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!

The Men’s Shogun is a fantastic shoe for those weekends in the Great Outdoors, or even as a casual yet rugged shoe for everyday wear. You’ll love the cushioned, anatomical footbed that makes walking so comfortable. (If you need to use an orthotic, you can always remove this footbed.) Shock absorption is outstanding in this model, as is the durability of the outsole. This is a great all-around rugged shoe for men.

In women’s styles, check out the Naroma. I love the Naroma because it’s waterproof! It’s a sporty-looking shoe with a black nylon and suede upper, and orange accents in the upper and in the outsole. The removable foam latex insole has a really helpful arch support, perfect for helping your feet stay comfortable during those long hikes. The shock absorber heel is also really handy for helping you avoid fatigue. The rugged outsole is just the thing you need for those uneven, slick surfaces.

 Allrounder by Mephisto even came out with a Mary Jane style, called the Niro. If there’s such a thing as a girly yet rugged shoe, this would be it. The Niro has a 1-inch heel, and a strap over the top of the foot, yet has all the properties of a rugged hiking shoe. The outsole has grip even on slick ground, the shock absorption is outstanding, and the soft latex foam padding provides additional comfort at the instep and ankle. Given it’s a Mary Jane style, it’s a breeze to get on and off too!

Before that next outing in the Great Outdoors, take a look at the rugged shoes of Allrounder by Mephisto. Your feet will appreciate the comfort over all sorts of terrain.

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!

Sebago shoes are known for their outstanding slip-resistant properties. The non-marking rubber  soles really help ensure stability as you walk. You can also feel secure that the brass eyelets won’t corrode, and the rawhide laces will hold up over time. These are great shoes for wet, sloppy conditions, and are preferred by sailors everywhere. They are made from a single piece of form-fitting leather and are durable and comfortable.

Men and women have a variety of options to choose from.  I enjoy different colors in the upper, so I particularly like the Women’s Spinnaker in Navy/Lagoon Nubuck/Leather. The upper has both navy blue nubuck as well as a lighter grey-blue smooth leather by the laces.  It’s a very attractive boat shoe, and I can feel secure that the slip-resistant properties will help keep me on my feet during sloppy weather. I can easily see myself slipping into this shoe during those precious weekend days when I just want something easy and comfortable to wear.

The Men’s Schooner is a boat shoe with a stroke of elegance. The Brown Oiled Waxy Leather actually gives this shoe a formal look; perfect to wear with khakis or other casual slacks. This is a perfect shoe for those times when you want something slightly dressier than a sneaker, but want all the comfort you can get.

Not into boat shoes? No problem! Check out the Sebago Men’s Triton Shore or Triton Sport models. These sneaker-styled shoes even have a removable anatomical footbed, so you’ll not only  get some support, you can also use an orthotic if need be. These two styles have full grain leather and mesh uppers to help keep your feet cool. The Triton Shore has some attractive striping details as well. The rubber cup sole on these shoes provides outstanding traction so you don’t have to worry about slippage.

Sebago shoes are perfect for those casual days when you want a stylish shoe to just slip on and go. Discover the joys of marine-styled footwear!

My favorite shoe in the new collection is the Chakula. Available for both men and women, this Gore-Tex shoe is fantastic for those times you want a shoe to use for exercise walking, or a stroll around town. You don’t have to worry about getting caught in the rain with this shoe! The Gore-Tex lining may be waterproof, but it’s permeable so that your feet can stay cool and dry. As with all MBTs, the rocker-sole bottom creates natural instability and can help you improve your posture and balance while you tone your muscles and reduce pressure on your joints. The rubber outsole is perfect for shock absorption and traction, and I love the athletic styling of this shoe. It’s available in a variety of colors as well!

Other great athletic shoes are the Mila for women, and the Siku for men. They both come in several colors, and are wonderful all-around athletic shoes. You’ll definitely feel toned and may notice alleviation of pain in your joints when you walk in these.

Men, do you need a dress shoe? Check out the Bosi. It’s an elegant leather lace-up shoe that’s available in brown or black. You could easily wear these with a suit. These are the perfect dress shoes if you need to be on your feet. (Trial lawyers, this could be your ultimate work shoe!) The Bosi is a fabulous shoe for any dressy occasion. Just because you need to dress up doesn’t mean that your feet should hurt!

A nice oxford shoe for women is the Pata. Available in smooth leather or split leather/suede, this shoe works well for casual wear without looking like an athletic shoe. I particularly like the Taupe Grey Split Leather Suede version; I could wear that one with most of my wardrobe. It’s a really nice all-purpose shoe.

Boots are a big part of the 2011 Fall Collection. MBT has created several boots in a variety of heights, for men and women. Keep your feet cozy and comfortable with MBT’s rocker-sole technology in any of these boots:

For women, check out the Kisiwa. It’s available as an ankle boot as well as a high model. This style is elegant enough to wear to work or out on the town. The high boot is available in black leather and taupe nubuck, while the ankle boot comes in black leather. I could easily see wearing the high boot with a dress or skirt. The ankle boot is really comfortable not only because of the rocker-sole bottom, but the elastic gore on the side helps you get the boot on and off easily. Beautiful, comfortable, and practical!

Two other boots for women are the Nafasi mid and the Wia. The Nafasi Mid has a unique lace-up design, giving you a custom fit. It makes for a very sporty boot; perfect to wear with jeans or other casual attire. I love the richness of the leather. The Wia looks a little more rugged, and has a few laces at the very top of the boot so you can hold the top snug around your calf. The Wia is available in both coffee leather and moonstruck leather; as soon as I saw the photo of the moonstruck, I had a flash of Julie Christie in Dr. Zhivago. While she didn’t wear the Wia, you can still feel like a movie star in this boot!

Men also have some great choices in boots. The Kitabu comes in both an oxford shoe as well as a high (just over the ankle) boot. It’s sporty and rugged-looking, perfect for casual wear. The GTX model (the oxford, not the boot) is very handy for sloppy weather since it contains Gore-Tex. You’ll love the informal style in this lace-up boot or shoe.

The Kizingo is a beautiful dress boot for men. Available in black leather or coffee nubuck, it’s elegant and easy to wear. This ankle-height boot is a great alternative to conventional oxford-style shoes for the office or dressy occasions. Isn’t it great that men finally have lots of options in dressy shoes too?

Lastly, MBT’s flagship shoe, the Ari, is already getting rave reviews from customers. This completely redesigned sole is the winner of this year’s Red Dot Award for Product Design. The Ari is a limited edition shoe, and has the most advanced ventilation system on the market. See why this shoe is radically different from all the rest, and why customers think it’s a phenomenal investment.

So there they are. The Fall 2011 Collection from MBT has something for everyone. I know which will be my favorites; how about you?

There are a lot of waterproof shoes out there for many purposes. Where do you start? Think of what your “wet” activity is. Do you need them strictly for outdoor use, or for a wet indoor work environment? How rugged do you need your shoes to be? Think about how you’ll use your shoes so you can make the best determination for what you’ll need.

For exercise walking, I particularly like the MBT GTX shoes, like the MBT Fora GTX (for women) or the MBT Kimondo GTX (for men). These shoes have wonderful toning properties, help alleviate joint pain and assorted foot problems, and make walking a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I love the fact that I can get caught in a downpour and not have to worry about a little water ruining the Masai sensor. These shoes are specially treated to resist water, which I believe will help them last a lot longer.

For rugged shoes, you can’t beat Merrells. The Women’s Siren Sport GTX is a terrific shoe suitable for hiking. Encounter some sloppy terrain? No problem; these shoes are durable as well as water resistant. The anatomical footbed and air cushion in the heel provide comfort and cushioning as you walk. Perfect for the Great Outdoors!

Gardening, anyone? Check out the Birki Unisex Active Birki. I love wearing these shoes in my garden; they provide great support due to the cork and latex footbed, yet are lightweight and great for walking in mucky areas. They’re easy to keep clean too!

Another rugged, water-resistant shoe is the Keen Newport H2 series. Available for both men and women, these are the perfect shoes for rugged, sloppy terrain, or even for boating or rafting. They provide fantastic traction, and have Keen’s patented toe protection so you can feel confident that you won’t injure your toes as you play. They withstand the abuse that saltwater and dirt can bring to your shoes.

What’s a little snow? Your feet can stay warm and dry with the UGG Adirondack or Butte. These are fantastic boots for the snow, and have UGG’s usual high quality sheepskin interior to keep your feet comfortable. They also have excellent traction, and can make trudging through the snow a far more pleasurable experience.

What kind of waterproof shoe do YOU need? Take a peek at the many options Footwear etc. carries. Sloppy weather can’t stop you!

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!

Need to protect your shoes against water damage? Try the Collonil Waterstop Spray. It’s effective on all sorts of materials: leather, nubuck, Gore Tex, etc. The spray foam, which goes on clear, is very quick and easy to apply. Another great feature is that protects against fading as well! Also consider it for handbags and other leather/nubuck/textile products!

Collonil’s Clean and Care Foam is a spray foam that’s great for cleaning and nourishing leather, nubuck and textiles. Just remember to spray the foam onto a cloth, brush or sponge first, not directly on the item. Once you rub it all over the item, use a damp cloth to remove the foam. (Just be sure to try it on a non-noticeable area to be sure that the item is color fast.) My purse, which I throw around all over the place, could definitely use some TLC from this product!

I found a way to make my nubuck shoes look like new again: using the Collonil Nubuck Box Shoe Cleaner. This is a sponge with a soft foam rubber side to roughen the fibers of the nubuck, and a crepe side to clean the suede/nubuck. This product is especially effective if you use it after using a liquid cleaner, letting the item dry, and then brush the nubuck/suede in one direction.

Don’t let water, dirt and assorted wear make your shoes deteriorate! Check out the Collonil products to protect that investment!

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!

These are the only shoes you’ll find where each of your toes fits into its own “finger,” like the fingers on a glove. Why is this important? This allows your toes to move more naturally. It also helps to strengthen muscles in your feet and legs. The heel is not raised; rather, it’s lowered so that your body weight is distributed evenly across the shoe and therefore encourages spinal alignment and proper posture. All of these factors together help to improve balance and agility. You get all the benefits of walking barefoot, with the protection of a shoe.

 Vibram FiveFingers makes shoes for a variety of activities, such as:

The KSO- a great general-purpose fitness shoe. The patented Vibram sole is slip resistant, and razor siped for extra flexibility. (The Vibram sole material extends up over the ends of the toes, adding protection.) This is a fine shoe to wear for running, water sports, yoga, and even light hiking. The upper is a thin, breathable and abrasion resistant polyamide fabric that stretches to conform to your foot shape. The antimicrobial microfiber insole adds a little bit of cushioning. I can easily see myself wearing these to go rafting, or boating, or for a short trail hike. And it’s machine washable!

The Komodosport– the ultimate shoe for the serious fitness enthusiast.  Take the KSO and ramp it up with functional improvements to get this shoe designed with the athlete in mind. The durable 4mm Vibram outsole makes this shoe perfect for running and cross training. The footbed is stitch-free and seamless to ensure as little friction as possible. You can get a custom fit by using the hook and loop closures over the top of the foot and around the heel. Machine washable like the KSO, it’s a rugged shoe that you can feel great about as you train.

The Performa Jane – women have a great option to wear for indoor activities. The Performa Jane was designed specifically for indoor fitness activities, yoga, and pilates. You get all the great benefits of all the Five Fingers shoes with added flexibility in the sole plus a Kangaroo Leather upper. You can customize your fit with the hook and loop closure over the top of the foot. You also get maximum feel of the exercise surface along with a slip-resistant sole. Just note that this shoe is not designed for extended outdoor wear.

If you love walking barefoot, you’ll really love the Vibram FiveFingers collection. Protect your feet while strengthening the muscles in your feet and legs. Just be sure to wear them just a few hours at a time at first; since you’re probably not used to using these muscles, you’ll need to strengthen them gradually. But in the long run, it’s worth the wait!