Start your search for 2009 Athletic & Outdoor Shoes

Grab your Hiking Shoes!

They say that the journey is always far better than the destination. People take a walk not because they have to, but because they want to; and hiking is one recreational activity that involves walking. People may have reasons of their own for taking whatever journey they wish to; but once they grab their hiking shoes, their reasons are most likely one of the following:

Mountaineering, rock climbing, para gliding, camping, and many other outdoor activities start with hiking and they all require hiking! And since it is an all-year activity, you will not regret getting some quality hiking shoes – ones that you can use during the winter, spring, autumn, and even under the summer heat! You'll even have more fun once you hike under different conditions since it's more daring and appealing.


It is never difficult to begin with hiking because you do not really need any high tech equipment. The usual clothing worn outdoors, sturdy pair of hiking shoes, and a backpack are enough to for you to begin with the activity. As for the walking skills, it will not cause you any trouble because it is something you've been doing since you were a child. To make it much easier, there are more defined and unscathed trails for you to walk through. Simply put, it is something that will let you progress in your own skills and knowledge. All the remaining things are down to learning hunting, mountaineering, navigational skills, and survival!

Hiking is also a great way to look into nature and to give your body an exercise at the same time so your physical condition can get better. An efficient workout on your hiking shoes as you transport yourself back to nature – what else can be better than that? Since walking has always been regular fitness routine for most people, how about adding some spice to it by doing it in the woods, forests, deserts, mountains, and even in the beach!

Clearly, hiking is a indeed a good way of putting away stress in your every day life. Test your own capabilities on those hiking shoes; but remember that in every journey, it is always better to have some good friends you can walk along with to make the walk a little more fun!

view more......

Great Mephisto Shoes for Every Season

One of the advantages to living in an area with fluctuations in temperature and extreme weather is the amount of style options this provides. Flip-flops in the summer, boots in the winter, new sneakers in the spring, the opportunities are seemingly endless. Regardless of the season however, Mephisto shoes is a brand to keep in mind. Mephisto effortlessly pairs function with fashion. Also, because every Mephisto shoe is handmade with the highest standard of excellence, you do not have to compromise quality and comfort for style. Keep reading to learn about Mephisto shoes for every season.
Mephisto Summer Shoes
Summer is all about being outside and having fun in the sun. Mephisto shoes are ready to deliver comfort and support for all your summer activities. Open-toed sandals like the Allrounder and Imka are stylish, sporty and lightweight. They are ideal for trips to the beach or a day out at the park. With both slip-on and strap-on designs, Mephisto sandals let you express your personal style while providing exceptional comfort. Few brands can boast similar elements, and provide so many options to choose from.
Mephisto also offers a number of other lightweight, breathable shoes that are perfect for warm weather, like the Imelda and Hadrine. These toe thongs offer excellent support and shock absorption, all while keeping your feet cool and comfortable. Whether you are basking in the sun, or diving for the volleyball, Mephisto has a summer shoe to fit your needs.
Mephisto Autumn Shoes
When autumn rolls around, Mephisto still has you covered with lightweight but functional hiking boots. Whether you are taking long walks admiring the changing leaves and cool temperatures, or are enjoying a bit of autumn camping, you can make the most of the season with Mephisto Camper Allrounders. Their outstanding ankle support and rugged soles help you keep your footing on casual day hikes, or challenging nature excursions.
Although tough and rugged enough for outdoor activities of all kinds, Mephisto offers a wide range of fall dress shoes, like the Mephisto Abel and the Ibolya, which are perfect for business or formal occasions. Unlike most dress shoes, Mephistos feature cushioned footbeds and slip-resistant soles, all in chic and durable designs. This is another example of how by wearing Mephisto shoes you can express your individual style and be comfortable as well.
Mephisto Winter Shoes
In many regions of the United States, winter brings snow, ice and freezing temperatures. No matter how much snow is on the ground, Mephisto shoes keep your feet warm and dry. With winter boots like the Mistral or Namera Allrounder, you get the perfect amount of plush padding and support to keep you comfortable during all your outdoor activities. The Allrounder’s special heel stabilizers and lugged outsoles allow for extra traction and grip in wet or icy conditions. So whether you are shoveling the driveway, shoveling out your car, walking to the office or building a snowman with the kids, Mephisto keeps you warm in style. With unparalleled protection from the cold, and a commitment to quality, these boots are winter weather essentials.
Mephisto Spring Shoes
April showers might bring May flowers, but with Mephisto shoes, there is a good chance you will barely notice the rain. Most other shoemakers’ waterproof options are limited to unstylish, clunky rubber boots. But Mephisto offers the First and Runner series of athletic shoes. With these sleek, waterproof shoes, there is no need to worry about getting caught in a sudden spring downpour. Also, the superior arch support and shock absorption are sure to put the spring back in your step.
In addition to protecting your feet from outside moisture, many Mephisto shoes also provide exceptional ventilation to control sweat. Mephisto’s special Air Jet system directs air through the entire shoe with each step, letting you make the most of your favorite spring activities in comfort and style.
Mephisto Shoes for the Entire Year
Mephisto delivers quality and style for every season. Most Mephisto shoes can be worn throughout the year, letting you enjoy the comfort that only a truly well made shoe can provide.
Mephisto shoes are made with only the finest materials, such as top grain leather and all-natural rubber, cork and latex. High-quality construction standards ensure lasting durability; so there is no need to worry about split seams or other wear that results from poor construction.
Since 1965, Mephisto’s master shoemakers have been using time-honored traditions to handcraft the finishings on every single shoe. Also, Mephisto’s innovative designs give you the style that you crave, with the support and protection that keep you walking, running or playing in comfort throughout each season of the year.

view more......

Hiking Shoes - Light And Cheap

A dozen years ago I went from using hiking boots to lightweight hiking shoes. It was a part of my move from mainstream backpacking to lightweight or "ultralight backpacking." I stopped getting blisters and have perhaps one or two in the years since.

Apart from keeping things light, another important goal of mine was to spend less money for clothing and equipment. The change to shoes fit into that plan. Here are some of the ways to keep your hiking shoes both light and cheap.

Buy Closeouts

For longer hikes and backpacking trips I like to have high-quality shoes. Generally I use good running shoes that weigh a pound or less each. If they list the weights, I buy them through catalogs or online. Otherwise I can tell by lifting the shoes in the local shoe store if they are in my weight range. If you shop in traditional stores, you could also bring a small kitchen scale to check weights.

Of course, many of the best running shoes cost $80 or even $100. I don't like to spend that much on shoes ever, so I buy closeouts. For some reason, people apparently want the latest fashion. There is no difference in performance as far as I can see or feel, but thanks to this fashion-conscious market last years styles are hard to sell, and so are discounted steeply. I have bought $85 running shoes for as little as $25 in this way.

The Sierra Trading Post catalog is a good one to check for these deals. I won't mention specific brands that are light or cheap because these change so frequently. Check online, get a few catalogs sent to you, and you'll find some deals.

Buy Low Quality

My second strategy for keeping my hiking shoes light and cheap is to go to Wal-Mart or Kmart or other places which sell shoes inexpensively. The lowest cost shoes I use at the moment (2009) are $10 at Wal-Mart. They are definitely low quality, but only in terms of materials and longevity. In actual use, they grip better than any expensive shoes when I am hiking in rocky territory where I like to climb around a bit.

The key with these cheap hiking shoes is to use them only for short backpacking trips and hikes that don't take you too far into the wilderness. I once used a $7 pair of shoes on a week-long 110-mile trip in the Rockies, and I almost regretted it. They came close to falling apart after seven days of rough terrain.

I have to say, though, that they were very comfortable, light, and required no "breaking in." I would use such hiking shoes again, but limit them to trips of about three days or less. I might also carry some duct tape just in case repairs were needed.

So shop those closeout sales for quality running shoes (they still seem better to me than those specifically called hiking shoes). Or buy the cheapest comfortable shoes
you can find for shorter hikes. And bring a scale to the store with you. That's how you keep it light and cheap.

view more......

Women's Travel Shoes - Making the Right Choice

When the idea for this article was originally conceived, my purpose was to do some research and then give practical advice on the best shoes to buy and wear while traveling. Shoes seemed like a relevant topic as even an experienced traveler such my girl friend admits “I take too many pairs of shoes with me when I travel and even then I sometimes don’t have the right pair.” I found, not only are shoes a relevant topic for women travelers, shoes are an interesting topic period–a search on shoe topics on the Internet led to me to their history, fascinating facts and photos of a lot of great looking shoes.
So, while I did locate some solid advice on choosing comfortable shoes for traveling (see below), I felt compelled, almost obsessed it seemed, to continue delving into the topic of shoes. Below is only some of what my research revealed.
Some Shoe Facts
• The average American woman owns 30 pairs of shoes–the average male 4.
• 8 1/2 to 9 is the size the average American woman wears.
• 35% of U.S. women wear larger than a size 9 (including celebrity Paris Hilton who cruises around in size 11).
• A recent study in Britain revealed that 4 in 10 women have bought shoes which they have never worn. This translates into over $130 million (U.S. dollars) in unworn shoes (the article was written by a man).
Some Shoe History
• Scientists speculate the first shoes were made from animal skins during the Ice Age to protect feet.
• The biggest find of shoes from prehistory belonged to Native Americans in Missouri and date back to 8000 BC.
• By the time of the ancient Egyptians, shoes, in the form of sandals, became more than just foot protection and were used to display wealth and power.
• Marie Antoinette had 500 pairs of shoes. One servant’s sole job was to catalog her shoes by color, date and style.
• At least 6 pairs of ruby slippers were made for the film the Wizard of Oz, 4 of which survive today. One pair is on display at the Smithsonian and another pair sold at a Christie’s auction for $165,000.
What did I conclude from this widely jumbled assortment of information? First, the Internet can be a fathomless depth and I need to learn when to back away from the computer. Second, despite how often the word “obsession” occurred during my Internet research on women and shoes, the topic will always fascinate me.
Choosing the Right Shoes to Wear While Traveling
Feet endure tremendous pressures during daily living. An average day of walking brings a force equal to several hundred tons to your feet. During a trip you’ll be on your feet and walking even more than usual. The success of your trip could depend on having a comfortable pair of shoes. Unless you’re going hiking on poorly maintained trails in the wilderness, walking or running shoes are best. In this case, Timberland shoes are much better to wear than Prada shoes and Gucci shoes. Below are some tips from the American Podiatric Medical Association for buying the right shoes and getting the best fit.
• It sounds elementary, but be sure the widest part of your foot corresponds to the widest part of the shoe. Be sure that shoes fit well–front, back, and sides–to distribute weight.
• Shop for shoes later in the day; feet tend to swell during the day, and it’s best to be fitted while they are in that state.
• Try on shoes while you’re wearing the same type of socks
you expect to wear with the shoes.
• Don’t rely on the size of your last pair of shoes. Your feet do get larger and sizes vary.
• Have your feet measured while you’re standing.
• Always buy for the larger foot; feet are seldom precisely the same size.
• Always try on both shoes, and walk around the store.
• Don’t buy shoes that need a “break-in” period; shoes should be comfortable immediately.
Don’t Forget the Socks
Your choice of socks is also important. Sports podiatrists frequently recommend padded socks of acrylic fiber. Acrylic fibers tend to “wick” away excessive perspiration, which active feet can produce from 250,000 sweat glands at a rate of four to six ounces a day, or even more (yuk).

view more......

How Can Man Shoes Help Your Day To Day Activities

Man likes to do different kind of activities, beside their routine work. Therefore they usually need different shoes to help them. What kind of shoes available in the market that can help them? So many! In fact man's shoes style and design are almost as much as women's shoes.

You may find man's shoes distinction as formal and casual. Well, formal and casual shoes are only two among several designs of man's shoes. Let say you go to work with leather shoes
and change your attire in the afternoon to have exercise and wear your sport shoes. After that you probably wear dress shoes to attend dinner party. Indeed, for every activity you usually wear different shoes.

Here is some more information about man shoes designs:

Athletic shoes, boots, casual, dress shoes, sandals, and trend shoes are actually the top man's shoes categories. Talking about athletic shoes, what you wear mostly for sport is included here. Basketball shoes, running shoes, and hiking shoes are the examples of athletic shoes. The second category, boots, make your days more vivacious. Ankle boots, one of the designs, certainly make you look more stylish than you used to be.

Meanwhile, man's casual shoes combine styles from other designs, which make them more varied. Thus, you will probably choose them more often than the others, since casual shoes are perfect options for various occasions.

Elegant, well-designed dress shoes are definitely precise for businessmen. The smooth leather fabric it is usually made of will absolutely make your look more fashionable as they will suit your needs. The combination of wonderful comfort, smooth style, and quality of dress shoes make this category one of the favorites too.

Just like women, men can also stay relaxed and feel comfy by wearing sandals! Just let your feet "take a breath" after wearing closed attire for the whole day. Sandals also offer various designs, ranging from one band slide style, thong style, fisherman sandals, and many more. Just take the pairs that suit your taste and enjoy your time with comfy sandals.

Last but not least, trend shoes are definitely those that attract people so much, the updated models. So now, which one you're going to buy? Lots of man shoes brand names are ready to be picked up. Famous branded designs shoes are waiting for you. Just take one day shopping and enjoy your days with your new stylish look for different activities!

view more......

Buying the good set of Winter Hiking Boots

A good set of hiking boots can turn any trek a wondrous outdoor adventure instead of a foot-blistering nightmare, however in the winter you have more to worry about than just foot blisters. Cold conditions can easily turn any surface into a deadly and dangerous icy path, or terrain, which is why you need to take a few things into consideration when choosing the best winter hiking boots.

Given below are some suggestions on how to go about it

A Good Winter Hiking Boots

Keep off very flat surfaces and make certain that the winter hiking footwear chosen has a strong footing. Secure footing provided by your footwear is essential as you might easily slip and get injured.

Any suspicion that your hiking shoes may not maintain its traction due to the accumulation of ice or snow within it needs to be addressed through spike chains that you can fix onto your shoes and this will help your shoes sustain their traction.

Warmth - Obviously in the winter, your feet can get cold easily, especially if you are trekking in deeper snow, so you want to ensure that you get some very warm boots, so that they can handle the lowest temperatures which you will be walking in. You should also consider using thicker socks, such as wool socks, to help keep your feet warm, and also because theses socks tend to be longer, which means they will go up past where the boot ends, thus keeping the cold air from entering into your boots.

Make sure that you purchase winter hiking footwear that is waterproof so that you do not face the specter of having to walk around with water in your footwear formed due to the ice melting on the outside of your footwear. That is why you should always get waterproof boots for winter hiking, so that you do not risk this.

You can try Gore-Tex liners, if you often have sweaty feet, because they are water proof, but they also allow sweat and excess moisture to escape from your boots, and they are often found to be in the best quality footwear.

view more......

Adidas "Gazelle", the perfect combination of style, comfort and durability

Adidas company was founded in 1925 in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Adolf Dassler for the production of sports shoes. Son, that every athlete with the best equipment possible. Adidas manufactures footwear and other devices, such as the need for players and athletes to enhance their productivity with the help of Adidas sports shoes and equipment. Adidas, with the introduction of shoes for athletes, and remains the main product for which the company is known today. Catering to the demand for sporting fraternity round Adidas Adidas "Gazelle training in 1968, which is a simple, flat, soft leather soles. Adidas" Gazelle "quickly attracted the attention of many players because of its remarkable cushioning and comfort.

Players in the game such as football and sport Adidas Gazelle quickly for them to beat his unique style and flare. Adidas "Gazelle" for sale is the highest among all manufacturers of shoes Adidas shoes, which are still produced. This shoe has a special meaning, that is all Adidas Gazelle shoes, all three lanes from the tip of the sole. The huge popularity of Adidas "Gazelle" was forced to order these shoes in various designs, such as Men's Gazelle II Mens suede leather Gazelle, Gazelle Vintage Gazelle sneakers inside, women and children Gazelle Gazelle ". Adidas" Gazelle "shoe is a series of three strips of cables in one sense of the Adidas Gazelle.

This versatile trainer Adidas was made quickly, and prefer many shoes as temporary and the reason for its popularity is the simple design and the comfort of his own. Adidas "Gazelle" is an elegant, fast, what sense of the breath of fresh air to the feet. This is purely an interpreter shoes built around the cooling rate for the entire foot through the rapid heat dissipation. Adidas Gazelle hat bessere Belüftung und Mitte-Fuß-Unterstützung bietet Schutz vor den schädlichen Auswirkungen des starken Kräfte. Since this is the classic silhouette of the Adidas "Gazelle", the company, this new model shoes. Current Adidas "Gazelle" is similar to the original design and a great future. Some features of the latest Adidas Gazelle include:

• Convenient one foot
• Upper suede and leather looks class
• Itemized gold shoes
• Connecting cutting zigzag striped skin

view more......

Footwear Design

Of course, the science of sport shoe design is far from accurate. For Inst
TION, the current emphasis is on foot pronation clients. Other possible causes
Injuries, such as foot, ankle, knee and hip movements in three dimensions
largely ignored. In addition, footwear design is based almost exclusively on
theoretical models postulate that the load, and the fact that
Human Anatomy in the process of adapting to this pollution are the main reasons for the performance
Injuries. This follows from the information provided by the manufacturer that their
Excessive pronation shoes right to regain control of the hindfoot, offer
Upper arch support or the hardening effect. These shoes do not change
impact during locomotion, serious doubts about the
Attenuation of the philosophy that the foundation for all the footwear design.

Studies Robbins et al (1988) showed that only one in the leg nude
demonstrates the strong plantar surface of the reaction
Planting in soil in relation to the load and the risk of damage
Overloading during locomotion. Their work also showed that this response
There was no clear distinction between the subjects who always wear shoes, especially at very
Shocks shoes worn in the drivers as a whole. They concluded that
Protective responses in order to prevent injuries by reducing the rigidity of the system,
Reducing the maximum impact force in the leg. Lack of protection
The reaction of users in the shoes, apparently because of reduced plantar sensory
Information, possibly in conjunction with mechanical intervention in the arch strain
through the laces, heel counters and arch support (Robbins et al, 1988). It
it seems that a movement without shoes
daily to the sensitivity of plantar reflex camera protection
and that less attention should be focused on the development of passive
Shocks or changes in pronation shoes.

Little has been done on the lower limb injuries in conjunction with anthropometric
Factors such as bodymass, height or length of limbs or other factors, including
The level of skill, intensity of movement, distribution of muscle fibers,
EMG activity of the structures, processes, feedback, or bone density. No studies
examined aerobic or cross training shoes with the degree
The severity and not entirely satisfactory, in three dimensions
Studies on physical factors that influence the efficiency of the whole body
The movement from start to finish action on the locomotor system, especially
on the optimal design of each shoe.

Regardless of how well the shoes to the proper use of
different movements. The user should bear in mind that if the shoes
proprioceptive and tactile sensitivity to the surface on which
used.

Another consideration is also worthy of attention. Force shoes are
Delays in the transfer because of its unique shock-absorbing path
Foot. Given the positive response of support (see 3.5.3), which usually
works very well in bare feet too strong reflection of the expansion
in the legs and body for rapid stabilization of the delay
cybernetic control and correction of dangerous movements when it is loaded.
In particular, the use of the site pre-mission to the surface in
Only the legs, the position of the party
(Guyton, 1984), so that the geometry of the shoe may not be enough
Changes in the structure of a set of muscles of lower limbs.

In contrast, the use of bare feet on a very high-density chip foam mats
middle-class fitness stores proprioceptive efficiency, reduce
The center of gravity of the body, and, unlike shoes, not to increase the leverage
Arm length of the coordinator of the heel to ankle joint, so
Reduced moments of violence in all joints of the lower extremities.

view more......

SHOES AND SECURITY

Shoe manufacturers athletes believe that the key to solving
Most sports injuries is the use of expensive shoes. Diseases such as
Shin splints, Iliotibial band syndrome, and pain caused by peripatellar
Among other things, charging excessive tact limbs, pronation and supination.

Research, however, shows that fewer accidents occur in those who use
Thin-shoes shoes and sports shoes to the current may even be harmful
(Robbins et al, 1988). Paradoxical observation is much less of
Injuries barefoot in the management of population means that modern
Footwear is likely to cause damage, which usually does not happen without
Using (Robbins, and Hanna, 1987). In addition, the slipper seems to be
associated with fewer violations of the fitness class of the so-called aerobic
Shoes ". Nigg (1986) reported that in the mat that absorbs shock, then
The difference in the heel strike force is minimal among barefoot, shock trousers and shoes with.
Footwear Shoes shoes and thin. Nigg also notes that the use of shoes
As a rule, increases the tendency for the legs PRONAT, especially if
Impact force lower.

In addition, some studies have shown that there is no correlation between
Number of shoes and the mitigate the impact of receiving shoes during movement
(Robbins et al, 1988, Clark et al, 1982). In addition, epidemiological
Studies have not provided evidence that in the modern world athletics
Footwear supports protection against injuries to lower extremities (Caspersen
et al, 1984, Powell et al, 1986). Thus, it appears that the security
lower extremities is not simply a consequence of the right shoes, but
Education around the body effectively and with a certain type of
Shoes.

view more......

  © Blogger templates The Professional Template by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009, Modified by FotonVideo.com

Back to TOP