Shoes Of The Day

July 13-15, 2009 marked the 32nd anniversary of the Badwater ultra-marathon.  Globally recognized as “the world’s toughest foot race” this “mara-ultra-long” (as we call it) features 90 of the most amazing athletes on this planet.  The race starts in Badwater, Death Valley – the lowest elevation in North America at 280 feet below sea level.  The race finishes at Mt. Whitney Portal at 8,360 feet.  In total, 135 non-stop miles, 217km for all you metric people. The course covers three mountain ranges totaling 13,000 feet of vertical ascent, and 4,700 feet of cumulative descent.  Oh, and one other detail; you only have 60 hours to finish, and only 48 hours if you want the legendary belt buckle.  But wait, that’s not all…if you act today, you might even get temperatures up to 130F!

Yes, we actually know, and for purposes of this article will claim close relation to one of the runners who participated, and most importantly finished this mega-amazing, ultra-marathon!

What does it feel like to run 135 miles in 44 hours?  These shoes of the day do!  More important than the shoes, we want to pay special tribute to the person who was wearing them – congratulations to #17, Leigh!

We had an opportunity to interview her and ask a few questions about this amazing race:
What was your time?  “44:17 for my finish – that is what earned my buckle.”
What kind shoes did you run with?  “New Balance 479.”
Did they meet your expectations?  “Yes they always do.”
Why did you choose these shoes over all of the other brands/styles out there?  “I have been running in these trail shoes for over two years.  I bought a pair right before I ran the Western States 100 mile Endurance Run.  The expensive trail shoes that I had been buying would hurt my feet and about 40 miles and beyond and I would cry from the pain.  As a last resort, I picked these shoes up at a sports chain-store and they were really inexpensive.  They worked great.  I felt like I was running in slippers.  I have worn them ever since, even when I did my stage race in Morocco.”
You used all 4 pairs in this race, right?  “I brought 4 pairs – one pair I could not get my feet into on the second day due to swelling.  But I also had my pink crocs and I put those on two different occasions; I ran in them too.”

135 non-stop cheers for the New Balance 479 shoes, belt-buckle, a pair of crocs and other accouterments of the day!  Congrats once again Leigh!

Happy Valentine’s Day from  the shoes of the day.  Since today is a day filled with hearts and love, it reminded me of an ad that I saw recently.  The ad compared the cost for a new pair of shoes to the cost for major heart surgery.  A pair of walking or running shoes: $80-100 .  Bypass Heart Surgery: $20,000.  Go and buy some shoes – as you can see, a new pair of shoes is much cheaper than any future medical treatment.  Looking for another benefit?  Just think, if you wear out your shoes you can also justify staying current with the newest shoe fashion trends.

Back to hearts.  Here is an idea for you: if you need some additional inspiration or motivation to work out, take your current shoes, get out a red marker and draw a big heart on your shoes.  This will remind you every time you lace these sweethearts up, your heart and maybe the love of your life will thank you.  If neither of those are a good enough option for you, then just think it will make for a great conversational piece, especially if you are looking for love.  Send us a picture of the hearts on your shoes, a story of why you put hearts on your shoes and the reaction.  Your shoes may even be featured on shoesoftheday.com

Back to shoes.  Here is a picture of my shoes, I am committed – for the love of shoes!  Enjoy the shoes of the day: Shoes that I Heart!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true shoe love said to me, no more Uggs just give me…..12 drummers drumming!  Drummers will love this for Christmas:
Playstation – PS3 Rock Revolution Bundle w/ Drum Kit (One Color) – Electronics
Eleven pipers piping,  the real pipers shop at piperlime.com and will enjoy: Fantastic Finds Under $75 at Piperlime, Ten lords a-leaping, Get Max Air when you leap with this pair of basketball shoes:Nike – Air Max Elite II TB (White/Deep Forest-Metallic Silver) – Footwear
Nine ladies dancing, Dancing ladies’ tired feet need shoes that provide long-lasting comfort and relief like these: Salomon Women’s XT Wings WP Running Shoes
Eight maids a-milking, These are the optimal milking shoes: Women’s shoes: Vince Camuto Emala – Butterscotch
Seven swans a-swimming,  Seven out of ten people prefer these shoes while swimming: Rubber Duck – Snow Joggers (Gold Patent) – Footwear
Then there’s six geese a-Ugg-ing, 5 Gold-Ugg Pearles!  4 golfing Uggs,  3 Uggs – Coquettes, 72 degree uggs and a pair of Uggs with a Cedar shoe tree.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you shoe lovers out there!

I just returned from a trip to the UK and found these on display in all their collective glory: REEBOK LIFESTYLES!

I think the last time I saw these shoes was on a PBS aerobics special back in ’85 – Eat your heart out Richard!

You play varsity? You’re gonna need a pair for next semester; Supportive leather upper is soft and comfortable. Sculpted EVA midsole offers lightweight cushioning. High abrasion rubber outsole affords traction and durability.

Time to get in shape girls!

And who said Reebok shoes were all that bad?

These banana shoes rock! One of our faithful readers sent me some amazing pics of these banana shoes for your feet. (Thanks DW) Typically you don’t want to see bananas or peels anywhere near your shoes, but these offer style, stability and dunk-ability (even if you’re not in the South Bronx.) Get some extra potassium in your step with these “K”icks!

Here is a list of the shoe’s highlights:

• Limited edition collaboration with Osiris and Consolidated Skateboards.
  Leather and patent leather uppers.
  Hi top design.
  Double stitched toe box.
  Perforated side panel.
  Signature Consolidated banana logo.
  Logo hit at heel.
  Cupsole construction.
  Rubber outsole for traction.
  15.00 oz.

Enjoy the almost edible shoes of the day, Osiris South Bronx Dunk!

These are the ShoesOfTheDay….probably for the entire month of April. Amazing.  Thanks Treehugger!

Photography by Thomas Brown

I found an interesting article today about tennis shoes. When playing tennis, choose your shoes wisely. Before you purchase a cool racquet and string it, make sure to string the right shoes on your feet. (Make sure and string the left one too.)

Tips for tennis shoes:

1. Never wear running shoes on the tennis court. Running shoes provide no lateral support for your feet.
2. Find a pair of shoes that are made for tennis. Hum, thanks for stating the obvious Ron Boon!
3. Get to know your feet. Find the right size and fit! Meaning the right length, width and precise fit that will compliment the contours of your foot.
4. Don’t wear cotton socks. Don’t buy cotton socks period for sports – unless you like the mooshy, hot and sloppy feet feeling.
5. Wear non-marking soled shoes. Skid-marks are best left on road.

Use common sense. Use the proper and appropriate shoes for the sport in which you will be engaging in. Leave the high-heels home for all sports.

Find some cool tennis shoes here.


By the way, KSB let’s serve it up!

I couldn’t resist.

The shoes of the day: Sperrys and Crocs sitting in a tree…no, a box….no, a shoe tree.

I wish they would have used this diagram and explained it this way in 6th grade.

Nice and simple.

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!