The Top 3 Benefits of Women’s Casual Shoes

Women have always needed and benefitted from having several good pairs of casual shoes, in a nice variety of colors, and there have been periods of time when most women actually wore their casual shoes much more frequently than they do these days.

walkingonacloud1
Didn’t the Women’s Lib Movement Teach us to be More Comfortable?

With all the work, struggles and dedicated efforts that were wrought by so many tireless souls in advancing the women’s rights movement, one might think that a good part of the residual success of that movement would have been forever eliminating the ever pressing need for women to have to suffer to look fantastic. Not true, apparently, as today, women are forever going to great and unprecedented painful extremes to be smokin’ hot and fully own the wow factor.

Women’s Shoe Design is Reaching New Heights

In actuality, women seem to be suffering more than ever before, when it comes to their feet, at least. Women’s shoes have definitely reached new heights, and it is not ever surprising to go into a room where people are gathered and standing, only to find the women to be the main ones towering over everyone else. And all you need to do is to look downward at the feet of these gargantuan women to figure out the reason for this new anomaly. The heels went as high as they possibly could on women’s shoes, and when they just could not go any further, the next course of action was to design upward-moving soles, mostly in the form of wedges, so that the end result was a shoe that would increase a woman’s height by strange new levels. Don’t ask why, because there is probably no real answer beyond  “Because they can.”

walkingonacloud2

What Looking Good Should Begin With

When it comes to efforts a woman can make to look her best, the very first objective should be that she needs to look like she is comfortable and in full control of her gait, her balance and her posture. If the women in these horribly awkward “heels” could just see how awkward and uncoordinated they look while wearing and walking about in them, they might rethink wearing the bigger heels altogether. It’s like they should install a treadmill in the women’s shoe department, so the women can actually see how ridiculous they look while walking in these aggressive foot rockets.

The Top 3, in a Nutshell

Today, there are a myriad of styles and designs in women’s casual shoes, with some being actually quite appropriate for certain dress occasions, even. Not that you need one, but if you are looking for reasons to justify wearing casual shoes, read on.

  1. Comfort is a Good Thing. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out that being comfortable is vastly better than being uncomfortable. When you invest in top quality casual women’s shoes, you will feel better, respond better and think better. You will increase your productivity, as well.
  2. The Top Selling Casual Shoes for Women Radiate Success and a High IQ. When you want a level of quality to match your casual shoes, in terms of comfort and support, turn to the best selling brands, such as Josef Seibel, Naot, Ecco , Rockport and Keen–just to name a few. When you buy your casual footwear from a reputable shoemaker, you have all the support, durability, comfort and style you would ever need. And make no mistake about it–others in the know do notice the shoes you are wearing. When you wear really great shoes, you show the world that you are smart and self sufficient.
  3. Take Good Care of Your Feet, and They Will Take Good Care of You. Bunions, hammertoes, corns, pinched nerves, fallen arches and plantar fasciitis are just some of the anomalies that  your feet can develop, when you make a habit out of wearing subpar shoes. You totally depend on your feet so very much, and they take a lot of abuse. Treat your precious feet to a generous amount of time cradled in good casual shoes. Your feet will thank you.

Walking a Mile in Your Shoes: How to Properly Measure Your Feet (Infographic)

Average shoe size has changed drastically over the years. Dive into this infographic to learn how to measure your feet properly to keep your feet healthy!

Walking on a cloud measuring feet

Share This Infographic On Your Site

How Feet Have Changed

Shoe sizes have changed drastically over the years.
For example, in the United States, women’s average shoe sizes have gone up in the last century.

  • Early 1900s – 3.5 to 4
  • 1940s – 5.5
  • 1960s – 6.5
  • 1970s – 7.5
  • Today – 8.5 to 9

The average shoe size for Canadian women is 6.5.

The average shoe size for Canadian men is 10.

Factors contributing to the population’s changing shoe sizes:

  • Easier access to better nutrition
  • Taller children
  • Rising obesity rates

How Your Feet Change

Societal changes aside, your feet grow as you age, even beyond puberty.

Some people over the age of 40 can expect to gain half a shoe size every decade.

Tendons, ligaments, muscles, and tissue naturally lose elasticity and buoyancy as you age, but your feet are unique as they take your body’s entire weight.

  • Gravity causes your feet to swell.
  • The front of your foot widens.
  • Your arch flattens, causing your foot to grow longer.

Unfortunately, some people are unaware of the changes in their feet, but shoving your feet in cramped shoes can only lead to problems, including:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Corns
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Athlete’s foot
  • Blisters
  • General pain and discomfort

Fitting shoes are healthy shoes.

Properly Measuring Your Feet

What you’ll need:

  • Tape
  • A piece of paper
  • A pencil or marker
  • A ruler or tape measure
  1. Tape the paper to the floor. You’ll be tracing your foot to measure, so make sure the paper is on a hard, flat surface (i.e., not carpet).
  2. Sit down with your foot planted firmly on the piece of paper on the floor. Bend your leg slightly forward so that your shin is just in front of your ankle. Don’t wear your shoes, but do wear socks.
  3. Trace the outline of your foot, holding your pen or pencil upright, not at an angle. Keep the writing utensil snug against your foot. If you’re having trouble with this step, get help from a friend.
  4. Draw straight lines touching the outermost points at the sides, bottom, and top of your foot tracing. These lines mark the width and length of your foot.
  5. Measure the distance from the top line to the bottom line. Use the closest 16th mark. Write this number down. It measures your foot’s length and is the primary factor in determining your shoe size.
  6. Measure the distance between the two lines at the sides of your feet. This determines the width of your feet.
  7. Subtract about □(3/16) ths of an inch from the length and width to accommodate the small space between the outline and your actual foot.
  8. Repeat with your other foot.
  9. Use the sizing charts below to determine your proper foot size. Note: use the measurements from the larger foot.

What’s Up With Width

Shoe widths are available in sizes A, B, C, D, and E with A being the narrowest and E being the widest.

  • Narrow
    • Women: A
    • Men: C
    • Accommodate thin feet or feet with narrow heels and high arches
    • For narrow widths, the more letters, the slimmer the shoe. For example, a AAA is narrower than a AA.
  • Average/medium
    • Women: B
    • Men: D
    • Make up most of a manufacturer’s inventory
    • If the shoe does not indicate a width, it is most likely average/medium.
  • Wide
    • Women: C/D
    • Men: E
    • Ideal for wide feet, flat arches, and wearers with bunions or hammertoes
    • For wide widths, the more letters, the wider the shoe. For example, a EEE is wider than a EE.
  • Extra wide
      • Women: E
      • Men: EE
      • Accommodate those with wide feet or feet that are swollen from certain conditions, including edema or diabetes
      • Tend to have more depth to accommodate insoles

     

If a shoe feels tight or loose along the sides of your feet, ask for a shoe of different width within the same size.

Don’t go down a shoe size to accommodate narrow feet, or go up a shoe size to accommodate wide feet.

For sneakers and most athletic shoes, if the brand doesn’t have different widths, remember that you don’t have to wear a shoe of your gender.

  • Men: Try women’s shoes if you have narrow feet.
  • Women: Try men’s shoes if you have wider or larger feet.


Resources:
• http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/10/16/size-8-is-the-new-7-why-our-feet-are-getting-bigger/
• http://www.theaveragebody.com/average_foot.php
• http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/why-our-feet-are-getting-bigger-9481529.html
• http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/why-our-feet-are-getting-bigger-9481529.html
• http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jan/01/health/la-he-agingfoot1jan01
• http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=164865
• http://health.cvs.com/GetContent.aspx?token=f75979d3-9c7c-4b16-af56-3e122a3f19e3&chunkiid=14645
• http://www.wikihow.com/Find-Your-Shoe-Size
• http://www.zappos.com/c/shoe-size-conversion
• http://shoes.about.com/od/fitcomfort/a/widenarrowwidth.htm
• http://www.healthyfeetblog.com/shoe-widths-101

Brought to you by Walking on a Cloud | www.walkingonacloud.ca

If the Shoe Fits: Fun Footwear Facts You Didn’t Know (Infographic)

Enrich your mind and sole by reading these interesting shoe facts!

1411_infographic-shoe facts_v2

Share This Infographic On Your Site

Footwear Finances

  • Footwear industry annual revenue: $48 billion
  • How much U.S. consumers spend on shoes: $20 billion

How Shoes Share the Market

  1. Men’s athletic: 20%
  2. Women’s athletic: 10%
  3. Men’s casual: 9%
  4. Women’s casual: 17%
  5. Men’s dress: 6%
  6. Women’s dress: 13%
  7. Other styles: 25%

Interest Facts

  • On average, women buy 469 pairs of shoes spend about $25,000 US dollars on shoes over their lifetime
  • The average woman wore a size 3.5-4 in the beginning of the 20th century. The average increased to 5.5 from the 40s to the 60s. In the 70s, the average size increased to 7.5. Today the average size is 8.5-9. That’s more than an entire size within the last 30 years.
  • Typically, women start wearing heels around the age of 12 and stop wearing them around 63.
  • The man with the world record’s largest feet are 1 foot and 3 inches or 38.1 cm long.
  • The most expensive pair of shoes were the Ruby Slippers worn by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz. They sold for $660,000 U.S. dollars on June 2, 2000.

A Walk Through Shoe History

  • There was no difference between a left and right shoe until the 19th century. All shoes were the same shape.
  • Until the 18th century, there was no difference between mens and womens shoes. The styles were the same.
  • Monarchs dictated the type of shoes that people were allowed to wear:
    • Louis XIV was only 5 feet 5 inches tall, so he made high-heeled shoes for men popular… and required men to wear them.
    • Henry VIII made a law that required shoes to be 6 inches wide because his feet were swollen from Gout and wanted everyone else’s shoes to look the same as his.
    • Sneakers were invented by Keds in 1917. They were called sneakers because of the new invention of rubber soles that were quiet when you walked. People could “sneak” around in them without others hearing them.
    • In the 17th century, the upper class would wear six-inch heels that would require them to have two servants on either side to hold them up.
    • The shoes that Neil Armstrong wore when he walked on the moon are still floating around on the moon. He had to sacrifice his shoes in order to offset the weight of bringing moon rocks back to Earth.<

    Brought to you by Walking on a Cloud | walkingonacloud.ca

    Sources:

    100 Shoes Facts
    http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-facts-about-the-history-shoes.html
    http://www.shoeshistoryfacts.com/shoes-facts/shoes-interesting-information/
    http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2011/10/confirmed-brahim-takioullah-sets-world-record-for-largest-feet/
    Size 8 Is the New 7: Why Our Feet Are Getting Bigger

    Footwear Industry Statistics


    http://www.tsmplug.com/richlist/nike-highest-paid-endorsement-deals/

    Products from Merrell at reduced price!!

    Amazing Products from Merrell at reduced price!!

    The leading comfort footwear retailer Merrell has reduced prices for hundreds of fashionable styles featuring unique comfort technologies to make all-day walking look and feel great. New and amazing products from Merrell in this season’s collections make it easy to go from day wear to nighttime, from the office to outdoor patio parties. Merrell shoe’s have been constantly improving their product quality and durability of all of their products by using high end technology and rigorous testing procedures. Recently they have come out with amazing line of products which comfortably fits in the foot of the fashion and comfort loving women.

    Merrell Agama Black Slate Style # J41153 

    Comfort, style and beauty combine in the Merrell Agama Black Slate.The lining features the Aegis® antimicrobial solution, which will keep your feet cool and dry. Padded insole for all day wear. Hook and loop closure for a secure and adjustable fit. Merrell Rugged Sandal Sole that is durable and slip resistant. Full grain leather upper. Lycra® neoprene lining for an abrasion free environment.

    Merrell Tour Glove Espresso Style # J41123

    They turned out to be the most amazing, supportive, comfortable pair of shoes. Leather rear foot sling provides stability. Integrated microfiber footbed treated with Aegis®, is breathable and supportive. Vibram® Traction Glove Sole is durable, slip resistant, and shock absorbent.

    Merrell Pace Glove Wisteria Style # J57846

    Fused rubber toe bumper provides ultimate durability. Synthetic leather rear foot sling provides stability. Non-removable microfiber footbed treated with Aegis® antimicrobial solution resists odor. 1mm forefoot shock absorption plate maintains forefoot flexibility and protects the foot by distributing pressure. Vibram® Trail Glove Sole with Rubber compound provides shock absorbency and comfort. Comfortable Microfiber and breathable air mesh upper. Merrell Omni-Fit™ lacing system secured with welded TPU provides a precise, glove-like fit.

    Merrell Lorelei Link Orange Style # J57450

    You will love wearing these amazing products from Merrell, which gives you the luxury of great comfort and style.Comfortable casual shoe from Merrell. Removable EVA foot provides cushioning and support. Compression molded EVA foot-frame for stability. Sticky Rubber outsole is durable, slip resistant, and shock absorbent.Pig suede leather and mesh upper for style and comfort. Breathable mesh lining treated with Aegis® antimicrobial solution, will keep your feet cool and dry.

    Merrell Crush Glove Pink Style # J57320

    Strobel construction for increased durability and support. Vibram® Chrysalis Glove and TC1 Rubber outsole, is durable and shock absorbent. Integrated microfiber footbed provides cushioning for all day wear.Comfortable casual shoe from Merrell.Synthetic leather and breathable air mesh upper. Lining treated with Aegis® antimicrobial solution, keeping your feet cool and dry.


    Merrell Cambrian Emme Oyster Style # J85394

    Comfortable casual shoe from Merrell.Vibram® Cambrian Sole/ Sticky Rubber for increased durability and comfort.Waterproof and pig suede upper that is waterproof and durable. Lycra® neoprene lining for increased comfort. Buckle strap at the instep. The lining features Aegis® antimicrobial solution, to help keep your feet cool and dry. The EVA footframe provides support, comfort and stability. Merrell QForm® Comfort midsole provides women’s specific stride-sequenced cushioning. Heel features air cushion which provides shock absorption and increased stability. 

    Introducing Amazing New Products from Cushe

    Introducing Amazing New Products from Cushe!!

    The leading comfort footwear retailer has reduced prices for hundreds of fashionable styles featuring unique comfort technologies to make all-day walking look and feel great. New and amazing products from Cushe in this season’s collections make it easy to go from day wear to nighttime, from the office to outdoor patio parties. Cushe shoe’s have been constantly improving their product quality and durability of all of their products by using high end technology and rigorous testing procedures. Recently they have come out with amazing line of products which comfortably fits in the foot of the fashion and comfort loving women.

    Cushe Boutique Slip Brown Style # UM00273

    Comfort, style and beauty combine in the Cushe Boutique slip brown. Front elastic goring for an easy and secure fit. Anatomical last shape for a natural fit. Ventilated micro fibre mesh will keep your feet cool and dry. Phylon moulded E.V.A. lightweight midsole is interlocked with rubber outsole, will provide shock absorbency and comfort. 


    Cushe Surf S L D Brown Style # UM00777

    Textile lining for comfort and ebrasion free environment. The EVA midsole for enhanced shock absorption. Rubber outsole is durable and slip resistant.They turned out to be the most amazing, supportive, comfortable pair of canvas shoes.

    Cushe Boutique S L Black Style # UM00531

    Lace up closure for a secure and adjustable fit. Anatomical last shape for a natural fit. Ventilated micro fibre mesh will keep your feet cool and dry. Phylon moulded E.V.A. lightweight midsole is interlocked with rubber outsole, will provide shock absorbency and comfort. Cushe Boutique S L Black has a premium leather and suede upper with a canvas counter, a lace up closure, a ventilated microfiber mesh lining, a removable EVA insole with a TPU chassis, and a stitched rubber outsole.


    Cushe Blvd M Slip Black Style # UM00718

    You will love wearing these amazing products from Cushe, which gives you the luxury of great comfort and style.Comfortable casual shoe from Cushe. Premium leather with waxy canvas and felt. Cushe Blvd M Slip Black is a men’s casual shoe, crafted in a supple leather with waxy canvas and felt upper with cross strap details. A canvas lining and a memory foam foot cushioning footbed add comfort and style.

    Great New Line of Products from Merrell

    Introducing Great New Products from Merrell!!

    Merrell shoe’s have been constantly improving their product quality and durability of all of their products by using high end technology and rigorous testing procedures. Recently they have come out with amazing line of products which comfortably fits in the foot of the fashion and comfort loving women.

    Merrell Siren Vent Black Style # J13026

    Breathable mesh lining treated with Aegis® Antimicrobial solution maintains foot comfort. Ortholite® Anatomical Footbed for all day comfort and support. Molded nylon arch shank. Form® Comfort midsole provides women’s specific stride-sequenced cushioning. Merrell Air Cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability. 5mm Sole lug depth. Vibram® Siren Sole/TC5+ Rubber.Merrell Siren Vent Black  are very comfortable shoe wear and give excellent support. You can wear them through bogs, clambering over rocks and just everyday wear and they will be far living up to the product description.

    Merrell Hollyleaf Capri Style # J57962

    Merrell Hollyleaf Capri are well made and last a long time even with regular wear They turned out to be the most amazing, supportive, comfortable pair of sandals. Nubuck leather and nufoam upper. Microfiber wrapped footbed, that is treated with Aegis® antimicrobial solution, for ventilation and comfort. Non slip rubber outsole for shock absorbency.  

    Merrell Encore Lattice Black Style # J57380

    This women’s slip-on features a synthetic leather and air mesh upper with an antimicrobial mesh lining and removable cushioned insole that keep the interior—and your feet feeling very fresh. Synthetic leather and mesh upper. Strobel construction offers flexibility and comfort.  Merrell air cushion in the heel is shock absorbent, and provides stability. Ortholite® anatomical footbed provides cushioning and comfort. Mesh lining treated with Aegis® keep your feet cool and dry. Merrell’s signature QForm® Comfort midsole offers women-specific, stride-sequenced cushioning for energizing support, an arch-supporting nylon shank and a protective air-cushion heel.

    You will love wearing these amazing products from Merrell, which gives you the luxury of great comfort and durability.

    The new Geox Spring 2013 collection has arrived!!

    The new Geox Spring 2013 collection is in stock and ready to be shipped!!! Gorgeous sandals and shoes are in stock and ready to be shipped. The new spring styles feature the Geox breathes® system, which provides increased breathability and comfort.
     

    The Geox Egiziais a beautiful high heeled sandal with an open toe. This stylish and comfortable sandal features patent leather uppers, and is leather lined. The adjustable back strap will give you a more customized fit, while the padded insole will maximize support. 


     

    

     
    The Geox D Floralieis a light weight dress casual shoe, with a 3 inch wedge heel. This fabulous product features comfortable Nappa leather uppers, and soft leather lining. The Floralie features the Geox breathes® system, making this shoe waterproof and breathable.The light rubber outsole is durable and shock absorbent, which will provide all day comfort.
     


    
    

    The Geox D Lola is stylish ballerina flat. Features smooth  perforated leather uppers and a dainty bow at the vamp. The Geox breathes® system will provide refreshing air circulation for those hot summer days, while the padded insole will provide cushioning for all day comfort. The rubber outsole expels foot moisture through micro holes, and the breathable membrane keeps your feet dry.

     

    

    The Geox D Yukiis a beautiful moccasin, with Nubuck leather uppers. The supportive footbed and the durable rubber outsole will maximize support, for those long summer walks. The D Yuki is leather lined, and features the Geox breathes® system, which will provide waterproofing and breathability.

     

    ADIPRENE by Addidas technology featured in many Rockport shoes that are on SALE!!!

    The Rockport Sale is on!! Save up to 50 percent on selected styles. The ADIPRENE® by Addidas technology is featured in many of the new Rockport styles for Fall/Winter 2012. The ADIPRENE® technology provides shock absorbent cushioning, and the ADIPRENE+® provides forefront support to maximize comfort all day long!!
    TRU WALK – features leather and suede uppers that are durable and easy to clean. The ADIPRENE+® by Addidas technology will provide forefoot support, while the ADIPRENE by Addidas will provide shock absorbent cushioning to protect the heel. This lightweight casual shoe features EVA cushioning that will reduce foot and leg fatigue, and the truWALK architecture allows heel to toe foot motion.
    The Rockport Zana is a supportive walking shoe that is machine washable. The Zana features the ADIPRENE technology, which will provide support and shock absorbency all day. The fabric lining will keep your cool and dry, and the lace up closure will give you a customized fit. The lightweight rubber outsole is shock absorbent and slip resistant on a variety of different surfaces.

     
    The Lianna Quilt is a beautiful dress shoe with a stylish buckle detail. The leather uppers are comfortable and easy to clean. The Lianna features the ADIPRENE® technology for shock absorbent cushioning, and increased support.
    For Men the Rockport Waldron Ledge is a casual slip-on that features soft leather uppers, which are durable and easy to clean. The Rockport Waldron features two elastic gores for an easy and comfortable fit. The textile lining will keep your feet cool and dry, and the durable rubber outsole is shock absorbent and slip resistant.

    The Rockport Northam boot features the Hydro-Shield technology, which will provide a waterproof barrier.  Made with full grain leather uppers, and a padded tongue that will prevent blisters, the Northam is a great choice.  The EVA outsole will provide excellent grip on a variety of different surfaces, and the latex kinetic insole will provide comfort and support all day.
    Get these great styles while they last at Walking On A Cloud!!!

    Sorel Boots have arrived!!

    The new Sorel boots have arrived. Sorel boots were founded in 1962 in Canada, and have provided warmth and comfort to millions of people ever since.Sorel combines felt, wool, premium leather, and superior construction, making these boots a must have every winter. Some of the amazing styles for the 2012-2013 winter season are the Joan of Arctic, Tivoli High, Cate the Great, and Winter Carnival.
    Joan of Arctic: Made with comfortable leather and suede.This fabulous product is completely waterproof. The Seam sealed construction will keep your feet dry all day long. The rubber outsole is slip resistant and shock absorbent. Sorel rated for -25 degrees Fahrenheit.
    Tivoli High: A beautiful and comfortable boot that is new for winter 2012-2013.The waterproof rubber and leather uppers will provide maximum protection, while the fleece lining will keep your feet warm in harsh winter conditions. Feel free to walk all day with the slip resistant rubber outsole.


    Cate the Great: Beautiful winter boot with a 14 inch shaft. Soft and comfortable suede uppers. The slip resistant rubber outsole provides great traction, and is shock absorbent. The seam sealed water proof construction, will keep your feet dry.The lace up closure will allow a customized fit.This boot features a removable 6mm recycled felt inner boot, providing warmth all day long.
     
    Winter Carnival: Another super comfortable boot from Sorel. The Winter Carnival features a removable 6mm recycled felt inner boot, which will provide warmth and comfort. The seam sealed waterproof construction will keep your feet dry during those wet winter days.

    New Winter Boots!!!

    Warm up this winter, as new winter boots are arriving daily from Merrell, Ecco, Clarks and many others.
    The Women’s Frost Glove from Merrell is made with Fleece lining, which will provide warmth all day. The comfortable fabric uppers are durable and waterproof, keeping your feet dry and comfortable. The vibram outsole is slip resistant, which will allow you to walk securely, during those wet winter days.  This beautiful boot is also available in Charcoal and Burgundy. 
    If you are looking for a boot that can handle extreme winter conditions, the Merrell Winter Belle is for you.  The suede and nylon uppers are waterproof, and the lace-up closure is great for a customized fit. The fleece lining features 200 grams of Merrell Opti-Warm insulation, which will keep your feet warm in up to -15C.

    From Ecco the Hobart is an equestrian inspired boot that is made of beautiful and soft leather. The Ecco Hobart features a full length side zipper, while the three adjustable buckles will provide a secure fit on the shaft. The textile lining and leather sockliner will keep your feet cool and dry all day long. Do not worry about slipping on those cold wet surfaces, with the durable and slip resistant rubber outsole. 
    For Men the Clarks Ruckus Maker is a comfortable walking boot. The laces will provide an adjustable and secure fit. The Ruckus Maker features soft leather uppers that are waterproof, while the OrthoLite footbed will provide comfort and support. Feel secure and safe while walking in the Rucks Maker, which features a slip resistant rubber outsole.  
    The Clarks Quantock for Men is made of premium leather uppers. This fabulous product features GOR-TEX technology, which will provide durable waterproof protection. The padded molded insole will provide comfort all day, while the rubber outsole provides great traction and shock absorbency.