthaheels are endorsed by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), but you don’t sacrifice style for comfort. I have tried the flip flops, and they are light years more comfortable than any other flip flop I’ve ever owned. There are lots of new styles due out in April and are available for pre-order, so be sure to take a look! And don’t forget that there’s a 30-day money back guarantee, even if you have worn them outside! If Dr. Weil thinks they’re good enough for Oprah, aren’t they good enough for you?

Introducing Olukai: Paradise for Summer Feet!

Footwear etc. is excited to introduce the Olukai brand to our list of comfortable shoe offerings. After hearing great feedback on the sandals’ style, quality, comfort and commitment to the environment – we feel Olukai sandals are a must for summer feet!

Continue reading this article…

Mephisto Babata Shoes: May the Cork Be With You

mephisto_babata

Until now, I’ve had two uses for cork. It’s the material on the back of my bulletin board that I tack shopping lists to, and it’s the little stopper that seals my champagne. So when I hear that cork can also be comfortable on the soles of my feet, I become as bubbly as a bottle of brut.

Allow me to introduce you to the Mephisto Babata sandal. It turns out that the same low-density, high-elasticity, near-impermeable cork material that holds up my list of supermarket needs, also contours to my foot and cushions to offer arch support like no other. So that’s good. But then the real question that I know is on your mind:

Can a shoe this therapeutic also be cute? Well, I’m so glad you asked!

While the footbed is cork, the upper is soft calfskin leather that comes together to form a fun and flirty flower. Thanks to the floral accent, the Babatas can easily be dressed up or dressed down. The 1-inch heel also offers a nice slimming effect to the legs, so don’t be afraid to pair them with that cute short skirt either.

So whether you’re running errands to cross items off your grocery list, or at an event where you’re popping open bottles of bubbly, the Mephisto Babatas with the cork support are the perfect combination of comfort and style, both casual and dressy. Anyone who tells you differently… you can tell them to put a cork in it.

Footwear etc. offers a wonderful selection of Mephisto shoes; if the flower on the Babata is too ornate for your taste, take a look at the simpler Mephisto Helen.

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