Shoes Of The Day

No more concealed, restricted and easily-punctured air.

Hello open air!

Hello Nike Shox!

My new shoes…of the day: Nike Shox Turbo V+

When you see “turbo” on a motor vehicular, it means it’s fast. Well, so are these shoes. Wish you could have seen me running up and down the isles at the shoe store testing the turbo on these hot-rods. Faster than fast, quicker than quick, I am lightning! Videos to come. Standby. And, Action!

August 24th, 2007. I was wearing my Nike Air Max 360’s and noticed something unusual with my shoes (a feeling similar to getting a flat tire in your car) the midsole had detached from the upper.

I immediately went online to Nike.com. Here is my journey through the return of the Nike. I hope this is helpful if you ever have to return a pair of Nike shoes. I obtained the original email that I sent and what I received from Nike and have included it below.

My email dated: 8/25/2007 04:59 PM “I received this pair of silver/green Nike 2006 air max 360’s under a year ago as a gift. I liked them so much that I purchased another pair, this time red and dark gray. I just noticed (yesterday) that the midsole is detaching from the shoe upper! I thought I was seeing things as they cost $160.00 and as they still have plenty of wear and are in great condition. I would be happy to submit a picture of the detaching sole at your request. As they were given to me, I don’t know where to return them. What would you recommend?
Thanks in advance.”

I received a response from Nike the following day and have included the response dated 08/26/2007 06:45 PM. “Thank you for contacting Nike regarding your Air Max 360’s.

I am very sorry to hear about the problem you have experienced with your shoes, the soles detaching from the shoe. I would like you to know that Nike stands behind its products for material or manufacturing flaws.

I recommend that you first try to return or exchange your product at the place of purchase. If you have already tried this, or it is not an option for you, please review our return guidelines at http://www.nike.com/nikebiz/nikebiz.jhtml?page=40.

Then, to receive specific return instructions and a claim number, please contact our automated system at 1-800-344-6453, and choose option 3 for returns.

We appreciate your business. Thank you for using Nike products and services. Should you have additional questions or concerns, please reply to this e-mail.

Sincerely,

Sabrina
Nike”

In the phone message, Nike mentions that they will either send you a replacement of equal value, or send you a gift certificate to be used at the Nike.com store — that is if the package arrives in satisfactory condition meeting all of their stringent return requirements.

Below are the Steps for returning shoes to Nike :

1. You can only return shoes that are under 1 year old.
2. Contact Nike.com customer support. The link is at the bottom of the page.
3. Call the 800 number they provide via email.
4. Obtain a “claim number”
5. Pack-up your shoes (I used a shoe box from USPS)
6. Label the box. MAKE SURE to include your return address and the claim number on the outside of the shoe box on the c/o line.
7. Ship the package. Don’t forget to insure it and get delivery confirmation.
8. Wait for a response. Hope for a replacement or gift certificate. Worst case scenario, you could get your old shoes back.

I was pleasantly surprised to find in the mail box today a letter from Nike - with a nice little gift certificate to be used only at Nike.com. Are these incredibly comfortable shoes? Yes. Will I buy these shoes again? Maybe. Was I pleased with the outcome and how Nike handled this case? Yes.

Oh, right…the shoes of the day: my former Nike Air Max 360’s

I am going shopping, thanks Sabrina! Oh, and Happy B-day pappa “O”

Walking was never better exercise than in these innovative sneakers from Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT). Smooth leather and mesh upper in an athletic technical walking style with layered toe overlays side stripes and MBT logo heel overlay. Full lace up front with quick pull lace loops padded tongue and collar soft fabric lining and cushioning anti-bacterial insole. Masai Barefoot Technology(R) simulates barefoot walking for improved gait and fitness. Shock absorbing midsole traction patterned sole. Includes DVD.

Swiss engineer Karl Muller developed and patented a unique sole construction that activates muscle groups need to coordinate and stabilize the body when walking or standing. Masai Barefoot Technology creates a natural soft surface underneath the feet, so that every little step step you take acts like a tiny fitness exercise. Even standing has a training effect on the muscles, stabilizing your entire musculoskeletal system. One MBT wearer says “There is only one word to describe my MBT footwear: Fantastic!” I must admit, when I put them on my feet for a test drive, I truly felt more coordinated until I looked in the mirror and couldn’t stop staring at the rocking chair foot bed.

MBT offers help for: 1. Back, hip leg, foot, joint, muscle, ligament and tendon injuries. 2. Reduces stress on the knee and hip joints. 3. Activates neglected muscules. 4. Tones and shapes the body. 5. Improves posture and gait.

If you want a shoe that is comfortable for walking and standing, this is your shoe. If you want a shoe that will impresses the opposite sex under the age of 52 - then, this is nacho shoe.

Get comfortable in your rocker, these shoes start at $244.99 “But wait, thats not all - if you order right now, they will also include this incredible walk, wear and stand MBT DVD.” You know a pair of shoes is 100% for-real when it comes with a digital manual. Hey, think of it this way, these could save you 10 to 12 co-pays at your chiropractor’s office.

Enjoy the shoes of the day: The Men’s Sport Masai Barefoot Technology. Yes, they come in Betty flavors too!

Welcome back to 1987! Polo shirt, braided belt, pegged pants and the shoes of the day: Sperry Top-Siders. Great Scott Marty!

One Sperry owner writes, “I have worn out countless pairs of these shoes. The soft, pliable leather fits like a glove.” Remember, you can find your shoes that fit like a glove here.

Welcome back, Sperry. We’ve missed you.

I am going to get a brown smoothie and then go back to hang-out in the commons.

Super Fun. Super Funk. Super-funk-tional. That is what you will read when you go to the Sanuk main website - that’s clever folks! One of our readers recommended and requested that I include another winter flip-flop for your consideration and viewing play-sure!

Our shoes of the day reader had this to say about his Sanuks:

Pros: Easy on easy off. They stay on when you need them on, and they stay off when you need them…off….wait a second. Toss them in the washer when they need some cleaning. Then trow them in the dryer. However, we don’t recommend a warm iron, the wrinkles are cool. They are comfortable. You can get away wearing them in formal settings — yeah, that’s right they look good with slacks too.

Cons: Your feet get sweaty the first week of wear, and your shoes start to stink. That’s about it. No worries, wash them and they are okay.

Our reader reports, “there are no real Cons, they are stinking amazing.” I must also write that this particular reader purchased four pairs of them.

If they start to grow hair, contact animal control immediately. Thanks c-the-man for submitting the Sanuk, Men’s Vagabond, the shoes of the day.

Don’t worry Bettys, they have some for you too!

Sanuk - Women’s Donna

Happy walking, wearing, wading, washing and wahrunning.

The Chuck Taylor All-Stars were first produced by Converse in 1917, that is 5 years after the sinking of the Titanic for all you DiCaprio lovers. “I’m the King of the World!” Chuck thought the same thing, when he made the canvas and rubber-soled shoes his preferred shoe of choice by putting his stamp of approval on its ankle patch and in the history books as the most successful shoe of all time.

Think of the demographic that has enjoyed these shoes through the years: The basketball players, the skaters, the punk-rockers, sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies - they all adore them. They think these are righteous shoes.

The perfect shoe for all…no, for fall! They even come in “Harvest Pumpkin.” Go ahead Bettys, I’ll say it with you; “Oh, cute.”

Enjoy the shoes of the day: Converse Men’s, Betty’s and Chillin’s All-Star Ox, I mean Oxen. These Converse are Oxen!

Can you name a pair of shoes that is over 90 years old, that you can still buy new?

How many pairs have you had? Me? Thanks for asking, I have personally owned 5 pairs, including Pink.

My new winter flip-flops arrived in the mail today! The best part about these shoes is that all my toes are covered, and I dont have something in between my first and second toe! The supple corduroy, moc style upper is soft and stylish. Yes, they are filled with “faux sheep shearing” to keep your feet toasty-warm. They are light and comfortable and would remind you of the shoes your Dad used to wear when he would read the Sunday morning news paper, but much cooler…no, warmer…no, yes they’re awesome!

From wave surfing to channel surfing these skate style slip-ons are the perfect shoe for comfort, warmth and STYLE. Impress the Bettys and look good checking the Surf at home or on the beach with the indoor/outdoor sole!

The shoes of the day - Men’s QuikSilver Surf Check, because there is always plenty of surf to check…especially here in the “P-Town.”

I’m not taking the day off today! I laboriously climbed a massive mountain on my pedal bike, cooled off while wake boarding at the local the lake, and then feed my face at the highly controversial burger joint. (Yeah, I felt okay about it - after all, I exercised!) No, I didnt wear any white shoes today. Really, who made up the rule that you can only wear white shoes between Memorial Day and Labor Daybor — I read something about a Canadian delivering…. a….budget, or something…speaking of Canadians, if you want to find some classic, classy Canadian shoes - I know one Canadian who wears these ReeBoks. Yes, I really do. Reebok, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right? I think thats the reason why this shoe has been in circulation for 35 years - or on the shelves for that long.

The shoes of the day, especially for you Foozitao.

By the way — this rule is only for the Betty’s – “White tennis shoes and off-white boots seem exempt”

What do you think? No white shoes until May, could you do it?

Remember those hot socks in the early eighties? Yes, you nailed it; the rainbow, toe-filling delights? Well, guess what? I just found some that someone has turned into shoes! Except I can’t find them in rainbow color. Right, maybe that’s a good thing! I must admit at first glance, these toe-full shoes are a touch on the freaky side. I can hear it now, “Whoa, are all of your toes in there?” I would like to get a pair, but I must admit that I suffer from the “my-second-toe-is-longer-than-my-big-toe-coolness.” I wonder if Vibram has extended toe sleeves for my “special” toe? If so, done and done. But then I think, would I really like people staring at my feet that much? “Um, sir..what is wrong with your feee…um…those…those are shoes?”

I love to snow ski, and you know how hard it is to try to successfully put your lift ticket on with out any wrinkles or simply buckle your boots with leverage-less mittens! Come on, it is hard to do things with your five fingers when they are bundled together in a mitten! Imagine what your toes can do now, now that they are FREE! This little piggy must be stoked that it doesn’t have to share the same cramped space as the little piggy who ate roast beef. “Phew, I am glad that stench is gone!”

I love the description on the Vibram site:

• Step 1 Place FiveFingers flat on the floor. Whoa, my hands or my feet?
• Step 2 Hold heel tab and insert foot while aligning your toes with the five toe pockets. Wait, what about my FiveFingers that are flat on the floor? Wait, I see where they are going with this, I see where they are going now!
• Step 3 Inch each toe into the appropriate pocket, make sure you have only one toe in each pocket before pulling up the heel. Appropriate pocket? Yeah, no doubt, that would hurt!
• Step 4 Gently tighten the elastic cord for added security. Pulling the cord too tightly could cause discomfort. Yeah, ya think?
• + If you plan to use your FiveFingers for activities involving swift water or deep mud, you may want to consider the Sprint or Surge models for a more secure fit during those activities.

This evening I went rafting down the beautiful P-Town river. Yes, the same river not far up the road from the Cirque Lodge, where Lindsay Lohan is rehabbing. The white water wasn’t too cold. However, I think my toes would have been warmer if they were individually insulated.

Tell me what you think about these shoes? Or comment about me floating the same river that Lindsay just rafted. Man, rehab must be rough. Day 1: Rafting in a river. Day 2: Zoo! Day 3: Helicopter rides. Day 4: Bike rides. Day 5: Talk about the addiction. Hey Lindsay, I think these Vibram FiveFinger Shoes may make rehab easier too. “Okay everyone, after you are done counting all your fingers, you can count your toes too!

Thanks Vibram! Thanks, for keeping toes separated, insulated and helping people graduate from rehab!

On a business trip to Boston a few years ago, I spotted the most unique shoes that I have ever seen. Nope, I didn’t see these Cydwoq’s on the sidewalk, I found them at the Boston Logan Airport.  After passing through security, I found a comfortable seat on the floor to watch the air travelers pass by.  I purposely position myself on the ground to get a better view of their shoes.  It wasn’t difficult to miss these beauties — take a look;

Hold on to your wallet, these shoes arnt cheap…this hand-crafted “Foot” model retails for $245.

What do you think about these beauts?