*****   THE KEEN SPEAKER GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED   *****

Please help us congratulate our winners:

afatty
Lisa Garrett
Grand
evakiss
ladyboarder9669

We’ll be contacting you soon!

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Recess is in your DNA. Despite what you may have been told about being a grown up, there is still a lot of play inside you. It’s funny, or sad, or maybe sadfunny, but somewhere along the line as you were growing up, recess got a bum rap. It got eye-rolling “as-if” status. It went from the best part of your day to something that only wee tiny little kids enjoy, probably while singing “See, See, Oh Playmate!” or eating the mud pies they just made, or dancing around the Maypole or whatever. It’s okay to grow out of the games; it’s the lack of game breaks that’s the problem. Let me just also say, coffee breaks or checking your Facebook newsfeed are not recess.

You need to get up and away from your workspace for short periods every day, and our friends at KEEN shoes have made it their mission (one of many; great company) to help you get your sense of Play outside where it belongs. Two things you should know, right off the bat: 1) Your sense of fun didn’t go away as you got older. 2) We are not talking about hiking the Appalachian Trial here. We’re talking about you, going someplace that doesn’t have a roof for 15 minutes and getting a little air, a change of scenery, sounds, and people. You don’t have to go play hopscotch or foursquare (although that would be awesome), but making your workday recess even marginally active in a play way is great for stress reduction—and you’ll just feel better.

I’m just going to say it. KEEN sandals are the recess of footwear. They have a purposeful “What if…” quality about them. Sure, you can wear them to the mall, but what if your friend calls about going to the dog waterpark with his new Samoyed puppy. Or, what if you are on your way to the local farmer’s market and you decide to just go out and pick your own blackberries. Or, what if you just want to be comfortable and ready for action. Here are some great ways to get your KEEN sandals on:

KEEN women’s shoes feature durable, recycled materials and a huge variety of styles. Here are a couple of our favorites.

[L to R: Women's KEEN Whisper, Women's KEEN Summer Golden]

Men’s KEEN shoes deliver iconic style and all-day comfort in rugged shoes designed to keep up with you.

[L to R: Men's KEEN Arroyo II, Men's KEEN A86]

Whether they are your own kids or the local scout troop, make sure they are ready for recess and more in awesome KEEN kids’ sandals.

[L to R: Boys' KEEN Parker, Girls' KEEN Newport H2, Boys' KEEN Coronado Lace]

The giveaway! Didn’t mean to babble on about having fun and looking awesome while there is stuff to give away. Our KEEN giveaway is simple. We’re giving away FIVE SETS of super cool KEEN Fold & Play speakers like the ones pictured at the top of the page. All you have to do is use the comment space below to answer this question:

“What would you like to get out and do for recess today?”

We will randomly select five winners from all of the eligible entries. Here are the general rules:
The KEEN Recess is Back Giveaway:

• You must answer the question using the comment section below.
• Your answer must be family-friendly, and please try to keep it reasonably short.
• Commenting on somebody else’s answer does not count as your answer.
• You must submit your answer before 11:59 AM on Monday, May 14th—that’s when the recess bell rings.
• FIVE people will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries.
• Each winner will get a pair of KEEN Fold & Play speakers, made from recycled materials.
• We will notify the winner be email, so make sure your email address is correct.
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

[Style Central Express Route: If you'd rather jump right into the action, you can go directly to the Style Central voting page now. ]

It’s time for another round of Style Central, where we give four of our favorite fashion and lifestyle bloggers the same pair of shoes, ask them to style it however they like, and you get to vote on which blogger did it best. We have selected the Sperry Top-Sider Southampton sandal for this installment of Style Central. It’s a fun, wedge heeled sandal with a sophisticated air. The Southampton features a foam-cushioned footbed, smooth leather lining for superior comfort, and is available in four colors. Tell me you can’t picture an outfit for this:

But first, meet the bloggers. If you have not yet had an opportunity to read these blogs, you really should take a little time and look around—after you’re done shoe shopping, that is. In no particular order, here are the bloggers participating in the Sperry Top-Sider event on Style Central:

Morgan (http://morganstone.blogspot.com/)
Sharing visual inspirations and a love for fashion, décor, food and more.
In a nutshell, I’m just a girl who loves life and is trying to make the most of every moment that God has blessed me with. I’m a visual person who loves sharing the things that inspire me.

Michelle (http://secondstreeteast.blogspot.com/)
Bridging the gap between fashion and interiors to create a styled life.
While renovating our first house, I discovered my true passion and calling is interior design. Now I’m in design school pursuing my passion to create a perfectly styled life.

Kirby (http://www.theshortandthesweetofit.com)
Exploring the space between style and fashion.
I love live music, planning trips, and am completely mad for clutches. I eat Clementines like candy and cannot imagine living anywhere that is too far from a beach.

Alexa (http://www.theshortandthesweetofit.com)
A passion for writing, travel, style and her baby daughter.
A little sparkle is the perfect complement to any outfit. The perfect day starts with Earl Grey tea, includes a long walk with my daughter, and ends with a glass of Pinto Noir.

Last but not least, you should know that when you go to Style Central and vote for your favorite Sperry Top-Sider Southampton image, you will be entered to WIN A FREE PAIR! That’s right, just go see the great stylist work done by our blogger friends, fall in love with this versatile sandal and vote for your favorite, then cross your fingers. One of you is going to get them for free.

Go to the Style Central voting page now.

Training for a half-marathon or marathon can be a daunting challenge. It’s a lot of work. I started running after college and have since completed two dozen marathons, and I’ve learned a lot about the importance of being committed to training. At least, if you want to be successful.

To prepare for a race right, you know you will have to plan for at least three months of training, run 25+ miles each week and cross-train regularly. Or maybe you’re not planning to toe the line at an upcoming race, maybe you just want to enjoy logging your miles each week. If you are anything like me, finding time to put in the miles can be a real challenge.

The simple truth. I’ve learned that you don’t need to choose between running and spending time with your spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend! Here are four tips on how you can mix running with your relationship. In fact, running can be the perfect activity to do together to grow as a couple.

1. Train & Race Together
Whether it is a local 5k run or your local marathon, the best way to ensure that you get your training in is to start a program with someone you love. If you both sign up to race, you will be able to support and challenge each other during training. When you race and cross the finish together, you might just hear your partner say “Honey, you make my heart race”. What’s more romantic than that?

2. Make Running Your Routine
No matter how long you and your partner have been together, you have probably developed routines together. Running can be just like “Movie Sundays” and “Friday Date Night”. Make a routine in your relationship of going on a run after you both get home from work, or even taking a regular morning walk on the weekend. Together you’ll have time to talk and relax, while still logging in your weekly miles. It’s win-win!

3. Take Running Vacations
Some of the best vacations you can take with your spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend are running vacations. Simply book a ticket or take a drive together to anywhere that has trails or scenic roads to run. Together you get to explore a new location, burn calories and reward yourself with a great guilt-free, post-run meal.

4. Give Running Gifts
When you both love to run, giving birthday, holiday or just-because gifts is easy. Running shoes and apparel make the perfect gifts. Maybe give a pair of racing flats for Valentine’s Day (try the Brooks Green Silence in his or her favor color) or a fresh new pair of road shoes for your partner’s birthday (give the Brooks Adrenaline GTS a look). No stress, just easy shopping and you’ll know that your special someone will love what you gave.

How do you mix running and romance? Add a comment below.

*****   THE TOASTY TOES GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED   *****

Please help us congratulate our winner: ANGIEARMSTRONG

We’ll be contacting you soon!

We look forward to seeing you for another Wigwam Toasty Toes Giveaway soon

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The Toasty Toes Tuesday sock giveaway is back! That’s right, our world-famous* Wigwam sock giveaway has returned like…like…um, what would it be like? Like something that hasn’t really been away that long, but then when you see it again you think “Oh, yeah. I remember that. That’s cool.” Well, Toasty Toes is back and better than ever—we are giving away a FREE 3-pack of double super-awesome Wigwam socks, and all you have to do to enter the drawing is answer a question about Wigwam socks.

Use the comment space below to answer the Toasty Toes Tuesday Question of the Day:

Within 100 years either way, how long has Wigwam socks been knitting socks in Sheboygan, Wisconsin?

A number of you will be able to holler out the answer right away, and that’s great, but it won’t get you in the drawing. You need to put your answer in the comment space below, and get it in there before midnight. Come back tomorrow for Wigwam Winner Wednesday (I just made that up this second) to see if your name has been drawn.

While you ponder the question, watch a fun little Sock Talk video featuring Left & Right from Wigwam socks.

The Toasty Toes Tuesday Rules:

• Votes must be submitted using the comment section below
• Your answer must be correct to be eligible—they won’t be that hard, really
• You may only submit one answer per giveaway
• You must submit your answer before 11:59 PM—any later would be Wednesday
• One person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries per giveaway
• The winner can choose ONE FREE 3-PACK OF WIGWAM SOCKS from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• We will notify the winner be email, so make sure your email address is correct
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete contest rules and regulations for all the details

*estimated for the purposes of illustration.

*****   THIS TOASTY TOES GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED   *****
We look forward to seeing you again soon for another round.

Remember when you were little and your mom would take you out to get a new pair of shoes? And how you always wanted to wear them out of the store because you knew in your heart that they made you run faster and jump higher? Thanks, mom! Maybe it’s time to return the favor and give mom a fun pair of new shoes. Don’t worry if she told you she doesn’t need anything but your love for Mother’s Day, there is a lot of love in the right pair of shoes. 

Here are a few of our favorites for mom this season:

[1] UGG Australia Lucianna Santori, [2] Naturalizer Bola, [3] Clarks Latin Circle, [4] Nicole Glowing, [5] Merrell Flaxen, [6] KEEN Harvest Mary Jane, [7] Merrell Piccolo

On the very odd chance that none of these summery styles hit the right tone for your mom, we also have an enormous collection of walking shoes available. If she likes to get out on the trail and in roam around, we have women’s hiking boots that are perfect for any level of hiker. And of course, if your gut tells you that mom has earned a little relaxation time, we have hundreds of fantastic women’s slippers for both indoor and outdoor use. Maybe it’s time to show mom that you have graduated from gifts made of gold-painted elbow macaroni—you can still make the card yourself, though.   

And even if you don’t know her shoe size, you can give her the joy of a sweet new pair of shoes with one of our gift certificates.

Earth Day was first celebrated more than four decades ago. While it is now observed in countries around the world, the simple purpose of Earth Day has never changed: increase awareness and appreciation of the environment around us.

When I was a kid, I asked my mom why there was a Mother’s Day and a Father’s Day, but no Kid’s Day. She replied that every day was Kid’s Day and in a way, the same thing can be said about Earth Day. We all do things every day to help the environment in one way or another, some of them are small, like choosing to recycle some of your garbage, and some of them are large, like monitoring water quality in a local stream or organizing a tree planting. It’s all about developing the habits, policies and technologies that help make us better stewards of the planet—and then actually using them.

Some of our favorite shoe brands have been leaders in the pro-Earth movement since before there was one. Take Birkenstock shoes. They’ve been stomping around Europe since the late 1800s, came to the US in the 60s, and have always had a strong preference for natural and sustainable materials, such as cork and jute. When you think of Birkenstock footwear, you are probably picturing the Birkenstock Arizona. This iconic sandal features a cork footbed, leather upper, and it’s really doing its part to save the earth. One of the ways it’s helping is through the thoughtful recycling of all of the scrap leather an EVA material used to create it.

Our friends at Kalsø Earth Shoe are also dedicated to improving the environment. Apart from having “Earth” right in their name, Earth Shoes use recycled material in their packaging and were among the first manufacturers to introduce the use of less toxic, water-based adhesives. Coincidentally, Earth Shoes were launched in New York on the first ever Earth Day! Whether it was planetary alignment or just lucky marketing, the two are forever bound together.

Although a comparative newcomer, Dansko shoes have wasted no time getting their environmental (and style) credentials. A few of the stated goals at Dansko are to “leave the world a better place than we found it. Our values are clear, we seek to: protect our community, promote philanthropy and minimize negative impact on the environment.” They are active in the community and support recycling, water research, land preservation and a number of other organizations. They also make some of the world’s best clogs, like the women’s Dansko Professional. They are comfortable, supportive and are available in about eleventy-jillion colors—the one we chose here is from the zestier end of the spectrum.

Improving our environment is a step-by-step process, and OnlineShoes.com would like to thank you for supporting a cleaner, greener environment in any way you choose to do it. Have a great Earth Day!

Our friends from Clarks paid a visit not too long ago and it was a lot of fun. We all gathered with a few Clarks execs in a great big room and Joe Salzano, the VP of Sales at Clarks, stood up and began to testify about Clarks—and I do mean testify in the old school Tent Meeting sense. If you’ve never had a chance to hear Joe speak, you should look for an opportunity. He is about as full of enthusiasm as people can get without exploding. Joe told us all about Clarks; where they came from, where they’re heading, and how they plan to get there (Spoiler Alert: It’s by continuing to make some of the best shoes in the world).

The best part of the event was capturing some of Joe’s infectious enthusiasm for a great brand so we could then share it with our customers. And it’s been pretty easy to share; especially after Joe ended the talk by saying “You know what? We’re going to give everyone in here a free pair of Clarks.” What did that nice man just say? Did he say we all get free Clarks!? Heck ya! Here is a sampling of what our employees said about selecting and getting their new Clarks:   

“I own several pairs of Clarks and Indigo by Clarks shoes – they have become one of my go-to brands.  I tend to look for casual, versatile styles that I can wear with a lot of things, and sometimes that can look really, well… boring! I love that Clarks finds ways to add interesting textures and features to make even my basics look fantastic.” – Vanessa M.

“I was so excited to get free shoes because I just booked a big vacation and was in need of comfortable, yet hot and cute sandals. I found something right away that will be PERFECT for my trip, the Women’s Indigo by Clarks Sky Reno. These sandals are a versatile style that will be great with a sundress or shorts. I am sure that the wedge-heel will provide the comfort that I need for sightseeing, while still feeling girlie! I can’t wait to be sporting my new Clarks in the Dominican Republic!” – Lindsey S.

“I chose Clarks Desert Boots in beeswaxed leather because they are a classic and, more importantly, that they would look good with my skinny jeans. A big selling point for me with the desert boot is not just the classic style but also the quality. When you hold it in your hand, you can tell it is a well constructed shoe that will last forever.” – Ana L.

“I ordered the Clarks Media Storm Boot in black leather.  I love how comfortable these boots are and the fact that they’ll go with everything from skirts to jeans.  I was looking for a fashionable black boot that I could wear between seasons since the weather has been so crazy.  This style is going to last me forever, so it’s got tremendous value already built in.  From the silhouette, I thought it might be loose in the calf, but it’s actually fitted perfectly for me.  These are my new everyday boots and I couldn’t be more excited to have them.“– Suzanne A.

“I had my eye on the Indigo by Clarks Joli Ruffle gold leather and Indigo by Clarks Tres Belle burnt orange patent ever since they went live, so last Wednesday was my lucky day! I really don’t need any more shoes, but when they’re that cute, who can resist? I was just waiting for this ridiculous weather to get better before I purchased these spring sandals. I think they will add some sass to my wardrobe, and I’m a sucker for ruffles and bright colors. I can’t wait to receive my new shoes.  It doesn’t matter which style I receive – I’ll be buying the other one!”  – Keahi L.

“I bought my first pair of Clarks shoes last summer and immediately loved the style, quality and comfort of the shoes so I was excited to add another pair to my shoe collection.  I chose the Clarks Desert Boot because I love the simple style and versatility of the boot, not to mention the fact that my mom had a pair when she was my age.  The boot is so easy to wear with jeans, skirts and dresses, plus our Seattle weather provides the perfect climate to wear boots nearly all year long.” – Amanda S.

“I just got my boots this morning, and I’m quite enamored of them already.  These are the boots I’ve been looking for quite some time.  They’re beautiful and I’ll be able to get a ton of use out of them.  SO COMFY!!  Honestly, they already feel like they’ve been broken in for me.  I made the right decision in getting rid of the other boots in my closet.  I even posted a pic of them on my fb page. I never do that. Yay! Thanks, Clarks & Joe!!” – Lydia P.

“Indigo by Clarks is ahh-maz-ing! I got a pair of Plush Charm sandals in Mushroom and they’re even cuter in person. I love the color on these sandals- halfway between a brown and tan and so rich-looking. True to form for Indigo, this pair feels heavenly on my feet. I like these sandals best so far with a casual sundress, but the clean lines also pair well with shorts and a polo top. I know you’ll catch me in these whenever the sun’s out… looks like I have one more reason to wish for summer!“  – Erika M.

Thanks again to Joe and the whole team from Clarks for a great session, all of their enthusiasm and the amazing shoes! We absolutely love them–and we’ll leave the light on for your next visit.

New Balance is the only major athletic shoe manufacturer still making shoes in the US, and it is a strong point of pride for the company. They have five factories in New England, all bustling with activity to fill a growing demand for New Balance walking shoes and the latest and greatest New Balance running shoes. Fully one in every four New Balance sneakers made qualifies for their “Made in USA” label—it’s not something they take lightly or put on just anything.

One of their newest styles to earn the label is the New Balance 990. It’s the rethought, revised, and retooled update of the hugely popular New Balance 993. Whether you are looking for women’s New Balance or New Balance running shoes for men, make sure to stop by and take a good long look at the 990. And if you are in the New England area, maybe stop by one of their factories and give a few folks a pat on the back for a job well done.

For such an astoundingly light shoe, the Kinvara 3 from Saucony is absolutely ground-breaking. If you are familiar with the Kinvara line of minimalist running shoes, you probably already know about the numerous awards it has received. Awards like “Best Debut” from Runner’s World, “Best Gear of the Year” from Outside Magazine, recognition as one of Gear Junkie’s “Top 10 Gear Picks” and who knows how many race ribbons and personal records. The idea behind the Kinvara has always been to give the runner what they need, and only what they need. Kinvara delivers support, comfort and durability with no extra bells and whistles for a runner to lug around. And the new Kinvara 3 is their best one yet.

The Saucony Kinvara 3 is super lightweight, tipping the scales at only 7.7 ounces for the men’s running shoe and 6.7 ounces for the women’s running shoe. It’s unique design and lower heel height enables quicker transitions from heel to forefoot. The drop from heel to toe is only 4mm—that is about the thickness of two stacked nickels. And since it’s a minimalist shoe, not only are you getting the speed but the overall airiness of the shoe makes it feel a little like you’re running around in a sporty convertible. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself making gear shift sounds in your head while you run. They are yummy.

Saucony is right to use the word “more” so frequently in their ads. First, because the minimalist design of the Kinvara 3 enables you to experience more of what’s going on in your run, and second, you just want more if it.

Here are a few of the Saucony Kinvara 3 features:

• Anatomically contoured memory foam heel pods for a secure fit.
• A 4mm heel-to-toe offset to allow for a mid-foot landing.
• Ultra-breathable upper to keep your feet cool.
• PROGRID underfoot cushioning for enhanced responsiveness and comfort.
• A high abrasion EVA+ midsole for protection and flexibility.

It is just amazing how they manage to pack in all of these features (and much more) and still have a super-light minimalist running shoe. If a huge feature list doesn’t amaze you, we encourage you to get yourself a pair of Saucony Kinvara 3 running shoes, because having them on your feet surely will.

The Saucony Kinvara 3 Running Shoe
will be available May 1, 2012!

Patagonia Footwear is doing something pretty cool right now. For each and every pair of footwear they sell, they are donating $10 to Healthy Child Healthy World. If you are not yet familiar with the work of Healthy Child Healthy World, we’ll give you a quick introduction.

In 1991, five year-old Colette Chuda died of Wilm’s tumor, a rare form of non-hereditary cancer which was linked to various factors in her living environment. Her parents turned grief into action and created the organization which would become Healthy Child Healthy World. Their stated mission is to not only expand awareness of various toxic risks, but also engage with communities and advocate for changes in corporate policy and government legislation.  Basically, they are forging the tools which millions of people have used to take action in their communities to create cleaner, greener environments; places where children can grow and families can flourish.

Here is an abbreviated version of the Five Easy Steps that are part of the comprehensive program shared throughout the world by Healthy Child Healthy World:

1. Avoid Pesticides. Pesticides have been linked to a range of health problems, including asthma, hyperactivity and behavior problems, cancer, and compromised brain development. Action: Use non-toxic pest remedies. Prevent pests through good sanitation. Remove shoes before entering your home.
2. Use Non-toxic Products. Many chemicals used in conventional cleaning products, personal care products, and furnishings are linked to negative health impacts. Action: Read labels, ask questions and use products made from plant-based ingredients.
3. Clean Up Indoor Air. We spend the bulk of our time indoors, and indoor air is typically more polluted than outdoor air. Action: Choose non-toxic products and open your windows for a few minutes a day.
4. Eat Healthy. The average person eats food that is grown, processed, and packaged using toxic materials. Action: Make your food instead of buying prepared foods. Opt for organic when possible.
5. Be Wise with Plastics. Plastics are everywhere and many common plastics release harmful chemicals into our air, foods, and drinks. Action: Reduce your use of plastic – especially with foods and beverages. Look for natural alternatives to plastic like textiles, solid wood, bamboo, glass, stainless steel, etc.

Patagonia went to the extraordinary step of creating a rating system to determine the environmental impact of their dying process, including water use, chemical use and many other factors. It makes complete sense; you can’t think of Patagonia without thinking of getting outside. The brand is all about being a part of a healthy environment—and you can be a part of it all, too. It’s easy. 

Pick a pair of great Patagonia shoes. With every single pair purchased between now April 24, 2012, Patagonia will donate $10 to Healthy Child Healthy World. If you are anything like us, you might not even remember who is on the 10 dollar bill (Alexander Hamilton, we looked it up), but that forgettable 10 bucks sure will go a long way toward creating healthier environments—especially when multiplied by every single pair of Patagonia shoes sold.  

Of course, if you miss this opportunity for some reason, you could also go right to the Healthy Child Healthy World website and donate to them directly. We understand that you might not come to our site every day to check out what is going on with all of our great brands, so there is still a chance to support Healthy Child Healthy World even if you miss the Patagonia Advocate Week.

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good.

In the meantime, here are the Midday Madness brackets for your reference. Only one more spot to fill:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

 

And we hope to see you again tomorrow, April 3rd, for the crowning of our
Midday Madness Grand Brand Champion

*No  physical trophy will be provided to the champion, although that would be totally cool. You know, with a big golden shoe or flames or something. Awesome.

It’s Round Two of the FINAL FOUR of Midday Madness!

Congratulations to Chaco for winning yesterday’s challenge and moving on to the Championship round! Today’s challengers are Rockport and New Balance! Which one of these two powerhouse brands will join Chaco in the championship round?

It’s another tough choice today, but you don’t get to the Final Four by being easy to pick off. At first glance, you may want to boil your whole decision down to a simple choice between athletic shoes and casual/dress shoes, but don’t be so hasty. New Balance has an enormous collection of athletic-inspired casual shoes and boots, and Rockport has a large collection of athletic shoes, including the new TruWalk Zero barefoot shoe. It’s not going to be an easy choice for most of you, and honestly, you’ll probably still have both brands in your closet to enjoy after the voting, so there’s that. But which one will you be able to look in the eyes tomorrow? Which one gets your vote?

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good.

In the meantime, here are the Midday Madness brackets as they stand right now:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

 

And we’ll see you again Monday, April 2nd, for the
Midday Madness Grand Brand Championship

Voting will be open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

*****VOTING IS NOW CLOSED*****
See you tomorrow, March 30th, for Round Two of the FINAL FOUR:
Rockport vs. New Balance

Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

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It’s Round One of the FINAL FOUR of Midday Madness!

Congratulations to New Balance for winning yesterday’s challenge and moving on to our Final Four brands! Today’s challengers are Merrell and Chaco! Which one will move on to the championship round?

Outdoor, indoor, casual, comfortable, athletic…if all of these descriptors (and more) were lined up and you had the task of separating them according to which of these two fantastic brands they described, well, let’s just say it would be a long day. If you are anything like us, you have both of these versatile, dependable brands in your closet and we can all agree that they are equally awesome in their own ways. But, if you had to pick a favorite (which is the whole premise of Midday Madness), which one would it be?  

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good. 

In the meantime, here are the Midday Madness brackets as they stand right now:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

And we’ll see you again tomorrow, March 30th, for
Round TWO of the Midday Madness FINAL FOUR:
Rockport vs. New Balance
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

*****VOTING IS NOW CLOSED*****
See you tomorrow, March 29th, for Round One of the FINAL FOUR:
Merrell vs. Chaco

Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

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It’s Round Two, Bracket Four of Midday Madness! 

Congratulations to Rockport for winning yesterday’s challenge and moving on to the Final Four in the next round! Today’s challengers are both looking to fill the final spot in our Final Four bracket, but will it be New Balance or SOREL? 

Both of these world-class brands have activity at their core. If you’ve got either one of these brands on your feet, you are very likely on your way out to get some exercise, have some fun or make some memories. These are the kinds of footwear that whisper to you from the closet, “Psst. Why don’t we get outside and run around a bit?” New Balance and SOREL make footwear that make you want to take an “out of sight, out of mind” stance with your couch. But, only one can move on to the Final Four.

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good.

In the meantime, here are the Midday Madness brackets as they stand right now:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

And we’ll see you again tomorrow, March 29th, for Round ONE of the FINAL FOUR:
Merrell vs. Chaco

Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

*****VOTING IS NOW CLOSED*****
See you tomorrow, March 28th, for Round TWO, Bracket FOUR:
New Balance vs. SOREL

Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

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It’s Round Two, Bracket Three of Midday Madness!

Congratulations to Chaco for winning yesterday’s challenge and moving up in the brackets. Today’s challenge, the third in the Great Eight round of Midday Madness, is between Born and Rockport.

There is no doubt that the challenges are getting trickier as we move through the brackets. For years Born was my casual shoe of choice and Rockport was my go-to for special occasions and dress events. It’s just not that easy anymore. Rockport is breaking new style ground with looks I’d be more than comfortable (and they know comfort) wearing anywhere, and Born is crafting their famous comfort into more and more special occasion and dress shoes. But this challenge isn’t up to me, it’s up to you. 

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good.

In the meantime, here are the Midday Madness brackets as they stand right now:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

And we’ll see you again Monday, March 26th, for Round TWO, Bracket FOUR:
SOREL vs. New Balance
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

[Style Central Express Route: If you'd rather jump right into the action, you can go directly to the Style Central voting page now. ]

One of our favorite perks about having thousands and thousands of shoes around is that we get to meet a lot of stylish, shoe-minded people.  We also get to see great shoes before anyone else, like the latest ones from Rockport. One of their versatile little flats got us talking us about all the different outfits it would go with, and then the conversation turned into one of those “You know what we should do..” things and we came up with a fun idea:  Style Central.

We gave the Rockport Ashika Knot Tie Flat to four of our favorite fashion and lifestyle bloggers, asked them to style it however they liked, and we’re leaving it up to you to decide which blogger did it best. We call the whole thing Style Central but, honestly, we could have gone with Just Plain Fabulous or A Collection of Awesome instead. Now, before we meet the bloggers, we should give you a sneak peek at the Ashika Knot Tie Flat. It’s a chic little flat with an elasticized collar, rubber traction sole and cushioned footbed with adiPRENE® by adidas®, so it’s comfortable. Plus, it’s cute and it comes in different accent colors.

And now you should meet some of the bloggers we are fortunate to know.  If you are not already familiar with their blogs, you really should stop by and look around. In no particular order, here are the bloggers participating in the Rockport Ashika Knot Tie Flat event on Style Central.

Molliee (mstwirlyskirts.com)
Look fabulous, feel beautiful and be inspired.
From mstwirlyskirts.com:
“I’m a believer that different outfits truly affect your mood and the way you carry yourself. So much so that I have always been able to retrace a memory based on what I was wearing for the occasion.”

Katie (being5.com)
Making a beautiful life in the city with a family of five.
From being5.com:
“My list: Simplicity (as much as is possible, at least). Time with friends and family. Less TV. More fresh air. Finding the good more often. Take one day at a time to create the life that I want for me and for my family.”

Liz (twosixandcounting.blogspot.com)
Corporate chic.
From twosixandcounting.blogspot.com:
“I focus on inventive everyday fashion for professionals who may (on occasion) find themselves feeling a little creatively constricted by their corporate environments.”

Jackie (sweetiepiepumpkinnoodle.com)
Interiors. Fashion. Life.
From sweetiepiepumpkinnoodle.com:
“A place to chronicle all of my favorite things I ran across on the web, and has transformed into what it is today: a healthy dose of fashion and interior design related posts on a daily basis.  I also like to sprinkle in a bit of personal related posts here and there.”

Last but not least, you should know that when you go to Style Central and vote for your favorite Rockport Ashika Knot Tie Flat image, you will be able to click right on through and SAVE $20 on the Rockport Ashika! That’s right, you can fall in love with this adorable flat and then immediately save $20 when you purchase it.

Go to the Style Central voting page now. Or, maybe first just one more look at the Ashika with one of our coworkers here at OnlineShoes.com:

*****VOTING IS NOW CLOSED*****
See you tomorrow, March 27th, for Round TWO, Bracket THREE:
Born vs. Rockport

Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

***************************************

It’s Round Two, Bracket Two of Midday Madness!

Congratulations to Merrell for winning the first challenge of Round Two and moving up in the brackets. The challengers for today are Dr. Martens and Chaco! Regardless of which one of these two great brands you’re thinking of right now, you’ve probably got a few interesting stories to tell about the last time you were wearing them. Granted, the soundtrack playing in the background was probably different when you were wearing Dr. Martens than it was when you were wearing Chacos, but the comfort, support and style were there with either one. For a number of us here, it was Dr. Martens in our shoe pile first and then Chacos came later on. Both great memories and stories, but which one will you pick to move on?

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good.

In the meantime, here are the Midday Madness brackets as they stand right now:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

And we’ll see you again tomorrow, March 27th, for Round TWO, Bracket THREE:
Born vs. Rockport
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

*****VOTING IS NOW CLOSED*****
See you Monday, March 26th, for Round TWO, Bracket TWO:
Dr. Martens vs. Chaco

Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

***************************************

 Congratulations to SOREL for winning yesterday’s challenge and moving up the brackets. This is the official start of Round Two with the top eight brands, as selected by you. Our first Great Eight challenge is between Merrell and ASICS and, based on the people who wear these brands, we’re assuming it may get a little competitive. Both of these great brands have a strong bias toward activity and just getting out and moving around. It is completely probable that you have a pair of ASICS for running and a pair of Merrells for kicking around, or you have a pair of Merrells for trail running and a pair of ASICS for kicking around. Or, maybe you carry your ASICS in a Merrell pack when you…this is starting to wander. The point is, these are great brands and you have a tough decision ahead of you.

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good.

In the meantime, here are the Midday Madness brackets as they stand right now:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

And we’ll see you again Monday, March 26th, for Round TWO, Bracket TWO:
Dr. Martens vs. Chacos
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

*****VOTING IS NOW CLOSED*****
See you tomorrow, March 23rd, for Round TWO, Bracket ONE:
Merrell vs. ASICS

Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

***************************************

It’s Round One, Bracket Eight of Midday Madness!

Congratulations to yesterday’s winner: New Balance! They will be moving on to the next round to face the winner of today’s challenge between SOREL and ECCO. How did these two get paired up? With a closet full of SOREL and ECCO footwear, you would be ready to tackle any season, any terrain, any environment and just about any occasion. They have managed to seamlessly weave together the concepts of “active” and “casual” in a way that is stylish, comfortable and very easy to live with—but it’s up to you which brand moves on.

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good.

In the meantime, here are the Midday Madness brackets as they stand right now:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

And we’ll see you again tomorrow, March 23nd, for Round Two, Bracket One:
Merrell vs. ASICS
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

Congratulations to Rockport for winning yesterday’s challenge and moving on to face Born in the next round! But before we see that match-up, we have to settle today’s challenge between Saucony and New Balance. Whether you do your thing at a walking pace or in a flat out sprint, if you are an athlete of any experience at all, you are likely very familiar with these two brands. If you didn’t have them on your feet, the person next to you probably did. They set the standard in design and material innovation, and continue to deliver on the promise of support, stability and dependability.

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good.

In the meantime, here are the Midday Madness brackets as they stand right now:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

And we’ll see you again tomorrow, March 22nd, for Round One, Bracket Eight:
Sorel vs. ECCO
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

*****VOTING IS NOW CLOSED*****
See you tomorrow, March 21st, for Round One, Bracket Seven:
Saucony vs. New Balance
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

It’s Round One, Bracket Six of Midday Madness!

Congratulations to yesterday’s winner: Born! They will be moving on to the next round to face either Rockport or UGG Australia–it all depends on which brand you vote for in today’s challenge. Rockport and UGG® Australia are two world-class brands that offer you an open invitation to luxuriate in comfort and style. From Walkability to total relaxification and everything that might happen in between, these dependable, high-quality brands have your day covered.

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good.

In the meantime, here are the Midday Madness brackets as they stand right now:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

And we’ll see you again tomorrow, March 21st, for Round One, Bracket Seven:
Saucony vs. New Balance
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

*****VOTING IS NOW CLOSED*****
See you tomorrow, March 20th, for Round One, Bracket Six:
Rockport vs. UGG Australia
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

It’s Round One, Bracket Five of Midday Madness!

Congratulations to Dr. Martens for winning Friday’s challenge and moving on to the next round! Today’s challengers are Born and Clarks. These two fantastic brands are known for their craftsmanship, comfort and versatile style. They have great shoes, boots, clogs and sandals to take you through your workday and right on into your favorite not-work activities.

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good.

In the meantime, here is what the Midday Madness brackets look like today:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

See you tomorrow, March 20th, for Round One, Bracket Six:
Rockport vs. UGG Australia
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

*****VOTING IS NOW CLOSED*****
See you Monday, March 19th, for Round One, Bracket Five:
Born vs. Clarks
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

It’s Round One, Bracket Four of Midday Madness!

Congratulations to Chaco for winning yesterday’s challenge and moving on to the next round! Today’s challengers are Dr Martens and Frye. None of these challenges have been easy, but this one seems particularly tough. Rugged, dependable and groundbreaking in their own unique ways, these two hugely popular brands are the very definition of style in their categories and beyond. Wearing either one will set a tone for your whole outfit, probably your whole day. But only one moves on from here.

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good.

In the meantime, here is what the Midday Madness brackets look like today:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

See you Monday, March 19th, for Round One, Bracket Five:
Born vs. Clarks
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

*****VOTING IS NOW CLOSED*****
See you tomorrow, March 16th, for Round One, Bracket Four:
Dr. Martens vs. Frye
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

It’s Round One, Bracket Three of Midday Madness!

Congratulations to ASICS® for winning yesterday’s challenge and moving on to the next round!  Today’s challengers are Teva and Chaco. These two great brands are built on the idea that life is an adventure and you’ll want the right footwear in order to participate. Chaco and Teva are well-known for a huge selection of rugged and stylish footwear that is ready to get outside and get into whatever you want to get into—even if it’s just a beach chair.

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good.

In the meantime, here is what the Midday Madness brackets look like today:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

See you tomorrow, March 16th, for Round One, Bracket Four:
Dr Martens vs. Frye
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

*****VOTING IS NOW CLOSED*****
See you tomorrow, March 15th, for Round One, Bracket Three:
Teva vs. Chaco
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

It’s Round One, Bracket Two of Midday Madness!

Congratulations to yesterday’s winner: Merrell! They will be moving on to the next round. Today’s challengers are Brooks and ASICS®; two of our favorite high-speed, high performance athletic brands. They both have plenty of trophies on their shelves, and made their names (and legions of fans) by consistently delivering quality shoes that represent the latest thinking in biomechanics, material science and good, old-fashioned hard work.

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good.

In the meantime, here is what the Midday Madness brackets look like today:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

See you tomorrow, March 15th, for Round One, Bracket Three:
Teva vs. Chaco
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

*****VOTING IS NOW CLOSED*****
See you tomorrow, March 14th, for Round One, Bracket Two:
Brooks vs. ASICS®
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

It’s Round One, Bracket One of Midday Madness!

Today’s challengers are Merrell and KEEN. Two of our favorite “I’ve got places to go” outdoor brands meet in epic, head-to-head competition. Rugged, stylish and crafted for all-day comfort in all kinds of terrain…but which one will you pick to move on?

We won’t try to sway your vote with enticing descriptions of the great stuff available at OnlineShoes.com from these two brands. Frankly, it would probably just make your decision more difficult. So, we’ll just look for your vote in the comment section below and call it good.

Here is what the Midday Madness bracket looks like today:

The Midday Madness Rules:

• Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) on challenge days
• You may only vote once during each of the brand challenges
• Your vote must be for one of the two featured brands and submitted using the comment section below
• This is not a horse race. Your vote is an entry whether or not you pick the winner
• On April 2, 2012, one person will be randomly selected to win from all eligible entries. The winner will be announced on April 3, 2012
• The winner can choose ONE FREE PAIR OF SHOES in the winning brand (Brand Grand Champion), from available stock on OnlineShoes.com
• Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win
• See the complete rules and regulations for all the details

See you tomorrow, March 14th, for Round One, Bracket Two:
Brooks vs. ASICS®
Voting is open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT) only.

Midday Madness!? What’s that? It’s a brand-versus-brand challenge we’re playing while some people out there will be watching other, slightly more popular, sports championships on TV this month. We would rather be right here, watching all of you lead the way in an epic challenge of the brands. It’s fun and easy, and just for participating you’ll have a chance to WIN A FREE PAIR OF SHOES from whatever brand ultimately wins the Midday Madness Championship.  

Round One starts tomorrow, March 13th. We will post one brand vs. brand challenge each day, Monday through Friday, until the end of the month. As each day’s winner is determined by your votes, we will update the brackets and move on through the next rounds until a Brand Grand Champion (which is tough to say 5x fast) has been determined.

When Midday Madness is over and our Brand Grand Champion has been determined, we will randomly select one winner from all of the voting entries on all of the days. You get one vote per day and, if you play Midday Madness every day, you’ll have 15 chances to win by the time it’s all over! 

One more thing, and this is the slightly tricky part. We call it Midday Madness because voting will only be open from 10:00AM to 2:00PM (PDT)  each day—and you can only vote for that day’s brand vs. brand challenge. No working ahead or going back to vote on one you missed. Here’s a sneak peak at what’s in store.

See you right here tomorrow for Round One, Bracket One: Merrell vs. KEEN.

It’s going to be epic! Voting opens at 10:00AM and goes until 2:00PM (PDT).

Sandals are like puppies. They are full of potential, geared for motion, and no matter what the variety, they are all about having fun. As a matter of fact, you could argue that regardless of the occasion or the particular style, if you have sandals on your feet, you are expecting some kind of fun. And no matter what kind of fun you’re expecting, there are a dozen different Merrell sandals for it.

Take the women’s Merrell Henna. I mean, just look at that classic style and those saucy straps. Your foot isn’t even in it yet, and I’d wager you can already imagine a fun place to wear those puppies. These gladiator-inspired women’s sandals feature a full leather upper, Merrell’s QForm® Comfort midsole and a ton of style. And these are just one example of the women’s sandals available from Merrell. They also have a great collection of women’s platform sandals for fun in the city, and just as many women’s water sandals for when the fun goes aquatic.

When it comes to men’s sandals, Merrell is no less prolific. They have men’s water sandals,  men’s flip-flops, and just-getting-the-mail sandals. They have a style for any kind of fun you are going to have. Let me draw a picture for you. Let’s just say you have chosen the women’s Merrell Henna sandals (good choice, btw!) and you want to cultivate a cool, Cleopatra & Marc Antony vibe with your significant other at your next BBQ. Well, we are here to support that dream with the men’s Merrell Lancet sandal.

These laid-back slide sandals feature full-grain leather upper, Merrell’s Remember Me Foam™ for all-day comfort, and some pretty snappy stitching details for a touch of style. These relaxed sandals will deliver as much as you ask of them—but they are probably hoping it’s something fun. You will love these puppies.

We are fortunate in the Pacific Northwest in a lot of ways. One of the big ones is that the weather is rarely severe enough that you have to change your plans. A change in weather usually just means changing your jacket and wearing different shoes, and then it’s off to soccer practice, shopping in town, or a nice hike along one of the hundreds of trails nearby. If there is any trick at all to living around here, it’s finding the right shoes. Thankfully, Merrell is ready for just about anything.

Merrell hiking shoes have been the footwear of choice for outdoorsy types for more than three decades, and Backpacker Magazine has called their leather hiking boots “the best in the world.” They are sold in a dozen different countries and worn for adventures around the world. Now, before you start wondering if you really need world-class footwear if all you want to do is go pick blueberries, let me introduce you to a couple of our favorite low-key, high performance Merrell styles.

The women’s Merrell Siren Sport is a versatile, lightweight hiking shoe that provides all-day comfort and support. It has Merrell’s Q-Form EVA foot frame for a custom fit, and its full grain leather upper is designed with breathable mesh panels to keep your feet cool and comfortable on the trail. They also come in about a dozen different colors, so you can match your shoes to the rest of your adventure outfit. 

Wearing the men’s Merrell Chameleon4 Ventilator hiking shoes is a bit like running around in a luxury SUV. They are comfortable and supportive, make it easy to scramble over difficult terrain, and have excellent climate control capabilities. They just don’t cost nearly as much, and I guess technically they are a one-passenger ride…let’s just agree that they are great men’s hiking shoes. Plus, they really look more like a sports car than an SUV.   

If you are familiar with Merrell at all, you already know they have a huge variety of hiking boots and hiking shoes. They know the outdoors like couch potatoes know their remotes, and they have the shoes you need to get out there—even if “out there” is mostly just taking the kids to soccer practice.

Less is more.

When it comes to running, many runners are pursuing the minimalistic approach.  Minimalist runners opt for the least amount of shoe they can safely run, working towards strengthening their feet and improving running gait in order to tolerate less shoe. The Running Times website has a great article on the movement.

Enter the Merrell Pace Glove.

After running two marathons and four half marathons, I was constantly searching for the perfect running shoe that protects my legs and joints.  But, what about my feet? Well, it seems they are weak; too many miles, too soon.  So, while my legs got stronger, my feet remained the same because I failed to strengthen them.

Consequently, I’m going backwards, rebuilding my mileage and my feet. The Merrell Pace Glove simply allows my feet to work while protecting them from the terrain. The 0 mm heel drop encourages me to practice mid-foot strike and proper running form.  I’m not ready to go completely naked (barefoot) nor do I aspire to, but I want the most natural feel. 

The sole is a Vibram® Trail Glove Sole which can be used on a variety of surfaces. And, the Merrell Pace Gloves are made with a breathable, mesh material which is perfect for the gym or warmer temperatures, but not made to worn in cold, wet climates.

My favorite feature besides the ultra-lightweight feel is the fact that I don’t have to wear socks!  The Merrell Pace Glove is finished with Aegis™ antimicrobial which maintains a healthy foot environment and allows me to throw the shoes into the washer to clean. Easy maintenance!

My Merrell Pace Glove shoes are used for a multitude of purposes including teaching fitness classes, strength training, walking my dog, Cooper, and for lower mileage runs.  Once I build up more foot strength, I plan to use them for high mileages. Clearly, my Merrell Pace Glove shoes will get plenty of miles!

Dirt and work may both be four letter words, but that’s okay. These boots are meant for people who may occasionally use four letter words. While these rugged beauties are officially called Mike Rowe Works™ by Cat® Footwear, you will likely just come to know them as “my boots”.

Now, it’s okay if you are not familiar with Mike Rowe, but we should first say congratulations on coming out of your 7-year coma. Of course, you may recognize Mike from his time with the Baltimore Opera or perhaps one of the dozen different TV shows he has hosted, but none of those are important now. Now he works for a living. Mike Rowe is the phenomenally popular host of Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe on the Discovery Channel, and he can now list 300 different jobs on his resume—every one of them requiring a good washing-up afterwards. And the right boots.

If you know, or are, a hard-working craftsman with any experience, you know how important it is to have the right tools for the job. When it comes to what is on your feet when you arrive at a jobsite, choosing the right footwear is more than just matching your shoes to your (tool)belt or (tool)bag. Comfort, rugged durability and protection are the key words, and you can put them in any order you want. Or you can just lump them all together, and you come out with the new line of Mike Rowe Works™ by Cat® Footwear. If you are the type of person who is interested in these boots, we know you have to get back to work soon, but here are a few of our favorites:

Here is the Mike Rowe Works™ by Cat® Rangler ST, and the first thing you should know is that the ST means it’s got a steel toe. It’s also about a mile high, has a full grain upper and an oil-, water-, heat- and slip-resistant traction rubber outsole. Plus, it’s “Boy, today sure went by fast” comfortable. Boom.

This beauty is the Mike Rowe Works™ by Cat® Valor ST and it has all the same sturdy stuff in it that the Rangler has, including the steel toe, full grain leather, the everything-proof outsole and the all-day comfort. It’s just meant for people who don’t wade quite so deep into their work.

Maybe your dirty job doesn’t involve ankle-deep dirt (or whatever); maybe you spend the day on a concrete floor or doing some kind of finish work. While you’d still be happy in either the Rangler or the Valor, perhaps something lighter is for you. Try the Mike Rowe Works™ by Cat® MR-Terrain. The outsole is made from that great anti-everything rubber for super grip, but the full-grain leather upper was designed to deliver more of a sneaker feel.

We can’t promise that wearing the new Mike Rowe Works™ by Cat® boots will make every day feel like Friday, because some days are just going to feel like two Mondays fighting over which one gets to try to make you cry. What we can tell you is that a guy who has had 300 of the dirtiest, hardest jobs a person can do (and still counting) has seen fit to put his name on them. And Mike’s handshake should count for something.

March is a busy month for awareness. It is Women’s History Month, National Kidney Month, heritage month for both the Irish and the Greeks, and the month of choice for a dozen other national and regional celebrations, causes and sporting events. There’s a lot going on, so it’s understandable if you miss an announcement or two, but nutrition is something that affects us all every day. 

The American Diabetes Association sponsors National Nutrition Month, and provides volumes of great information about making smarter food choices and generally, as they put it, getting your plate in shape. We’d like to take that idea and run with it. Literally.

If getting your plate in shape is step one, then step two has got to be increasing your activity level—and that’s where we are more than happy to chime in. While there are as many ways to get active as there are celebrations in March, we’d like to break it down into three very general categories.

Walking:
To be honest, we started with walking because the Women’s Kalsø Earth Shoe looks pretty cool. They are designed to mimic walking on sand, but they’re cushioned, breathable and adjustable for support and stability. They are also just one of the hundreds of different walking shoes for women we have on hand.

We also have men’s walking shoes and, should the weather turn chilly (or you just want to look a bit sportier), we have an enormous selection of hooded sweatshirts for women, men’s hoodies and workout pants for women and men. You are set for a walk…unless it’s a run you’re in the mood for.

Running:
One of our newest collections of running shoes is the PURE line from Brooks. They deliver the perfect balance of support and stability while allowing a natural foot strike.  The lightweight Brooks PureCadence™ weighs in at just 8.3 oz for the women’s shoe and 8.3 oz for the men’s version.

The Pure line is a great transition shoe for those interested in trying the minimalist, or barefoot, running concept. If that is not you, we have thousands of women’s running shoes and men’s running shoes from which to choose. If you don’t already have a favorite brand, our FitWiz running shoe finder makes it easy to find your new running partners. To complete the ensemble, we have a huge collection of athletic shorts for women and men’s athletic shorts—we even have heart rate monitors to track your progress on the road. That is, unless you prefer to get out and wander…

Hiking:
If where you live is anything like the Pacific Northwest, you probably feel the same pull of the great outdoors. Sometimes (or all of the time) you just need to get out and wander through the countryside. The good news is that OnlineShoes.com has a huge selection of hiking boots for women and men, so we can totally hook you up regardless of the terrain you are out to conquer or your ambition level (I’m a flat hiker myself). We also have a great assortment of versatile athletic pants for men and women, so you don’t have to worry about range of motion, comfort or any of that stuff while you are out in the wild—we even have walking poles to make your trailblazing less blazing. And boots; we can’t forget the boots.

This is the Men’s Teva Raith. It’s a great, waterproof light hiking boot with a flexible nylon shank and Mush®-infused insole for cushy comfort on the trail. It is one of the hundreds of hiking boots, hiking shoes and trail shoes we stock.

When you do get the right footwear for your activity of choice, don’t forget to fuel your body appropriately with balanced nutrients, plenty of fluids and all that good stuff. After all, it is National Nutrition Month.

We get a little excited when we hear the words “Version 2,” especially when it’s referring to something we already love, like the 890 running shoe from New Balance. The short version of the story is that if you loved the groundbreaking original 890 as much as we did, then you are in for a treat with the New Balance 890v2 collection.

The original 890 trainer has hammered out who-knows how many thousands of miles on the feet of tens of thousands of neutral runners, and the 890s did it by delivering reliable stability, support and comfort. The original 890 is an award-winning running shoe, recognized by both Outdoor and Women’s Running magazines for being awesome—and the New Balance 890v2 collection is even better. This would be a perfect time to cue some epic theme music and get to know the new 890v2.

The first thing you may notice about the 890v2 collection is the new look. New Balance didn’t go nuts with it, but they did use a lot of “intelligent geometry” to make sure each groove, each articulation and line is working together to deliver a stable, comfortable run. It’s also got a slightly lower heel height as well. That, combined with a full ground contact outsole, helps make the new 890v2 just as compatible with midfoot and forefoot strikes as it is with a heel strike. The 890v2 is a great neutral trainer that just wants to run.

Another change is the overall weight. New Balance did a ground-up review of the design, materials and craftsmanship in the 890, and found ways to improve the responsiveness and stability of the shoe while making it lighter on your foot. Lighter. The super-lightweight synthetic mesh upper features no-sew construction for comfort. It also includes a thermoplastic urethane (cool kids say TPU) band wrapping the midfoot to deliver stability, and generally just keep your foot snuggly where it’s supposed to be. The women’s New Balance 890v2 weighs in at just 7.5 ounces, and the men’s version is just 9.5 ounces. So, on average, this amazing lightweight running shoe tips the scale at roughly the same weight as a cup of water.

Lightweight, super comfortable on your foot and it looks great. The New Balance 890v2 may (I did say may) make you forget all about the original 890.

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Thanks for all of your entries and sharing the music that gets you running.  

The Brooks Pure giveaway is now closed. Please join us in congratulating the winner: LRF!!

We’ll be contacting you soon!

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Brooks poses a great, simple question: When it comes to running, would you rather float or feel? Would you prefer to minimize your sense of contact with the road, or would you rather feel the texture of the running surface? Or, maybe it’s a combination of the two.  

Personally, I’m more about minimizing any kind of impact, but that’s because my running style doesn’t seem to have a lot of “glide” to it. My legs are more like a couple of pile drivers, and I tend to connect with the road with a “That’ll teach you” attitude. But the whole idea of minimalist running shoes and barefoot running is rather interesting—especially when I see the new Brooks PureProject running shoes.

The Brooks Pure collection of running shoes are great-looking shoes that deliver the exact amount of road feel you want, without sacrificing the comfort or support you need. They come in three different weight classes.

LIGHT: Get the perfect balance of support and stability, and a natural foot strike in the light Brooks PureCadence™ running shoe. Weight: Women’s – 8.3 oz, Men’s – 9.5 oz

LIGHTER. Get a greater sense of ground with the Brooks PureFlow™ running shoe. Weight: Women’s – 7.5 oz, Men’s – 8.7oz.

LIGHTEST. Experience stability and comfort with the inverted heel and glove-like feel of the Brooks PureConnect™ running shoe. Weight: Women’s – 6.5 oz, Men’s – 7.2oz

Might as well call them cool, cooler, coolest. And the PureCadence running shoes sounds like a good transition shoe to try out this minimalist running stuff—maybe it’s time I tried feeling instead of floating. But first…

Let’s give a pair away! That’s right. One lucky person will win a pair of Brooks Pure running shoes; PureCadence, PureFlow, PureCadence—your choice. All you have to do is use the comment space below to answer this question:

“New year, new shoes, new play list: What’s your favorite new song to run to?”

We promise not to laugh at your 1980s New Wave throwback or Carmina Burana dub-step remix, but you do have to contribute something to the soundtrack to be eligible—just commenting on somebody else’s choice is not an entry.

Submit your entry by Wednesday, February 22, 2012 11:59 PM (Pacific) to be eligible. Anything after that is just a song we can hum, not an entry. Open to U.S. residents only. No purchase necessary to win. See contest terms and conditions for complete details.

I had the pleasure of getting fitted for running shoes by the Brooks gurus while I was at the Rock-N-Roll Las Vegas expo. I had been experiencing some foot pain, so I was anticipating the need for a stability shoe or something of that nature.

The Brooks employees there were exceptionally knowledgeable, helpful and informative. One consultant spent a lot of time explaining my running patterns while performing a videotaped gait analysis. I ran barefoot on the treadmill for several minutes. Surprisingly, my gait was quite neutral, so they suggested Brooks running shoes such as the Adrenaline, Defyance, Ghost or Pure Connect as my best options.

One by one, I tried on all of their suggested running shoes. When I put on the Brooks Defyance 4, I knew almost immediately that these were the ones. My feet felt completely enveloped by the shoe. No uncomfortable stability contours, just my foot in a supportive, yet lightweight shoe. Finally.

I’m not alone in my admiration for the Brooks Defyance 4, Runner’s World had this to say about the Defyance 4 after selecting it as one of the Editor’s Picks, “…this update is flexible yet firm underfoot and snug in the heel. The upper provides a secure, articulated wrap through the arch that testers absolutely raved about.”

When searching for a running shoe, I wanted the lightest, most neutral shoe that still provided enough support for long-mileage runs. I found it in the Defyance 4.

Running in the Defyance 4 still allows my feet to feel like they are working, getting stronger. Additionally, the balanced feel of the shoe allows me to focus on a mid-foot strike, because the heel is not over-sized. Overly supportive shoes have worked against my running form in the past, but the neutral Defyance 4 works with my natural gait.

As a Washington resident, I’m also happy to support a local business like Brooks…especially when they produce fantastic products like this! One last note, I don’t want to jinx the beautiful relationship I have with my Defyance 4 running shoes, but I did just see a pretty nice looking pair of the Brooks Defyance 5 running shoes…

“Going for a run.” It sounds so simple, almost mechanical somehow. It’s as if going for a run were just the next thing happening and nothing more. But it is more. According to Mizuno, there is Truth in running—and that’s with a capital T.   

If you are a runner of any regularity and/or distance, you have probably touched on the Truth at the core of the Mizuno philosophy. There is a transcendent moment that can only be truly understood in the first person. It’s the moment when the connection between runner and running surface becomes effortless, and the rhythms of heartbeat, breath and footfall all fall into perfect syncopation. It feels like it could go on forever; like it has been going on forever.

Mizuno has been around for more than a hundred years, and in that time they have developed a design and engineering process that is a little different than at other companies. Basically, they start with a blank sheet and a bunch of runners. They document, measure and calculate the needs and wants of the runners, and then engineer a shoe that balances them all out. And then they break the shoe down. It’s called editing, and it’s a vital part of the process. They eliminate any superfluous bits they find, consider alternate materials for weight-savings and/or structural support and generally make sure runners can find the Truth in the shoe.

A perfect example of their philosophy is the Mizuno Wave Rider 15. This is a fantastic high-mileage, medium cushion running shoe. The Wave Rider 15 is the next great evolution in the hugely popular series, and uses patented Mizuno Wave® technology to disperse impact forces away from your foot. What you get is a smooth ride with a lightweight feel. That’s the Truth. With Mizuno, it’s not just going for a run. It’s going for your run.

As a side note, you may enjoy watching Mizuno’s other Wave Rider videos, too. It’s fun to see the runners who work at Mizuno talk enthusiastically and intelligently about the Truth of running.

I love SOREL boots for a hundred reasons, but if I had to list them, 95 of them would be FUR! There is something magical and delicious about tall, fur-lined boots from SOREL. They are the go-to fashion footwear for the coldest, snowiest days of the year. If you don’t believe me (and why wouldn’t you?), just check out your favorite celebrity blog. SOREL will be there.

Honestly, it’s a little difficult picking out just a few winter boots to showcase here. It’s sort of like sharing your favorite band with somebody who has never heard of them, “Listen to this one…wait, this one…oh, and this one…great, right?…now these two.” Tell you what; I am just going to stick with the ones in my closet for now. My default winter boot is the SOREL Joan of Arctic. It’s waterproof, comfortable and grippy—and has that terrific faux fur snow cuff to help keep the cold away.

The SOREL Tofino is just as awesome as the Joan of Arctic from a feature standpoint (waterproof, reliable traction, all that), but look at it. This is the boot I go for when I want to take my cold weather outfit up a notch. The Tofino is great whether I want to be a snow bunny at the ski lodge or just go to the mall. I chose the chili pepper color, but these quilted canvas, faux fur-trimmed beauties also come in black and olive. 

Now to be fair, our closet has more than just women’s SOREL boots. My husband is also a fan, so we have a nice stack of men’s winter boots as well. Actually, he has more than I do. His first pair were these SOREL Caribou boots, and they have been his cold weather boot of choice for years—I’m not completely sure the snow would have been shoveled off our sidewalks without them. 

When the snow isn’t quite so deep (but it’s still pretty stinkin’ cold) my husband prefers the versatility and all-day comfort of the Cheyanne Lace Canvas boot. It doesn’t have the “I’m going on an expedition” look of the Caribou, so he doesn’t look so out of place while holding my purse when we’re at the mall.

While I play snow bunny at the ski lodge, his choice of footwear is the SOREL Mad Boot Lace. It’s a really good looking leather, lace-up ankle boot. It’s water-resistant, comfortable, and he says the outsole looks like a snowboarding boot, so it gives him “snow cred”—whatever that means. 

Cold, wet, snow, wind…whatever else the winter brings, you can depend on finding our entryway filled with our favorite SOREL boots. Love, love love!

These are boots for people that get stuff done. You know the type; the folks that have a plan for the day and just seem to have a motor in them. They may wear other shoes when it’s time to relax, but when it’s doing time, it’s time for Magnum boots. These great-looking boots are crafted in full-grain leather and ballistic nylon mesh, and they come in any color you choose—as long as you choose black or tan.

There are some gorgeous “work boots” out there that are meant as a fashion statement. As far as Magnum is concerned, those boots are all hat and no tool belt. You should know Magnum boots are favored by hardworking uniformed professionals all over the country—even if that uniform is just well-worn Dickies and a hard hat. They also make great hunting boots. Just look at the features of one of our most popular styles: the men’s Magnum Response II boot. It has a steel safety toe, removable contoured insole, high-traction outsole and a Bluecher lacing system for totally adjustable snugness and comfort.

Magnum boots are comfortable, supportive, and above all, tough. They’re like that silently dependable friend you’ve had for decades; the one who will help you out with whatever it is you’ve gotten into.  Check out the men’s Magnum Precision Ultra boot, it features a microfiber upper with ion-mask™ treatment for the ultimate in waterproofing and oil resistance. This hard-working boot has an ASTM-approved safety toe, contoured footbed with memory foam and offers excellent traction on all kinds of surfaces.  It’s comfortable and dry even when your working conditions are not. Talk about a good friend.

Magnum boots are for hardworking men and women. It’s that simple. You’ll probably want other shoes to go hang out in and watch the game. It’s not that Magnum boots aren’t stylish or comfortable enough to wear while you’re sitting around with your buddies. They absolutely are. It’s just that if you do wear them in a casual atmosphere, everyone there will naturally assume that you are just stopping by for a minute on your way to getting some real work done–because you are that kind of person and Magnum boots are those kind of boots.

The 12 Days of Giving may be over now, but they sure were fun while they lasted. If you haven’t yet had an opportunity to go through the comments, we’d like to encourage you to do so. Each new day and new question brought in hundreds of comments from around the country. Some were sweet and heartfelt while others were funny; we had some sad ones, some silly ones, and some very, very short ones. All in all, it was great to be able to step into your world and share a bit of the holidays with you.

We learned a little something, too. You just can’t read almost three thousand comments without picking up a few common threads. Most of you came back more than once to participate in the 12 Days of Giving, and a few of you even made it to all 12 Days. It could be fun to put together all 12 answers from the same person and see how they summed up the holidays. Hmm, maybe after the holiday rush.

In the meantime, here are a few things we noticed as the days went by:

Day One: Dr. Martens – “What is your first holiday memory?”
No surprise, the memories you shared were all over the place; lights, cutting trees, broken ornaments, favorite childhood presents and more. If there was a theme at all, it was family. Most of our earliest holiday memories had something to do with family.

Day Two: The North Face – “What is your favorite holiday-themed movie?”
While some of you prefer non-traditional holiday-themed movies, such as Die Hard, Love Actually or Gremlins, it was the classics (new and old) that took the award for Best Picture here. Your favorite movies (in random order) included White Christmas, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Story and Muppets Christmas Carol.

Day Three: Soleus - “What is the best holiday gift you’ve ever received?”
Favorite holiday gifts were as individual as first memories; there were surprise trips, jewelry, Cabbage Patch dolls, bikes, electronics and animals. Unlike first memories, though, the most frequent holiday gift comment had something to do with the ability to just be around your loved ones during the holidays. Your favorite gift is each other.

Day Four: Rockport - “What is your favorite holiday memory?”
We could copy and paste the summary of Day Three right here and, for the most part, it would be accurate. Your favorite memories were about surprise trips, Cabbage Patch dolls, animals and all that “I got just what I always wanted” stuff, as expected. But again, like first memories and favorite gifts, your favorite holiday memories were about family and friends.

Day Five: Tecnica - “What is your favorite winter activity?”
Snow, snow and more snow. With apologies to our friends in warmer climates, your favorite winter activities were almost completely snow-related. There are plenty of sledding, skiing and snowboarding fans among you, but there are just as many that look forward to simple walk (or snowshoeing) when the snow falls. And let me just say two more words: Snow angels.

Day Six: Sanita - “What is the worst holiday gift you’ve ever received?”
Some made us laugh, some made us cry and some brought back childhood memories of our own. Sometimes your worst gift earned its place in your heart because of the person who gave it to you, but for most of you your worst gifts were just plain bad on any scale of measurement. Jewelry engraved with other people’s names, old sweaters from storage, half-used items, re-gifted items returning to the person who gave them in the first place….they all just need to go to the Island of Misfit Toys.

Day Seven: SOREL- “What is your favorite holiday gift to give?”
Without a doubt, most of you prefer to give something homemade, handcrafted or personal in some way. You like to give a little of yourself in your gifts. Of course, there were also a number of folks whose gift-giving seemed more aspirational than realistic…yes, we’d all like to hand out iPads to our friends and family.

Day Eight: Giesswein - “What always gets you in the holiday spirit?”
For the most part, holiday music was the number one response when it comes to getting into the holiday spirit. Food was second, but by a fairly wide margin, and then things like a specific movie, event or family gathering filled out the list. So, next year we’d recommend starting with holiday music, moving on to making cookies and treats and then gather the extended family for a little quality time. Instant holiday spirit.

Day Nine: Jessica Simpson & Sperry Top-Sider – “What is your favorite holiday treat?”
Getting people to talk about their favorite holiday treats is about as difficult as getting grandparents to show pictures of their grandkids. Just about every holiday treat you can think of is represented on our list; Christmas cookies with names we couldn’t pronounce, eggnog, pies and homemade candies of all types. From hand-crafted goodies to seasonal coffeehouse beverages, everyone has a favorite way to greet the holidays—and let’s just agree to hold off on using the bathroom scale until next year.

Day Ten: Columbia - “What is your favorite holiday song?”
You want an easy way to create a playlist for your holiday party? Just ask 300 people to name their favorite holiday songs. Here are the top dozen songs:

• White Christmas – Bing Crosby
• Home – Michael Buble
• Silver Bells
• Silent Night
• O, Holy Night – Nat King Cole
• Jingle Bells
• Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Ray Charles
• Santa Baby
• The Chanukah Song – Adam Sandler
• Hallelujah Chorus
• Feliz Navidad
• I’ll Be Home for Christmas

Sorry, we can’t list Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, even though it was submitted a dozen times. It’s just too soon.

Day Eleven: Tsubo - “How do you decorate for the holidays?”
Decorating for the holidays showed a preference for moderation this year. By a small majority, people are choosing to put up a modest tree, string a few lights around the house and not go too over-the-top with their decorating. Of course, there were the other folks as well–holiday decorations everywhere and all the time. A fairly significant number of people said they liked to turn on the Christmas lights the minute Thanksgiving dinner is over, and a few people were all about decorating their homes like Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. You can see their houses from space. Awesome.

Day Twelve: Sherpani - “What is your favorite holiday tradition?”
Some of you are nuts. We’re not naming names, but the tradition of pizza and French Fries for Christmas breakfast or travelling to a family gathering where everyone is in their pajamas all day is…well, perhaps “Not for me.” is the best way to say it. The rest of you submitted comments about opening stockings on Christmas Eve, midnight church services, gathering for family celebrations, singing songs and sharing meals. Much like most of the almost 3000 submissions we read, your favorite holiday traditions were all about being with friends and family. And on that note…

Thank you for all of your comments and sharing a little bit of what makes the holidays special for you and yours. We look forward to seeing you again in the New Year. All the best, from our family to yours.

I have been a fan of Haflinger since I got my very first pair of Haflinger slippers one Christmas in high school. They were cute and toasty and just had a sort of timeless slipper aura about them. Put it this way, if you were asked to draw a picture of a pair of slippers, the image would look like Haflinger slippers. I say that with confidence in part because Haflinger has a ton of styles, but you get the point. And then there’s these, too:

Those absolutely adorable women’s Haflinger Piggy slippers are more than just cute. They have a 100% boiled wool upper, latex arch support and a double-thick wool felt sole–perfect your keeping your little piggies warm no matter how hard the cold winds huff and puff outside. For those who prefer hard soles more than soft soles (and thank you for being the person that gets the newspaper), Haflinger has an absolutely huge selection of both hard-soled slippers and clogs.

Haflinger clogs are a customer favorite around here. They have a huge variety of styles (like the women’s Haflinger Kim clog up there) with great features like breathable wool uppers, comfortable cork midsoles, non-skid outsoles, leather trim and more. The men’s Haflinger clogs are just as comfy and versatile. They are perfect for slipping on and running errands all day. And because wool is a natural insulator, Haflinger shoes will keep your feet warm in the winter and cool in the summer. So, technically, they are perfect for slipping on and running errands all year. Ah, Haflinger, is there anything you can’t do?

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Thanks for all of your entries and sharing your favorite traditions.

The 12 Days of Giving are now over, but we look forward to seeing you again at OnlineShoes.com and on our Facebook page. If you’d like all the latest styles and news delivered to you, make sure to follow OnlineShoes.com on Twitter. Now, please join us in congratulating today’s winner: Shannon Billy!!

We’ll be contacting you soon!

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It’s day twelve of the 12 Days of Giving and it’s about time to pack up. Luckily, we have just the thing, a gorgeous backpack from Sherpani. They are known around the globe for creating fresh, fun and functional works of art, and this one is a perfect example.

The women’s Sherpani Sonoma Backpack is a great little commuter bag. It’s got all kinds of pockets and space enough for a tablet, iPad or e-reader without a lot of extra bulk.  Ah, but you’re already looking at the picture anyway.

So, let’s talk about Sherpani style for a minute. It’s durable cotton canvas with faux-leather trim and that eye-catching design was created by artist Cathy Nichols. This women’s fashion backpack has both a drawstring and top zip closure to keep all your stuff in. this little beauty was made with love and you are going to love it right back. You know, it even comes with a matching detachable key fob. Sweet!

To enter the Day Twelve drawing use the comment space below to answer today’s Question of the Day: “What is your favorite holiday tradition?”

All you have to do is tell us a little about the food, event, people or other tradition that really brings the holidays to your heart every year and you are in the running for a great Sherpani bag.

Same fine print, different day:
To be eligible for this drawing, you must answer the Question of the Day in the comment section below (200 words maximum) before 11:59 PM (Pacific) on Friday, December 16, 2011. One daily winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries to win today’s prize. Today’s winner’s name will be published here, on this giveaway blog. Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

See the complete contest rules and regulations for all the details.

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Thanks for all of your entries and drawing us a picture of what the holidays look like at your house.

The Day Eleven giveaway is now closed, but we look forward to seeing you for Day Twelve. Please join us in congratulating today’s winner: Steve M.!!

We’ll be contacting you soon!

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It’s day eleven of the 12 Days of Giving and it’s time for a little free time. It’s the holidays after all, and there is plenty of running around that needs to be done. Of course, there is absolutely no reason you can’t do it in style, so we are featuring great shoes from Tsubo today.

For the women, we have the Tsubo Cusus bootie. This snappy little number could take you from work to the mall to dinner with friends, and not even blink once. It’s as comfortable as it is versatile and features a full grain leather upper and EVA padding in the footbed. And don’t worry if it gets a little slick out, Tsubo has covered the sole of the Cusus with clever little traction pods.

The men’s Tsubo Tung has a cool, slightly retro vibe to it. It looks like an ankle boot, feels like a sneaker and is designed to keep you comfortable and looking casual all day long. It is not hard to imagine these versatile boots with jeans, khakis or maybe even a Utilikilt, if that’s your thing and you have the legs for it.

And what do you have to do to qualify for the Day Eleven giveaway? Not a whole lot. Just use the comment space below to answer today’s Question of the Day: “How do you decorate for the holidays?”

Tell us how you like to feather your nest for the holidays and you are in the running for a cool pair of Tsubo shoes.

Same fine print, different day:
To be eligible for this drawing, you must answer the Question of the Day in the comment section below (200 words maximum) before 11:59 PM (Pacific) on Thursday, December 15, 2011. One daily winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries, and may select one of the day’s prizes. Today’s winner’s name will be published here, on this giveaway blog. Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

See the complete contest rules and regulations for all the details.

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Thanks for all of your entries and sharing the music that puts you in the holiday spirit. What a great playlist!

The Day Ten giveaway is now closed, but we look forward to seeing you for Day Eleven and beyond. Please join us in congratulating today’s winner: Barbra M.!!

We’ll be contacting you soon!

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It’s day ten of the 12 Days of Giving and it’s time to get outside. We don’t mean running from the front door to the car door, we mean oh-you-tee, out…outside…out of doors. It’s time to grab your coat and see where real boots go to play. This is exactly the sort of weather that calls for great winter boots from Columbia. And that’s exactly what we are giving away. If your name is selected you get to choose either one of the two Columbia Bugaboot Plus styles we are featuring today.

The women’s Columbia Bugaboot Plus features a waterproof suede upper and injection-molded waterproof thermal rubber shell. They are sturdy, comfortable and have a couple hundred grams of Columbia’s Omni-Heat® insulation packed inside for toaster-level warmth. Plus, they are pretty sweet looking winter boots.

The men’s Columbia Bugaboot Plus is also more than just fun to say. You know that song that goes “Anything you can do, I can do better…”? Comparing the men’s Bugaboot to the women’s Bugaboot is sort of like that, except the words would be “Anything you can do, I can do the same or similar…” Not dramatic in that context perhaps, but get these durable winter boots out in the snow and you’ll be impressed. They are waterproof, rugged, super-comfortable and provide great insulation for warmth. And they come in manly camo, too.

As always, entering the 12 Days of Giving is easy. Simply use the comment space below to answer today’s Question of the Day: “What is your favorite holiday song?”

It should be easy. Most of you even mentioned music as the thing that puts you in the holiday spirit. All you have to do is tell us the song that puts you in the mood to celebrate the holidays and you are in the running for a pair of fantastic Columbia boots.

Same fine print, different day:
To be eligible for this drawing, you must answer the Question of the Day in the comment section below (200 words maximum) before 11:59 PM (Pacific) on Wednesday, December 14, 2011. One daily winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries, and may select one of the day’s prizes. Today’s winner’s name will be published here, on this giveaway blog. Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

See the complete contest rules and regulations for all the details.

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Thank you for your entries and sharing your favorite treats. Yum!

The Day Nine giveaway is now closed, but we look forward to seeing you for Day Ten and beyond. Please join us in congratulating our TWO winners:
Amy J. wins Jessica Simpson! Geoff K. wins Sperry Top-Sider!

We’ll be contacting you soon!

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It’s day nine of the 12 Days of Giving and it’s time to double-down on the giveaways. That’s right, today we will have two drawings, two prizes and two winners—the only trick is that you have to pick which ONE drawing you want to be in. Sounds easy now, but wait until you see the terrific shoes we have to give away today from….(drum roll, please)…Jessica Simpson and Sperry Top-Sider!

If you answer the question below and mention Drawing One in your answer, you are in the running for a fantastic pair of women’s Jessica Simpson Calie pumps. These gorgeous pumps feature a 4-inch heel, patent leather upper, faux leather lining and a lightly cushioned footbed for all day (or, more likely, all-night) comfort. Meow.�

On the other hand, if you answer the question below and mention Drawing Two in your answer, you are going for a pair of men’s Sperry Top-Sider Wetlands, which are almost the complete opposite of the Jessica Simpson shoes. The Wetlands all-weather boot is insulated, fully seam-sealed and waterproof. It’s also got a padded collar and a lugged rubber sole. While the Wetlands will look great tooling around town, these durable boots are designed to go where there are no sidewalks.

Now all you have to do is use the comment space below to CHOOSE ONE DRAWING and then answer today’s Question of the Day: “What is your favorite holiday treat?”

That’s right, all you have to do is pick one drawing to be in, tell us about the treat that absolutely makes the holidays for you, and then you are in the running for EITHER a pair of Jessica Simpson Calie pumps OR a pair of Sperry Top-Sider Wetlands boots.

Oh, and if you do not select a drawing or select both, we will automatically put you in the drawing for the Sperry Top-Sider boots. It was a coin toss, but that’s the rule.

‘Same fine print, different day:
To be eligible for this drawing, you must answer the Question of the Day in the comment section below (200 words maximum) before 11:59 PM (Pacific) on Tuesday, December 13, 2011. One daily winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries for each of today’s two drawings. The winner’s names will be published here, on this giveaway blog. Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

See the complete contest rules and regulations for all the details.

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Thank you for your entries and sharing the things that put you in the holiday spirit!

The Day Eight giveaway is now closed, but we look forward to seeing you for Day Nine and beyond. Please join us in congratulating today’s winner: Kelley F!!

We’ll be contacting you soon!

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It’s day eight of the 12 Days of Giving and it’s time for us to draw a little winter holiday scene for you. Picture this: you’ve got nowhere else to be for hours and hours; you’re sitting in front of a crackling fire, sipping the finest hot cocoa you’ve ever made, wearing slippers and listening to the wind push through the trees. Aaaah, now that is the kind of winter people can support. And  Giesswein can make the dream happen…well…at least the part about the slippers. I mean, how would they even know if you had a fireplace? What they do know all about is slippers, and when it comes to making dream-worthy slippers, Giesswein is something of a genius.

Today’s giveaway features two classic styles from which the winner can choose. The women’s Giesswein Ammern is a backless, mule-style wool slipper. They are the absolute definition of wearability and easy style. Like all of Giesswein’s slippers, the Ammern is designed to keep your feet comfortable and your toes toasty.

For the men, we have the Giesswein Vent 11 wool slippers. They’re breathable, water-resistant, machine washable and eco-friendly. Just look at them, all fuzzy and warm. Forget that whole sitting by the fire, sipping cocoa dream. Picture the look on someone’s face when you give them a pair of these as a gift. That should make you feel toasty inside.

As always, entering the 12 Days of Giving is easy. Simply use the comment space below to answer today’s Question of the Day: “What always gets you in the Holiday Spirit?”

All you have to do is tell us what puts you in the mood to celebrate the holidays and you are in the running for a pair of cozy Giesswein slippers.

Same fine print, different day:
To be eligible for this drawing, you must answer the Question of the Day in the comment section below (200 words maximum) before 11:59 PM (Pacific) on Monday, December 12, 2011. One daily winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries, and may select one of the day’s prizes. Today’s winner’s name will be published here, on this giveaway blog. Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

See the complete contest rules and regulations for all the details.

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Thank you for your entries and sharing the gifts you love to give!

The Day Seven giveaway is now closed, but we look forward to seeing you for Day Eight and beyond. Please join us in congratulating today’s winner: Lisa G!!

We’ll be contacting you soon!

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It’s day seven of the 12 Days of Giving and the chill in the air tells us that it is definitely time for toasty footwear in the Pacific Northwest, and probably in your neighborhood as well. Or at least we’re hoping so, because we have some great styles from Sorel to give away today. Sorel has been making some of the finest boots and shoes in the world since 1908, and the craftsmanship shows in every pair they make. They’re versatile, durable and designed to deliver comfort and warmth in horrible weather conditions. Okay, maybe horrible is too strong of a word to use around all you winter lovers out there; perhaps yucky is better. But Sorels can handle the horrible, just FYI.

The giveaway today features two great styles from which to choose. The first is the women’s Sorel Tivoli™; it’s the perfect urban shoe and offers the warmth and protection of a snow boot. It has a cozy fleece lining, is waterproof and absolutely boot-tastic, which is now a word.

The men’s Sorel 1964 Premium™ T CVS is proof that “impervious” is an awesome word to be able to use in inclement winter. This classic boot may look all sweet and retro but it is packed with the latest materials and manufacturing techniques, so you can ignore winter—wait, I meant to say “so you can give winter the cold shoulder…” In any case, with a pair of Sorel 1964 Premiums on your feet you may find yourself singing let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

To enter the Day Seven giveaway, simply use the comment space below to answer today’s Question of the Day: “What is your favorite holiday gift to give?”

Just tell us a little about the gifts you really love to give to others and you are in the running for an awesome pair of Sorel winter boots.

Same fine print, different day:
To be eligible for this drawing, you must answer the Question of the Day in the comment section below (200 words maximum) before 11:59 PM (Pacific) on Friday, December 9, 2011. One daily winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries, and may select one of the day’s prizes. Today’s winner’s name will be published here, on this giveaway blog. Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

See the complete contest rules and regulations for all the details.

Bearpaw was founded on the simple idea of natural, casual comfort. They use natural sheepskin linings, soft leathers, grippy outsoles and some amazing craftsmanship to create footwear that is designed to provoke an “aaaah” response as you pull them on. Not to be a jinx, but Bearpaw boots may make you start wishing for a long winter.

It’s clear by looking at them that Bearpaw managed to find a spot somewhere in their casual/comfort design equation for some serious style. Look at the classic styling of the women’s Bearpaw Kayla. Their rugged leather upper gives you great protection against the weather, while the stylish shearling cuff offers just a hint of the cozy lining inside. And look at that sole, too. That is the sole of a winter boot that can take you places, places you want to be.

If you are less about getting there and more about being there, then perhaps you should consider soft and fuzzy Bearpaw Bristol pull-on boots. The genuine sheepskin lining and subtle embossed detailing make it pretty easy to picture yourself lounging around by the fire, sipping hot chocolate and watching the snowflakes fall. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…

Now, if you are ready for outright awesome winter boots, sit down, take a deep breath and have a look at the Bearpaw Siren boots. They come in a couple of other colors, but the redwood is our favorite. It is easy to imagine how cute these beauties would be knocking around town in your favorite jeans—and they are super-comfortable, too.

Just so you know, winter will end on March 19, 2012. So you still have a lot of good, cold weather to make the most of your new Bearpaw boots–but the clock is ticking.

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Thank you for your entries and sharing some of your less-than-favorite gifts!

The Day Six giveaway is now closed, but we look forward to seeing you for Day Seven and beyond. Please join us in congratulating today’s winner: Rolando!!

We’ll be contacting you soon!

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It’s day six of the 12 Days of Giving and we are going international with authentic clogs from Sanita, the creator of the original Danish clog. We have to believe that the Danes know a little something about cool weather comfort, so this giveaway is looking pretty good as winter rolls in.

We know what you’re thinking, that you’ll have to go all the way to Denmark to get your pair of Sanitas. Well, there is some good (and we hope not surprising) news—we have the perfect Sanita clogs right here, ready for our winner.   The giveaway today features the women’s Sanita Croco Bordeaux Clog, which is gorgeous. The Bordeaux Patent Croco has a sophisticated and versatile look and a lovely contoured footbed for great support. I wonder what the word for “yummy” is in Denmark.

For the fellahs , we have the men’s Sanita Cabrio Black. These handsome shoes are the definition of casual. You didn’t hear it from us, but we were once told that the Sanita Cabrio is the preferred casual footwear of international secret agents. Plus, they have an anti-bacterial leather lining for moisture-control and comfort. Talk about world-class.

To enter the Day Six giveaway, simply use the comment space below to answer today’s Question of the Day: “What is the worst holiday gift you’ve ever received?”

You don’t have to name names, just tell us about a gift that just didn’t do it for you. If you can’t think of one, we will also accept your opinion on what would make a bad holiday gift–and don’t say red plastic bucket because I am not taking that back. Tell us your tale and you are in the running for a pair of comfy Sanita clogs.

Same fine print, different day:
To be eligible for this drawing, you must answer the Question of the Day in the comment section below (200 words maximum) before 11:59 PM (Pacific) on Thursday, December 8, 2011. One daily winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries, and may select one of the day’s prizes. Today’s winner’s name will be published here, on this giveaway blog. Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

See the complete contest rules and regulations for all the details.

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Thank you for your entries and sharing some of your favorite activities!

The Day Five giveaway is now closed, but we look forward to seeing you for Day Six and beyond. Please join us in congratulating today’s winner: ibereesecup!!

We’ll be contacting you soon!

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It’s day five of the 12 Days of Giving and our next giveaway is really going to put you over the moon! Tecnica is celebrating the 41st anniversary of the Moon Boot® and we’ve got them! There are a lot of you out there for which Moon Boots bring back immediate memories; happy ones if you had a pair at some point, and a little twinge of jealousy if you didn’t. They are funky, fun and above all they are capital T, Toasty.

Today we are giving away a pair of women’s Moon Boot® Nylon, featuring the perfect combination of unique style and cold weather performance. The Moon Boot® is the most iconic winter boot ever; in fact, it has appeared on a list of the top 100 design objects of the 20th century. This boot will get keep you toasty warm while doing your favorite winter activity in iconic style.

To enter the Day Four giveaway, simply use the comment space below to answer today’s Question of the Day: “What is your favorite winter activity?”

That’s it, just tell us what you like doing for fun in the winter and you are in the running for a fab pair of Tecnica moon boots.

Same fine print, different day:
To be eligible for this drawing, you must answer the Question of the Day in the comment section below (200 words maximum) before 11:59 PM (Pacific) on Wednesday, December 7, 2011. One daily winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries to win today’s prize. Today’s winner’s name will be published here, on this giveaway blog. Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

See the complete contest rules and regulations for all the details.

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Thank you for your entries and sharing some of your favorite memories!

The Day Four giveaway is now closed, but we look forward to seeing you for Day Five and beyond. Please join us in congratulating today’s winner: Debby H!!

We’ll be contacting you soon!

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It’s day four of the 12 Days of Giving and it’s time to talk about a little thing called Walkability. Rockport has it, and you need it. Walkability is what they craft into every pair of Rockport shoes. It’s a near-mystical combination of technology, materials, fit and architecture that makes wearing Rockport shoes so awesome. 

The giveaway today features a couple of our favorite styles from Rockport. The Women’s Janae Bootie is a fantastic high-heeled women’s dress boot, and we are offering it in black suede—perfect to get you through the holidays.

For men, the day four giveaway is the Men’s World Tour Classic, a great casual shoe that will go with whatever you’re wearing and give you all day comfort and what? Walkability.

To enter the day four giveaway, simply use the comment space below to answer today’s Question of the Day: “What is your favorite holiday memory?”

It doesn’t have to be your first memory or about your favorite gift, just share a moment that captures the holidays in your heart and you are in the running for Rockport Walkability.

Same fine print, different day:
To be eligible for this drawing, you must answer the Question of the Day in the comment section below (200 words maximum) before 11:59 PM (Pacific) on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. One daily winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries, and may select one of the day’s prizes. Today’s winner’s name will be published here, on this giveaway blog. Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

See the complete contest rules and regulations for all the details.

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Thank you for your entries and sharing your favorite gifts!

The Day Three giveaway is now closed, but we look forward to seeing you for Day Four and beyond. Please join us in congratulating today’s winner: Heather!!

We’ll be contacting you soon!

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It’s day three of the 12 Days of Giving and it is time for time. While Soleus watches may not actually give you more time in your day, they will ensure you know exactly what time it is. And really, if you use the performance monitoring features of Soleus watches to shave minutes off your race time, it does start to look like Soleus is giving you time. Something to think about. Soleus watches are built by runners, for runners. They are comfortable, accurate and make it easy to monitor your performance—all while looking really cool!

If you are training for a marathon, half marathon, 5K or just like to tell time, the women’s Soleus Chicked is for you. Its sleek silhouette is perfect for the female athlete, and features a 30-lap memory, two alarms and five interval timers for aerobic efficiency. We’re betting at least one of your New Year’s resolutions could benefit from accurate monitoring.

If your name is randomly selected from all of today’s eligible entries, you can choose either the women’s or men’s style we’re featuring today. The men’s Soleus Ultra Sole is the perfect gift for the guy who has everything, or at least everything but an awesome watch. This multi-functional athletic wristwatch includes a 100-hour chronograph for tracking massive distances, a 15-second backlight, and a hydration alarm to remind you to take a drink. All that and it tells time!

To enter the Day Three giveaway, simply use the comment space below to answer today’s Question of the Day: “What is the best holiday gift you’ve ever received?” It does not have to be a Soleus Watch, but we can certainly see why you would say that.

Just let us know what you think is the best holiday gift and you are in the running for a Soleus watch.

Same fine print, different day:
To be eligible for this drawing, you must answer the Question of the Day in the comment section below (200 words maximum) before 11:59 PM (Pacific) on Monday, December 5, 2011. One daily winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries, and may select one of the day’s prizes. Today’s winner’s name will be published here, on this giveaway blog. Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

See the complete contest rules and regulations for all the details.

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Thank you for your entries and sharing your favorite movies!

The Day Two giveaway is now closed, but we look forward to seeing you for Day Three and beyond. Please join us in congratulating today’s winner: Kristen M. !!

We’ll be contacting you soon!

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It’s day two of the 12 Days of Giving and it’s time for a little cold weather adventure with The North Face. The first thing you should know is that it doesn’t have to be snowy outside before you break out these amazing boots. While it’s true that The North Face is world famous for outfitting expeditions to some of the highest, coldest, most intense places on the planet, it’s also true that they look awesome. Why would you ever want to wait for snow drifts for the chance to get out in these epic winter boots?

If your name is randomly selected from all of today’s eligible entries, you can choose either one of the two styles we’re featuring today. Our women’s style is perfect  if you love to be out in the cold and active or just like to look the part, The North Face Nuptse Fur will keep you toasty from the ground up, whether the day ahead of you is full of snow banks or coffee shops.

Today’s style for men is The North Face Snow Beast Boot, and how great is that name? Just picture yourself looking out the window at the weather and saying something like “It looks like it’s time to break out the Snow Beast.” Waterproof, insulated and cool-looking, this ankle boot has it all.

Wherever these boots take you in the cold and wet weather, nothing could be better afterwards than snuggling up with the perfect holiday movie! So, to enter the Day Two giveaway, simply use the comment space below to answer today’s Question of the Day: “What is your favorite holiday movie?”

Just share your favorite holiday movie and you are in the running for a pair of The North Face boots.

Same fine print, different day:
To be eligible for this drawing, you must answer the Question of the Day in the comment section below (200 words maximum) before 11:59 PM (Pacific) on Friday, December 2, 2011. One daily winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries, and may select one of the day’s prizes. Today’s winner’s name will be published here, on this giveaway blog. Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

See the complete contest rules and regulations for all the details.

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Thank you for your entries and sharing all of the great memories!

The Day One giveaway is now closed, but we look forward to seeing you for Day Two and beyond. Please join us in congratulating today’s winner:  Christine J. !!  

We’ll be contacting you soon!

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It’s day one of the 12 Days of Giving and the perfect time to talk about firsts. Whether it’s a car, a kiss or plane ride, everyone remembers their firsts—and especially their first pair of Dr. Martens.

Today’s giveaway should excite you whether you are a first time Dr. Martens wearer or long time enthusiast. If your name is randomly selected from all of the eligible entries, you can choose either one of the two styles here, women’s or men’s. If you select the women’s style, we’ve got the gorgeous Dr. Martens Gilda boot. This lace-up knee-high dress boot continues to break the fashion mold, magically combining Dr. Martens classic and fashion-forward styling in one hot boot!

If you select the men’s Dr. Martens, it’s all about comfort meeting sophisticated style with the Dr. Martens Octavius oxford. Whatever you like to wear for the holidays and beyond, this classic oxford is the perfect finishing touch. They are modern and absolutely cool—just the sort of shoes you want on your feet for your holiday firsts.

To enter the day one giveaway, simply use the comment space below to answer today’s Question of the Day: “What is your first holiday memory?”

Just share a holiday memory and you are in the running for a brand new pair of Docs.

Same fine print, different day:
To be eligible for this drawing, you must answer the Question of the Day in the comment section below (200 words maximum) before 11:59 PM (Pacific) on Thursday, December 1, 2011. One daily winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries, and may select one of the day’s prizes. Today’s winner’s name will be published here, on this giveaway blog. Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

See the complete contest rules and regulations for all the details.

Looking for boots that work as hard as you do? The search ends here, with the time-tested craftsmanship of Caterpillar footwear. Combining the rugged durability of work boots with the easy comfort of casual footwear, Caterpillar features styles that run the gamut from professional steel-toe work boots to stylish slip-on comfort shoes, and everything in between. They even have a cool nickname–CAT. For nearly two decades, CAT footwear has been designing and engineering quality work boots, work shoes and casual footwear that live up to the hard-working reputation of the CAT brand. Trusted, dependable and easy to wear straight out of the box, CAT boots and shoes offer the authenticity and rugged style that gets the job done—on the job site and far beyond.

For the man who needs to stay steady on his feet, it’s the Caterpillar Argon ankle boot. A waterproof full grain leather upper ensures long term wear, while padding in the collar protects and cushions your ankles. It looks tough, it wears tough, it feels awesome. The non-metallic composite toe is ASTM rated and 50% lighter than a steel toe to deliver safety without the weight.

Adventure ready gals will love the Caterpillar Liv boot–a little bit biker, a little bit Western and a whole lot stylish. Assembled using durable, flexible Goodyear® welt construction, this distinctive women’s pull-on boot has a tumbled leather upper accented with overlays and stitching details; elastic goring contributes give for easy on/off. Inside, the Poliyou® footbed and PVC midsole add cushioned comfort to every step.

Inspired by hard work and driven by the everyday demands of life, Caterpillar footwear is committed to keeping you comfortable, protected and—as always—looking darn good no matter where your adventures take you.

She wore those slippers for almost five years, and I suspect would be wearing them still (they are exceptionally durable) had we not lost them in a cross-country move. It’s all about new beginnings, isn’t it? Luckily, and by that I mean thanks to over 130 years of shoemaking experience, Daniel Green had some pretty awesome replacements available. Recently, they have been creating some pretty sweet slippers and slipper booties featuring materials like recycled wool and faux wolf fur. Of course, there is also such a thing as Daniel Green shoes, but it’s all about the slippers for me.

Look at these fun Daniel Green Piper slipper boots. They’ve got a knit collar, soft fleece lining and an indoor/outdoor sole.  The natural and recycled wool upper also comes in a few other fun color combinations.

Now, if you live somewhere a bit colder than average, or are the sort of person that is just more interested in absolute fuzzy comfort and warmth, then the Daniel Green Trista slipper boot is for you. Look at the Trista; you can practically feel the energy-sapping warmth and luxurious softness…hmm. Actually, those would look pretty sharp if you had to run down to the grocery store in them, too.

These two don’t really even begin to scrape the surface of all the different styles available. We actually have a whole Daniel Green category called Warm & Cozy and if that doesn’t say perfect gift, then I don’t know what does. Who doesn’t need more warm and/or cozy?

Late breaking news: I think I may be headed for another perfect Christmas gift. My wife just wandered by and said, “Oh, those look toasty. What are they called?” I see she’s getting a little more subtle. Well played.

Why do I love UGG® Australia boots?

My go-to boots for winter (and summer sometimes!) are, without a doubt, my classic UGG® boots. I wear my UGGs everywhere! They’re perfect for hanging around the house, running errands, commuting to work, meeting friends for lunch, daytime outings on the weekends…honestly, UGG® boots are so warm and cozy I would wear them to bed if I could.

And they’re cute too! They look great with leggings and skinny jeans or peeking out from under boot-cut and wide leg pants. They’re even cute paired with shorts and little skirts. There are tons of new fashion styles as well, all sporting the fabulous shearling lining UGG® boots are known for, like the terrific UGG Australia Lynnea Boot.

As much as I love my classic UGGs, I am dangerously tempted to stray when I see one of the new tall, high-heeled numbers on the market! I mean, just look at this beauty, the UGG Australia Hartley Boot.

Absolutely yummy. I may just have to take another look at those…I’m sure my classic UGGs would understand.

The Smartwool Giveaway is closed! Please join us in congratulating our winners:

Giselle, Melanie, KT Jewell, Clayton, Chloe
Ajarm11, C Patton, Cindy L, Greenmama, Drewman

If we haven’t already, we’ll be contacting you soon!

Wearing the right socks is like having a secret super power. Sure, the absolute comfort of SmartWool socks may seem like a pretty subtle super power at first, but just wait until you’ve logged a few miles in a pair of SmartWools. And then a few more miles. Whether it’s on a mountain trail or a city street, what you may begin to notice is that your feet feel exactly how they were meant to feel. Not clammy or hot, not chafing or blistery, just perfectly comfortable and happily doing their feet thing. The power to make feet happy is definitely a super power.

How does SmartWool do it? The short answer is Merino wool. It’s the best wool nature has to offer, and the good folks at SmartWool are obsessed with it. They have combined innovative fabric design, specialized knitting techniques and smart construction to create some of the finest socks in the world. I do not say that lightly. SmartWool has created absolutely comfortable women’s socks and men’s socks by combining a dozen different comfort-based ideas into one. They put extra wool where the foot gets cold and less where it heats up. SmartWool socks have a little extra padding in the impact zones of your feet. They have mesh vent zones to keep the clammy out. These socks have a unique banding system to give you a secure, comfortable fit around the heel, arch and instep. I could go on, but there are socks to giveaway.

That’s right, we’re giving them away. We’ve got ten 3-packs of SmartWool socks to give away (you know, I heard somewhere they have super powers!). Here’s how it will work: You answer a question to enter the giveaway, and we randomly select ten people from all of the eligible entries. Each person selected will win their choice of any 3-pack of SmartWool socks on our site (up to $75 value)—it’s what we call spreading the love. It’s not a tricky question, but you do have to answer it to enter.

Here’s the question: “Where are you going to wear your SmartWool socks?“.

Use the comment section below to answer the question, and make sure you leave us a good contact e-mail address. We’d hate to see you miss out on a new super power.

The general rules:
To be eligible to win, you must answer the question in the comment section below (200 words maximum) before 11:59 PM (Pacific) on Monday, November 28, 2011. Ten (10) winners will be randomly selected from all eligible entries, and their names will be published here, on this blog. Open to US residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

See the complete contest rules and regulations for details.

Due in part to Christopher McDougal’s book “Born to Run”, there has been a small but growing revolution in the way we think about our feet. The human hand has always bathed in the spotlight and been universally praised as a miracle of pure functionality and beauty. Meanwhile, the lowly foot has all but been shunned, stuffed into ill-fitting shoes and dismissed as inferior. Sure, the hand may be longer, leaner and more elegant to look at and the foot, more… shall I say, utilitarian. But in terms of importance to the life and function of any human being, the foot is every bit as crucial and capable.

There are 26 bones in the human foot and a dazzling array of 33 joints, which are made up of over 100 tendons, ligaments and muscles (the hand has 27 bones and a similar make-up). So why would the universe stuff all of those crazy parts into something everyone either ignores or thinks doesn’t work too well? Let’s put this into perspective and remember that without the outstanding design of the foot, a lot of the beauty of human movement simply wouldn’t be possible. Activities such as ballet, figure skating, skateboarding and basketball would be pretty much impossible if we had hoofs, paws or talons.

So why is running barefoot so taboo? My honest answer is simply because the idea of it is pretty freaking scary, man. Most of us have grown up in a world of asphalt paving, uneven concrete, sharp gravel, broken glass, garbage and… can I say this in two blogs?… dog poop. It’s a far cry from the dirt, leaves, sand, fallen pine needles and grass humans started running on.

How does one get started then? Slowly! I suggest finding a safe path near your home or your favorite running spot that is free from gravel, sharp rocks and trash. Take off your shoes and socks and start placing one foot in front of the other in a repetitive manner–that’s right, just walk. Take in the temperature changes of the ground beneath you. Let your body slowly readjust to the new posture. You’re going to feel a little off balance to the rear of your body at first because most of our shoes have a little bit of a heel lift. The ground is going to feel hard.  It sounds obvious, but it is honestly a surprising feeling and one that you’ll not only get used to but eventually, if you are like me, you’ll begin to crave the ground’s honest feedback. What do I do with my feet you ask? Trust me; they will know what to do. If your feet are like mine, they have been wanting to do this for a long, long time. Walk barefoot until it no longer feels awkward. This may take an hour, it may take a week.  Everyone is different. Most people will be starting out with a lot of unused muscles in their feet and will need this time to strengthen to avoid possible injury.

Running barefoot is a bit more complicated. Please do not heel strike. Your body will reject this with a strong pain response from your footpad to your ankles, and right up your knees and back. Instead, start by running in place barefoot. Notice how your footfall is naturally softer and how you can’t help but land on the balls of your feet. Your Achilles tendon will stretch and rebound and your calves will start firing like a couple of well-oiled machines. Slowly, and I do mean slowly, start to accelerate. You won’t want to miss this, because as your stride starts to open, little by little, you’ll start to feel your foot strike start to spread from the balls of your feet in a rearward fashion until nearly your entire footpad is striking the ground. When you feel this, stop accelerating and take note of what the rest of your body is doing.  With any luck, it will be smooth and you’ll find that you’re gliding along the ground and not bouncing very much at all.  Now you’re running barefoot. You may find that this style difficult to maintain for long periods of because you are recruiting new set of muscles to stabilize your new form. These muscles will be sore with the use, but will strengthen.

After a while, you may find that knee and back pain reduces, that the musculature in your legs becomes more defined and your balance improves.  The best part is you’ll get to show your friends and loved ones your new pair of monkey feet. Ever watch your dog or cat stretch on the living room floor and notice how their paws spread to ginormous proportions? That is the same kind of joint articulation humans should have in their feet.

Don’t believe me? Check out what a bunch of guys in lab coats from Harvard are saying in an article titled Barefoot Running: How Humans Ran Comfortably and Safely Before the Invention of Shoes. It’s one of my favorite super science articles. Lastly, please be careful. Start slow, listen to your feet and always keep your eyes on the ground ahead to avoid foot injury.

Hiking! What is it? It’s not a sport. If I travel too fast, I’m running. If I’m hiking through an urban area, then I am walking. The Random House Dictionary of the English Language defines Hiking as: “walking or marching a great distance, especially through rural areas, for pleasure, for military training, or the like.” Wikipedia gives us more of a modern definition describing it as “an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain.” So, in practice, the definition is pretty vast. Perhaps it’s a short hike in a wooded area when you walk your dog or maybe it’s the through-hike, which entails crossing an entire continent on foot. Furthermore, when taking the Wikipedia definition verbatim, the line between hiking and mountaineering is not a line at all, but a big gray area. The iportant point is when talking about physical conditioning for hiking, you should have specific goals in mind. Whether they are big or small, here are a few cardinal rules and ideas that may help.

Hiking is wonderful for your health. It really doesn’t matter what your favorite sport or activity is, adding a bit of hiking to your lifestyle is going to give you health and happiness that can be achieved no other way. There is an abundance of information out there on the physical and emotional benefits it will bring to your life.

Treat yourself to a good pair of running shoes. That’s right, running shoes, not boots. For hiking – aka walking – you need to think long term. So, unless you’re hiking in snow or ice, you want to strengthen your feet, as opposed to abusing them with sturdy boots. As you become a more accomplished hiker, all of the tendons, ligaments, bones, sinew, nerves, muscle and skin from the tip of your toes up through the small of your back will strengthen and become skilled. This is what the barefoot running fad stems from… less shoe is more. The important thing is not to go too big to soon.

The best training for hiking is: lots of walking. Nothing will be as effective. Because of the generally low intensity and high volume of this activity, you don’t need anything fancier than time and miles. If you don’t have time, then forget about it…or just make time. Start small – get up a half hour earlier in the morning, throw your shoes on and go for a quick hike around the neighborhood. Have kids and can’t do mornings? Fit lunch in after a nice big midday walk. Hiking on trails and dirt is better than pavement – which is more jarring on the joints – but go ahead and walk, even if you’re in the city. If you can do this several times a day, every single day, you will be strengthening joints, training movement posture and cleaning out your lungs. Whenever you have the time, take a 3+ hour walk and also throw in a couple rest days per week.

Hiking usually puts your heart rate at around 50 – 60% of your maximum heart rate. Your max heart rate, or VO2 max, is the maximum number of beats per minute your pulse can achieve through exercise. Generally, a hiking level of effort uses your fat stores as its dominant energy source as opposed to aerobic exercise, which uses your glycogen and glucose – or sugars. With aerobic exercise, your body typically runs out of its energy source, glycogen, in approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.  If you’re trying to work towards a faster hiking pace, a pace you can keep all day, you can’t just push for a fast pace on your long hikes. You’ll continue to experience an energy crash at that 2.5 to 3 hour mark and eventually feel like a failure. You need to raise your VO2 max.

Raise your VO2 max. Once or twice a week, for 3 consecutive weeks, you need to have a workout where you push your heart rate to its limit in short anaerobic outbursts. This can be done by sprint training, running hills, stair master, etc. For each session, it’s imperative to start with a warm up. This means a light exercise that brings you to a sweat. For best results, get your heart rate up to aerobic levels for 30 minutes or so. Once you’ve achieved your warm-up, you can get to the meat of your workout – and here’s how that goes.

Whether you’re sprinting, using the Stairmaster or whatever other activity you might choose, you need to push yourself to maximum levels until you can’t push any more… don’t let up, keep pushing and hold and then let up. Some schools will say you need to keep a light jog going, others will say you need to rest. After 5 to 10 minutes, do this again. Then push for a 3rd time. Generally you’ll have about 3 reps of this. It’s important to know that it takes a good amount of time to recover from this kind of exercise. It’s the accumulative conditioning that’s important here. Eventually, after a few weeks, you’ll find your resting heart rate lowering and your base hiking speed increase.

Long distance exercise is an internal cleanse. One of the biggest health benefits to long distance, low level exercise is that it literally cleans your insides. Much of what we do in our day-to-day lives–the food we eat, short-term intensive exercise routines, long bouts of sitting around, etc.–leads to a buildup of by-product, sludge and a general lack of efficiency in our internal organs and systems. For example, short-term intense exercise will leave our blood stream and muscle full of lactic and uric acids; less-than-ideal eating habits leave us with excess starches; fats and blood sugars; while bouts of sedentary behavior allow it all to stagnate in our bodies like a desert watering hole. Our circulatory, digestive and endocrine systems probably suffer the most. Anytime we partake in low level fat burning exercise, all of that junk that’s been collecting in your body starts to move. Plaque in the blood starts breaking down, the backlog of gunk in your liver washes out and lets it resume filtering at a normal rate, large and small intestines eliminate as they should. Your body cleanses. Some very bright people believe this kind of cleanse is the best kind and actually keeps you younger and happier, adding years to your life.

I believe everyone can and should hike. It really doesn’t matter if you have ambition or big goals in your hiking career. If you do, that’s great – as long as they’re your goals. Whichever approach you have to hiking, it is available and accessible to you. It’s a magnificent way to experience the world and is one of the easiest avenues I can think of to keep your body and spirit physically fit.

In the world of Acorn there are no sharp corners, rough textures or cold toes. The folks there talk about blurring the line between slippers and shoes, and measure their success using terms like warmth, ease and comfort. Acorn shoes are all about unsurpassed comfort.

OnlineShoes.com has plenty of shoes designed to get you off the couch, running around outdoors, to the gym and/or up the side of a mountain. These are not those shoes. These shoes are the reward your feet get when you’ve done all that other stuff and just want to knock around, lay around or just be around. These shoes are the ones that would suggest a good book if they could, or perhaps a light lunch and a matinee of some kind. It’s not that they aren’t durable or capable outdoors; it’s a matter of fact that Acorn Slipper Socks are the preferred footwear of space shuttle astronauts while in orbit—so don’t think they have to hang out on the porch with the puppies. They can run with the big dogs.�

Acorn has a whole line of outdoor shoes that are specifically designed to take you around town in comfort. For example, take a look at the Acorn Sport Moc. These handsewn beauties are perfect for whenever you actually do want to get out of the house. They easily complement whatever you’re wearing and, of course, they’re comfortable.

Since comfort is at the core of everything Acorn does, I’m more inclined to focus on the footwear that really drives that point home. Case in point: these lovely little Acorn Mikka slippers with their Nordic detailing and toasty wool fleece lining. I hesitate to use the word yummy, but come on…

Not comfy enough for you? Then perhaps the Acorn Chinchilla Fur Bootie is more your speed—although admittedly, it probably isn’t speed you’re interested in when you wear these. They have a smooth fabric upper, and a faux chinchilla fur lining for plush warmth. Plush! Honestly, could you use that word to describe any of your other shoes?

I could go on and on cataloging my favorite Acorn slippers, but really it’s so much better if you just browse our selection. As a matter of fact, I would encourage you to look through a couple pages of Acorn slippers, but do so with a couple warnings. One, looking at all the toasty warm slippers is a little like looking into a bakery window. You’ll see what I mean. Two, when you do get your new Acorn slippers, you are going to end up wearing them to the grocery store by accident at least once. It’s cool, they can take it.

Here’s the thing with Aerosoles shoes, I’ve never been 100% certain whether they should be described as “comfortable and stylish” or “stylish and comfortable.” I know, I know, it’s a super tiny thing and I wouldn’t even classify it as a worry, really. Aerosoles are both; I get it. But it can’t be a perfectly even split between comfort and style, can it?

Maybe. Aerosoles has been making great shoes for more than two decades, so they know a thing or two. They have bustling offices full of designers, engineers and people who know all about things like welts and insoles and leather and I don’t even know what else—and it’s all about finding the right balance of comfort and style for each shoe.

For example, the Aerosoles Dubious. Looks pretty comfy, right? It’s got a soft leather upper, cushioned footbed and a nice rubber sole for all day comfort. Comfy, got it. But now take a closer look. The side profile has a subtle little Italian racecar slant to it, the patent leather gives off an understated glow and the brushed metal detail adds a little something extra that gives the Aerosoles Dubious a relaxed style of its own.  

On the other hand, we have a shoe like the Aerosoles Gin Up. This splashy little vintage-inspired dress sandal features a chic faux patent leather upper, covered heel and open toe—all style. Or is it? It also has a sueded, cushioned footbed, an elastic panel in the slingback strap and a rubber sole for stability. You make the call.

It’s tough, right? I won’t begin to say I’ve solved my silly little puzzle about style versus comfort, but honestly, I’m not really trying that hard. All I know for sure is that Aerosoles makes great, versatile shoes that…oh, wait, versatility! How could I forget about the versatility? And it’s so obvious, too. Just browsing around in the Aerosoles collection, it is so easy to think of cute outfits to go with these shoes. I may just have to rethink this whole puzzle. First, a little shopping—I mean research.

Frye means boots; everyone knows that. They’ve been making some of the finest boots in the world for almost 150 years, and their craftsmanship and durability have made Frye a household name. As a matter of fact, the other day I found myself saying “Let me go grab my Frye’s first.” before heading out on some errands. I didn’t say boots, I said Frye’s. The same thing probably happens a thousand times a day all over the country, but this stuck in my head for two reasons. One, I don’t call any of my other footwear by their brand name, and two, these weren’t even boots, they were shoes.

It didn’t really register with me that there was anything odd until I got back downstairs wearing the shoes and my wife said, “Could you not find your Frye’s?” (which, on a side note is very tough to answer with a simple yes or no). I indicated they were on my feet and she just looked at me with a “but….Frye….means…boots…and those aren’t boots” look. It was a little like I had told her I was going to get a Porsche and then drove up in a truck. But I’m telling you, Frye makes awesome shoes, too.

What kind of shoes does Frye make? Oh, oxfords, ballet flats, pumps, sandals, you name it. There are Frye boat shoes and Frye moccasins—Frye even came out with a vintage-inspired (yet somehow fashion forward) take on the classic men’s sneaker. The Frye Greene Low Lace is super soft and has a cool worn-in look.

It’s not all men’s styles either. Frye has a huge selection of great women’s shoes to choose from, including the instantly classic Frye Clara Campus Clog (which is hard to say 5x fast). This clog feels like fine furniture, you know, like when you settle into a high-quality sofa and you just know it was made by true craftsmen…oh, yeah.

The spectrum of Frye shoes does not end at the water’s edge, either. When you and your Frye boots pull up to the dock with your horse/motorcycle/family minivan, you can change right into your Frye Quincy Boat Shoes before hopping on the boat and speeding away. “Just a minute,” you’ll say, “Let me change into my Frye’s” and they will all just look at you…and your not boots…

Of course Frye still means boots. It’s just that there are alternate definitions, too. Now, no matter what outfit you’ve got planned, you’re going to want Frye’s with that.

And I am so sorry for the bad pun.

A run up a mountain? Don’t mind if we do.

One of the best things about living in Colorado is the abundance of entertainment to keep even the most enthusiastic outdoor adventure seeker quite busy, and there is nothing more adventurous than exploring one of the state’s 52 fourteen thousand feet mountain peaks on foot – running. As one of the assistant cross country coaches for my son Ryan’s high school cross country team, we like to take the runners up a “14er” each year for a little team building experience – and some exposure to some high altitude training. The other day we were fortunate to get to play on the trails to peaks Grays and Torreys (14,270’ and 14,267’), two 14ers which are a short drive from Denver, where we live.

Grays and Torreys are two of the easier of the state’s 14ers to climb: the trail is about 4 miles to Grays and then just a half mile to Torreys; elevation gain is approximately 3000’ (relatively short compared to many others); the trail starts out pretty much on pea-sized gravel which is conducive to run on; and the amazing beauty of the valley is simply breathtaking, filled with a blanket of wildflowers while viewing the peaks as your backdrop. How can one NOT want to run here?

Even though the trail is not highly technical, it can be a challenge on your feet when you reach some sketchy patches of loose, large rocks or areas of steep inclines. I am a pretty firm believer that the shoes you wear on these types of trails can either make or break reaching the summit – or at least make the difference between having a great or lousy experience.

Trail shoes are designed to protect the feet from the rugged, rocky surface and to maximize forward motion by gripping the trail to provide traction. Compared to a typical road shoe, the trail shoe has a thicker and nubbier sole, and the added density provides more stability on rugged and uneven terrain. I can’t tell you how many newbie runners I saw on the trail wearing minimalist road shoes – having a very miserable experience. Not us though, my son and I wore our trail shoes and saved the bottoms of our feet, our ankles, our toes from being banged on rocks – and thus our sanity.

Onlineshoes.com provided my son a pair of their rugged New Balance MT876 trail shoes to test out for our awesome adventure up Grays and Torreys and see how they’d hold out and perform for him. He had a blast, running far ahead of me and smiling the entire way.

Because Ryan is a fairly minimal road shoe wearer, this shoe was a bit stiffer than he is used to but he had absolutely no problems with them on the trails and agreed, a stiff shoe was better on this type of terrain and his feet were safe from the elements below with absolutely no ankle twists, blisters, or black toenails. He can’t wait to get back out there with them and seek new summits.

We both reached the summit of Grays Peak, with feet feeling fantastic. Ryan continued on to run to the summit of Torreys Peak with the rest of team and managed to successfully run through a field of snow, which was prevalent on the saddle between the two peaks, without slipping – bonus!  Many were not as fortunate.

Finding the proper trail running shoe is vital–be it one of the minimalist shoes hitting the market or a more traditional trail shoe. Make sure the shoe fits your foot and don’t try to make your foot fit the shoe. The right shoe is what will ultimately turn your trail running experience into years of healthy, happy, adventure-seeking running.

New Balance has always been an innovative brand with a social conscience, so it should come as no surprise that they are pioneering unique concepts in environmentally responsible footwear. They have taken the idea of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle to a whole new level with the creation of the New Balance newSKY™. This innovative line of lightweight footwear is made from recycled PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles. That’s right. New Balance has created a way for you to minimize your environmental impact while maximizing your style.

The average pair of newSKY shoes contains material from eight 20-ounce PET bottles that are shredded, processed and engineered into newSKY’s unique upper material. The material utilizes 95% post-consumer recycled PET plastic bottles, and is adhered to the newSKY outsole with durable water-based glue. These shoes are also built with less material than traditional New Balance athletic shoes through a thoughtful design of the upper.

newSKY utilizes the same minimal last from the highly successful New Balance Minimus line, and builds on the barefoot-inspired profile to deliver a sleek look and lightweight, comfortable fit. It also has a cool, sort of industrial casual feel with just the right amount of color and detailing to deliver a fresh and stylish look. The material is breathable and allows for moisture wicking, making the amazing eco-friendly shoe as comfortable as it is fashionable. Maybe it’s time you experienced a completely new perspective on environmentally conscious, casual footwear with the super lightweight newSky from New Balance.

And next time you see a recycling bin full of empty water or soda bottles, just remember their potential to be manufactured into a great new pair of shoes.

Editor’s Note:
Here’s how we imagine the idea for the New Balance newSKY™ shoes first blossomed; it was a couple of New Balance employees standing around at the finish line of some 5k charity run. There they were, cooling down, drinking bottled water and congratulating each other on having just posted personal records in both speed and fundraising. Good job.

When they finished their water, they tossed the empty bottles into the nearest recycling bin and one of them wondered aloud about what would be done with all the empty plastic bottles. The other almost certainly would have replied, “Probably make more water bottles.” and the conversation turned to what else could be done with a small mountain of plastic. And since this story is imaginary, we’re going to go ahead and assume they looked at each other and simultaneously shouted “Shoes!” It could’ve happened.

I remember seeing a picture somewhere of a London police officer chasing some local hooligan—and they were both wearing Dr. Martens. Whatever else they had going on in their lives, at the very least, those two shared an appreciation for comfortable and rugged footwear. Not to mention style. 

But there is something more in every pair of Dr. Martens. They make you want to dress in black jeans, or vintage fatigues, or a leather jacket with some obscure band name painted on it. With a pair of Dr. Martens on your feet, you want to answer annoying questions with one finger, you want to lean against stuff and hang out like you really mean it, you know? You want to live a piece of the cliché because that cliché has stayed pretty stinkin’ cool for more than 40 years. And even if you don’t want any part of that, you’re probably secretly comforted by the fact that you could, if you chose to, rebel at any moment and the neighbors would just wag their heads and whisper “Well, he did wear those boots…”

I remember my first pair of Dr. Martens boots. It wasn’t my first pair of Dr. Martens; those were oxfords that I got for work because of the air-cushioned soles. My first pair of boots came a few months later, and they were just for being cool—in a totally understated and completely indifferent way. They were black, naturally, and smooth. Funny, you know one of the things I remember about those boots? At first, I secretly wished I bought them used. New Dr. Martens look so very new. Wearing them was a little bit like wearing the only clean football uniform at the end of the game. The Dr. Martens boots at the vintage store looked so-o-o cool, and I wanted people to know that I got into the mix, too. But that isn’t the point, is it? That’s somebody else’s story on those boots, and I needed to tell mine. My shiny new boots eventually got a story scuffed into them, and I took a little quiet pride in the creases across the toe with their satisfying “I was there, man” look. Ah, where are they now…   

So, let’s play a little game of “I told you mine, now you tell me yours.” Using the comment space below, tell us about your first time doing something. It could be your first concert, your first car, your first espresso, your first…just about anything. Weave your tale of discovery in about 100 words or so and share it with us–and do we really have to mention keeping it family friendly?

Just to make it interesting, we will give away Dr. Martens shoes to ten randomly selected storytellers. That’s right. If your name is chosen, you’ll get your choice of Dr. Martens shoes or boots from our site. If you need a little inspiration before you start, our friends at Dr. Martens are collecting stories on their #FIRSTANDFOREVER site. If you do visit their site, keep in mind that their thing is different than our thing. Don’t go to their site expecting to enter this giveaway. That is not how the world works.

Just don’t wait too long to tell us your story; your story must be in by Sunday, October 30, 2011 11:59 PM (PDT) to be eligible. Anything after that is just an anecdote, not an entry.

Open to U.S. residents only. No purchase necessary to win. See contest terms and conditions for complete details.

I first heard about the Earth Shoe when I was a kid; in part because they were all the buzz in the health food stores frequented by my mother, and partly because it was the mid-70s and everyone heard about the Kalsø Earth Shoe and its mystical negative heel. I didn’t know what a negative heel was then, but I did know it made you a better person somehow and I wanted them. The problem was, everyone else did too—literally. But first, a little background.

Anne Kalso was a yoga master originally from Denmark. She observed that the “Mountain Pose” in yoga, a fairly simple lifting of the toes relative to the heel, actually helped promote a physical feeling of well-being. Anne believed in wellness in a very organic form should be part of your everyday experience, so she created the Kalsø Negative Heel. After years of success in Europe, the newly-christened Kalsø Earth Shoe came to America in April 1970—just in time for America’s first Earth Day.

America was in a full-scale wellness renaissance, and the innovative shoes with their healthy message proved wildly popular. Demand was so great at one point that the company had to run full-page ads asking people to please be patient. But don’t worry, they’ve hired a few more cobblers since then.

Fast forward a couple decades and about a gazillion pairs of shoes, and we catch up to the Kalsø Earth Shoe organization, now known as Earth, Inc.  just as they are launching their Earthies® collection. This innovative line leverages all of those years of good-for-the-body know-how, but crafts it into a gorgeous line of elegant designs for work and dress-casual occasions, you know the ones; where you want a little more snap and sizzle.

But enough history; let’s look at some shoes. These shoes were made famous for their ability to mimic walking barefoot in sand, but they could just have easily made their name for their unique and slightly funky styles. Take the Kalsø Earth Shoe Invoke; sure, it’s got that mystical negative heel, but the real mystery is how it manages to be vintage and fashion-forward at the same time.

The Kalsø Earth Shoe Rally shares the Invoke’s ability to improve posture and reduce joint stress, but it does so in a snappy little mary jane.

Earthies, on the other hand (or is it foot?), are like the trendy little sister to the Kalso Earth Shoe. They share a lot of the same wellness-focused characteristics, but the Earthies are less about negative heels and more…how do they say it…”Wellness…Elevated.”  Take the Earthies Barina; two parts sophisticated and one part sassy—all sitting on a wellness-focused footbed. It’s like they made a healthy chocolate torte. 

And if you want to talk about a great way for wellness to be part of your every day, look no further than the Earthies Sarenza. If you can’t picture an outfit to wear with these right now, then you should go shopping. These glamorous little pumps may have a contoured footbed designed to improve your posture, but that is not the only reason you will be standing tall. They are gorgeous.

These are just a few of the Kalsø Earth Shoe and Earthies styles we have available, so we’ll wrap this up. Clearly, you have some shopping to do.

Ten days in Fiji. No matter how often you repeat it, it sounds awesome each and every time. If you were invited to a dinner party with the theme “Ten Days in Fiji,” you would probably think you were in for the best night of your life. It could be the title of a book, or emblazoned across a movie marquee and you would automatically think “Now, that is for me.” Well, good news. It actually could be for you, because our good friends at Teva are giving away ten days in Fiji. 

What do you have to do to get your name in the running? All you have to do is fill in a little form on our Fiji Getaway Sweepstakes page.

If you win, you should totally bring a pair of these Teva Dozer III sandals. They’re perfect for seaside scrambles or visiting the local villages. 

Or maybe those Teva Gnarkosi shoes next to them, because the deck of that luxurious Tui Tai expedition houseboat might get a little slick with all the 5-star awesomeness that is going on.

Listen, if you do win, send us a postcard. We’ll be here…in our offices…wearing our Teva shoes and thinking of you.

Good luck!

The Hood to Coast Relay is a charity relay that starts at the Timberline Lodge near the top of Oregon’s highest peak, Mt. Hood, and winds its way 200 miles down to the sandy beaches of Seaside, Oregon. More than 1,000 teams, each with eight to 12 runners, compete for the best times across 36 legs. It’s a grueling, overnight event followed by the biggest beach party on the west coast. It’s an awesome experience, but before you go, you’ll want some help with the preparation.

So, just how does one begin to prepare for the Hood to Coast Relay? Efficient packing is the key, and a bit of resourcefulness along the way helps, too. Each relay team is allowed team vans and van space is a hugely prized commodity, so you cannot adopt the “kitchen sink philosophy” when packing or you may have some resentful teammates.

A few things to consider before the Hood to Coast Relay:

• You will be living in a crowded van for 24-30 hours
• You likely will NOT shower after running your three relay legs, two of which will be in the hot sun
• Get in a good hot meal before you begin this trek. It will very likely be your last taste of “real food” for a couple days
• Be prepared to NOT sleep, and consider yourself lucky if you manage to get an hour or two
• Try to do a couple “two-a-day” training runs to prepare your legs for a quick recovery

I laid out all of my relay gear in advance to check and re-check; there’s always something. Using Ziploc bags is a fabulous way to stay organized, make sure you get a variety of sizes. You will undoubtedly be searching for items throughout the relay, so grouping outfits or items into bags makes transitions between relay legs smoother. Also advisable, change out of your used, sweaty clothes ASAP and seal them in a bag to trap the odor. Like I said, you’ll be in a crowded van.

Recommended gear list for the Hood to Coast Relay:

Required items:

• Reflective vests with LED flashers (front and back)
• Head lamps or flashlights

Relay running gear:

• Two pairs of running shoes (one will serve as a back up in case of rain)
• Three running outfits including socks and sport bras (undies optional)
• Long sleeve dri-fit top (in case it’s cool on the night leg)
• Sweatshirt & sweat pants
• Sleeping bag + pillow
• Travel sized toiletries & towel
• Open toed sandals (for compression socks)

Essentials:

• Baby wipes for a pseudo shower after running
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses, visor, or hat
• Disposable ice packs
• Body Glide or Vaseline
• Ibuprofen
• Ziploc bags for stinky clothes
• Compression socks for recovery
• Electrolytes (such as nuun)
• Tarp for outdoor sleeping
• Toilet paper (Honey Buckets are plentiful, paper…not so much)

Electronics:

• Cell phone car charger (multiple outlets are best)
• Garmin GPS
• Watch (in case GPS fails)
• Camera
• CDs for music in the van, or ipod/iphone adapter

Extras for fun:

• Van decorations
• Glow-in-the-dark products
• Cowbells

Fuel:
You probably won’t need as much food as you think. Stick to nut butters, bagels, salty pretzels, granola bars, bananas and other easily digestible eats. If you are anything like me, you’ll find your body can perform pretty well on not-enough sleep and poor nutrition when you have adrenaline pumping through your veins! Oh, and get together with your team to get large water cooler/dispensers for the van—they are convenient and environmentally friendly.

Ultimately, of all the things you bring along, it’s packing a positive attitude that will serve you and your teammates best.  Enjoy the ultimate running adventure!

With the arrival of fall, it won’t be long before the weather will change, and unless you live somewhere that is always sunny and bright (unlike Seattle!), you’ll probably need some boots to keep your feet warm and dry. Thankfully, you don’t have to choose between functional and fashionable boots any longer – OnlineShoes.com carries a fantastic selection of boots, many of which you want to keep on once you get indoors!

Here are some of the functional and fashionable boots that I love for this fall and winter.

KEEN Snowmass High Boots. The pretty Mauve/Wine color caught my eye on these KEEN boots. KEEN boots are perfect for rough weather, and these boots are sure to keep your feet both warm and dry. I just love the details, too. The lace-up back and turn-down faux shearling cuff on the front help make these cuter than your average snow boot.

Merrell Taiga Buckle Boots. Another boot that will keep your feet fashionably warm and dry this year is the Merrell Taiga Buckle. On the functional-side, these are amazing on cold rainy days – the Opti-Warm™ insulation keeps your feet warm while the rubber sole helps prevent those embarrassing slips and falls on wet pavement. On the fashion-side, this is a streamline, lightweight boot that you could even slip on under a dress, if you need to!

UGG Australia Lattice Cardy Boots. For days that are cold, but not necessarily wet, the UGG Australia Lattice Cardy is a fun boot for keeping warm! These boots are the closest thing your feet will ever come to wearing a sweater, knitted from a Marino wool/cotton/nylon blend that is super cozy. The UGG Lattice Cardy is also very versatile – fold or scrunch them down, pull them up, wear them with socks or without – it’s up to you! Don’t forget – order a full size smaller than you normally wear.

The Original Muck Boot Company Dove Boots. These rain boots certainly caught my eye while browsing OnlineShoes.com. Despite being great looking (I adore the green version!), these boots have a slim profile so you won’t feel like you are tromping around in huge, oversized boots all day. And don’t let the cute appearance fool you – The Original Muck Boot Company Dove boots are some of the most functional you’ll find!

OTBT Deer Lodge Boot. – Need to wear hard-core boots because of the weather, but don’t want to look like you are? Check out these by OTBT – the Deer Lodge Boot has a rubber sole and leather and suede uppers, but they are as discrete as boots come. Pair these with some black pants or jeans and nobody will know that you chose keeping your feet dry over being stylish!

Sperry Top-Sider Shearwater Boot . Repeat after me – boots are not meant to be boring. For those of us who like to have a little fun with our boots but still keep things stylish, Sperry Top-Sider Shearwater Boots are the perfect solution. A top brand for keeping your feet dry, Sperry Top-Sider delivers fashion as well with the cheeky plaid pattern on the upper-boot.

Take some advice from this Seattle girl who is forced to wear boots to keep my feet warm and dry most of the year – you don’t have to sacrifice fashion for function this fall and winter! Check out OnlineShoes.com for a great boot selection (there are nearly 3000 to choose from!) – you’re sure to find something you love.

Running is a sport of passion and obsession. Sometimes that obsession can lead to overtraining which, unfortunately, can lead to injury. Most common running injuries are due to overuse, overtraining, or a biomechanical flaw in body structure or motion. Fortunately, most common running injuries last only a few weeks. Most are preventable if you do all the right things to ensure your running health.

Here you will find a list of the most common running injuries, their symptoms and prevention/treatment strategies. The goal here is to help you understand a running injury and how to prevent it from occurring so that you can be back on the road faster and injury free.

Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is a long nerve that starts on each side of your lower back and runs down your buttock and the back of your leg to your foot. Sciatica is caused by a strain to the sciatic nerve. Symptoms may include dull aching in your lower back, buttock or the back of your thigh. It may settle for several hours but it returns with each run.

To help prevent sciatica, stretch your low back muscles as part of your daily routine. Also, strengthen the abdominal muscle because they support your back. If you feel you might be developing sciatica, stop running. If the pain persists more than a week, see a physical therapist.

Shin Splints

Shin splints are characterized by pain on the outside of you lower leg along the shin. A frequent cause is the extreme difference in strength between shin and calf muscles.

You can help prevent this injury by strengthening the shin muscles. Shin muscles are strengthened with an exercise called “toe taps.” Simply raise your toes up toward your shin and back down for 20 repetitions.

If you have shin splints, stop running. Switch to a different activity such as biking, swimming, or rowing. Return to running only when you can do so without pain.

Muscle Strain

The hamstrings, quadriceps and calf muscles are the most vulnerable to strains. These muscles undergo the repetitive stress of running, which can lead to injury. It is important to include resistance training in your marathon training program in order to keep the strength in these muscles so they can incur lots of mileage without injury.

The standard treatment for a muscle strain is to apply ice and compression for 20 minutes at least three times per day. Be sure to rest the muscle and elevate the injured leg while icing. Within the limits of comfort, very gently stretch the muscle. Be sure to check with a physical therapist before you return to running.

Runner’s Knee

Runner’s knee occurs when the kneecap becomes misaligned and rubs on an underlying surface of cartilage. Pain is described as soreness around the kneecap and is aggravated by running or climbing stairs.

Runner’s knee is usually relieved with rest and proper shoes. When the pain is gone, you can rebuild mileage gently. Avoid hills and stairs as they can aggravate the injury. See a doctor if the pain persists.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome

The iliotibial band is a sheet of connective tissue that runs down the outside of your thigh from your hip to the side of your knee. This band acts as an important stabilizer for your knee. Initially, symptoms appear as a dull ache 1-2 miles into a run, with pain remaining for the duration of the run. The pain disappears soon after stopping running. Later, severe sharp pain which prevents running pain is worse on running downhill, or pain may be present when walking up or downstairs.

The best course for recovery is to stop running immediately. Rest for at least two weeks.  During this rest period, apply ice to the area three times a day for twenty minutes a time.  Incorporate stretching gently. Be sure to check to condition of your running shoes. Gently return to running by avoiding any hill or speed running.

Achilles Injuries

The Achilles tendon is a tough, elastic cable through which the muscles of your calf transmit force to your foot. Injuries to the Achilles tendon come from tearing. Tearing can progress to partial and even total rupture if there is no healing. Symptoms include pain and stiffness that are at their worst upon wakening. The pain diminishes as you warm up, and it may even disappear when you run. The next day, though, the pain returns.

The key to recovery is rest and modified exercise with gentle stretching.  Do not run for at least ten days. When you resume running, build up your mileage gradually, run on alternate days, avoid hills and be sure you have proper footwear.

Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a band of tough connective tissue that runs from the base of your toes to your heel bone and supports the bottom of your foot. Plantar fasciitis occurs when this band tears near the bottom of the heel. Pain from plantar fasciitis starts in your heel and then radiates into the midsection of your foot. The pain usually subsides as you start to walk or run. After you stop, however, the pain returns.

After a run, apply ice and massage the heel area. This condition worsens gradually, so early recognition can prevent a serious case.

The first thing I noticed about the New Balance Minimus MT20 was the design. It looked almost as if a sock had decided to dress up as a hiking boot for Halloween. I know that sounds a bit freakish, but I must say it came together quite well. Just looking at it, I got two distinct messages. First, it looked like it had enough flexibility and ground feedback to be a great minimal runner. Second, it would likely offer more foot protection than the old pair of aqua socks I was currently running in. Still, I had to wonder if they would run as good as they looked.

When I first tried on the New Balance Minimus, I had literally just gotten done with a little six mile run in my old worn down aqua socks, which were high on flexibility and short on protection. They required a lot in the way of runner concentration regarding footfall and foot placement. Come down on a rock larger than a pecan and send shockwaves of pain through your foot or strike with your heel and seriously jar your ankles, knees and lower back… a great teacher for proper barefoot running technique. But still, aqua socks.

As I laced up the Minimus, I felt a little restriction compared to the aqua socks and it was admittedly a bit unnerving. I immediately loosened the laces quite a bit to avoid cramping and found the toe box to have ample space. I felt a slight raise from the toe to the heel, but it wasn’t enough to bother me or make me want to take them off and my posture seemed to adjust in a couple of steps. Within my first couple of strides in Minimus, I could tell that this a much more forgiving piece of foot gear than a bare foot or aqua sock. They were thin, but provided a little more cushion than true barefooting.

On the trail, the sensation was a bit like going from sleeping on lumpy bit of turf in a sleeping bag to sleeping on that same bit of turf on a foam mat. It smoothed out the rough stuff, but you could still tell you weren’t on a mattress. The light weight was appreciated and having the grip that the Vibram sole provided was reassuring on the loose gravel. What wasn’t helpful was the high, hard tail near the Achilles tendon. They were advertised as a socks-optional running shoe, but after my first ten mile run, the skin at my left Achilles tendon was broken and a little bloody and the skin at the right Achilles tendon had developed one devil of a blister. I wasn’t quite sure I’d be able to keep wearing the shoe. I was tempted to just cut the tail off but opted for socks and even looser laces instead. After the initial ten miler, it took me about another 20 miles total to really break in the shoes to the point that I didn’t feel any binding or burn whatsoever, but overall the experience was pleasant.

The added cushion near the mid foot and heal was a bit of a luxury allowing me to run on harder and more uneven surfaces without bruising. I have about 200 miles on the Minimus now including a 26 miler that I did one Saturday afternoon on the streets of Seattle and its outlying northern neighborhoods and they’ve been holding up quite well. The downside of the shoe however is just a tiny bit too much padding in the heel. I found myself heel striking a little bit during acceleration and then wanting to unconsciously incorporate some heel strike into my regular stride. I would like to see a few more millimeters shaved off of the heel to make heel strikes less enticing, but the rest of the shoe performed very well as a minimal runner. I still run once a week barefoot or in aqua socks as to not unlearn my barefoot lessons, but truly enjoy my Minimus on the trail, and on longer runs. Over all I think the Minimus is a great minimal starter shoe but could stand to go even a bit more… well… minimal.

There are 33 joints in the human foot, all working together to ensure every step you take is smooth, natural and efficient. At ASICS®, that simple idea was so inspiring that they created a collection of lightweight footwear around it. The 33 by ASICS collection is designed to be flexible, lightweight and comfortable. One of the first styles from the collection to hit the running circuit is the ASICS GEL-Blur33—and it’s coming soon to OnlineShoes.com.

The GEL-Blur33 is super-lightweight. As a matter of fact; depending on your shoe size, a GEL-Blur33 running shoe weighs in at around 8 ounces—that’s about the same as a cup of water. But just because it’s lightweight doesn’t mean you should worry about cushion or support. The heel of the GEL-Blur33 features the GEL® cushioning system, and that rolls right into the Solyte® (“so light”, get it?) midsole so you get a smooth and cushioned stride.

The GEL-Blur33 is an extraordinary shoe that was designed to be your everyday shoe. It’s comfortable and flexible enough to wear running around town, but it’s also ready to perform when it’s time to really run around town. It’s a great tempo-run shoe for runners with normal to high arches. It’s also a good investment.

The GEL-Blur33 was designated a Best Buy by Runner’s World, so basically you get a versatile, high-performance running shoe at a reasonable price point. It’s cool-looking, comfortable and helps you keep a smooth, efficient stride all day long. If this is going to be the trend for the whole 33 by ASICS collection, then we may need to clear out a little space in the closet for what’s next.

UGG® Australia shoes and boots may be more popular now in North America than pretty much anything to ever come here from the Land Down Under. Now you may try to argue the point by cataloguing various movie stars and late 80s bands, but that is not really the point. Besides, they all probably wear UGG® Australia boots on a regular basis, too. People LOVE (yes, in all caps just like the brand) these boots.

Oddly enough, these lambskin boots began their journey to our shores by first warming the toes of Australian surfers while they waited for the right surfing conditions. That’s right, big fuzzy boots on a white sand beach; you were picturing that correctly. Okay, technically, the best surfing conditions often occur in early morning hours when the sun has yet to warm the water or the sand, but the whole fuzzy boots-in-the-sand picture is still somehow unusual.

Now this is the “long story short” part. Fast forward twenty years, a very long trip with a bag of sheepskin boots, and a couple of dedicated people willing to share their vision of warmth and comfort. Cleverly, they started with something like what they knew and quickly made their mark on Southern California beach towns. When surfers and other comfort-minded people brought their UGG® Australia boots with them to the ski slopes, it wasn’t long before a nationwide movement was in full bloom, their popularity fueled by celebrity sightings, effortless style and lambskin goodness. Oh, and just for the record, OnlineShoes.com was way ahead of the trend with videos and blogs and everything.

At this point, or somewhere near this point, UGG® Australia really began to break out of the whole classic short, twinface sheepskin boot business. They didn’t abandon it in the least bit; they expanded it in every direction. Boots, mules, slippers…all with a certain casual style that is proving so popular they regularly (and currently) find themselves gracing the pages of iconic fashion magazines like Vogue and InStyle.

And why wouldn’t they? One look at the UGG® Australia Kaylee and the last thing you think of is surfers warming the toes. It’s a sassy little high-heel mule with attitude to spare.

Can’t decide between short boots and high boots? Just get an eyeful of the UGG® Australia Josie; these soft leather boots convert from classic tall boots to stylish short boots with just a quick roll of the cuff.

The UGG® Australia Arianni is a moccasin-style sneaker (which is a term you just won’t hear anywhere else) that is both cozy and playful at the same time.

The vintage-inspired UGG® Australia Aubree has a super soft suede upper with a stylish lace-up closure. It may be lined with warm and cozy shearling, but it’s all style on the outside.

Super-chic is not a term we use lightly, but the UGG® Australia Brienne deserves every bit of it. Gorgeous, sleek styling and an adjustable buckle make it the perfect shoe for work or play. You can probably think of a half-dozen outfits from your closet that would to go perfectly with it right now.

UGG® Australia is like an old friend that went away to school and came back all stylish and trendy, but that old friend is still in there. Maybe it’s time you got reacquainted.

I am your persistence story. I am your comeback success story, your ‘made mistakes and fallen a few times’ story. I have built new foundations where old ones had failed and risen stronger and more self-assured. I’m sure you know, have seen or maybe are someone just like me. My name is Kendra Kainz, and this is my story.

I understand how one’s life can get off track. There was a time when my life could be described as anything but joyous. I was divorced, overweight, didn’t feel well most of the time, had a generally negative outlook and was very inactive. My greatest achievement in those days was setting the new record for being a couch potato.

Of course, with an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, health issues also began to creep in—and that’s exactly how they get you, creeping in. You often hear about people hitting rock bottom and then turning their life around. Well, I could see rock bottom fast approaching and decided to turn around before the impact. It was clearly time for big changes.

Today, I am 45lbs lighter, healthier, happier, optimistic and more positive and confident than I’ve ever been. My life is far from perfect; there are still challenges and things I’ve got to learn but, overall, I love life…my life…right now, exactly how it is. I not only have a direction, but I like where it’s going and what I am aspiring to do and be. Not to sound too much like a made-for-TV-feel-good- movie, I’m a great example of how you can change your life. I discovered a new lifestyle through exercising, nutrition, proactive health and wellness. It became my new foundation from which to move forward, and if you think you can’t do it, too, well, that’s just the couch talking.

I planned, worked hard and at times struggled…but then began to feel good. I began to see good things happen, lost 45lbs, and started to get interested in trying things I hadn’t even considered before. I am now an athlete. Not “I like to think of myself as an athlete” or “Some people might even call me an athlete.” It is something I am. I compete in triathlons and running races, and coach others on the best training techniques. I also teach people how to build better lifestyles and healthier bodies. That’s the power of change. Don’t just take my word for it, watch me in action. Follow my blog right here at OnlineShoes.com. See what I do, and read what I’ve learned. I don’t just talk the talk, I lead by example.

During the low times in my life, I wondered how I could help myself, how I could change my life and make things better. Just actually seeking the answers to these questions was a strong enough catalyst to get me going in the right direction. Just the change from being sedentary to actively pursuing the answers is the ultimate first step. I believe in a holistic approach for true change, and that can sometimes feel like you have to take on everything at once to make it work. That is simply not the case, but you do have to start somewhere. Start with one area you want to change, own it, and then tackle the next thing.

I started with exercise. Like anything new we attempt, it was not easy. Be gentle with yourself at the start, but persistent. Real growth takes dedication, baby steps, completing small goals and continual learning—and that is sometimes the hardest. But, using these few simple ideas, I discovered how much I loved exercising! I love how I feel doing it. I come alive. If you are like me, once exercising becomes part of your routine, a magic moment happens….a moment when you discover you want more. And I did. Much, much more.

I was in awe of how quickly the body, mind and soul will adapt to change when it is done with a little love and attention. The only reason we are not living life as we’d like, or have better health and bodies is…..US and our own silly, self-imposed limitations. Simple, but true. There is no magic formula. Real change requires self work and maintenance. But, if included in your lifestyle it will become habit. Think about it, you already have a morning routine that just sort of happens every day. Work a few new elements into your day, do them every day, and they will become second nature. The payoff for doing so is greater than anything you’d ever expect.

Why you should follow my blog? Everyone needs a little help sometimes, someone to help motivate, inspire or show the way to get started. Through my blog series; I want to help you make some tough but positive new life changes. I want to coach you in exercising, nutrition and general health and wellness. I want you to get fit and active and be more than thought you could be. I can help you get started or help you to keep going when you need a little push. I want to hear your questions, all about your successes and breakthroughs, and what is working best for you. I didn’t always have the passion I have today, and I want to share it with you along with my experience and knowledge.

If you continue to run forward, you’ll have no time to look back. Now get going…

[Pictured: Walk Club members Lora, Kendra, Lee, Vanessa and Stephanie. Just before their half-marathon and Vanessa’s full marathon.]

Join the club! If you’re looking for an opportunity to make some new friends in the office, a walk/run club is a great way to meet people around the cubicles—and get healthy in the process. If there’s already some kind of walk/run club established at your workplace, we strongly encourage you to get a great pair of walking shoes and join the club. They always welcome new members.

If your workplace doesn’t already have a walk/run club, it’s easy to start one; you could even say it’s a walk in the park—ha! Start by spreading the word that you plan to form a club and you’ll be surprised how many people will want to get involved. All you need is a few committed people to start.

Here at OnlineShoes.com, a few employees started their own walking club and it’s been a big success. It was originally formed in the winter when getting outside in the drizzly cold and grey of Seattle seemed too much to bear alone. The experience warmed their insides as much as their outsides and the group happily grew and has continued to meet even as the weather got better. Once a week, the walking club here uses their lunch hour to get out and explore the streets and parks in and around Seattle. It’s a great way to get out of the office, get a little exercise and get to know each other better.

If one of the goals of your walking club is improved health and fitness, it’s important to establish the right pace for your club. A slightly faster than normal pace is usually a good starting point, but you should still be able to carry on a conversation while you walk. One of the great things about establishing a club is the built-in motivation; you are more likely to actually get out and do it if there are others expecting you to be there.

A second consideration of your walk/run club should be your route. Start on a familiar route with a specific goal or turnaround point, and then change it up now and then for variety. Just make sure to keep everyone informed. If your club is anything like the one at OnlineShoes.com, you’ll find it quickly becomes part of your weekly routine and something you’ll wish you had done sooner.

Of course, when you go on your walks with the club, you’ve got to make sure you’re wearing the right shoes. Luckily, we have an enormous selection of walking shoes. So, whether you are looking for all-weather walking shoes to take you through the wetter seasons or athletic walking shoes so you can really pick up the pace, we have the perfect pair to get you and your walk club moving.

I was in Boston for 4th of July and had a great time (hope you all had a good 4th too!). Boston puts on a great show for the 4th and I now understand why; up to one million people come out to view it each year. I’ve been a fan of all things Boston since visiting friends there while I was in college… I can’t quite put my finger on why I love it so much, I just know when I’m there, I always think “If I ever move from Seattle, Boston is my first choice”. The city is surprisingly clean and green for one of its size, the people are friendly, and there are a huge number of great restaurants to try!!  Obviously, there is so much to do and see in Boston I could write a book, but here are my top three must-do Boston experiences:

Walk. You discover so much more when you explore a city by foot. So bring walking shoes! I had my trusty Saucony Hurricanes for the days when we walked—and we logged a lot of miles walking. I also brought my favorite flip flops, the Chaco Flips for strolling (which is totally different than walking) in the hot July weather. The Freedom Trail is a given if you’re visiting Boston. It’s a great, 3-mile walk that makes a prefect introduction to the city and some of its many historical sites. I also love to walk along Newbury Street, especially at dinner time. There are a ton of restaurants there to tempt you. We had tapas at Tapeo our 2nd night and they were delicious!!�

Get a view of the city! You can get a great perspective from The Top of the Hub. You can choose if you want to pay to go to the observatory, or you can grab a quick bite or drinks at the restaurant two floors up. For the best pictures, I suggest getting there while it’s still light outside. It’s also really cool to see at night but somehow those pictures never turn out (or maybe it’s just my lack of sophisticated photography skills). Unfortunately, it was a little overcast and foggy when we went, but still a great view! 

Sports! If you can time it right, definitely go see a Red Sox, Celtics, or Bruins game! Boston fans are something else entirely, and they’ve been lucky to have such great teams to cheer on. We went to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park and it was such a cool experience to see that level of fanship in such a historic park. 

I also have to add that if you go to Boston, add a visit to Newport, RI and plan to spend a couple days there. We only had time for one day, and were both disappointed that we couldn’t enjoy it longer. Newport is a picturesque coastal city and with a wide range of things to do. There are tons of water activities, restaurants, shops and amazing mansions. We toured The Breakers, which was the Vanderbilt’s summer home…maybe all my hard work at OnlineShoes.com will get me into a house like that someday!

Made in America means something.
America was built on the idea that freedom inspires greatness and hard work is rewarded. Which is why New Balance is committed to supporting domestic manufacturing and proud to be the only major athletic shoe manufacturer still making shoes making shoes in great little towns like Norridgewock, ME and Lawrence, MA.

In all, New Balance has domestic manufacturing plants in five New England towns. They engineer and produce high-performance sneakers like the New Balance 993 and the New Balance 812, and then proudly sew on the “Made in the USA” patch.

Fully 25% of all New Balance shoes sold in America earn the “Made in the USA” patch—and it’s not an easy one to earn. To qualify, a shoe like the New Balance 587 must be produced by a US workforce and contain at least 70% domestic materials. Occasionally, due to availability, economic or quality reasons, there is a need to import components from foreign sources. If that is the case, they will qualify the label as including domestic and imported material.

The point is, for more than 100 years New Balance has demonstrated a commitment to both the American athlete and the American worker. High-quality athletic footwear engineered and manufactured by motivated and dedicated people just like you.

Take a minute to see the Made in the USA collection from New Balance.

For more than 40 years Rockport has meant comfort. They craft sophisticated and stylish footwear based on a superbly simple philosophy: Walkability. Now, in partnership with Dylan’s Candy Bar, Rockport is hosting a great event to support Fashion’s Night Out in New York City—and they are giving you a chance to get a taste of the action. But first, more about the event.

Together, Rockport and Dylan’s Candy Bar have created an exclusive event entitled “May Each Step You Take Be Sweet”. It’s a design competition showcasing seventeen students from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). These design students will each use a selection of the 7,000 candies found at Dylan’s Candy Bar’s New York Flagship store to create candy versions of the Rockport Janae Pump and Day to Night Wingtip. This fun and exciting event will be co-hosted by celebrity stylist and Rockport style ambassador Annabel Tollman and Dylan’s Candy Bar Founder/CEO Dylan Lauren.

The Rockport Janae Pump is a sexy little twist on traditional silhouettes. Its platform high heels add inches to your look without sacrificing comfort, and features both adiPRENE by adidas for shock-absorption at the heel and adiPRENE + by adidas for a dynamic response. Breathable polyurethane lines the toe area to resist moisture, and arch support in the midfoot helps make the Janae Pump easy to live with.

The Rockport Day to Night Wingtip enables a seamless transition between work hours and play time. The Rockport Day to Night styles pack shock absorbent adiPRENE by adidas technology in the footbed so you can wear them from sunrise to sunset, not just from a style perspective but from a comfort standpoint as well.

And now for the giveaway. At the “May Each Step You Take Be Sweet” event, the top RISD design winner will receive a variety of prizes, including a one-year membership to Dylan’s Candy Bar Candy of the Month Club. Naturally, we’d love to share a sweet prize like that, so we’re also giving out a Candy of the Month membership to one of you and, as an extra added bonus, we’ll throw in a new pair of Rockport shoes. Double-sweet!

Don’t worry if you miss the Grand Prize drawing, though. We’ve also put together nice runner-up prizes for three lucky folks. Our runners-up will each get a new pair of Rockport shoes and a huge Candy Bucket from Dylan’s Candy Bar. What do you have to do to be in on it?

All you have to do is use the comment section below to tell us how you would fashion (as in Fashion’s Night Out) an outfit around the Janae Pump or the Day to Night Wingtip. That’s it!

Submit your outfit ideas before 11:59 PM (Pacific) Monday, September 12. 2011. At the end of the giveaway, we’ll draw one name at random from the eligible entries and announce the winner. So tell us, What outfit would you wear with your Rockport shoes?

Giveaway is now closed. Congratulations…
Grand Prize Winner

Lisa “I would wear a long, form-fitting skirt with a nice blouse with the Rockport Janae Pump in Grey Heather Suede. I would fashion my outfit around the Janae Pump to take me from work to dinner and drinks after work”

And our Secondary Prize Winners

lacinda68 “I would wear black jean leggings with a crisp white tunic, along with a simple yet classic black clutch”

rbcrockett2012 “I would wear sweats because I plan to do some walking in my new , comfy shoes”

Carol B “I could definitely see me wearing the Janae Pump with a suit during the day and a black dress at night”



I’ve been running for a long time, for all different reasons and in tons of different kinds of footwear. There were football cleats and basketball shoes in high school, combat boots in the US Marines and then years of the most expensive running shoes I could find. Though it kept me in excellent shape, running had always been fairly painful for my feet, knees and back. It truly served as a means to an end. No pain no gain right?

After reading Christopher McDougall’s book “Born to Run”, though, I decided to chuck the shoes and head out for some barefoot running on my own. After my first run, my feet were exhausted! I felt as though my feet had gone, on their own, to a gym and done their own intense workout routine. After about a month or two of running on grass, sand and eventually smooth pavement my feet felt stronger. It was amazing to finally feel the fitness of my feet catch up to the fitness of the rest of my body. I also realized that the pain in my feet, knees and back had slowly started to dissipate.

These days, I run for the joy of running. Though barefoot running had finally relieved me of knee and back problems, I soon discovered a flaw in my plan. Sharp rocks, the possibility of hypodermic needles, broken glass and let’s not forget the most dastardly of barefoot running hazards… dog poop. These, and countless other gash and/or disease causing hazards, were keeping me from the bliss of true barefoot running. Enter aqua socks.

I ran in aqua socks for more than 300 miles, but they were really more of a foot prophylactic. Just a thin, rubber-soled barrier between me and a trip to my local medical center. I wasn’t ready to put conventional running shoes back on. As a matter of fact, I tried once after a bad bruise to my foot pad took me out of running for almost four days and oddly enough…  it hurt my feet even worse.

I was out for my daily run at Green Lake Park in Seattle (One of my 3 favorite running destinations), when I saw a small crowd around a red tent. The good folks from OnlineShoes.com were busy peddling New Balance shoes and you could probably imagine my reaction.  Yea right… no way am I gonna stop. Look at all of these people and their “shoes”.  I can’t even run in “shoes” anymore. Morbid curiosity compelled me to take a glimpse as I ran past on first lap. On my second lap, human nature got the better of me and I stopped at the tent to see what was going on.  I mean come on… who doesn’t want to see what’s going on at a shiny red tent?

I tried on the unconventional New Balance Minimus shoes they handed me and was quite surprised. My first thoughts were caution, followed then optimism. The toe box was wide and flexible and the first thing I did was wiggle my toes, stretch them and make grabbing motions with them. You know…the monkey foot test. Check, check and check. These shoes were thin-soled enough and wide enough that my feet could play in them fairly easily. Still, I experienced a little claustrophobia when I tightened the laces, and I couldn’t feel as much of the ground beneath my feet as I could in my aqua socks (which can be a mixed blessing depending on the terrain). I was pensive when I got ready to take my first couple of steps of running in the Minimus.  The last time I’d tried to run in what someone might call a “real” shoe, my old New Balance 700 series, it only took my feet about 50 yards before they cramped up something fierce and rejected them.  I immediately took them off and finished the run barefoot despite the bruise on my foot pad. It was time for me to find out the Minimus would fare as a minimal running shoe for a finicky footer.  Stay tuned for the full review.

In the meantime, check out a few of our other online blogs and reviews of barefoot runners and see if you’re ready to try minimalist running shoes.

How do you turn children on to hiking? What’s the appropriate level of physical conditioning? How do you motivate them? Do they even like hiking? If you have kids and like to play in the great outdoors, these are probably very real questions and concerns. As a father of three and someone who makes his living in the outdoors, I have some experience with this subject and I am always excited to share.

Our goal here is to go hiking with kids. Is that it? Not exactly. We want to enjoy ourselves and ultimately we want them to remember the hike as a rewarding experience that they will want to repeat time and time again. Like most activities that we love and attempt to get our kids to love, the way we deliver each experience will play a big role on whether they become a fan or not.

So, when considering my most successful, kid-friendly hikes I realized that they shared these four main points:

Choose an enticing, kid-friendly destination.
Sometimes it takes a bit to get the kids motivated for a hike and out the door. It is helpful to “accessorize” by allowing our younger boy for example to bring his daypack with a stuffed animal and a small water bottle. The pack usually comes home stuffed with bark, pussy willows, rocks and yesterday a great fossil of a leaf! Our older boy often brings his daypack and pocket knife. Once out the door and in the car we may hear groans, but when the car stops and the boys jump out at the trailhead nature calls and they are off and running.
The key is to keep them hooked and motivated and we often do this with a hike that leads to a great view or to water (be it running, still or frozen). The boys and most kids love water either to wade in, observe, swim in, throw rocks into, create dams and pools in, make snow balls, sled and find creatures. Kids also like eye candy; if you can pick a hike with big views and vistas they will love it. This puts them in the moment and the uphill loathing they may have been experiencing only moments before arriving is quickly replaced by euphoria.

Hike at a gentle kid-friendly pace.
A hike that may take adults a few hours, may take a family an entire day. This is often because kids are in the moment and have trouble focusing on a goal that isn’t right in front of them. As you are prodding them to keep going knowing that they will love getting up to that awesome waterfall with a swimming hole, let them get wrapped up into some distractions along the way such as exploring the “fairy house” in the roots of the cedar tree or the web of the spider alongside of the trail. Finding the “perfect” walking stick or sword is a great way to explore the surrounding woods. The steeper the trail the harder it is to propel them forward for sustained periods so if you are on a long climb find that balance between keeping them going and letting them get soaked up into their surroundings which brings to mind the next point.

Make a game of it and bring a friend.
As the challenge of the trail starts to build and the magic wears off, the kids are going to need some added inspiration. Naturally if I chose a trail on the demanding side I throw in piggy back or shoulder rides as needed. But you can turn your child’s loathing of marching uphill into a delightful experience for all by playing games. If you do this right you may get your kids to run uphill. One way to do this is to invite a motivated friend for your child. Another way is to play games. Some of our favorites include I Spy; I’m Thinking of an Animal (the others ask yes/no questions about an animal that lives in the ecosystem that we are hiking in and then guess the animal); or Nature Rainbow Search (each member of the family has to find something in nature for each color of the rainbow, blue feather, blueberries, blue sky etc). As the children get older we include basic orienteering and map reading into the hikes. We occasionally bring field guides for the trees and birds and binoculars.

Bring ample food and water.
We often have easy-to-snack-on trail food for a quick nibble on the hike such as trail mix, healthy energy bars, or dried fruit. We save a good lunch for our destination spot and keep a few treats for the low energy/ need-some-motivation spots such as fresh berries or small bits of chocolate like M&M’s. Often when the kids slow down on the trail and lose energy, they need water. Water breaks are opportunities to explore the immediate trail, look under a log or a rock, find some animal tracks, catch your breath and regroup. Another seasonal way to do this is to pick berries, raspberries, blackberries, salmonberries, huckleberries and blueberries. Food and hydration are key to a successful hike for all.

So go ahead, plan a hike for your family. Grab some good snacks, lunch and water. Bring a pal and have a blast! Happy trails.

I know you hate to admit it, but summer is ending soon. I’m sure you’re starting to feel it in the air – even after a scorching day, the nights are cool and you’re searching for a cozy blanket in the evenings now, rather than sitting in out on the deck after dark.

The change in season also means a change in wardrobe and one of the first and easiest ways to transition what you wear from summer to fall is with your shoe choice!

Making another appearance this fall in women’s shoes are the menswear inspired oxfords for women. Not only are they easy to wear and comfortable, but oxfords are a fun way to add some interest into an otherwise plain outfit. You can pair oxfords with almost anything in your closet – feminine dresses of any length, skinny jeans (with a little roll at the hem!), trousers for work or even that cute pair of dressy shorts that you still can’t bear to tuck away for fall. As the weather gets even cooler, add tights or a little pair of patterned ankle socks with your oxfords and wear them all season long!

Here are a few women’s oxford options that I love – all currently available from OnlineShoes.com:

This color works with anything and everything you’ll wear this fall, including black! I especially love that these oxfords have a bit of a girly-look with a short lace-bed that exposes more of your upper foot and ankle, proving that just because you’re wearing oxfords, you won’t look like a guy. Plus, Bass is an expert in the oxford game, so these will last you forever.

I must confess – I own this exact pair of oxfords and they were the inspiration behind this blog post because I am completely in love with them. Not only are they soft and get mistaken as being vintage whenever I wear them, but the low, slim-profile is fantastic for a women’s oxford. I have these in Jeans Blue, as pictured above, which I highly recommend, but there are other fantastic color options as well including a pretty soft grey and a sassy black patent leather.

For a fun way to wear oxfords, this perforated style by Bass is sweet and stylish. For fall, pair them with a pair of black fitted pants that come to the ankle so that your cute shoes are the star of your outfit. Or, wear them your favorite little black dress and bare legs! Again, you can’t go wrong with a pair of oxfords from Bass!

Gals who prefer to wear heels can still jump on the oxford trend. These from Aerosoles are the perfect way to get a little height with your oxford – they have a three-inch wedge! Pair these oxfords with a pair of fun patterned tights this fall or wear them under those trousers that you love, but are always tripping on the hem. They also come in a pretty dark red option that is gorgeous for fall!

I hope you enjoy exploring this fun fall trend as much as I have – be brave with your oxfords and pair them with something unexpected in your wardrobe as summer moves into fall! Don’t forget to browse through all of the women’s oxford options from OnlineShoes.com!

New Balance means performance. Not just for a select group of elite runners, but performance for everyone. The designers, engineers and craftsman at New Balance are dedicated to delivering an epic run to everyone, regardless of how they run or how long they’ve been doing it. New Balance has a comprehensive line of running and training shoes.

Let’s say you’re a moderate overpronator looking for a lot of stability. The New Balance 860 is a great choice for you. It’s got some clever outsole geometries and an upper designed to provide perfect and complete support, stride after stride. Plus, the 860 has great underfoot support and just the right amount of cushion—and they look good, too.

If you’re a neutral runner, you’ll want to lace up a pair of New Balance 880 before you head out for a run. And if something seems familiar about the 880, it’s an evolutionary leap forward from the New Balance 759. It’s got a little more cushion throughout, and a little more blown rubber underfoot for a smooth and comfortable ride.

Now, if you’re a neutral runner that is all about the lightning, all about the speed, then you’ll want to look into the New Balance 890. It’s more of a game breaker than a game changer, really. The 890 features the surprisingly light REVlite foam and a carefully constructed synthetic and mesh upper for responsive, supportive everyday training. And it runs like the wind.

Not a company to rest on their laurels (of which they have numerous), New Balance has also given their 905 a serious update and, as with all their evolutionary leaps, this one includes a new number. Behold the New Balance 1190. It’s delivers a smoother, sleeker experience in what may be best described as a rocket ship. It has a REVlite midsole and a comfortable, flexible upper designed for variable speed training, up-tempo runs, or longer races.

The New Balance 1400 is a single-minded performance shoe. It’s all about simplicity, speed and responsiveness. The 1400 features a REVlite midsole and a seamless soft upper for outstanding comfort without sacrificing performance. This shoe wants to run as much as you do. It’s got a super lightweight feel, with great support and full ground contact for stability and speed.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the minimalist running movement, also called “barefoot running” in some circles, and maybe you’ve wanted to try it out yourself. Perfect. That is, perfect in the sense that New Balance has the perfect shoe for your minimalist running adventure. The New Balance WT20 Minimus Trail shoe delivers the benefits of minimalist running with the protection of a traditional trainer. It’s got a lightweight and durable VIBRAM outsole and a heel/toe drop of 4mm—that’s about the thickness of two nickels. Its unique design allows your foot to do what it does naturally in a midfoot striking gait, and it’s pretty cool.

When it comes to selecting the right running shoe, it all boils down to your personal running style, goals and preferences. It’s just good to know that however you define yourself as a runner, New Balance has a shoe that fits the description.

Our Great Hiking Giveaway is now over. In total, we had 171 eligible submissions with great pictures and memories from Mt. Rainier, Alaska, the Himalayas, Tanzania and beautiful places all around the world. Frankly, it was a good thing this was a random drawing, because it would have been challenging to select a winner any other way. Speaking of winners….

Congratulations, Renee T., from Marina del Rey , CA!

Renee wins a Dream Hiking Package worth approximately $1000, including great gear from KEEN and Merrell! Thank you, Renee, for sharing your photo and memory of a great hike in the Lake District of Northern England. In case you missed her picture in our Favorite Hikes Facebook album, here it is:

And, so you get the full sense of it, here is Renee’s memory of the hike:

“The intoxicating sensation that fills each of us once we peak the summit, is one that cannot be captured in words and only partially understood through a picture. This was one of many photos from the top of Jack’s Rake in the Lake District of Northern England. We scrambled and trekked up with a group of students through the steep crevices of the mountain face.The trip was life changing and this hike; indescribable and surreal.

I have left my heart on many trails, found the beauty in simplicity of a rainstorm on a valley floor thousands of feet below and discovered how far I can truly push myself on a climb…but my time spent in the Lakes, friendships made and memories created make this hike and picture my favorite.”

We have put together an amazing album of hikes and memories, and hope you not only enjoy the images, but are inspired by these fantastic places and people and get out there and hike.

Please enjoy your album of Favorite Hikes, and feel free to share the link with your friends.

I love Scandinavia. One of my favorite places that we have visited is Oslo, Norway. I have never seen such a well cared for metro area! Their high taxes help to keep the streets spotless (and full of statues and fountains apparently). One thing to know ahead of time – this is one of the most expensive European cities you can visit. We found that hotels and food were almost comically expensive. Expect to spend at least $40 for an entrée at any casual restaurant.  It seemed that all hotels cost about the same in summer months, regardless of star rating. So we stayed at the nicest one, The Grand Hotel.

There are many things to do in and around Oslo, all without the huge crowds you’ll find in other European cities. I loved walking around and finding art, architecture and cafes to enjoy.  One of the coolest artistic experiences was Vigeland Park (shown above); it’s their largest sculpture park with over 200 sculptures by one artist and took 10 years to finish.

One must-see piece of architecture is the Oslo Opera House. It was completed less than 4 years ago and may be more entertaining outside than inside (depending on who is performing). The white marble roof angles all the way down to the water and allows for people to walk all over it. At the top, is a nice view of the city.

A short boat ride out of Oslo gets you to Bygdøy, home of the Viking Ship museum and Norsk Folkemuseum. Two of the Viking ships are from the 9th century and surprisingly intact. A short walk from that museum you can find the open air museum (a very popular kind of tourist attraction in Scandinavia, I’ve found). Here there are more than 150 buildings from all over Norway to show how life was over the last few hundred years. I especially enjoyed an 18th century kitchen with women, in traditional dress, who let us sample their lefse (sweet doughy goodness). Afterwards, we took the boat back to the Aker Byrgge pier– upscale area on the water that is full of shops, fancy condos, and restaurants.

While we had really enjoyed a few days in the city and learning about Norwegian History, we felt it was time to see the famous fjords. Rick Steves has the best travel books and we decided to try his “Norway in a Nutshell”. It’s a lot of travel time for a quick trip, but worth it.  Dress warmly though, it can get cold and rainy on the water! I suggest some good, gore-tex shoes like my Merrell Gore-tex shoes.  You travel by trains, ferry and bus but the views are amazing the whole way. We travelled along the Sognefjord, the largest in Norway.

The water is so green and the scenery is amazing. I’d love to return to Norway and see other cities like Bergen or enjoy more exploring in towns near the fjords.

PUMA Running has been up to some pretty cool stuff lately, and it’s all about getting back to a fundamental love of running – and running fast. To do so, PUMA sent a team to Jamaica to work with Usain Bolt (and, we suspect, take a break from the German winter).

Usain is often referred to as the fastest man in the world, and PUMA found out what makes him and his Jamaican compatriots so consistently fast. After long (and sunny) months of research, PUMA discovered something special about the Jamaican approach to speed, and they sum it up nicely on their website:

“Jamaicans take a simple approach to running. Their routine includes grass tracks and up-hill sprints rather than Alter-G treadmills and speed parachutes. They thrive in natural environments and remind the world that running is nothing more than a desire to be faster and to enjoy the freedom of finding one’s natural rhythm.”

With that idea still humming in their heads, the engineers from PUMA set to work on the latest Faas (the Jamaican word for “fast”) line of lightweight running shoes. Basically, PUMA stripped away everything that was not essential to running, and then retooled what was left to create their new, lightweight BioRide system. There is a lot of science, engineering and real world testing behind BioRide, but PUMA has broken it into the three basic components of going fast, each with a catchy name: Rocker, Flex and Groove.

The Rocker component carries motion forward and creates an easier heel/toe transition. Flex allows your foot to flex naturally for added responsiveness and Groove provides stability while allowing natural compression along your footstrike.

We know what you may be saying, “I wear my PUMAs to bowl, play darts, shoot pool and a lot of other sports that don’t always involve running; are the new PUMA Faas going to be too much shoe for me?” That’s silly. First of all, that’s like worrying that you might bowl a perfect game. Second, these PUMAs are all about potential. Unless you actually are Usain Bolt, we know you probably aren’t going to be as fast as Usain Bolt. But wait; do you know what the best word in that whole last sentence was? Probably. What you do when you get the right tools in your hands, or in this case, on your feet, is entirely up to you. PUMA just wants to help you find your fast.

Enter PUMA’s line of Faas lightweight running shoes. The Bolt Faas 200 is a great-looking, super-lightweight sneaker, perfect for road races and tempo runs. If you’re looking for a stylish and lightweight running shoe for fast-paced daily running, perhaps the Bolt Faas 300 is more your speed (is that a pun?). Now if you are all about velocity, you should know that the Bolt Faas 400 is inspired by Usain Bolt himself. Normally, that’s pretty much all we would have to say about the Faas 400; but it’s an amazing shoe. It’s the ideal lightweight runner, combining the perfect amount of cushioning with speed. Plus, it is one cool-looking shoe.

You should absolutely check out the latest running shoes from PUMA. They have a new mantra for running and it shows, “Less Weight, More Faas”.

This summer, I traded my hot, stuffy clip-in bike shoes and sweaty socks for easy, breezy clip-in bike sandals.

And these aren’t just any old bike sandals. These are KEEN Commuter II bike sandals packed with the KEEN features I know and love:

• Protective rubber toe bumper
• Water-resistant strappy adjustable upper
• Antimicrobial lining
• Removable footbed

Best of all, they’re compatible with clip-in bike pedals. (Cleats sold separately.)

I’ve found that the daily bike commute is a much sweeter journey with KEEN on my feet. And since the KEEN Commuter II sandal is cute enough and comfortable enough to wear off the bike as well as on it, it makes it that much easier to ride to all the places I love to go without having to lug along an extra pair of shoes.

Be it at the beach or on the bike, KEEN comes through with yet another uniquely stylish yet practical shoe.

Just clip in and pedal your way through a carefree summer with the KEEN Commuter II bike shoe.

Running is difficult at times, but if you can accomplish the mission of running a few days a week, you will feel a sense of self-worth. One of the greatest aspects of running is its tangible quality: It is very easy to measure progress in running. If you can accomplish a mile when you never thought you could, what else can you accomplish? Once you have been able to run a few miles, then maybe you will be able to run 10, 15, 20 miles and maybe even the marathon distance if you desire. Here are a few reasons why running is the best activity there is:

• Running develops cardiovascular fitness
• Running is the most accessible of aerobic sports
• Running is inexpensive and easy to learn
• Running is one of the best methods of stress reduction
• Running is an excellent component of any weight control or weight loss program
• Running is a convenient and flexible method of training
• Running makes you feel good!

Of all running events, the marathon requires the most dedication to the task. Training for a marathon requires persistence, goal-oriented and focused training, as well as personal and physical sacrifices. The person who has decided that completing a marathon would be a lifetime achievement must be willing to commit to making new sacrifices that will test personal limits in ways he or she has never dreamed.

When it comes to staying motivated, running is a mind game. Training for a race, regardless of the distance, requires persistence, goal-oriented and focused training, as well as personal and physical sacrifices. Listed here are several tips and techniques for you to obtain, maintain and increase your motivation to run.

Sign up for a race.
Races are great motivators. Having a regular schedule of races gets you out the door on days when you’d rather stay in bed in the morning or hit the couch after work.

Run with a buddy.
Having a running partner will help hold you accountable to those runs. Another benefit of having a running buddy is that company makes time go by quicker.

Keep a training log.
Record times, distances, time of day, weather, progress toward goals and any other statistic or aspect of your running you might find valuable. A training log allows you to monitor your progress and learn from your mistakes. Many runners regularly review their training logs to look at the work they have done in the past to provide motivation for the future.

Buy new shoes.
It is fun to break in and test drive a new pair of shoes.

Reward yourself when you succeed.
Rewards can be a powerful motivator. When you do succeed, make sure to do something nice for yourself. Treat yourself to some tangible reward such as a new running shirt, a sports watch, or a special trip. Be good to yourself.

Finding the motivation to run can be a recurring challenge. Try these five tips listed above and create a few of your own. The key to overcoming it is to learn ways to ignite the willpower within. And remind yourself to compare the feeling of the euphoric post-workout mood. There is no comparison.

One chilly day some years ago, it’s safe to say my life was changed by a pair of shoes. Forgive the drama, but I’m the kind of person who’s cold even in the depths of summer and enjoy the lovely tendency to have inhumanly icy toes. Just ask my poor boyfriend. When I pop onto the couch and feel like torturing him, I’ll place my frigid little piggies on his warm calf just to elicit a “Good God, woman. Are you sure you’re even alive!?” or some variation thereof. So on an especially frigid day a few years back, I wandered into a shoe store and was introduced to a shearling-lined dream called the Merrell Encore Ice Clog.

Already a clog-lover and a Merrell fan in general this cozy sweetheart was an amazing marriage of sneaker, slipper and après-ski bootie. Needless to say I walked out of the store in them and proceeded to wear them every single day for the rest of the year. If I didn’t wear them by day – on the rare occasion that I had to get “dressed up” – they waited patiently for me by the door, ready to be donned for the evening dog walk or a round of laundry in the basement. And on those cruel days my feet would cry out in their un-insulated encasings and I would be reminded of the pre-Encore days when cold toes were a daily trauma.

The genius of this shoe is that each year Merrell comes out with a different variation of this shearling-lined clog so I can refresh my wardrobe with a groovy color combination. Because I know I can always count on Merrell to be true-to-size, each season, I can order my new pair from the comfort of my special spot in the sofa reserved exclusively for internet shopping. This go-round I’m grabbing the India Ink – a deep indigo blue that goes perfectly with denim.

Check ‘em out!  But buy at your own risk — you may never (happily) wear another pair of shoes again!

It’s been nearly two years since I moved to the Pacific Northwest, and I have to admit…I’ve never been on a hike.

I know, it’s practically a sin to say that out loud here in Seattle.

I’d like to think my excuse is that I lived in the Midwest all of my life and the only “mountains” I hiked were the staircases that lead up to the second level of the local shopping mall.

Growing up in “flatland of America”, the word hike has never been in my vocabulary.  I wear high heels…not logging boots.  The vests in my closet are made of cotton blends…not down feathers, and the only time you see me in stretch capris is when I want to look “workout chic” on my trip to Starbucks on Saturday morning.

Alright, so maybe I’m being a little dramatic about this whole hiking thing.  I do love to get outside on those random days it’s actually sunny in Seattle. I enjoy being active, and the best thing I’ve discovered…there are some really cute hiking clothes out there!

Starting with the basics…the North Face Tadasana VPR Capri is simple enough that is could be worn for far more than just hiking and the Outdoor Research Radiant LT Zip Top gives me that pop of color I’m looking for!

With the fickle weather in Seattle, it would probably be essential to have a layering piece, and the Marmont Tempo Vest is perfect for anyone’s needs!

Depending on the length of my hike, I would want to bring along some fuel to keep me going, and the Mountain Hardwear backpack could hold just about everything!

Finally, and most importantly, I need to be sure my feet are comfortable.  Merrell has always been a trusted brand when it comes to hiking shoes, so to top off my outfit, I would add a stylish pair of the Siren Sport!

So maybe I will give this hiking thing a shot…and you better believe I’m going to look good while doing it.

Not that I’ve really been keeping track, but I probably wear ankle boots three days a week, regardless of the season. Ankle boots are cool and casual and all about versatility. Plus, and this is kind of a secret, I want to be wearing ankle boots if I ever fall down a hole to the center of the earth, or get sucked into some kind of space/time vortex. Who knows what might happen in a situation like that? Regardless of what’s going on, I suspect I will be mighty happy to be wearing comfortable and versatile footwear. One less thing to worry about, you know?

I have a preference for Chukka-style ankle boots, like the Dr. Martens Reed 3-Eye Chukka (shown above). I can walk all day in those good-looking and friendly chukkas, and whether it’s going across town or scrambling through Aztec ruins, I am ready for the path ahead. Okay, I might swap out the Dr. Martens if Aztec ruins are on my to-do list—the leather on my Dr. Martens is showing the perfect amount of wear. They look cool.

The Merrell Moab hiking boot is more of a rock scrambler’s ankle boot.  It’s the one I look for when there’s going to be some combination of dirt, water, sun and shorts. While the Merrell Moabs are technically pretty enough to wear to the movies with jeans, mine seem to have a preference for rocky trails and creek beds. They are somehow unfindable when it’s time for a casual evening. Besides, casual evenings often call for something a bit more subtle.

When I don’t know what others will be wearing to a casual get-together, I tend to go with a black polo and pressed jeans or khakis. Some people call theses pull-on ankle boots “Romeo boots,” but I have no idea what that means (blink, blink). I call them my Timberlands, Chelseas, or officially, my Timberland Mt. Washington City Chelsea boots (which would be a mouthful, if I ever actually said it). They are sophisticated (but not overly so), comfortable and very easy to slip in and out of, say if you end up at a bowling alley or ice skating or what have you. They are also versatile enough to go with just about any long pants I have; except for pajamas, maybe, but that was just to get the newspaper and neighbors shouldn’t be out that early anyway.  

Anyway, a quick review of our website could help explain why it’s easy to have so many great ankle boots. If you enter “ankle boots” into our site search engine, you get almost 800 results—and that’s just the men’s styles. There are almost twice as many for women. Try it; you’ll be staggered at the spectrum of ankle boot styles. And don’t be too surprised if you end up with a pair or two in your shopping cart. Gotta be ready for that whole space/time vortex thing. Or maybe bowling.

One of our favorite things is hiking. We love slipping into a good pair of hiking boots and getting out on the trail. Even on our favorite hikes, the ones we’ve done dozens of times, Nature provides a constant and endless variety of sights, sounds and experiences. It is just awesome, and most of us consider ourselves especially fortunate if our hike includes some kind of animal encounter. That’s where it can get tricky, even dangerous.

Out on the trail, it’s easy to get lost in the moment. You round a bend in the trail and there, not 30 feet away, is a big mountain goat, just staring back at you. That is so cool! Of course, you’ll need a picture for your Facebook page, so you inch closer to get a good shot and…what happens next? That’s exactly the problem with most animal encounters; you don’t know what will happen next. Wild animals are unpredictable. Maybe that mountain goat will stand there and pose for you, or maybe that mountain goat will decide that you are trying to move in on its territory and charge at you. Are you ready for that?

Just like there are general hiking safety tips you should follow, there are also a few animal-specific guidelines you should follow, and they start long before you actually see an animal. The most common cause of animal attacks is simply not making enough noise and surprising an animal on the trail. Making a little noise is one way to avoid problems; here are some others:

Let people know where you are.
Somebody should know where you are going and when you are going to return. That’s just a good policy in general, but may make all the difference if an animal encounter goes wrong.

Let animals know where you are.
You don’t have to march through the woods banging pots and pans together, but neither should you be entirely in stealth mode. Talk, sing, shout every once in a while; just let the animals know you are coming. This rule is especially important to remember in bear country.

Don’t hike alone. Keep kids nearby.
People in groups are far less likely to have a problem with predatory animals, and most hungry animals will target smaller children before taking on an adult or group. Keep the kids in sight.

Don’t hike at night.
A lot of meat-eating animals do their hunting at dawn, dusk or night. Do not go stumbling around on a moonlit trail if you are made of meat. You cannot outrun a bear or a cougar, even in daylight.   

Be prepared.
There are a number of ways you may be able to scare off a potentially dangerous animal; noise, size and chemicals are the main non-lethal solutions. Air horns, whistles and even yelling may slow an aggressive animal. You can look larger (and more intimidating) by waving your arms or holding up a jacket. Just be careful, some animals understand foot stomping as an invitation to fight. Chemical deterrents, such as bear spray, can be a life-saving addition to your hiking backpack, and should always be kept very handy on the trail. 

Do your research.
Spend a little time learning the various types of wildlife you are likely to encounter on your next hike. National and state parks’ websites may provide valuable information, as well as local or regional hiking clubs. It only takes a few minutes to learn the regional wildlife and whether you should be backing slowly away, running for the nearest tree, screaming and waving or curling up in a tight ball.

Whether it’s rattlesnakes, bears, mountain goats, cougars or a moose, encountering wildlife on a hike can be wonderful, exciting and terrifying all at once. Knowing what to do and when to do it will make all the difference in how you remember your encounter. Do your research, practice with your hiking partners, keep your distance and keep your wits.

If you’re a regular reader of our blogs, you know that hiking is one of our favorite things. No matter what region of the country you live in, there are great, inspiring hikes you could be taking today if you really wanted to. But, getting out on the trail is not quite as simple as grabbing your favorite outdoor shoes and going. Although we do have an awesome selection of both women’s hiking shoes and men’s hiking shoes to inspire you to get out there, there are a few safety rules you should follow on every hike you take.

Don’t hike alone.
This is one of the most important hiking safety tips you should remember. It could someday save your life to have a person along who can hike back to the trailhead for help, or share their body heat to stave off hypothermia. More likely, though, your hiking partner will just be there to lend a hand on tricky parts of the trail, share hiking tips and help keep you from getting lost or in trouble. It is a proven fact that people tend to panic less in groups than they would alone. If you can’t arrange a hiking partner, stick to well-traveled and accessible trails. Remember, it was Lewis and Clark (and Sacajawea, really) blazing the trail to the Pacific.

Know where you are going.
It is fun to get out in the wilderness and experience nature as it’s always been. It’s fun to break away from a trail and see what few others have. We get it. We’re just saying don’t do it unless you’ve done the planning. There are literally mountains of hiking maps, books, and other resources available out there, all designed to ensure you are informed and ready to hit the trail. Use them. It takes 5 minutes to learn how to use a map and good hiking compass effectively. Do it, and make sure they are both with you on the trail.

Let other people know where you are going.
Even if you are hiking with somebody (and you should be), you should always let other people know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Even if it’s “just a quick little hike on a nearby trail,” take a moment to mention it to somebody who will take action if you’re not around when you said you’d be. People generally don’t plan to get lost, stranded or hurt.

Bring water.
If you’re like us, your daydreams include sunny hikes and drinking from the cool mountain springs along the way. Don’t do it. Bring your own water, and bring plenty of it. Most natural water resources are riddled with various bacteria, and should be considered unsafe without being boiled or filtered. It’s probably fine to splash that cool mountain stream water on your face, but don’t drink it.

Bring food, and be smart about it.
It seems obvious that people would bring food on a hike, but many don’t. Maybe they had a big breakfast and “can’t even think about food,” or maybe they have a big dinner planned after the hike, and they don’t want to spoil their appetite. Here’s the thing; hiking makes you a special kind of deep-down hungry, so bring food. If nothing else, bring a pile of high-calorie energy bars just in case everything goes horribly wrong. A word of caution: animals of all sizes and temperaments also like food. So, wrap up any food you bring, and keep an eye on your backpack—wouldn’t want a pesky little squirrel getting in there.

Bring first aid.
Things happen on the trail. There are bumps, bruises, minor stings and scratches, and sometimes there are sprained or broken limbs or serious bleeding. You should be prepared for emergencies of all sizes with a small kit of bandages, antiseptic wipes, anti-itch cream, tweezers and other basics.

Bring basic survival gear.
It bears repeating; things happen on the trail. The trick is, they don’t always happen. As a matter of fact, serious problems rarely happen. So you get complacent; you just want to go out and knock around in the woods and not have to spend an hour or two getting ready, right? Well, that’s exactly how sad hiking stories start. Basic survival gear takes up only a small portion of your hiking backpack, and realistically you only have to gather and pack this stuff up once. Just keep it all together, and then check it before you head out next time. Everyone in your hiking party should have a basic survival kit that includes: a survival blanket, flashlight (preferably hand-cranked), a good loud whistle, a lightweight weatherproof jacket, a hat and a fire source, such as a good-quality lighter or FireSteel. Warmth, light, and the ability to make some noise—that’s about it. If you want to take it up a notch, add a good folding knife, some toilet paper and about 25-feet of nylon rope.

And finally, the biggest safety tip of all.
Use your common sense. You cannot magically jump further or climb better when hiking then you otherwise could. If a branch looks weak or a mid-stream rock looks slippery, it’s because they probably are. We will always encourage you to enjoy the outdoors enthusiastically and often, but remember your common sense.

Please note: In general, these hiking safety tips are geared toward day hikes of less than eight hours. If you are planning longer, overnight hikes, please refer to additional resources online or at your local library or bookstore.

As of mid-2011, the military fashion trend will have been with us for over a decade. And for that decade it’s been great, we’ve loved it, but it’s 10 years later now. Let’s just agree that spring 2011 is the time to move on. The question is: what do we move on to? The answer: the trend that’s been living in its shadow, waiting for its moment of glory—motorcycle chic.

With all of the amazing leather jackets and leather vests, zippered handbags and studded ankle booties, there are plenty of biker chic options to choose from. Motorcycle boots round out the key elements of the biker fashion trend—hardly a surprise given that biker boots have been in fashion for some time now. In order to get motorcycle boots right in 2011, look for a statement pair—something that exudes quality and style. My pick? The Frye Veronica Shortie boot. This classic Frye boot has just the right shape on the toe, while the slouchy silhouette and harness detail complete the look. Style, comfort and quality—this boot has it all. With skinny jeans or a great pair of boot-cuts, it’s not merely about an overused cut and simple black color. In fact, I like to pair my brown Frye engineer boots with a flowy sun dress or even a full-volume, knee-length skirt and cardigan for a tough-meets-sweet vibe.

Explore your inner moto-girl with biker-inspired style—done with a splash of sophistication, of course. Even if your style is more Upper East Side than Easy Rider, I’m sure you’ll be tempted to try your hand at the biker trend.

Merrell has been crafting high-quality performance footwear for three decades and now, to help celebrate their anniversary, they’ve created the Merrell Origins collection. These great-looking hiking shoes offer a return to classic Merrell styling, but use the latest materials and engineering for advanced support and cushioning. So, when you’re out hiking with your pals, you’ll get all of Merrell’s legendary comfort served with a big side of pure, classic cool. And they could be yours free.

That’s right, we may have invited ourselves to Merrell’s anniversary party, but at least we’re bringing presents. We’re going to hold a random drawing and give way FOUR (4) pairs of classically cool Merrell Origins hiking shoes from their Eagle and Solo style lines. How can you get in on the drawing? It’s easy; just use the comment section below to provide a short answer to the question:

What is the coolest thing that has ever happened to you while hiking?

Did you see a double-rainbow or maybe find a hidden lake? Perhaps it was just one of those days where everything went a little better than perfect, and even the photos turned out great.  Whatever it was, we want to hear the hiking story you tell your other friends (we’re Friends, right?) when it’s time to wow them.

But first, let’s have a closer look at the prizes. You know, to get your creative juices flowing. The Merrell Origins Eagle hiking shoe has an instantly-comfortable suede and mesh upper, with an EVA insole for shock absorption. We could drill down on all of the features, but really, just look at it. Awesome.

The Merrell Origins Solo hiking shoe features the same great suede and mesh upper, Merrell Air Cushion heel and EVA insole as the Eagle, but has a lower profile around the ankle. Just remember, the Solo is “so-low”. The style harkens back to a time when color was king, suede was everywhere, and people used the word “harkens”. Have a look at this beauty:

As long as you’re here (and already planning the rest of your outfit to wear with your new Merrell footwear), you may as well enter the drawing. Just don’t wait too long to answer the question; the drawing ends 11:59 PM (PDT) Wednesday, August 24, 2011.

***UPDATE 8/30/2011***

The giveaway is now closed & the winners are

1. Bksup “My brother and I saw a bear when we were teenagers. Both we and the bear were startled and ran
away as fast as we could go!”

2. Susie T “Hiking in Yellowstone we came on this beautiful waterfall. Probably one of my best hiking moments”

3. Lilly “I was hiking while in high school against my will (the whole class had to participate), after 3 hours of hiking I was so tired I could not take another step. I tripped and twisted my ankle. Therefore, I had to be dragged along in a make shift sled constructed out of tree branches.At last I could relax and let the strongest boys to pull me”

4. Rick “The coolest thing that ever happened to me while hiking was seeing a young bald eagle trying to catch a fish. It took him three tries but he finally flew away with his meal”

Thanks to everyone for their wonderful submissions. Please make sure to to check back with our Blog we’ve got more exciting things planned on our calendar!

Thanks to all of you who made it out for our Minimus Meet-up. We had a great time meeting runners of all skill levels and enjoyed talking about minimalist running, also known as “barefoot running”. Despite the slightly grim weather, the afternoon at Green Lake turned out to be the perfect opportunity for runners to experience the New Balance Minimus running shoes.

You can tell from our video of the event that most of the runners we spoke to were pretty enthusiastic about taking the New Balance Minimus running shoes out for a test run. There were a few runners who were less excited, but still interested in minimalist running, and then a couple passers-by who were completely happy with their current footwear and not interested in the Minimus running shoes. Which is fine; we have plenty of other running shoes to choose from.

With all the games, giveaways and great New Balance Minimus running shoes we had on hand, we’d like to think the afternoon was success—and we’re definitely looking forward to hosting another meet-up.  Did we see you at the event? We’d love to hear your thoughts if you were there. Just drop a comment into the comment box below.

We’ll see you at the next Meet-up!

SECOND UPDATE: If you haven’t already seen them, you should absolutely go take a look at our (as in yours and ours together) Facebook album of Favorite Hikes. You’ll find a collection of more than 50 images from around the world, including Australia, Ethiopia, New England, Belize and dozens of other fantastic places. We are going to create an amazing photo album out of these images, post it on our site, and hopefully inspire a few new hiking trips along the way.

It’s not too late to add your own image to the collection, but the clock is winding down. Here’s the deal: You email us a photo from your favorite hike, along with a short comment and we’ll add your image to the Favorite Hikes photo album. We’ll collect images until August 15th, 2011 and then randomly select one hiker to win a totally awesome prize package.

In case you missed our original hiking giveaway blog post and the complete list of prizes, maybe we should highlight a few of the prizes for motivational purposes. First of all, you get your choice of women’s hiking shoes or men’s hiking shoes from OnlineShoes.com (up to $200), a pair of Smartwool PhD light micro socks to wear with your new shoes, a pair of Superfeet Insoles so you can go a thousand million miles without getting tired, and a PEET dryer to keep your boots dry when you get back from your hike. And those are just the prizes for your feet!

It really is a great prize package and, if you think about it, with the amount of entries we have, your odds of winning are actually not too bad. So don’t just flip through the photos or “Like” one of the images in our Facebook album, go ahead and submit one of your own hiking pictures.

You have until 11:59 PM (PDT) Monday, August 15, 2011 to submit your photo and comment to getingear@onlineshoes.com. One more thing. PLEASE NOTE: Only emails with a photo AND comment will be considered an official entry. See you outside!

Comfortable running shorts are one of the keys to happy running. And lucky for me, Brooks remains true to their “Run Happy®” motto with the perfect pair: the Epiphany Stretch II Short.

In preparation for the Seattle See Jane Run Half Marathon, I decided that a new pair of running shorts would boost my motivation and speed (whatever works, right?).

So I did a little shopping and found the Brooks Epiphany Stretch II Shorts. I wore them running the next morning and they were comfortable from the first mile to the last. No chafing, no bunching up – just easy to wear and hassle-free.

Two things make the difference in giving this short the thumbs up: breathable mesh panels and a moisture-wicking polyester crepe liner. Whether pounding the pavement on a long run or on the treadmill at the gym, this versatile short has what it takes to keep me cool and comfortable.

Finish it off with a flattering fit, and the Epiphany Stretch II Short makes this runner a happy one indeed.

Summer is in full-swing right now (well, unless you live in Seattle, where it’s been a bit grey) – hopefully you’re basking in some sunshine, having evening BBQs with your neighbors and most importantly, getting outside to soak up summertime vitamin-D!

In my opinion, summertime wardrobes are the trickiest of the bunch. It’s very easy to go too casual during the summer without realizing it – I love my rubber flip-flops and tank-tops as much as the next summer girl, but on occasion, it’s nice to show some style in the summer too!

A great place to start to bump up your wardrobe from summer casual to summer chic is with espadrilles. You’ll recognize these shoes easily by their great woven soles and heels – often in a wedge or platform style shoe.

Here are some great espadrille options available on OnlineShoes.com and what you can pair them with this summer!

To wear with a long maxi-dress:

I don’t know about you, but I need a little bit of height when I wear a maxi dress so that I’m not tripping all over my hem! The Zodiac USA Quanton sandals come in three fun colors and I love that they have an open-toe for pretty polished toes to peek out from under your maxi! Plus, you can go for that bold, graphic print in your maxi-dress since the Quanton is a simple design with neutral colors.

To wear with a pair of shorts:

It’s no secret that Matisse is one of my favorite brands from OnlineShoes.com and the Matisse Rosie sandal is an adorable espadrille option! They are a flat espadrille sandal with a bit of spunk – perfect for pairing with shorts and a tank for a summer weekend.

To wear with a super-short summer skirt:

Okay girls, we all have that dress or skirt in our wardrobe that is a little bit shorter than our mother would approve of! Pair it with the Steve Madden Marvilis – a wedge heeled espadrille this summer. This espadrille is perfect for showing some leg because it will make your legs look even longer with its skinny ankle straps and nude-esque color.

To wear out on the town:

The Carlos by Carlos Santana Mantra sandals in blue multi are nothing but pure FUN. Throw on this eye-catching wedge espadrille for a night out on the town – not only is it bright and colorful, but this shoe is also comfortable! The Carlos Mantra isn’t just a wedge, but also a platform wedge, making them easy to wear and walk in.

To wear to all those summer weddings:

Who had a million weddings to go to this summer? You might just outshine the bride with these espadrilles from Seychelles! The Seychelles Arden sandal is adorable for summer weddings – I love the ankle tie (which really helps with getting a perfect fit!) and a wedge is great for wearing to outdoor weddings where you may need to walk in the grass.

To wear with EVERYTHING:

If you’re new to the espadrille game, or are looking for an espadrille that will go with everything in your summer wardrobe, pick up a pair of Franco Sarto Whips espadrille sandals. I suggest the black canvas, which you’ll be able to dress up with a dress or down with some cute shorts. They are easy to wear and the price is right at under $50! The Whip is also a great summer travel shoe – they don’t take up much room in your bag and you can easily slip them on and off at airport security.

Whatever you’re doing this summer, find the perfect pair of espadrilles on OnlineShoes.com to take you on those adventures. These are only a few of the dozens of espadrille styles and brands that they offer — find the pair that’s best for you!

Some secrets are just too good to keep, and the Naya Marigold slingback wedge is definitely one of ‘em.

Here’s the situation up front: Supplies are dwindling because other people discovered this delightful shoe before I did. If you’re too late for this year’s stock, keep an eye on Naya sandal styles that will start showing up next spring—they might come out with something similar. I could go on and on about how Naya is an eco-friendly offshoot brand of Naturalizer that uses only chrome-free leathers, nickel-free hardware and recycled cork in their soles—all worthy, eco-friendly features. However, what’s most important here is fit.

In my quest for a sexy, high-heeled summer style, I tried on many pairs of sandals and had all but despaired of finding anything. Then I decided to give the Naya Marigold a go, and I’m so happy I did! Granted, I’m not going to be walking miles in these, but for short distances they’re just dandy and the platform wedge, despite being gracefully tapered, is fairly stable.

Don’t be put off by the “wide” style being labeled a C width. This is true of many so-called wide shoes, but because of the slingback silhouette and open vamp, it actually fits my D or E width, high-instep foot. Despite how it looks, the front buckle strap doesn’t open up entirely, but as the lattice-y upper of the shoe breaks in, you’ll be able to make small adjustments. The heel strap has inset elastic for comfort and does a good job of holding the Marigold in place.

So I suggest you check out the Naya Marigold. Remaining stock is probably on clearance by now, so you might get lucky and find a pair in your size. I wish you all the best! Gotta dash – I’m sure there’s a patio party somewhere waiting for my three-and-a-quarter-inches-taller self to arrive!

It is full-on gardening season here in the Northwest and, whether the weather likes it or not, I am going to get out and push some dirt around. I’ve got my whole “Pretend I Can Garden” ensemble ready, too:

• Gardening pants, which double as my painting pants
• Permanently-stained shirt, to help prove to doubting garden store staff that I am not a newbie
• “The vest of a thousand pockets”, which has something still in it, but I can’t seem to figure out which pocket it’s in
• Gardening gloves, which I get by the dozen because my little Rat Terrier thinks they are delicious
• And most importantly, my garden clogs

Now, a lot of people are more concerned with keeping their Green Thumbs safe and fingernails clean, but not me. Gloves are great, but I’ve always been more of a puddle jumper. More of the “feet first” sort. The right footwear has wa-a-ay more bearing on your comfort than gloves. So, whenever it’s time to get out and save my poor yard from however it was I tried to save it previously, my first thought is about what goes on my feet. For yard work, that means garden clogs–or maybe Bogs, if the weather has been particularly moody.

I first learned about clogs while working as a waiter. I didn’t wear them, but all of the kitchen staff did. They would always talk about how clogs were the healthiest footwear, especially if you did a lot of standing and moving back and forth. I eventually caved and got a pair of real Birkenstock Boston clogs. I’ve grown to prefer good, lightweight garden clogs for knocking around the yard, but I’ll always remember those first Birkenstocks. My friends would snicker and call them “as beautiful as a bulldog,” but they didn’t know what cool was, man. They didn’t know.   

Maybe this is a good time for a sidebar. If you haven’t worn them before, clogs come with a few caveats. Some of your less-kind friends may find them–and I’m using their word here, “ugly”. That’s fine, the clogs won’t be on their feet; they’ll be on your feet. Your perfectly comfortable and healthy feet. Also, clogs are deceptively unique. Sure, you’ll probably get a lot of similar-looking results when you type “women’s garden clogs” into a search engine, but look closer. Are pink houndstooth Original Muck Boots really what you’ve always pictured when you thought of clogs? Or what about a pair of Birki Super Birkis? A little too garden-y for me, but I know others sure do like them. The point is that clogs come in so many different styles, colors and personalities that you can’t help but find one you like. 

All I know for sure is that garden clogs with good arch support are important, especially when your feet look like you might have a Hobbit or two in your family tree. 

At the end of the day, when the clogs come off and get smacked together like a couple of chalk erasers (people still know what those are, right?) I can measure the day’s gardening progress in a circle of dirt. Well, maybe progress is strong word for what typically happens to my yard, but I can come back and save it another day.

Oh, and that’s another thing I like about clogs; they are easy to kick off when it’s time to go inside for a sandwich and a Top Gear rerun.

I’m not talking about your wedding dress or even your soul mate, but your running shoes. The intimate relationship you and your feet have developed with a colorful combination of synthetic materials. It’s vitally important to find “the one”. After running two full marathons and two half marathons, my feet and I have come to value a properly fitted running shoe.

Distance running requires a durable, supportive running shoe.  With marathon training your weekly mileage will increase to 35-40 miles and in some cases over 50. You can’t do that in flip-flops!

When I started running, I didn’t realize running shoes have a life span of 300-500 miles.  I used to wear mine till the tread was smooth.  However, the support is long gone by then.

Runners come in all shapes and sizes which is the beauty of the sport.  That means each runner has an individualized gait, foot strike, and stride turnover.  Occasionally, runners may under or over-pronate, land on their heels, or over-stride, which can all lead to future injuries.  A running shoe can’t teach you “how” to run, but a good one can work with your natural gait and help prevent injury.

Since I began training for marathons in June 2010, I have worn 5 pairs of running shoes. I like to have two pairs available during a training cycle to rotate depending on whether I perform a long run or a speed or tempo run.

Running mechanics were engrained in me at an early age and reinforced during college softball conditioning at Stanford University. Accordingly, a neutral shoe has worked for me and my increasing mileage.  However, each runner needs to determine what works best for her.

You can see that I have worn Nike running shoes in the past, and they have served me well.  However, I have been reading more about distance runners’ fondness for the Brooks brand, so I am in a pair of Brooks Ravenna 2 presently. I ordered a half size up based on recommendations.  If you run in a small shoe, you’ll lose your toenails fast!  I learned that early in marathon training!  A comfortable shoe toe box (the part of a shoe that covers and protects your toes) reduces blisters and toenail loss.

Ultimately, proper running mechanics and smart training plans will keep you running for years.  But, what I have come to understand is you cannot underestimate the importance of a quality running shoe.  It’s a crucial investment in your running future!

One autumn day some years ago, it’s safe to say my life was changed by a pair of shoes. I’m the kind of person who’s totally stumped when sandal season ends and its still too soon to don the shearling booties, so I end up wearing my flip-flops well into fall and feeling just a little silly–not mentioned a little chilly! So on a brisk fall day a few years back, I wandered into a shoe store and found the perfect slide to slide easily into fall from summer: the Birkenstock Boston.

This amazingly comfortable slip-on is the perfect combination of sneaker, slipper and sandal. Problem solved, as they say. Whatever time of the year, if I didn’t wear my beloved Bostons by day – on the rare occasion that I had to get “dressed up” – they waited patiently for me by the door, ready to be donned for the evening dog walk or a round of laundry in the basement. Supportive and adjustable, they are just as genius with bare feet as they are with a cozy pair of socks.

The beauty of this shoe is that each year Birkenstock comes out with a different variation of this clog so I can refresh my wardrobe with a new groovy color combination (or two!) And because I know I can always count on Birkenstocks to be true-to-size, each season, I can order my new pair from the comfort of my special spot in the sofa reserved exclusively for internet shopping.

Check ‘em out!  But buy at your own risk — you may never (happily) wear another pair of shoes again!

While our primary focus is and will continue to be your feet, we can all agree that there’s just something special about finding the right daypack for your unique outdoor adventures. And they are unique; you may be hiking the same trail, but what you choose to bring along with you into the wild is distinctively you. Just watch a friend pack their daypack for the same hike as you to see what we mean. When it comes to comfortable, durable and utilitarian daypacks, there are a lot of form factors and styles to choose from. Here are a few of our favorites:

Keen Newport Daypack
This roomy, do-it-all daypack will happily take you from the office (or the coffeehouse) to the trail. It has a dedicated hydration compartment that, when not carrying your favorite hydro pack (up to 3 liters), will easily fit your laptop. The Keen Newport has adjustable shoulder, hip and sternum straps, so it’s comfy and secure even when you’re scrambling over rocks and through the underbrush. It’s got a breathable, super-cushioned back panel, mesh side pockets and space for a bike helmet—what more could you want?

Columbia Manifest
Another great do-it-all choice is the Columbia Manifest. It’s slightly larger than the KEEN Newport, and includes a lot of the same must-have features for the modern daypacker. Its padded laptop compartment can hold a 17” laptop when not being used as the hydration compartment, and the front mesh pocket easily accommodates a bicycle helmet. The Columbia Manifest also has an internal organizer to keep everything in its place, and the reflective detailing helps make sure you stay safe when the moon comes out.

Oakley Flak Pack
Oakley calls its Flak Pack an “urban jungle pack,” but don’t let that keep you on the sidewalk. Of course they have a special exterior pocket designed for your (hopefully Oakley) sunglasses, but they also make sure your laptop has its own padded compartment and your media player is safely tucked away. The Oakley Flak Pak has a removable storage compartment for all of your wires and cables, and its spacious, dual zippered main compartment features an internal organizer so your stuff won’t get lost, even if you do.

Patagonia Refugio Pack
Comfortable, plenty of pockets and tough—just a few of the comments we saw repeated about the Patagonia Refugio. Its airflow mesh back panel and shoulder straps help you keep cool on demanding trails, and the v-pull compression straps ensure everything is snuggly in its place. The Refugio has a padded sleeve for your laptop, or you can use the space for your favorite hydration system—it even comes with a tube port.

CamelBak M.U.L.E
There is some debate out the CamelBak M.U.L.E., but it has little to do with what makes it one of our favorite daypacks. The debate is about what M.U.L.E. stands for; is it Multi-Use Long Expedition, Medium to Ultra Long Endeavors or something else entirely? Regardless, the CamelBak takes a slightly different approach to daypack design. For CamelBak, the most important thing is not being thirsty, so they designed the M.U.L.E. backpack around their famous hydration system. It features a quick-seal cap, lightweight fillport, a Big Bite™ Valve and an easy-to-clean, wide-mouth opening. The CamelBak has a compact look to it but features a large compartment for extra clothes and plenty of places to tuck away tools, snacks and your favorite media device.

It’s a little known fact that the first boat shoe came into existence because of a pooch.

Yep, chalk it up to yet another reason the dog is man’s best friend. Not only will they fetch our slippers on chilly Sunday mornings, but they brought us one of the best shoes ever made, in my frank opinion.

Sure, maybe that’s going a bit far, but c’mon, how many toes would have been stubbed by winches? How many life rings would have been thrown to sailors slipping overboard? And how many barbecues would be that much poorer for not having a pair of sockless boat shoes at the picnic table?

Okay, scratch that last one. But the first two are dead on. And it’s this amazing traction that we can trace right back to Fido. Or, Prince, as the dog happened to be named. See, back in 1935, a Mr. Paul Sperry (yes, that Mr. Sperry) took his cocker spaniel out for a run across the ice on a crisp winter’s day in Connecticut. And while Mr. Sperry fell on his derriere, Prince’s derriere was upright and wagging the whole time. Turning over Prince’s paw, Mr. Sperry saw hundreds of tiny cracks and cuts going in all directions on the dog’s pad. And the idea struck to put these wave-like grooves on the bottom of his own shoes.

Thus, the Sperry Top-Sider was born. The Original Sperry Top-Sider, to be exact.

It was this pooch’s siping that not only changed a shoe, but an entire industry for the better. And today, I can walk all over my 26-foot sailboat without worry about falling…if I don’t trip over my own pooch lying on the deck, that is.

Who went to high school in the late 90s like me?

Don’t be ashamed to admit it. We all have our skeletons.

When I was in high school (1995-1999, thank you very much), Dr Martens were all the rage. All the girls wore them – I wore these exact Dr Martens Mary Janes when I took my driving test at 16 and had a pair of  Women’s Dr. Martens 1940 Boots with rainbow laces in them that I wore regularly with dresses. And, who didn’t have a pair of  Women’s Dr. Martens 8092 Sandals back in the day?

Dr Martens are now a classic – all of the styles that were hot on the scene 15-years ago are still alive and kicking. In fact, I saw a mom in my neighborhood wearing a pair of knee-high, black patent lace up Dr Martens last week with leggings and a colorful tunic and they looked amazing!

Dr Martens caught my eye again last month when OnlineShoes.com sponsored the Fashion Network Seattle – the marketing team posted a teaser picture on Facebook of some of the shoes they would be using for the show, which included this pair:

These are the Dr Martens Mona Strappy Sandals (shown here in Grey Burnished Servo Lux) and I literally gasped out loud when Lindsey from marketing told me that they were Dr Martens! When I looked closer, I could see that the details of classic Dr Martens styling were there – the cushioned rubber sole that makes Dr Martens so easy to wear, the lace-up closure with metal eyelets and the leather cushioned footbed.

When I did some more investigating on OnlineShoes.com, I also found the Dr Martens Marcie 10-Eye Zip Boot, which I love in Sand Burnished Servo Lux – they remind me of an updated version of the Dr Marten boots I wore with rainbow laces so long ago.

These men’s Dr Martens Allan 2-Eye Shoe in Grey Mare Canvas, also caught my eye when I was browsing – a nice alternative to a traditional casual sneaker for the guys.

Do you still have any Dr Martens in your closet? If so, it’s time to bust them out, give them a polish, wear them proud. Plus, give your Dr Martens collection an update with some of these fresh options available on OnlineShoes.com. Dr Martens are definitely on my radar again as a brand to watch for the hottest in new shoe trends – I recommend that you do the same!

Thirty years ago, fashion was elitist, dictated by untouchable couture houses and overpriced designers. There was one style each season that was de rigueur. Back then, my friends, there was no such thing as a chic pair of shoes with rubber soles. But all of that has changed; today, fashion takes its cues from groundswells of outdoor lovers and on-the-go types. In recent seasons, yoga- and wellness-inspired fashion trends have become a mainstay. Why, just the other day, I read a review in a popular beauty and fashion magazine that sang praises of a lipstick made from organic, crushed rose petals steeped in biodynamic harmony under moons cycles…ok, not really. But I’m sure that such level of spiritually motivated and health-conscious fashion advice exists out there somewhere.

For us everyday fashion folk, the trick is to balance our desire to look great no matter where we’re going with our needs for convenience, function and comfort. I got tired of packing several different outfits to get me through the day if that day’s agenda included a workout, and I definitely got tired of looking like a slob while running a few quick errands after my nightly yoga class. Enter alo performance clothing, my yoga-chic dream come true! My rapidly growing alo clothing collection already includes quite a few cute and stretchy items, but the recent addition of the alo Double Strap Dress has definitely been the runaway hit. I love to throw this dress on over yoga pants after a class or throw in a travel bag for a warm-weather getaway. It’s incredibly forgiving, super soft, and never too clingy (as stretchy fabric can tend to be). I love that alo focuses on creating active wear that is sporty and stylish with an eco-friendly twist. With environmentally mindful design and eco-friendly fabrics, alo helps me feel a whole better about expanding my wardrobe with such enthusiastic abandon!

I’m thrilled to live in today’s fashion world, where fitness and yoga apparel is more colorful and functional than ever, with vibrant hues, moisture-wicking technology, slimming silhouettes and comfortable fabrics you’ll want to wear around town, not just to the gym or yoga studio.

UPDATE: The Great Hiking Giveaway is moving right along, and we are getting some terrific pictures from hiking adventures all over the globe; take a look at our growing Flikr album! You’ll see images from Mt. Rainier, the Grand Canyon, Kurdistan, Coyote Buttes, Nepal and dozens more. Just be warned; seeing the photos will absolutely make you want to get out and hike. Now, before you jump into your hiking boots and go, take a minute or two to add your own image to the album. It’s super easy and you may even win our Grand Prize.

All you have to do enter the Great Hiking Giveaway is send a photo of your favorite hike, along with a short comment, to us at getingear@onlineshoes.com. Your photos and comments will be posted in our Facebook album and added to our Flikr album. At the end of the contest, we’ll put all the photos in a great slideshow and post it right here on our blog. And then there’s the prize drawing. You could win your choice of women’s or men’s hiking boots, such as the new Merrell Pandora Breeze or perhaps the rugged KEEN Pyrenees. And that’s just a fraction of the prize package; there’s also your choice of…

Actually, we’re not even going to mention the AWESOME prize package that awaits one lucky hiker chosen at random from our entries. For complete details, you’ll have to go back to the original blog post.

You have until 11:59 PM (PDT) Monday, August 15, 2011 to submit your photo and comment to getingear@onlineshoes.com. One more thing. PLEASE NOTE: Only emails with a photo AND comment will be considered an official entry. See you outside!

Let’s get together! If you were ever the least bit curious about barefoot running or the whole minimalist running movement, then mark your calendars for July 21st. We’ll be hosting a fun little Minimus Meetup at Green Lake, one of Seattle’s favorite running parks, and we’d love to see you there!

Minimus, from New Balance, offers the absolute latest and greatest in minimalist running shoes, and also referred to as “barefoot running”. The Minimus shoes are like nothing you’ve ever tried before, and this could be a great opportunity for you to give them a little test run.

Date: Thursday, July 21, 2011
Time: 1:00 – 3:00
Location: South end of Green Lake, off West Green Lake Way N.

This Minimus Meetup won’t be all fun and games, though—we’ll also have prizes and giveaways. You could even star in a video review of the Minimus if you like. So, if you live in or around Seattle, come on out to Green Lake on July 21st and let us show you how New Balance is changing the way you run.

See you there!

In 1996, OnlineShoes.com opened its virtual doors as America’s first online shoe retailer.

While being 15 years old doesn’t even rate a driver’s license in most states, it’s an absolute eternity in Internet years. As a matter of fact, it practically covers the whole history of the public-facing Internet. And we were there. Granted, the original website wasn’t the polished experience you get today, but we should still get a nod for pioneering the idea of taking great customer experience and product selection online.

Looking back at our original website and online ordering system is a little like looking back at our high school haircuts. Not bad for the time, but yikes. The very earliest iteration of OnlineShoes.com (The OnLine Shoe Store) involved finding the shoes you wanted on our website and then faxing or calling in your order. Back then, people were a bit nervous about typing their credit card numbers into a computer and watching them disappear, so we didn’t make them do it.

As the Internet began to live up to its potential, we continued to listen to our customers; we added more images, better search tools, more product variety and made it easier overall to navigate OnlineShoes.com. Thanks to our friends at the Internet Archive and their Wayback Machine, we can take a peek at some of the looks we have sported over the years.

The images for some of the pages no longer exist, but you can still get a feel for how we’ve improved over the years: 1998, 2002, 2005, 2009, Now.

One thing you may notice looking back is that a lot of the brands we sold wa-a-ay back then (Internet time, remember) are still with us today. Great brands like New Balance, Rockport, Merrell and KEEN. As a matter of fact, we’ve been selling KEENs for as long as they’ve been around. Technically, we’ve been selling a lot of our other brands for decades longer than we’ve been online, but that’s through our brick-and-mortar shoe stores and this is all about what’s going on with OnlineShoes.com.

In the past few years we have added your product reviews, more detailed product descriptions, product recommendations based on what you like, and improved our navigation. You can see images of your shoes from all sides, and we’ve added fun-to-read blogs and reviews to highlight products and events.

Most recently, we’ve done a huge overhaul of our shopping cart experience. Go ahead and have a look. We’ve made it easy to see what you’ve ordered, enter a promotional code, and calculate taxes and shipping—all on one page, and all before you enter any personal information in the secure checkout.

These are all just more of the ongoing improvements that we’ll continue to make, based on your feedback and ideas. And that’s really at the heart of it all. Without the continuing support of great customers like you, OnlineShoes.com simply would not exist.

Thank you, sincerely, for 15 great years, from all of us here at OnlineShoes.com!

Winner of the Best Trail Running Shoe from Shape Magazine 2011 Shoe Guide, the Merrell Pace Glove barefoot trail shoe takes you everywhere you want go in comfort and confidence.

Designed specifically for women, this performance trail shoe protects your feet from debris, rocks and roots with a fused rubber toe bumper and an abrasion-resistant Vibram® outsole. It fits like a glove, yet the air mesh upper is incredibly breathable – so your feet stay cool no matter how hard your workout gets.

Less is definitely more when it comes to the Merrell Pace Glove barefoot shoe. With a 0mm (zero!) heel-to-toe drop for true barefoot performance, you feel connected to the terrain beneath your feet, yet never uncomfortable; the 4mm compression-molded EVA midsole provides just the right amount of cushioning.

Best of all, this women’s barefoot trail-running shoe is vegan-friendly and machine washable. After a day of outdoor adventure you can kick back, put your feet up and relax.

Then head out for a pedicure and do it all over again next weekend!

Hi-Tec is inspired by life and it shows. It’s a company that is all about sharing their love for getting out, moving and doing. Doing what is up to you, but they are doing what they can to encourage you to get out and go. Hi-Tec currently has more than 500 styles of footwear being sold in 80 different countries. It’s safe to say that they have a shoe that has been designed and crafted with the sole intent of making what you do more enjoyable.

A few of our favorite light hiking boots. Hi-Tec has an excellent line of light hiking boots. They offer durable, attractive and comfortable hiking shoes for both women and men, and here are a few of our (and your) favorites:

Women’s V-Lite Altitude w/ Ion Mask: These are lightweight, waterproof and comfortable, thanks to the Comfort-Tec insole and shock-absorbing Vibram rubber outsole. Customers such as Nora, from OH, say they are “…comfortable right out of the box. No breaking in time.”

Men’s V-Lite Altitude: These durable light hikers repel dirt, resist stains and offer the same advanced set of features as the women’s V-Lite. One of our customers, Krunch from WY, refers to the V-Lite as simply “…the best for me. Great seasonal boot.”

Women’s Cliff Trail Waterproof: These are stylish, comfortable and feature a waterproof suede leather and mesh upper. They’ve got steel shanks for extra rigidity and support, and one of our commentors from Montana says they can be worn “as a hiking boot and a work boot, but was comfortable like a sport shoe.”

Men’s Natal Mid Waterproof: Like the women’s Cliff Trail, these feature a waterproof suede and mesh upper with sealed seams. Roger, from WV, tells us “This is a great shoe. It supports your ankles and feet while keeping them dry and warm.”

These are four of our favorite light hiking boots from Hi-Tec. If you really want to take them up on their challenge to get inspired by life, Hi-Tec is ready with an enormous selection of high-quality, mid-priced footwear. Why not browse the Hi-Tec selection and get inspired.

I love sunny escapes in winter…it keeps me (somewhat) sane during months of Seattle cold and rain. But now, with the heat of summer coming, I think of “cooler” getaways, like Iceland. Spring or summer is a great time to visit Europe; the warm weather seems to encourage fun adventures. Before sharing my trip to Iceland, I should mention that a lot of people confuse Iceland and Greenland…just think of Iceland as green and Greenland as ice!

Summer temps are in the 50s in Reykjavik, Iceland.  In the summer, you can experience more than 20 hours of daylight! Want one more fun fact? Iceland is green in more ways than one – they are the world leader in renewable energy. 100% of their electricity and heat is from hydro and geothermal power! Iceland was hit hard by the financial crisis in 2008, and is still recovering, but that makes a great reason to go now!  Travelers can get good deals while helping out the economy. I found everything to be very reasonably priced, including airfare and hotels.

We got into Reykjavik in the morning and dropped our bags off at the hotel. I wore my Saucony Hurricanes for the miles of walking we did each day. I always take running shoes on vacation so that I never miss out on something just because I don’t have the right shoes. First stop was breakfast and I had skyr (a high protein Icelandic yogurt, which is also at Whole Foods). I enjoy trying new foods when I travel. I had read about “hakarl” – fermented shark that must be prepared a specific way or else it’s poisonous. We found some at a weekend market. It was super fishy/salty and I just had a bite followed by a diet coke chaser. I think it’s an acquired taste…

One of the most unique buildings in Reykjavik is Hallgrimskirkja Church. It actually looks like a rocket ship from the outside. You can go to the top for some amazing views of Reykjavik. We were fortunate to have a sunny day with clear skies for the best views.

Iceland offers tons of activities and there are tourist information centers in town. We chose to visit the famous Blue Lagoon on our last day. It would have been nice to have a few extra days to check out a volcano, go ice trekking, or explore other parts of the country.  The Blue Lagoon is a beautiful geothermal spa not to be missed though.  From the outside, there is a sneak peak of the bright blue waters that await you. After showering inside, you have to go outside to actually get into the Blue Lagoon. For a few seconds you are absolutely freezing and can think of nothing but figuring out the fastest way to get your towel off and get into the warm waters! Once in, you can relax in the 98+ degree water, and hopefully benefit from the healing properties it claims to have. It was the perfect end to our Iceland adventure!

As a hiker, you probably get pretty excited about all things outdoorsy. As a parent, you also probably want to share that enthusiasm with your kids, and developing a sense of natural wonder and appreciation for the world around us can start early. 

Around here, hiking goes much deeper than just providing amazing outdoor shoes and hiking boots so you can get out and knock around. Hiking is the foundation of all outdoor activity; it’s getting out there and seeing it all up close, not through a car window or from the center seat in an airplane. And it’s one of the best things you can do with kids.

Naturally, we’d like you start by picking up some sturdy girls trail shoes or dirt-ready boys outdoor shoes, but after that, it is time to take the party outdoors. And we mean birthday party.

Hiking parties work with any age. Considering the age of your hikers when planning your party will help prevent ending the day in frustration and/or boredom. A group of five and six year olds may take 30 minutes to get past the first caterpillar they see, so scheduling a walking-pace hike of a mile in an hour may end in frustration and tears for everyone. Likewise, a group of 12 year-olds can scramble up short trails fairly quickly and be left looking for things to do. Having an attainable hiking goal is best; choose a hike with a waterfall, grove of giant trees, tide pools or other natural wonder. And take snack breaks about every 15 or 20 minutes.

Variety is spice of childhood. Apart from fostering what may be a lifelong love for the outdoors, taking your child’s next birthday party outside has another big bonus. It’s different. You know the local bowling alley, ice creamery, pizza parlor and burger joint all throw fine birthday parties—because you and everyone else have already been there. This birthday, get outside and jump around somewhere besides a bouncy house. 

Mountains, desert, ocean, canyons, even a large park could do. Whatever you choose, just remember that it’s a party designed to bring kids together for fun, so favor relaxed hikes. You are not organizing the youngest team to ever attempt Mount Everest. Save that for their later years. Your birthday hike could include games, treasure hunting, and other fun little activities along the way. 

Hiking and camping food is fun. Food on sticks, fruit leather, bags of trail mix, their own water bottles…it’s all fun to kids. Add a birthday party spin and it’s double-fun. You could try S’Mores cupcakes, fruit kabobs rolled in coconut, or other unique treats. Before the hike, why not let them mix together their own custom trail mix out of bowls of ingredients? The ideas are endless. Also, drawstring backpacks are a cost-effective way to get supplies up the trail, and decorating them before the hike is a fun activity. Just remember the simple rule of thumb for food on a birthday party hike: bring plenty. Whatever you’ve got planned, plan for extra because kids on the move can eat.

Take plenty of pictures. For kids, a hiking birthday party is like taking everything exciting and fun and mixing it all together. There is exploring, being with friends, fun food, adventures, dirt and rocks, a party all about them…all the weird bugs and natural wonder are a total bonus.  What says “Happy Birthday” better than friends, fun food and weird bugs? Go ahead, celebrate outside this time.

I have a secret. It’s cliché, sounds a bit made up and makes it seem like I’m after something, but here it is…I like long walks on the beach. Before you picture me in some billowy-shirted epic novel, or file me away with guys who get their date ideas from the Men’s Standardized Romance catalog, perhaps I should clarify. The walk and beach that you are likely picturing are not the same ones I mean.

I like a beach that’s in a mood. Give me grey sand, waves that are a little rough around the edges, and perhaps the distant threat of thunderstorms. If there is a tide pool or two to poke around in, so much the better. Cannon Beach in Oregon is a good example of a beach that can get in a mood. And everyone knows that memories are built on moods. Those sun-drenched beaches with palm trees and impossibly fluffy sand are great for the “Wish you were here” postcards you send friends to make them jealous, but when I think of a long walk on the beach, I think of a nonfat latte in my hand, not a Blue Hawaiian.

Even before the latte, though, the first thing I reach for is the right shoes. Navigating seaweed-ringed tide pools in flip-flops can be challenging but, as anyone who has ever stepped on a broken clamshell will confirm, you gotta have something on your feet if you’re going to get where you want to be. Fortunately, I’ve got my trusty old KEEN Newports. I don’t remember exactly when I got these, but it was a lot of man-walks and beaches ago. They’re comfy and supportive, allow just the right amount of water to swirl around your toes, and still look pretty sharp when you make it all the way into town for a slice of pizza.

Hmm, now I’m in the mood for a walk. Well, okay, technically I’m in the mood for pizza, but I’m willing to walk to go get it. Where are my KEENs?

The Great Outdoors is about to get a little greater.

While it’s always hiking season for some folks, most of us tend to wait for the clouds to break and the days to get a bit longer before venturing out. When we do jump into our hiking boots, we’re inclined to go in all different directions. Some folks prefer a forested mountain trail, others need to feel a cool ocean breeze, and some people like to do their hiking in the middle of a city. Whatever your personal preference, everyone’s favorite hikes have something in common…pictures. And we would love to see them.

So much so, as a matter of fact, that we are willing to put up a prize package and have a drawing. And it’s a re-e-eally good prize package, too. All you have to do to enter the drawing is send a photo of your favorite hike to us at getingear@onlineshoes.com and include a short comment about why it’s your favorite. That’s it.

Your photos and comments will be posted on our Facebook & Flikr accounts and, at the end of the contest, we’ll put all the photos in a fabulous slideshow and post it right here on our blog. It’ll be awesome…think of it, great moments from all the best hikes you (as in, all of you) have ever been on. Such a fantastic show deserves an incredible incentive. Happily, we have one.

This grand prize package is grand in every sense of the word. If your name is selected in the random drawing, your Dream Hiking Package will include all of the following:

• Your choice of women’s hiking shoes or men’s hiking shoes (up to $200)
• Your choice of women’s outdoor clothing or men’s outdoor clothing (up to $150)
• Your choice of women’s backpacks or men’s backpacks (up to $75)
• One pair of Leki Trekking Poles (up to $55)
• One pair of Outdoor Research Gaiters (up to $45)
• One pair of Superfeet Insoles (up to $35)
• PEET Dryer Multi PEET (up to $90)
• One pair of Smartwool Socks (up to $50)
• One Timex Ironman Global GPS Trainer Watch (up to $300)

Wow, that is a good list. So, what are you waiting for? Go dig through your hiking photos and find your favorite image. If you don’t have a favorite one yet, then get out there and get one!

You have until 11:59 PM (PDT) Monday, August 15, 2011 to submit your photo and comment to getingear@onlineshoes.com. One more thing. PLEASE NOTE: Only emails with a photo AND comment will be considered an official entry. Anything else is just sharing. We’re looking forward to seeing your favorite hikes!

See the complete Rules & Regulations.

Some of you might think that the term, “Seattle Fashion” is an oxymoron, but I’m here to dispel the myth that all Seattle citizens roam the streets in ratty old Birkenstocks and fleece vests. This proud Seattle fashionista, along with nearly 500 of Seattle’s most stylish people, showed up to support Fashion Network Seattle, party the night away, drink, eat and support some amazing local designers. I was thrilled to arrive at the hottest fashion event of the summer, FNS’s Haute Summer Night: Fashion on the Boardwalk, with my OnlineShoes.com cohorts and rocking a killer, brand new outfit. With a boardwalk-style runway, unlimited hosted bar serving Pearl Vodka, entertainment, swag bags, VIP Cabanas, and dancing…I was NOT about to miss out!

After checking out OnlineShoes.com’s beachy-cool display of spring’s hottest designs, I headed backstage to gab with the models and help pair the perfect pair of shoes to each runway outfit. Then, it was finally time to take my seat near the OnlineShoes.com VIP Cabana to take in the runway fashion show, spotlighting local designers Heidi Fish, Ana Louis, Rene Ropas by Morgan Carson and Suite No. 237. Co-sponsoring the event, OnlineShoes.com gave away two pairs of tickets for the VIP Cabana to two lucky winners, a prize including not only front-row seating, bottle service during the show and access to the exclusive VIP Bar, but also a swag bag overflowing with gifts from event sponsors and additional companies.

After the models worked the runway wearing the sexy Isola Benne sandals and the sweetly demure Isola Tara pumps, they mosied over to the OnlineShoes.com booth where they posed for photos and chatted about the designs they loved best (be sure to check out photos on our Facebook page).

The Coney Island-inspired event featured games, cocktails and appetizers, all served up in a carnival-like atmosphere. OnlineShoes.com’s footwear partners for the fashion show include such popular cutting-edge and fashion brands as Dr. Martens, Sofft, Naya, UGG® Australia and Me Too, as well as popular handbag purveyor Hobo International.

Of her collaboration with OnlineShoes.com, Haute Summer Night’s creative director, Shalonne Foster said, “Such a great selection. To find that kind of talent and selection locally. I mean, how could we not get together?”

Shalonne was right–it was an unforgettable evening of fun and fashion in Seattle. And with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the local non-profit and youth empowerment organization Sew Beautiful, we all left feeling pretty good about the evening and definitely feeling more fashionable.

The Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon was June 25th. The following day, on Sunday, June 26th marked the Coeur d’ Alene Ironman competition. With an entry to the Rock & Roll half marathon and as an Ironman volunteer, eager to support and watch my brother and nephew (yes, father and son) participate in the Ironman event, I had the opportunity to experience both of these popular endurance events.

What I wondered, as I wandered through the Rock ‘n’ Roll Expo in Seattle and then the Ironman Village in Coeur d’ Alene, was what inspired these athletes to remain dedicated to their goal. Why stick to it? Through the rain, in the snow, on cold, dark mornings or blazing hot afternoons – what’s the motivation behind all the pain and hard work?

So I did a little digging–or should I say–a little talking, to various athletes and compiled a list of motivational factors that seemed to weave a common thread between people training for endurance events. Here’s what I found:

Positive Thinking
Affirmations and mantras make a difference when it comes to setting a goal and sticking to it. Often these are especially useful in the midst of a hard workout or training session. As Scott Jurek told himself while running 165.7 miles en route to breaking the American 24-hour record in May 2010 “This is what you came for.” Repeating key words or phrases can help keep you calm, on target, and direct the mind away from negative thoughts and towards a positive outcome.

More Fun, Less Pressure
Rather than obsessing about the extra weight you’re carrying or the lack of time you have to do a quality workout, take a little pressure off yourself and add some fun to your workouts. Replace the word “should” or “obligation” with the word “choice” and create a new pattern of positive thinking. If workouts are all work and no play, the dedication to doing them has the potential to quickly dissipate.

Competition
Healthy competition between fellow athletes can make you stronger and more competent. It forces you to push yourself beyond your normal stopping point and do things that you may not do were you running/swimming/biking alone. Engaging in friendly rivalries puts you in charge of your performance while fostering a sense of community at the same time.

Taking Charge
Many fitness enthusiasts I spoke with mentioned the idea that training for an event allows them to “take charge” of their life in a new way – and can be very empowering. “While training for my first 10K race, I learned everything I could about nutrition and how it relates to endurance and performance.” said Julie, a Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon runner. “This knowledge not only helped me become leaner and faster, it gave me the confidence to make my own decisions instead of relying on others.”

Camaraderie
Having a friend, or group of people, to meet for a workout can make a huge difference in accountability, as well as results. “The fact that I know Katie will be waiting to meet me every morning for our 6:00 a.m. run is a huge motivating factor for me to shut off the alarm and get out of bed!” says Jen, a long-time marathon runner. What’s more, the social interaction can help boost confidence and performance.

In Honor of Another
People run, race and climb mountains in support of specific causes such as breast cancer or in honor of an individual. When I was volunteering in the swim transition area of Ironman Coeur’dalene, a necklace of the swimmer I was helping fell off as he pulled his goggles over his head. I reached down to pick up the necklace, a silver chain with a beautiful angel dangling at the end, and asked if he wanted to wear it for the rest of the race. “Oh yes,” he replied with tears welling up in his eyes, “This one is for my Mom.”

As a runner myself and Ironman hopeful, I’ve come to realize that the story behind every person’s eyes often remains hidden when it comes to what drives them. Yet, from grueling Ironman events to half marathons to marathons, one thing seems to remain true: the joy, sweat and tears lie within the heart of the journey itself. Outcome unknown, there’s an undeniable pride in one word: TRYING.

Congratulations to all 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll runners and Ironman Coeur d’ Alene athletes!

I ran all 13 miles!

Admittedly the morning of the race I was a little jumpy. It’s hard to relax when you don’t quite know what to expect–of your bodily functions–or otherwise. Will my patella explode? Will my dog recognize me when I get home? How much GU should I eat? Am I going to be able to finish this? Should I even show up? My partner and I had the same stress dream Friday night about wearing the incorrect shoes to the race. I kept screaming to myself (because no one was listening) ‘I can’t run in these!’. I awoke before my alarm sounded and quickly showered. Filled with dread, antibiotics and coffee I clumsily rifled through my race packet. Skipping over the ‘health guidelines’ brochure, I went in for the good stuff: timing chip, race bib and safety pins.

Despite getting a late start at the start (not Tom’s fault, the traffic was ludicrous), having an upper respiratory infection and having to walk a mile to the starting line, I had a really great run. It was nearly perfect weather and I got to see many parts of my hometown from a new perspective (Something I did not anticipate having lived in Seattle for so long). The race itself was really fun, but most of the bands were an afterthought for me. Mainly because it seemed as if each stage I passed initially the singers were on some kind of a break. Of the bands I did get to hear, my favorite was the Navy Band Northwest, but the Best Band Name/Style I’ll have to give to The Pole Cats.

The best part of this whole experience was the inspiration I got from those around me. The teenage cheer squads that came out at the crack of dawn and positioned themselves along the entire route were just one of the reasons to keep my log legs moving. My OnlineShoes.com coworker Tricia saw to it that all of the OLSers participating got some ‘cowbell’ love, which is always a boost when you are mindlessly drifting in and out of 100s of runners. I saw many different types of runners moving at many different speeds enjoying themselves along the way, but one runner in particular was exceptionally motivating: she was both deaf and blind. I was totally in awe of that woman’s courage and spirit. I set aside my own discomfort, cheered her on as I passed, and powered through the remaining mile markers. My time was not fantastic, but my partner and I finished it together in 2 hours 30 minutes (even passing a local celebrity). As I crossed the finish line and stuffed a banana in my mouth I asked myself, will I do anything like this again? You bet I would. At least I think that now…

It all started with an evening out to attend a charity auction benefitting Compassion2One…and the next thing I knew we were on a plane to Oklahoma City. Maybe not quite where some dream of traveling, but for me it was a trip of a lifetime!

Here’s some backstory. I’m a HUGE basketball fan. I enter a stage of depression from June – November when there is no college or NBA basketball to watch. Adding to that depression, in a diabolical and heartbreaking move, our local NBA team (the Seattle SuperSonics) was uprooted and hauled off to Oklahoma City three years ago. So, when I saw a live auction item that included a trip to sit courtside at the Oklahoma City Thunder’s last game of the season, I had tunnel vision. The auction package included the courtside seats, airline tickets, hotel stay at the beautiful Hotel Skirven and a ball signed by the entire 2009-2010 Thunder team.

I didn’t feel too bad getting into a heated bidding war, all the money went to support the great work they are doing at Compassion2One. I encourage you to support their vision and mission to “save as many children as we can from sex trafficking and victimization, one child at a time.” It’s a great organization. Did I win? Check out my new trophy ball:

We arrived in OKC around lunch and walked around downtown Oklahoma City and got lunch in Bricktown. There weather was a perfect 80 degrees, so I got to break out some Steve Madden sandals. Everywhere we went, the Oklahomans were so friendly!  It was clear that they really cared about their NBA team. As much as I hate that Seattle doesn’t have a team, it was nice to see our old team went to a good home.

The first night, we went to Pops on Route 66. They have the biggest soda pop selection ever—over 500 different flavors!  Then we had a nice steak dinner at Deep Fork. The next day we had time before the game so we visited the Oklahoma City Memorial. It was an impressive, thought-provoking monument to the events of 16 years ago. Oklahoma City has come a long way since that tragedy. And that includes getting a world-class basketball team.

The night of the game was so exciting! Courtside seats and VIP treatment…both of which I could get used to. It was great to see former Sonic, Kevin Durant, play! The Thunder played the Milwaukee Bucks and ended up losing a close one in overtime, and perhaps they were comforted when I staked out my spot as a long-time fan:

I couldn’t resist it. I held up a Sonics sign during the game. Keeping the memory alive! Overall it was a great little vacation and I would love to get back and see more of Oklahoma City sometime – preferably during basketball season! And the whole experience just goes to show you that some of the best travel comes unexpectedly!

We gave New Balance 993 running shoes to a group of OnlineShoes.com employees, and asked them to go out and wear-test them. The 993 features the New Balance ACTEVA midsole, a cushioned response, and comes in a huge variety of colors. After the wear test, we captured their impressions of the New Balance 993 on video (Spoiler Alert: New Balance 993 delivers style, stability and out of the box comfort.)

Julie Herman, a Buyer here at OnlineShoes, said “The best things about the 993 is its out-of-the-box comfort!  I was actually really impressed on how comfortable it was.” She went on to talk about the cool, retro styling of the 993, and thinks the thing our customers will appreciate the most is “… the quality of the materials and [they’ll] love the comfort and the option to use their custom orthotics.”

When Ana Lake, one of our Web Designers, first tried on her grey New Balance 993 running shoes, she was impressed with their look and feel, “…they are so comfortable I don’t have to fuss with them at all. And they grey color really goes with everything which is a big plus.” After wear-testing, Ana also called out the overall quality of the shoes, “The quality of these shoes really sets them apart. You can tell great care and pride was taken in making them, they are unlike any other athletic shoes I own in that regard. They are well worth the money, because they will last a lot longer.”

Joseph Pisano, a Buyer at OnlineShoes, summed up his top three favorite things about the 993 as “Classic styling, comfort right out of the box (no break in period), made in the USA”. He’s also a big fan of the build quality, and looks forward to years of comfortably running errands, travelling, and taking long walks in the moonlight.

Overall, the New Balance 993 gets high marks for comfort, style and versatility. Our testers found them perfect for everything from knocking around town to hitting the gym.

According to the calendar, summer’s here—in the Northern Hemisphere, at any rate—which means it’s time to start thinking about footwear that you can bring along to the pool.

If, like me, you’re donedonedone with those tired, ubiquitous drugstore thong sandals and flip-flops (and by that I mean the gazillion pairs you’ve bought over the years and thrown in the trunk of your car, kicked under the bed and carelessly allowed to be turned into your neighbor’s Weimaraner’s chew toy), have I got something for you:

I’m absolutely, positively head-over-heels in love with the Jack Rogers Bahamas Jelly Sandal 

Samantha from “Sex and the City” could wear these sandals to lounge poolside at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, rubbing elbows with the glitterati and filthy rich, a bottle of Perrier-Jouët sweating in a bucket of ice by her side and a pair of Baccarat Champagne flutes standing at attention on a silver tray, about to be filled by an attentive young waiter, as she awaits the arrival of George Clooney, refreshed and glowing from a massage, a blinding white towel wrapped around his waist—why, is that him, walking toward her cabana, a single red, long-stemmed rose in his right hand…?

Oh, wait, maybe this is my fantasy. Never mind. They’re still terrific hot-weather, water-ready sandals. You rock that look, girl, like I know you can. And don’t forget the sunblock.

Who doesn’t love Hawaii? That little string of islands add up to a sweet escape for this Seattle girl. The weather is great year round, the scenery is amazing and the people live on “island time”–a unique outlook that can sometimes feel like a fancy excuse to not get stuff done. However, their laid-back attitude definitely rubs off! By the end of my one week stay in Honolulu, Oahu, I found that I was starting to embrace the slower pace. When your biggest worry is deciding where to have dinner….life is good.

The thing I like about being in Honolulu, compared to some of the other islands, is that you can take a break from all that relaxing. The life of leisure is not for everyone and sometimes you need a break from lying in the sun and reading Chelsea Handler books. From shopping to dining to outdoor activities, there is something for everybody in Honolulu!

Diamond Head is a great way to get some exercise and work off those poolside drinks too! After a couple days of unwinding when we first arrived, it was time for an activity. We hiked up the crater in the late morning…I would recommend leaving as early as possible because it can get too hot and crowded if you’re out hiking mid-day. The hike starts off easy enough but then works up to actual steps and even a dark tunnel. Some people even bring flashlights to help them see their way, but we were fine. I hiked up in my Brooks Addictions while Joe wore the ASICS GEL-Cumulus. The view from the top is amazing!
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After our hike, we were pretty hungry. So we stopped at Lu Lu’s and I, of course, got the nachos. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a weak spot for nachos—and they make great nachos. Afterwards, Joe got some Coldstone ice cream and we sat by the beach and relaxed.

Another thing we (okay, I) like to do in Honolulu is go to Dave and Busters. It’s not just for kids! With all the games, it gives us something to do when the sun goes down. It also gives me an excuse to challenge Joe to some Pop-a-Shot…I usually win. But I guess everybody wins at Dave and Busters. That explains all the sweet swag I’ve gotten from there over the years. It’s near the Ward 16 movie theater and the Ala Moana Shopping Center, which has local and international dining options in a wide range of prices. So, between the games, a movie and dinner, you could plan for a full afternoon and evening of fun!

A week in Oahu is an excellent way to unwind and get re-energized. And, with so many options, Honolulu is a great city to visit, especially if you’re into more than laying out in the sun. Aloha!

“Hold on. I’m going to slip into something more comfortable.”

That’s the first thing I tell myself—tell my feet, rather—after a day on the trails, on the bike or a few hours out on a long run.

Almost nothing feels better after a workout than taking off sweaty shoes and replacing them with comfortable slip-on sandals. No socks to pull up. No laces to fumble with. Just sweet simplicity and the bliss of uncomplicated comfort. And in this case, the simplicity has a name: the Merrell Gardena Thong sandal.

From post-workout comfort to weekend getaways to shopping at the farmers’ market, this slip-on makes the perfect companion. It’s conveniently packable, infinitely versatile and I know my feet will be comfortable no matter how long I’m out and about. I’m glad I’ve got a pair of the Merrell Gardena sandals to enjoy wearing on sunny (fingers crossed) Seattle days ahead. Thanks, Merrell!

A group of OnlineShoes.com employees were each asked to wear-test a pair of New Balance Minimus running shoes, and the reviews are in–we love the lightweight and stylish New Balance Minimus!

Stephanie B., one of our Product Copywriters, loves the flexibility and out-of-the-box comfort offered by the Minimus. She wore them both on and off the pavement, “This was my first experience with a minimalist shoe. Being a barefoot shoe, they actually offer lots of support and also work different muscle groups than cushioned athletic shoes.”

When asked what OnlineShoes.com customers are going to love most about the innovative new shoes from New Balance, Stephanie said, “Comfort, performance, flexibility and durability. The Minimus are packable, go-anywhere, type of shoes. Perfect for weekends, walking the dog and urban adventures.”

Chris F., a Web Application Support Developer, compares the Minimus to his regular New Balance running shoes, “They conformed to my foot much better than the New Balance running shoes I’m used to. The minimalist style means that the sole is practically non existent, meaning you really feel the ground beneath your feet.”

Our Retail Staff Accountant, Shaun H., says the Minimus Trail shoe looks great and was completely different than any other shoe he’s worn before, “I love every ounce of it, mostly because of how few ounces there were. The shoe allowed me to transition from one workout to the next without having to change shoes.” At first, Shaun was nervous about trying the Minimus, but his final word about the experience is echoed by all of our testers, “I couldn’t have been happier with what I got. You will love this shoe because it allows you to do anything you want to do while providing great ground feel, and virtually no weight.”

I’m not much of a fashionista. If I’ve got money to spend, it’ll most likely be on running shoes, fitness clothes or some type of outdoor gear. (You can never have too much outdoor gear.)

So to find a shoe that’s sporty but also cute and comfortable scores big points with me.
The Jambu Stingray sandal is one such find.

With its breathable Memory Foam™ footbed and an eco-friendly partially recycled rubber outsole, this sporty slip-on offers comfort and traction for everyday commuting and urban adventures.

The leather upper features a fun, woven design with contrast stitching. And the adjustable strap with a hook-and-loop closure ensures easy on/off.

Yet with all of these wonderful (much appreciated) features, the Jambu Stingray shoe is very uncomplicated, versatile enough to wear just about anywhere and everywhere. Perhaps that’s what I like best of all. In these times of uncertainty and chaos, it’s nice to enjoy the comfort of sweet simplicity.

If it would just stop raining. Sideways. And now here we are in June and it actually has subsided–a touch. At least we are not having any tornadoes. Yet. As I look back over the last 5-6 weeks, I realize that I have been mildly successful in my training goals. My short runs now range from 4.5-5.5 miles and I barely notice the additional distance. My long runs (of which I have done two) range from 8-10 miles. And they were pretty painless. I am not huffing and puffing nearly as much as I was in early spring, which is encouraging. Plus the new views in my new neighborhood never get old; running along Lake Washington is a treat every time. I am now both physically and mentally prepared for the rock and roll half marathon.

Next on the docket: My dogs will be joining me on the Seattle Furry 5k on Sunday the 12th (this is my 9th!), and on Father’s Day there will be an 11-mile run planned for folks planning on running in the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.

Nutrition: I feel like I am eating more, but not sure how that will play out just yet. Always having been a big eater, this has never been an issue.

Pain management: Aspercreme, buy some if you don’t have any. I am at the point that no amount of analgesics will aid the swell. It’s mind over matter at this point and I’ve simply chosen to entrust my mind with ignoring the matter.

Gear: Aside from the Aspercreme, I have been utilizing the Amphipod Full-Tilt Trail Lite on the longer runs, quite handy for bi and quadrupeds. And the Superfeet are a must. I’ve been swapping them in and out of the three pairs of shoes I’ve been using in an attempt for more support on long runs. Must have the CUSH.

I feel great, confident, and eager to get this personal milestone behind me so that I can plan my next hyper-challenging, physical feat. I am looking forward to the picking up my race packet on June 23rd…the goodie bag better be worth it!

Some of my earliest memories are of playing soccer with my brother in the backyard or in the local youth soccer league. While I did several sports in high school, I tended to think of myself as a soccer player who happened to run cross country and track. I never really considered myself to be a runner, but one of my life goals was to run a marathon. After college, I found myself trying to get back into a more active lifestyle and having a hard time finding the motivation. I was talking to a seasoned marathon runner about how to get back into running, and her advice was simple: just pick a race and sign up for it. So that’s what I did, and now I’m hooked.

There is no doubt that I am now a runner who happens to play soccer here and there, and I have been trying to spread the running bug to all of my friends. Along with my own races I have a deal worked out with my friend Margot; I will run any race she runs. When I mention my marathon running to most people, the two most frequent questions they ask are “What are you training for next?” and “What have you run recently?” My answers may vary but one thing remains the same: I am always looking for great races to run.

Each year I have tried to up the challenge and this year I decided to do three full marathons, an Olympic Distance Triathlon and a couple half marathons with a friend sprinkled here and there. Starting off the year was the Whidbey Island Marathon in early April. I had a hard time training for Whidbey. During training I got strep throat and then, just after I finished the course of antibiotics, I developed a sinus infection and had to do another course of antibiotics. In total I was sick for about 6 weeks. To say it interfered with my training schedule would be a drastic understatement. I tried to run when I could, but I knew my body needed rest to get better, and being sick made it very hard to breath. I did however manage to get better just in time to do my 20 mile run, but after not running for consistently for several weeks it really hurt. Knowing Whidbey was an incredibly hilly course and I was undertrained I didn’t even think about my time and decided I would run it as a maintenance run. Then I ran the Vancouver Half Marathon with Margot at the beginning of May.

Currently, I am in training for the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. Coming out of the Whidbey Island Marathon I took one week to rest and then have ten weeks to train. Once again I found another one of Hal Higdon’s training programs, but this time it was a ten week program designed specifically for in-between marathons. I rest on Mondays and Fridays. Tuesdays and Thursdays I do a short run of 3-4 miles. I do a longer run of 6 miles on Wednesdays. Then on Saturday or Sunday I do a long run, starting at 10 miles and building to 20 miles before tapering four weeks before the race. On the weekend day I don’t do my long run I’ll get in some cross training, usually rock climbing at an indoor climbing gym. I am also swimming once a week, and get in some biking around town to help prepare for the triathlon coming up in August.

Every once in a while I will develop knee pain while running. My knee pain is typically caused by one of two things: a tight Iliotibial band (or IT band) and/or wearing worn out running shoes. I learned early on how important a good pair of running shoes is. I was fitted for shoes at a specialty running store and discovered I pronate slightly, so I needed a shoe with moderate support. The shoes that fit the best were Brooks Adrenaline, and I can still remember that first pair of Brooks running shoes; they were the Adrenaline GTS 9. I am currently in my third pair of Adrenaline GTS 10, and I am super excited about getting a new pair of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11. I can feel it in my knees when I need a new pair of shoes, and carefully mark it on my training schedule when I get new shoes. So far, I’ve been pretty consistent about getting new shoes at 300 miles, give or take 10 miles, or my knees will start to hurt.

This training cycle I have only missed a couple days of running. There are two things that have helped me stay on schedule. The first is setting up weekday runs or swims with friends. The way I see it, if I have friends along, it makes it a social event instead of just another day of training. The second is to have friends who are in training for something as well. It doesn’t even have to be the same event. One of my friends is training for the RAMROD (Ride Around Mount Rainer in One Day) and we exchange training stories. We are always asking each other how the latest big training day went. Even my barista keeps tabs on where I am in my training cycle. Just knowing that someone is going to ask how my training is going gives me the little extra nudge to get out of bed and go for that run before work. You can do it, too. Just pick a race and sign up for it.

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Thank you for playing. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED ! 

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If you’ve got a passion for fashion, this giveaway is right down your catwalk.

Fashion Network Seattle is hosting Haute Summer Night: Fashion on the Boardwalk fashion show on Friday, June 24th, and we want to send you and a friend to sit in the VIP cabana. You’ll rub elbows and bump champagne glasses with Seattle’s top fashion designers, models, photographers and fashion industry pros. There will be music, food, games and more—all set against a fun, Coney Island-inspired backdrop.

Each of our TWO complete prize packages includes:

• Two VIP Cabana tickets
• Access to the VIP-only area
• Hosted bar and bottle service during the runway show
• VIP swag bags
• Cabana seating (front row) for the runway show

And what do you have to do to qualify for the night of your life? First, you (and the person you bring if you win) must be at least 21 years old—sorry, no exceptions. Second, you can do any or all of the following to be entered in the drawing:

1 Like OnlineShoes.com on Facebook and let us know in the comment section below.
2 Follow OnlineShoes.com on Twitter and let us know in the comment section bellow.
3 Also on Twitter, tweet the following about the giveaway: “I entered @Onlineshoes_com giveaway to win VIP passes to the Haute Summer Night: Fashion on the Boardwalk Seattle Fashion Show #Shoes”
4 If you have a blog, write a short post (250 words or so) telling us why you deserve to win, and then post a link to your blog post in the comments below.

Please note: you absolutely should live in or around Seattle, because “getting you there” is nowhere on the prize package list.

So, complete your entries before midnight on Wednesday, June 22, and start planning your outfit. If you win the random drawing, you and a friend are in for an absolutely fabulous evening featuring the latest swimwear, daywear and lingerie from top local designers. If you want to catch up on the latest footwear fashion trends before the show, check out our co-hosts: Dr. Martens, Hobo International, Me Too, Naya, Sofft,  UGG Australia, and more.

Hope to see you on June 24th, where the boardwalk meets the catwalk at Haute Summer Night!

***UPDATE*** 6/23/2011

The Giveaway is now closed and the winners are:

1. tina “I liked Online Shoes on FB… and am following on Twitter… and Tweeted about it!”
2. Robin B. “I “liked” you on facebook, and I am following you on twitter @Reeburrd”

Congratulations! Please check your email for information on how to receive your tickets. See you there

Those who know me know how obsessed with shoes I am. What I haven’t told you is that my husband, Josh, has a bit of a thing for shoes himself. But whereas I am more of an equal opportunity shoe-lover, Josh is a shoe monogamist.

Josh only has eyes for KEENs.

As I started thinking about this blog post, I tried to count all the KEENs that Josh has owned over the years. It all started with a pair of KEEN Bostons about five years ago – he loved that he could wear them in the office, and could also be comfortable walking around on a job site for hours at a time.

Eventually, those were replaced by some KEEN Austins that Josh loved wearing on the weekend – perfect for trips to the park, washing the car and grabbing dinner with his lovely wife (ahem, that’s me). This pair of KEENs even went on a late night adventure one summer evening that MAY have involved an off-road vehicle and a lot of mud – we thought that they were ruined, but after a toss in the washing machine, the Austins bounced right back into service.

The KEEN of the moment for Josh is the KEEN Denver. He has them in this pretty Chipmunk color, which has a nice, warm vintage look (my words, not his, by the way) – they are perfect for dressing up with a nice pair of khakis and button down shirt for summer weddings that we have to attend, but can easily be thrown on with a pair of jeans as well.

Josh’s KEEN wish list is always growing – he was just telling me that he needs a pair of comfy, low-key summer tennis shoes – a shoe that’s similar to a Converse, but with a little more to it. The KEEN Coronado would be a great fit (I love the Black Olive/Picante color combination) – they are lightweight and breathable with a retro-look that works well with shorts and a tee.

Don’t forget that OnlineShoes.com also carries KEEN accessories (like this fun bag for toting around beach towels this summer!), a full line of KEENs for women, and select styles for kids as well (my girls love the no-tie KEEN Coronado with the easy adjustable strap). Take it from Josh; it’s always a good time to start your own KEEN obsession!

Shoes can make or break a trip, especially traveling abroad. I know, because my boyfriend and I just spent three weeks backpacking through Southern Italy and my feet couldn’t be happier. I took two pairs of shoes: a pair of sandals I wore on my last trip to Europe and a brand new pair of KEEN Balboa sandals. In hindsight, it was a little gutsy to rely on a brand new pair of shoes for a trip like this, but the KEEN Balboas were the best shoes I’ve ever traveled with.

We started in Matera, an ancient town of “cave dwellings” carved into the side of rocky cliffs. The caves are connected by a labyrinth of rocky paths and stairways and we walked for hours and miles getting lost in the maze. The town is relatively remote, like many of the places we would visit, which made me realize that walking would often be my only mode of transportation. I came up with a game plan to keep my feet in top form, alternating between my old sandals and my new KEENs to give my feet a rest from any rubbing or irritation. Little annoyances can become big problems on a trip like this, and I really didn’t want my enjoyment to be hindered by uncomfortable feet.

Next, we visited Alberobello, a town built of Trulli, which are round stone buildings with conical roofs. I strapped on my KEENs, even though it was their day off, because the uneven paths connecting the Trulli are like land mines for stubbed toes. The toe protection of my KEENs made them the wiser choice – the breeziness of a sandal, with the protection of a shoe. As a day trip, we walked to the Grotte di Castellana, a remarkable cave system with caverns of natural columns formed by dripping minerals. Photos weren’t allowed, but look it up some time; you’ll be mesmerized.

As we ventured to Sicily, I abandoned my plan to switch shoes each day. In Agrigento, we walked through the Valley of Temples and my KEENs took me from one giant display of ruins to the next. My KEENs were light and airy, but the best part was the bounce. I don’t know what the soles are made of, but each step feels bouncy and absorbent. I literally bounded down hills and stairs, because my feet felt absolutely fantastic.

From Sicily, we ferried to the Aeolian Islands and stayed on Lipari. The chain of eight volcanic islands is gorgeous and remote, some with only golf carts or donkeys for transportation. On Stromboli, we watched rocks and lava spew from the crater against the night sky. On Vulcano, my KEENs and I climbed to the crater to see (and smell!) sulfuric steam vent a constant plume and stain the rocks yellow. By this point, I didn’t even bother with my other sandals. My KEEN Balboas were so reliably comfortable, why tempt fate by wearing something else?

As our last stop, we relaxed on the Amalfi Coast before returning to Seattle. We hiked from Amalfi to Ravello, a solid two hours of winding stairs up steep cliffs. As my legs became tired, I missed a few steps and my KEENs saved my toes once again. The hike was worth it; Ravello was breathtaking. On our last day, we took a boat to Positano and walked up and down the winding streets before relaxing with our beach chairs and umbrella. Swimming in the Mediterranean for the last time, my happy feet and I were not ready to leave. There was so much more to see and my KEENs could get me there. As I loaded up my backpack to go home, I left my old sandals out. I’m only going to need my tried and true KEEN Balboas for my next adventure!

My BFF once told me she’s never seen me run as fast as when I was running out of the gym to head home. And it’s true. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I hate exercise. The moist stink of the locker room, the blow out-ruining hairline perspiration, all that exertion – squawk! — for the birds. This begs the question of why I dropped some money on a pair of high end yoga pants.

Well, there’s one form of physical activity I will do, and that’s my trusty “Stretch and Relax” DVD – I found it at a garage sale ages ago and the title grabbed me. I like to relax. Stretching: well, ok, sometimes I don’t mind it. I figured I could maybe give it a go. And to my surprise: I liked it! Still today, when the instructor’s  frosted hair and “Let’s Get Physical” outfit have long since passed their “fresh until” date— and even the DVD format is a relic of a bygone time—on the sporadic occasions when I’m inclined to “go-to” it, this remains my go-to workout and never without my trusty Zobha Flared Pant.

I reach for them the minute I get home and if I want to throw in a half hour of stretching and relaxing with my DVD, I’m good to go. If I don’t, I’m still set for the night feeling comfortable and looking cute. Frankly the shape, stretch and strategically placed seaming make these cuties more flattering than any pair of jeans or leggings. The shorter inseam is perfect for the not-so-tall and the “just right” touch of Lycra® make it so they never lose their shape. Bye-bye baggy knees!

So whether you’re up for a little stretching or just want to stretch the hours you spend relaxing in the house to their maximum comfort and cuteness potential, do yourself a favor and invest in these flattering wide-leg yoga pants. I’m a thrifty Thelma and under normal circumstances would never drop any major coin on some glorified sweats, but with the daily wear and delicious look and feel, these sweeties have earned every penny back in spades. Grab a pair – you won’t regret it and that’s not stretching the truth in any way, shape or form!

Yellow Box shoes are often described as sexy, comfortable, fun, blingy and fashionable, and you could be talking about the same pair of shoes! Since it was launched more than a decade ago, Yellow Box has been changing people’s perception of flip-flops and sandals; they are coming off the beach and becoming everyday wear. Yellow Box has revolutionized the sandal and flip-flop world, giving you a comfortable, easy way to dress up a casual outfit or add a stylish sizzle to your work wardrobe.

The soft outsole of Yellow Box sandals and flip-flops are made with durable, high-quality rubber compounds to ensure complete comfort for all-day wear. Unlike the generic outsoles currently on the market, Yellow Box outsoles are designed for maximum density and flexibility, so they won’t squish down after wearing them all day. They’re sturdy and long-lasting, so you don’t have to worry about anything but looking good.

The Objection Sandal is a beautiful example of Yellow Box’s unique line of versatile flip-flops. This platform wedge has a fluid silhouette with just a little extra in the sparkle department. So, whether you’re going for a casual look or attending something a little dressier, this sandal will work perfectly with any outfit.

While the flip-flop line is fairly well-known, Yellow Box also has a fresh collection of fashion shoes. The Women’s Maryland cork wedge is a popular choice for its style and versatility. Its frayed linen upper is adorned with pearl and rhinestone embellishments to give it a chic and fun attitude. It’s the perfect sandal to complete a quick, polished look.

If you’re looking for sexy and stylish, look no further than the Bel Air Sandal. It will be your go-to wedge for weekend nights, perfect for adding a little drama to your outfit. This sky-high wedge is fully wrapped in linen and has a beautiful, flowing silhouette. It’s as comfortable as it is eye-catching, and features soft leather straps topped with elegant, linked teardrop embellishments. All I can say is that the Bel Air is a showstopper, so get ready for plenty of compliments.

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Thank you for playing. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED ! 

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If running had a user manual, it’d be pretty short:

1. Place left foot in front of right and step forward.
2. Place right foot in front of left and step forward.
3. Repeat.

Sure, sure, that’s walking, but running is just walking fast enough that you eventually pick up both feet at the same time, right?

If only running was as easy as that. Gear, weather, time, fitness and all that other noise aside, you need to be motivated to run.

I don’t know about you, but being the good, red-blooded American that I am, nothing motivates me more than rock ‘n’ roll.  Give me fast tempo percussion, power chord infused guitar and some soulful wails and I’ll squeak out 3-4 miles before I even realize I’m dripping sweat and enjoying it.

You feel me?  Because if you do, I want to know about it—and OnlineShoes.com and Saucony are willing to put some free minimalist running shoes on the line to verify my sanity (or, dispute it).

In the comment section below, let me know what one song motivates you to get out and run.  I’m talking really motivates you; the kind of song that will have you running through snowdrifts, 120 degree heat, while away on business travel or at 5:30am on a Tuesday.

Two lucky, musically-motivated runners will be rewarded with a pair of Saucony Minimalist shoes of their choice.  Just make sure to enter before midnight, PDT on June 6th, 2011.

Rock on and run!

***UPDATE*** 06/06/2011

 The giveaway is now closed and the winners are:

1.  katie picklesimer

“When I’m sad when I’m down..
there’s a certain song that brings me around.
It’s upbeat and sweet..
brings me to my feet..
each time I hear that 80′s tune.
I probably look like a loon..
dancing and singing on the treadmill at the gym..or outdoor running mile after mile..
What’s the song you say that makes me smile?
It’s Walking on the Sunshine…and it would be awhile..
more like an eternity before I ever got tired of that song.
I bet you know the words, so sing along..
next time you are blue..”

2. Wayne “Fly Like An Eagle, Steve Miller Band motivates me.”

Congratulations! Thanks to everyone for your inspiring submissions and make sure to check back with the OnlineShoes Blog, we’ve got other exciting things planned on the calendar!

It’s a little known fact that galoshes originated in Holland.*

Interesting? No doubt. But for me, it’s more the question of “why?” which springs to mind. Why didn’t I know this? Why did this tiny little section of the Netherlands decide to create the utmost pinnacle of wet-weather gear? And why didn’t people in the Amazon Rainforest do it first? I may be tilting at windmills here, but I have some theories.

My initial guess is that one quarter of the Netherlands rests below sea level. I mean, that’s just asking for water to come knocking on your door, rise up and turn walking in your hand-crafted clogs into a downright squishy mess. With this view, you simply can’t live without the insurance of high-calf rubber protection.

However, it also could be that Amsterdam has 1,281 bridges. Yes, 1,281. So the odds are pretty good that you’re bound to fall off one of them at some point in your life. I can only guess that one particularly unlucky fella got fed up and invented galoshes so he could fall off completely carefree.

But then again, perhaps it was less about protection and more about pure style. After all, galoshes would perfectly compliment the over 200 Van Gogh paintings found throughout the local museums. I mean, take one look at the Kamik Heather galosh and you’ll be putting it on a pedestal.

But most telling of all is that the Netherlands is the world’s eighth-largest exporter. And since there were only so many tulips to go around, they had to create something new to ship out to the world. And I, for one, couldn’t be happier that they chose galoshes.

*Editor’s note: We couldn’t confirm today’s fact, but no one was outright denying it, either. The world may never know.

I’ve had an interesting relationship with running—you might call it love-hate. We hated each other for years and years. But in the last year or so, I’ve learned to like running, and liking it has made it possible to gradually up my mileage. I used to be challenged by 3 miles; now I run 8-12 miles, twice a week. My longest run so far is just over 13 miles. But don’t get me wrong…running is still a challenge for me and probably always will be. I’ve just learned to embrace the suffering, I guess!

I’ve been running in what I call “semi-barefoot” running shoes (Nike Free Run +) for a while now. The idea behind these shoes is that they have less padding built in than most running shoes, giving you a more natural stride. Your feet get to feel more of the road (this is a good thing), and the claim is that running in this kind of shoe can actually make you stronger. So far, these shoes have worked out better for me than traditional running shoes.

I was really interested in checking out a “true” barefoot running shoe, so I got my hands on a pair of the Merrell Pace Glove barefoot running shoes. I was first struck by the lightness of the shoes. They literally weigh next to nothing. When I laced them up (no socks), they felt good. My toes had lots of room to move; the insole, though unpadded, felt solid and supportive; and the mesh upper was airy and breathable.

I kept the first run I took in the shoes short, about 2 miles on the sidewalk in my neighborhood, and it felt good. (If you’re trying barefoot shoes for the first time, you’ll want to keep it really short.) The Vibram soles are rugged but flexible at the same time, so I could feel the ground. But my feet felt totally protected. I tried running over rocks and gravel whenever I saw them, as that’s something that’s bothered my feet in the past. No problem in these shoes. You can always feel what’s under your feet, but you don’t ever feel like rocks are poking them. It’s almost like your soles have a thick layer of calluses. Sounds nasty, I know—but it’s pretty great for running!

The next run I took in the Pace Gloves was about 6 miles on a paved trail. Again, the shoes felt good. I had worried that I might get blisters on a longer run, especially without socks, but I think these shoes actually have less blister potential than my regular shoes. The one issue I noticed was some rubbing on the back of one of my ankles, but there was no blistering. After the run my calves and shins felt a bit sore, and the next day a little more sore. But it was the “good” kind of sore, like after a hard workout, not the “Oh-crap-I-think-I’ve-really-hurt-myself” kind of sore. According to Merrell, that’s caused by your legs working harder and getting stronger. I may have jumped the gun a bit by going from 2 to 6 miles right away, and will try increasing my mileage in the Pace Gloves a bit more slowly.

The Pace Gloves are definitely different than traditional running shoes and will take some getting used to for most people. If you’re used to a cushiony pillow of a running shoe, these shoes may feel very minimalist, but I think you’ll be surprised by how comfortable they are and how protected your feet feel. If you’re interested in trying something new, I would definitely recommend them. My one suggestion for Merrell is to include a “Barefoot 101” booklet in the box, with some of the video tips from their website. And my suggestion for you? Go barefoot, and have fun!

Let’s say it’s the end of summer, and all you have to show for the past three months is a single photo. It’s a close-up image of your Sperry Top-Siders, sitting on what looks to be a wooden dock in the warm light of a fading sun. They look slightly wet and are dusted with sand. As you look at the image, ask yourself a question: Based on just this one photo, would you think your summer was a success?

Of course you would. Whatever was happening on that day, you were there for it and jumping in with both feet—what could possibly define summer better than that? Summer is Sperry season for me. Always has been.

In the past 20-odd years, I have always had Sperry Top-Siders in my closet. I can still remember the summer I got rid of my very first pair (they last a really long time) and moved on to new ones. They were the exact same style, but the new ones were so, well, new. I couldn’t help but feel a little sentimental about my old pair. Those old shoes told tandem stories of relaxation and adventure, and the new ones were all scrubbed and wide-eyed like it was the first day of school. The problem eventually solved itself, but it was an all-summer project.

Just recently, I switched from the iconic brown leather, 2-eye Top-Sider to the sporty canvas Sperry Bahama to wear on a cruise. It sounds silly now, but if we were shipwrecked, I wanted to be ready to step into the role of the Professor, rather than Gilligan. Anyway, the summer is ahead of us now (even if only technically) and I am ready for my new Sperrys to be witness to the adventure. I am a tiny bit worried that my wife might drop my Bahamas into the washing machine and erase all evidence of adventure, but I’m ready to jump into summer with both feet.

On a side note, wearing Sperry shoes has always meant carrying a little extra burden for me: the childish taunts of “Perry’s wearing Sperrys. Those are Perry’s Sperrys. PerrysSperrys. PerrySperryPerry…” I guess people named Dr. Marten struggle under the same yoke, but I’m just saying…

Ellen has recently transformed into a runner and shares how she channels her enthusiasm while training for the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon.

As I write, I just finished a fantastic run to the top of Oyster Dome and back down; I finished it in an hour and a half. For a gal who started out with hardly an athletic bone in her body, it is fantastic and very rewarding for me to reflect on the progression. Yes, I am a runner now, but I haven’t always been.

I am a wife, mama, home chef; nutrition student and vegan food blogger and I grew up completely uninvolved in traditional sports. Instead, I spent my youth as a competitive horseback rider. This consumed most of my free time and to be completely honest, that was fine because I found traditional sports absolutely uninspiring. As a result, aside from horses, I wasn’t a highly active child. This of course, didn’t do anything for my already slightly “chubby” stature.

My “baby fat,” as my mother sensitively named it, continued to accumulate into my second year of college. Oh, you know. Along crept that notorious weight gain everyone was talking about. I was sure I would be immune; not so much. So there I was: 23 years old and almost 180 pounds. I knew I had to do something; otherwise, I would continue to be not only physically unhealthy, but emotionally unhealthy as well.

In the beginning, regardless my lack of enthusiasm, I ran. I ran solely for the purpose of shedding pounds fast. That notorious “runner’s high” everyone raved about was definitely not on my route. Looking back, I can see that my attitude absolutely reflected my workout and subsequently, the results. I kept it up intermittently for several years, eventually losing some of the weight but never really enjoying the process.

Fast forward almost eight years: “Runner” and “athlete” are adjectives people now use to describe me. I am a runner; and despite accomplishing several of my personal exercise goals, I still sometimes find myself in disbelief at the metamorphosis.

The difference between my initial motivation and my current passion for running is that now, running is so much more than something I do simply for the sake of burning a few calories. I run because I love it. The energy, the peace and the grounding it brings my soul are what motivate me to continue and challenge myself. Running is my time to check in; to find rhythm in my breathing, my thoughts and my life. It is my thing, my passion and a gift. And that runner’s high? Oh, we’re good buddies now!

I hope now to channel my enthusiasm not only to push myself but to inspire others; to prove that someone with scarce athleticism can transform. My intention in running the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon is fairly simple: To take my passion to the next level. To run and finish strong, both physically and mentally, proving that my training and focus has paid off. I am ecstatic to be participating in this event, and a marathon after that! For now, though, I focus on the present and I train, having no doubt that I will meet my runner’s high on my way to the finish line.

Even though warm spring weather hasn’t arrived everywhere (outside my window, for example), I’m dying for new sandals, and the Clarks Rejoice Arial in Platinum, part of the Clarks Artisan collection, is a style that’s at the top of my list.

For some reason, metallics have been beckoning to me: They’re so much lighter and brighter than the brown and black shoes and boots that I live in from October through March, yet they’re not as glaring as pure white. (Generally speaking, I don’t adhere to that outmoded no-white-before-Memorial-Day rule, but I haven’t worn white footwear—aside from Keds® sneaks—since a pair of dangerously high cork platform sandals I owned in high school. Thought I looked pretty cool…right up until I twisted my ankle in front of a bunch of uber-popular seniors. BUH-bye, sandals of death.)

Anyhow, I want something a little dressier that I can wear to work or at the weekend with a cute denim skirt, and, of course, I require a wide width. As added bonuses, not only can I freely accessorize with gold or silver jewelry if I want to be all matchy, but, because the Clarks Rejoice Arial is a slide, I’m able to shave a few precious seconds off the time it takes me to get out the door. (Don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean. You, you there in back, trying to pretend you’re not always running a half-hour late…I’m talkin’ to you!)

Whaddaya think? Pretty cute, right? Just don’t buy all the size 9 wides until I get a pair.

Hailing from Minnesota’s Northwoods, I have cultivated a lifelong loyalty to Minnetonka moccasins. Every summer, my mom would proudly take me into the local Feed-and-Seed, which also doubled as the only clothing or shoe store for miles, and buy me a fresh pair of classic, fringed moccasins. No matter the styling, I knew there was something iconic about the ankle booties I loved. Even in such humble fashion beginnings, I was able to recognize—and rock—seriously classic style.

Trends amongst stylish people are like secrets amongst gossipers—they move quickly. But the difference here is that this secret has been gossiped about for ages and has remained relevant to the fashion scene today. Fringe has the power to look dramatic and romantic, which is even more of a reason to mix a pair into your wardrobe. Though you can find all kinds of funky, updated riffs on the original design, I’ll always love the classic Minnetonka Classic Fringed Boot. These fringe booties are showstoppers; the fact that they are as comfortable as slippers and give any ensemble an instantly low-key, bohemian appeal makes them even better!

However, fringe can be awfully tricky business, so if you want to avoid looking like you’ve dressed up as Pocahontas for the day, remember to keep the rest of your outfit nice and clean (that means only one fringed item per outfit—no exceptions). This allows other textures to accent the fringe to create an unforgettably luxe look, and making that one fringed element these classic boho booties practically guarantees the success of your look-great-on-the-go fashion style. Take your Minnetonkas into a retro vibe with a flowy peasant skirt or sundress, or try rocking some hipster appeal by letting a great pair of skinny jeans lead the eye to your fabulously dressed feet. And just remember that, as always, the best way to establish great style is to make the look your own, whether you’ve been wearing fringed booties for 20 years or 20 days.

What’s not to love about the New Balance 890 running shoe? After walking, running and training in the popular New Balance running shoes, a group of OnlineShoes.com wear testers had nothing but positive feedback to share.

“The 890s are so lightweight and comfortable… the best lightweight but stable shoe I’ve ever owned! And great looking, too!” reported OnlineShoes.com Assistant Buyer, Casey.

And light is definitely right, when it comes to this popular New Balance running shoe. Featuring the innovative REVlite midsole foam, which is 30% lighter than traditional foam without sacrificing an ounce of responsiveness, stability and durability—this neutral running shoe offers a comfortable ride for all levels and abilities of runners. In a size 9.5D, the men’s New Balance 890 shoe weighs a mere 9.65 ounces (275 grams).

“What I like most about the New Balance 890 is that it is so light—nearly a ¼ pound lighter (per shoe) than my other running shoes!” says Jimmy Healey, OnlineShoes.com Senior Manager of Social Commerce.

As the volunteer OnlineShoes.com wear testers discovered, the New Balance 890 shoe offers top-notch performance on everything from the track to the treadmill. “They are the perfect workout shoe! I’m like Muhammad Ali when I put them on. ‘Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.‘” says Office Coordinator, Amanda.

Weighing in at just 7.7 ounces (213 grams), the women’s New Balance 890 offers a streamlined look in a selection of eye-catching color combinations.

The consensus among our employee wear testers is quite clear; the lightweight New Balance 890 running shoe delivers out-of-the-box comfort, breathability and performance that runners and fitness enthusiasts appreciate and enjoy.

Why Katie walks for Team Meggers

Most people have heard of the March of Dimes, but not many know what they actually do. In truth, I didn’t really know either, until three years ago when our daughter, Meg, was born six-weeks premature.

The mission of the March of Dimes is to create stronger, healthier babies. They do this in many different ways, including educating pregnant women about how to have healthy pregnancies that will go to full-term; funding research in prematurity, birth defects and infant health so that every single baby can have the chance to grow up strong; and advocating for policies within our government and hospitals that give parents and babies the best opportunities available.

On Saturday, we joined our family and friends to walk for Team Meggers in Seattle’s March for Babies. This was our third year walking for this cause that is near and dear to our hearts. After Meg was born early, she spent the first two-weeks of her life in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle.


One-day old Meg in the NICU

It was here that we learned how much the March of Dimes does to support families with babies who are born premature (or with health complications). They paid for our parking fees at the hospital for the entire two weeks that Meg was there (which was not a small bill!), they left things for big sister Janie to play with while we visited Meg and constantly let us know that they were available to spend time with Meg when we couldn’t, were a shoulder to lean on or cry on and were happy to answer any questions that we had about our newborn preemie. Josh and I were so thankful to have the March of Dimes in our corner.

Now, Meg is a thriving, healthy, exuberant (and sometimes very stubborn!) three-and-a-half year old little girl. You would never know that she was born six-weeks early unless you were told. Every year, we raise money and walk in the March for Babies to help support other families who are experiencing the same thing we did and to fund research that will help everyone learn more about why some babies are born premature or with birth defects and how to prevent it.

This year was the first time in our three years of walking that it rained. And let me tell you, it POURED on Saturday morning! But despite the rain, families at the walk had smiles on their faces. The walk is usually filled with families who are walking with their preemie (like us with Meg) or in honor of a baby who they lost. It’s so powerful to be there with so many families who are all raising money and walking through the streets of Seattle for one cause.

Okay, down to business with the shoe portion of this post! The walk itself is over three-miles long—nothing crazy, but it’s more than a leisurely walk in the park, too! I chose a pair of PUMAs for the walk that I love—they fit closely to my foot and are breathable, so even when my feet got a little wet from the rain, I wasn’t sloshing around in soggy, heavy shoes. Check out the PUMA Faas 250 for a very similar shoe that is lightweight and comfortable.

Because it was raining so hard, Janie and Meg chose to wear rain boots to keep their feet dry during the walk. My favorite line of rain boots at OnlineShoes.com is by Bogs. I especially love their shorter style boots like the Bogs Hawthorne Rain Boot for spring time when your kids don’t necessarily need a full height boot for keeping warm, but still need something to keep their feet dry during those unexpected spring showers. Plus, Bogs wear like a tennis shoe, so your little ones aren’t weighted down by a heavy, clunky boot just to stay dry.

Be sure to visit OnlineShoes.com to outfit you for whatever you do to benefit the causes that are close to your own heart!

An avid sun-seeker (and OnlineShoes.com employee) comes down from the mountains for some time on the beach–and shares the versatile summer sandals that make the trip easy.

With the weather outside finally starting to heat up, I have one thing on my mind: Swimsuit Season. Picking the perfect look for poolside is never easy.

Here is what our fashion buyers let us know about this summer’s style: 70s-inspired swimwear is on trend to make the one-piece and the tankini two hot styles you must have for summer. But, no matter how great your swimsuit is, it is not a complete outfit without the perfect finishing touch: summer sandals! Here are a couple of ideas for pairing your new swimsuit with the perfect footwear.

The Feminine Girl
If you are a girly-girl who loves all things sugar and spice and everything nice, you are in need of a great showstopper flat and a hot wedge. The Born Smooch sandal is a great choice for a day at the beach in your newest tankini, or the perfect finishing touch for your favorite sundress. If you are looking for something to take you from poolside to a night on the town, the Seychelles Matter of Fact sandal is it. Style and grace all in one.

The Sporty Girl
If you are more concerned with comfort, functionality, snails and nails and puppy dog tails, then you need a great multipurpose flat and wedge. The Merrell Lidia sandal is the perfect fit for playing on the beach or sightseeing around town. It also comes in lots of great colors to match your new tankini or one-piece. If you are looking for a comfortable shoe that can be worn at the pool but also dress up an outfit, the Clarks Shutter Beach will highlight your style while keeping you comfortable.

No matter what your favorite summer look is, when the sun comes out you want to be ready to hit the beach in style. Check out the newest summer sandals and don’t forget your sunblock!

Every fashion connoisseur knows all too well the ever-cyclical nature of fashion; what’s old is bound to be new again…eventually. Take the latest crop of retro-inspired clog shoes and clog sandals, for instance. Many of spring’s hot new designs give an artful wink and a nod to the platforms and wedges of the ’60s and ’70s. These latest iterations of vintage looks may have a knack for nostalgia, but they’re definitely created for the girl who can rock a modern, fresh-off-the-runway twist on a classic.

Right now I can’t get enough of the Sanita Tory mary jane clog, with just the right amount of throwback appeal. Those bold metal rivet details and an anatomically contoured, bass wood platform combine to form the perfect throw-on-with-a-pair-of-jeans heel. I have to admit that I’m a little out of practice wearing dressy sandals and high heels after a long winter of donning nothing but warm, cozy boots, so this chunky-heeled, laid-back clog is just what I need to reintroduce my freshly pedicured and liberated feet to the outside world once again.

I’m always looking for something new this time of year, and sexy stilettos and dainty footwear don’t have the proper heft for spring’s shorter skirts and dresses. No surprise, then, that this season’s clogs are turning up as a youthful alternative to wear with the sporty and frilly mini-dresses and shorts that went down the runway. Pair your jaunty leather mules with zippered bloomer shorts and striped polos, or ground a frilly party dresses with an earthy clog silhouette.

Follow OnlineShoes.com’s Dave M. as he reconnects with his passion for running.

When I run, I listen to books. Balancing between work and family, especially with three little girls, life can get a wee bit difficult at times, even if you’re married to the coolest woman ever.

I am currently listening to this book called The Social Animal by David Brooks. The main thesis is that we all have a conscious and an unconscious mind and that the unconscious mind is much more influential than the conscious in directing our actions. Sorry for the book review, but I found the lesson instructive. It reminded me that to achieve my list of personal goals in running and life, I must be willing to defiantly advocate for the things I am passionate about.

While I was listening to this book, I was running in my new VIVOBAREFOOT shoes. The style name is the Neo and I got them in black and white.

When you look down on the shoes while they are on your feet, they are shaped like Birkenstocks. Because of this design, they let your forefront spread out a lot more than the NB Minimus or the Merrell True Glove (check out my previous blog posts, where I wrote a review of the New Balance Minimus and a review of the Merrell True Glove, which is actually sort of cool. The outsole is their proprietary technology, NOT borrowed from Vibram®.

When I first put on the VIVOBAREFOOTs, they felt a lot like normal shoes, primarily because they came with a fairly cushy insole. A couple of weeks back, I ran on them about four times, with the insoles in, on some short runs for a total of about 12 miles or so. They continued to feel like normal shoes—not even running shoes—just normal shoes.

Last weekend, I tried something different. I removed the insoles of the VIVOBAREFOOT Neo and ran about eight miles in them, and I felt like I was unlocking the secret to these shoes. Removing the insoles made them feel like barefoot running shoes, and I really enjoyed running in them. I took them on a run through Bellevue and Kirkland, Washington and I ran primarily on pavement. They have nice traction and were thick enough to help prevent sharp biting pains when I ran on top of a rock, yet they were still thin and pliable enough to really feel the terrain on the run.

I think the only thing I didn’t like about the shoes was the color I got them in: Black/White. The shoes serve their purpose well, but they are just not the most appealing to look at due to the color. And when you run as slow as I do, people can see your feet. So it’s kind of a problem for me. I don’t think they are as scary looking as the Vibram FiveFingers (check out my previous blog post, where I wrote a review of the FiveFingers), and my dog Bellaboo was not scared of them. But I do think the aesthetics of the shoes are a bit goofy. They get high points for function (once you take the insoles out), and low points for form. In my opinion, they are just not that pleasing to the eye. In fairness to the brand, though, they have a lot of much better looking shoes; this pair was not one of them though.

I think it is important to recognize that VIVOBAREFOOT (coming soon to OnlineShoes.com) has minimalist shoes that can be used throughout the day. For those of you (not me yet) who are trying to go unstructured minimalist all day long, this brand offers you some really cool choices.

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Thank you for playing. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED ! 

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Since 2003, KEEN shoes have been favorites among outdoor lovers and people who value comfort. From popular KEEN sandals to KEEN hiking boots, street shoes and more, devoted customers have come to rely on their KEENs as their everyday, year-round footwear.

Now, outdoor athletes can look as good as they feel in the new KEEN A86 TR, a sleek, lightweight trail-running shoe that strikes a perfect balance between minimalism and comfortable, protective support.

Editors at TrailRunner magazine liked the A86 so much, they gave it the Editors’ Choice award for Best Minimalist Shoe; OnlineShoes.com likes its customers so much they’re giving away a pair of men’s or women’s KEEN A86 lightweight shoes to two lucky winners, so they can head for the hills in spruced-up, pared-down fashion.

The first thing to notice about these breathable mesh KEEN shoes is that they’re offered in a wide array of colors. Men’s KEEN A86 shoes come in a color palette dominated by bold, primary hues, while the KEEN A86 for women have a softer look—all of them miles away from the slate, moss and dirt hues that tend to dominate the trail running category.

The second apparent feature is the unusual, asymmetrical lace closure. In addition to looking, well, pretty darned cool, this positioning is designed to relieve pressure on the most common pressure points, providing greater comfort. It also laces further down toward the toe, for a snug, glove-like fit at the forefoot. Combined with the absence of a rock plate, the result is a better feel for the ground beneath your feet.

Features not as readily visible include a flexible, ultralight compression-molded polyurethane midsole, high-rebound, removable EVA insole and tough, protective rubber outsole that boasts 3mm multi-directional lugs to bite into challenging terrain. Even when all these features are stacked up, the KEEN A86 for men is a mere 8.0 ounces, while the women’s weighs in at 7.8 ounces. (While these KEEN shoes run pretty true to size, it’s recommended that people who measure in between sizes order up a half size rather than down.)

With the minimalist A86, KEEN is appealing to an increasingly agile audience—but even if this neutral trail running shoe doesn’t make you any faster, at least you’ll look great wherever you go!

Two randomly chosen blog readers will each win one pair of men’s or women’s KEEN A86 TR shoes, with a value of up to $100. Just answer the question (in 200 words or less) in the comments section below: “How would a pair of KEEN A86 TR shoes increase your enjoyment of the outdoors this summer?”

Entries will be accepted from Tuesday, May 10, 2011 through Tuesday, May 24, 2011.

See the complete contest rules and regulations for details.  Open to U.S. residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

***UPDATE*** 06/13/2011

The giveaway is now closed and the winners are:

1. Trey “I’ve been trying to transition to minimal running shoes, but have yet to find the perfect pair. Based upon my prior experiences with Keen shoes, I’m thinking the A86 may be the perfect minimalist shoe, for both trail running and road running.”

2. amymarietrail “A new pair of Keen’s would increase my enjoyment of the outdoors this summer because I would give them to my daughter and we could go on long walks together. I have been trying to think of activities, which will enable my daughter and I to spend more time together as well as get in shape. I believe one way to get her excited about exercise is to get her in a great pair of shoes like Keen! When my daughter saw the A86′s in River Blue she loved them. Parents of young girls can probably understand how exciting it is when they find a style they like because it doesn’t happen very often!”

Congratulations! Thanks to everyone for your inspiring submissions and make sure to check back with the OnlineShoes Blog, we’ve got other exciting things planned on the calendar!

An expert hiker and professional guide shares his favorite hiking trails, plus the right hiking gear to take on each journey.

One of the greatest things about this big country of ours is the sheer diversity of landscape and climate. I believe there is really no better way to experience our backyard first hand than to explore it on foot. The great thing about hiking is that, with a relatively small amount of gear and direction, you can partake in one of the grandest forms of exploration and discovery.

So what I’d like to do is highlight a select handful of trails and foot routes of varying commitment and difficulty, distributed throughout the country, and give a couple of recommendations on the ideal footwear to ensure a happy trip.

The John Muir Trail (California)
Named after one of America’s greatest conservationists and outdoorsmen, the John Muir Trail is 211 miles long and is the highest trail in the United States. This rugged trail takes the hiker from Yosemite National Park through the high sierras to Mt. Whitney in Sequoia National Park. Since this trail is all about cranking out big miles on dirt and rock trails you really want that perfect balance between support and comfort. You need a shoe that’s going to support your ankle, give you a dependable footbed and, at the same time, not tear your feet to shreds.

I have a suspicion that the Hi Tec Trail Dust Mid Waterproof, although new on the scene, would be just the shoe to do it. Expect your feet to swell on this type of trail-stomping journey, so treat yourself to at least a half a size bigger, and start slow. If you’re not afraid to spend a little more, the Merrell Refuge Core Mid Waterproof boot will do wonders for your feet.

Havasupai Trail (Arizona)
On a less ambitious note, the Havasupai Trail is one of the most remarkable adventures in the country. Havasu Canyon, a tributary to the Grand Canyon, is home to the Havasupai tribe who mainly reside in the small village of Supai, located six miles down the Havasupai Trail. Supai is the only town left in the country in which the mail is still delivered via Pony Express. But the real treasure is another half-hour hike down the trail from the village. Havasu Falls is a picture-perfect, teal-blue waterfall gushing 60 vertical feet into an idyllic swimming hole. The contrast between the blue water and red rock is enough to keep Georgia O’Keefe busy for years. If you’re not quenched, keep hiking down the trail to a concession of three more waterfalls, and then you finally get to the Grand Canyon.

Now for footwear…If you really don’t want to hike, you have options. One is to take a helicopter down to the village. If that’s the case, why get stingy on your feet. Treat yourself to a pair of Merrell World Ramblers. The second option is to travel via mule back, in which case there is absolutely no excuse not to wear your new pair of Double-H Boots 11 Inch Ranch Wellington Oiltans boots, and third is to walk the notoriously forgiving hike. In this case something like the ASICS® GEL-Aztecs™ MT running shoes will give you the lightness you want in the hot desert while providing proper support.  Don’t forget your bathing suit.

Glacier National Park’s Highline Trail (Montana)
With gradual inclines, options for shuttle bus and some of the biggest scenery in the country, the Highline Trail is perfect for family trips and less aggressive hikers. But take note, you will be hiking amongst some of the nation’s top predators such as grizzly bear, wolverine and mountain lion. Although this outing can be quite pleasant weather-wise, you are above tree line in the Rocky Mountains, so prepare for bad weather. Bring a Marmot PreCip Jacket to fend off the rain and the wind; wear a Mountain Hardwear MicroChill Jacket underneath to stay warm.

When thinking about a boot for this trail, you need to consider how ambitious this trail is for you. You can do just fine with something like the Hi-Tec Viper Trail Ultra WPi shoe, but if you want that extra support, go for the Timberland Ledge Low Leather Gore-Tex® Membrane Hiker.

The Presidential Traverse (New Hampshire)
The Presidential Traverse is the most unique and infamous trek in the Eastern US. Famous for extreme conditions, its high point, Mt. Washington (6,200’), is the long-time record holder for the highest wind ever recorded on earth at 231 miles per hour. This hike in the summer is a pleasant way to experience the most scenic stretch in the Appalachian Mountains. With 17.2 miles mostly above tree line, the hiker will climb 9,000 feet, making for an athletic pursuit whether you go for the popular summer hut trip (done in 4 days) or a one-day endurance test. If this hike is on the upper end of what you do, then your feet and ankles are not conditioned for a huge amount of stress, so think about choosing something with ankle support.

The Vasque Wasatch boot or the Lowa Banff Pro boot will support your feet and ankles while you kick through rocky sections of the trail and stomp downhill without hesitation. Bring duck tape for blisters.

The Ridge Trail on Old Rag Mountain (Virginia)
Having been born on a farm only seven miles from the summit of Old Rag, it’s easy for me to become overly sentimental about this mountain. Nonetheless, the Ridge Trail on Old Rag Mountain is one of the coolest hikes in the central Appalachians. This trail, although not a technical rock climb, is not just for your feet. During this hike up one of the craggiest ridgelines in the region, you will use your hands to pull, balance and lower yourself through a fun variety of undulating granite terrain. For your feet, try the Garmont Sticky Lizard shoe or the GoLite Rock Lite shoe. Both of these shoes provide the essential balance of trail hiking and scrambling agility. During the hot summer months, dress light and carry plenty of water and food. For a convenient pack for carrying these essentials, try the Patagonia Yerba Pack. Take note: Avoid this trail on weekends….it gets very busy.

The Narrows (Utah)
Located in Zion National Park, The Narrows, is another unusual hike. Rated one of the best hikes in America by National Geographic, this 16 mile hike takes you through a deep slot canyon with sheer walls ascending hundreds of feet on either side. One of the most unique aspects of this adventure is that for some of it, you are submerged waist deep in water. That’s right, this is a wet experience. Some claim to even swim sections.

This hike is made for such shoes as the Merrell WaterPro Manistee hiking shoe or the Merrell Kinetic Mid Waterproof boot. Before stepping into the water pull off your SmartWool PhD Outdoor Light Mini sock and toss them into your Patagonia Refugio Pack for maximum comfort.

Olympic Coast Trail (Washington)
The Olympic Coast Trail within the Olympic National Park is a golden stretch of beach in the US that is bordered by temperate rainforest to the east and the wild Pacific to the west. It’s the longest stretch of virgin coastline left in the lower 48. There is a 15-mile stretch in particular that is set up for the everyday hiker to enjoy. Along this hike, sections of beach are separated by craggy coastal cliffs and bluffs. The National Park service maintains ladders and walkways that ascend around these coastal outcroppings and take the hiker on trails through the wet forest, and then onto the next beach. The beaches make for picture-perfect camping with sea stacks and bald eagles everywhere.

I think that to properly enjoy this hike you need to hike comfortably from one beach to the next by sporting a nice hiking boot such as the Timberland Chocorua Trail GTX® boot. These will give you the comfort and confidence needed to plow through puddles and muck, along with steady support for chugging sand on the beach and teetering up and down ladders with lots of weight on your back. FYI: The weight is because you’re going to camp in style. You’ve brought lots of cozy amenities, yummy food and maybe a musical instrument or two, so that you can spend some time at base camping on a wilderness beach. Don’t forget to throw in a pair of Teva Hurricane XLT sandals to wear once you’ve set up camp.

Ptarmigan Traverse (Washington)
The Ptarmigan Traverse is one of the most scenic treks in the contiguous United States. Usually done somewhere between 3 and 6 days, this trek travels the jagged spine of the North Cascades of Washington state. Every day begins and ends at a mountain lake more beautiful than the last, and each day is spent traversing high on mountain slopes, climbing glaciers and passing over mountain cols. This high mountain route is somewhere in the realm of where backpacking becomes mountaineering. Although completely reasonable as far as physical exertion, glacier travel, basic ice axe use and expert map-reading skills are required. This is a great one for hiring a guide.

As for footwear, the Garmont Vetta Lite GTX® boot is the ideal boot, although something like the Hi-Tec Yeti II 200 WPi boot would do great, too. Both of these are built for hiking trail, scree, rock and snow, all of which you will encounter on this trek. Also, treat yourself to a pair of Patagonia Rock Guide Pants for a great balance of staying cool when the sun is blazing on the glacier and staying warm enough when it’s not. They’re quick drying, too.

So there it is. Just a small snippet of what this country has to offer. The hardest part about writing this blog was determining all of the trails I had to leave out in order for this to be of manageable length. The bottom line is there enumerable treasures outside everybody’s backdoor regardless of what your zip code happens to be, and OnlineShoes.com is proud to carry the right footwear for whichever adventure you choose.

Being pregnant has its ups and downs. Yes, it’s one of life’s wonderful experiences that simply can’t be topped. But there are also challenges to face when it comes to having an ever-expanding waistline. Finding the right clothes to work with a body that’s always changing does take some getting used to. And then you also need comfortable shoes to help you through all the waddling you’ll start to do in the later months.

Even in the early stages, though, I wanted shoes that were stylish and comfortable. I didn’t want to throw in the towel for nine months of dumpiness with sweatpants and UGG® boots (don’t get me wrong, I’ve worn my favorite pair of UGG® boots constantly—just with something other than sweats!). Having some sense of pregnant style was important to me, though it did get harder and harder as my belly grew and my choices became more and more limited.

Back to those UGGs, though…I usually wore my UGG® boots or UGG® Australia Coquette slippers from the minute I got home after work to the moment I crawled into bed at night. There’s just nothing like padding around the house with cozy shearling underfoot.

For work, I consider myself lucky that we have a very laidback dress code here at OnlineShoes.com. So wearing jeans every day isn’t out of the question. All I’ve needed are some cute, versatile flats that go with anything, like the black Fossil Maddox Flat. I have these in a leopard-print pattern, too, and they’re my go-to shoe for adding a little bit of personality to a basic outfit. Since my entire maternity wardrobe seems to be grey and black, I gravitate toward any shoe or accessory that can add a pop of color or texture.

As far as pregnant comfort goes, there are days when slipping into a pair of cute sneakers is all I can manage to give jeans a little bit of oomph. The PUMA Zandy sneaker has a super comfortable footbed and a ballet flat-inspired low profile. You can kick these on for weekend errands or running out to grab a quick bite for lunch. The adjustable strap even offers a touch of extra room if your feet start to swell a bit during the later months.

I went to Mexico for a destination wedding a few months ago, and I really wanted a shoe that would give me some height while looking formal and beachy at the same time. I found a fun maternity dress that was just the right mix of feminine and flattering (not an easy task, but a must when you feel like a blimp). And this Kenneth Cole Reaction Know Show Pewter sandal caught my eye. I just love the metallic color and flouncy flowers that add the right amount of detail. And yes, I know you’re going to think I’m crazy for wearing such a high heel. I ended up kicking them off for a bit of dancing; otherwise, they were amazingly comfortable and easy to walk in all night—even in the sand. They were the perfect choice for the occasion; plus, I’m pretty sure they’ll be in my regular shoe rotation all summer long.

Now that warmer weather has made its way to Seattle a time or two this spring (thank goodness), I have sandals on the brain. And since I’m pretty much in the home stretch of my pregnancy, where I sadly can’t see my feet much to care if my shoes are very cute or not, it’s nice to have sandals to take me to the end of my nine-month journey. I just might wear the metallic Gentle Souls Brakester sandal every day from now until the end of summer because of the soft footbed, barely there pancake heel and d’Orsay silhouette that is kind to pregnant feet.

At least my feet haven’t seemed to grow a half or full size like some women experience during pregnancy. Wouldn’t that be a shame? To have to replace a closet full of shoes?  Luckily, though, I have a good assortment of pregnancy-appropriate shoes that are perfect for any occasion. Whether or not I can see them on my feet is an entirely different story.

Follow OnlineShoes.com’s Dave M. as he reconnects with his passion for running.

One of the most interesting facts that Christopher McDougall calls out in his book Born to Run is the concept that running is the most popular sport in the world. Not as much from the standpoint of people watching it on Sunday morning in their recliners, but from actual participation. When we go through periods of social, civil, militaristic and economic unrest we turn to running. Sales for shoes, gym memberships and Body Glide anti-chaffing lubricant actually go up when things in the world become tumultuous.

I had a personal experience that serves as a good example of this phenomenon the day of and a week or so after September 11th. My buddy Ron and I were sent on a trip to work with the Brown Shoe company in St Louis, MO on September 10 to meet about some new business opportunities. Then, the morning of September 11 we were just about to leave the hotel, and we saw the horrifying events unfold on the ABC news.

Ron and I were a couple of thousand miles from home, the airports were totally shut down and we needed to figure out what we needed to do to get home to be with our families and loved ones. It was horrifying and, probably like many of you, we felt terrified and extremely nervous about what was going to happen next.

For some reason, all we wanted to do was run. We went to a very cool local park in an area named Clydesdale. There was a really small lake deep inside the park that we ran around—with jumping spiders that bit the hell out of our legs. Believe it or not, it is a really great way to get folks to run a helluva lot faster.

I think I ran like 10 miles that day, and I got so tired that my buddy Ron had to run an extra few miles to get the rental car to pick my tired butt up. Even though the running was strenuous, and I got extremely tired, it was really awesome to get some of the anxious and nervous energy out of my body by getting my run on. Moreover, the fact that I wasn’t running alone made it all the better. Ron and I had worked together for years at this point and always had a lot of fun working together. But on this trip, we ended up driving pretty much the whole way home, and we stretched it out a few days (on the company’s dime ). We ran each and every day for miles and miles. We ran so much it was stupid, which brings me to one of the profound themes from David Brooks’ book, The Social Animal: We are social animals, not rational animals. We emerge out of the relationships in our life.

One of the things that I am sure has been pointed out in a lot of books is how many people participate in fun runs, runs, marathons and even 50- or 100-mile runs each year. I have done lots of these kinds of runs over the years, and I think the psychology behind it is sort of interesting. I always start the run, thinking I am going to do it to attain a ‘personal’ goal, or reach a personal best perhaps, or go on a really cool run. I will just enjoy the heck out of, but when I am actually on the run, I am thinking about how cool it is to do something with a bunch of people that love what I love.

Running anything over 13 miles, and I speak from enough experience not to care what any naysayers might say in rebuttal to this statement, IS CRAZY, not smart and downright goofy. But with that said, I do it all the time and there are always a ton of people at these runs being as stupid as I am. I think the best example of this is the first marathon I ran in 2005. I ran in the New York City Marathon and it was awesome for the first 10 miles. Then, I stepped on a drainage grate, twisted my leg and hurt my knee. I flew all the way out for the NYC Marathon from Seattle and, dammit, I was going to finish it. The crowds and the other runners got me to the finish line, 5:59:37 later. Isn’t that the case for some of you? The people on the run that pass by and say something cool like, “we are almost there,” or “keep going, I know you can do it,” or the person in the crowd that yells your bib number and spouts out some words of encouragement. They’re the ones who keep you going.

Sometimes, I wish life was more like running a marathon and that when I was walking through the airport someone would yell, “Hey dude in the black North Face vest, you only got one more leg until you get home to your girls.” That would be awesome.

I highly recommend finding folks you like to run with on a regular basis. I got my sweet little BellaBoo Martine and my buddy Ron. Does anyone else have any cool running buddy stories to tell? If so, please comment below and tell us about it!

OnlineShoes.com employees Lindsey and Gannon take on the challenge of the newest fitness craze, barre fitness, which incorporates ballet, Pilates and weights; specifically targeting your seat, thighs, abs and arms for a fat burning, total body workout.

How did you hear about barre fitness?

• Lindsey: We saw a Groupon for it and, after doing some research, found that it is the must-do celebrity workout.
• Gannon: Yeah, I’d heard of the barre method about a year ago when I noticed a friend on Facebook started a studio in Dallas. Didn’t think much of it at the time, but suddenly, at the beginning of this year, new barre studios, classes and coupons to try it were all over Seattle!

Why try it?

• Lindsey: I am always looking for something new and fun to add to my workout routine. You know… to spice up my workout.

• Gannon: I second that. It breaks up the monotony of the same old gym routine. And it’s said to sculpt and lengthen your muscles without adding bulk.

What do you need to bring to the class?

• Lindsey: Just yourself and some water. I would recommend wearing some yoga or running gear, something comfortable but lightweight and breathable.
• Gannon: The Zobha Ruched Capri pant and the Zobha Classic Racerback Tank are perfect because they wick away moisture, let you move and are really flattering. Also, you’ll want to bring something warm to throw on after class. I love this ASICS Jaide Hoody.
• Lindsey: During the class, I wore my alo Yoga Gear, which is super trendy but still great quality workout gear.
• Gannon: Oh, and don’t forget your toeless socks.
• Lindsey: Oh yes, being that you are shoeless during the class, some of the regular students were wearing socks with grips on the bottom to keep them from sliding while doing squats. They were also toeless for…..toe ventilation….I guess.
• Gannon: But no need to go toeless (how embarrassing). The important part is the grippers on the soles, like these Yoga Mini-Crew socks from Injinji.

Walk me through a class.

• Lindsey: You begin with stretch and a very light cardio warm-up to get your muscles loose and ready for weight training. Then it is quickly over to your place on the ballet barre. From that point on, it is small movements to tone and lengthen your muscles. The teachers are attentive and constantly correcting your form to keep you from injuring yourself.
• Gannon: There are two phases at the bar: upper body (push-ups on the bar) and lower body (squats!), and then some floor stuff to target your core at the end. Occasionally you use props, like a little squishy ball, to make things more difficult. For example, you would place the ball between your knees or thighs while you do the squats. And when I say squats, I mean that you do one squat, then a series of pulses with no breaks for about 15 minutes!

Was the class what you expected? Any surprises?

• Gannon: I didn’t expect to sweat so much! All those tiny little movements can really build up some heat.
• Lindsey: Being rhythmically challenged like myself, I am always a little scared of workout classes that might lead into some kind of tribal/interpretive/tap/jazz/dance routine. I was happily surprised that even the most uncoordinated can follow the class with ease.

What was the next day like?

• Lindsey: Sore! But I felt like I was sore in all the right areas.
• Gannon: Definitely sore, but I took it easy and took little breaks when I wasn’t necessarily supposed to, so I wasn’t in pain the next day. You really can make this workout as difficult or as easy as you want. It’s all about the right form and pushing through the pain during the class. If you can!

Would you do it again?

• Lindsey: YES YES YES! I felt like I could really feel the results of this class and would recommend it to anyone looking to get in shape.
• Gannon: Absolutely! It’s a geat workout and fun to do with friends, too!

I was up late, laaaaate last night and got sucked in by the nuptial proceedings in London: It only seemed appropriate, since I watched Prince William’s mum tying the knot at St. Paul’s nearly three decades ago.

Once upon a time, I lived in London. A temporary office job required that I pass by Westminster Abbey daily, and I’d often wander in and visit Poets’ Corner, wistfully murmuring to the tomb of Geoffrey Chaucer “Someday I, too, will write wonderful things…about shoes!” (Trivia factoid: the name “Chaucer,” from French, means “maker of shoes.” No joke. Look it up.)

Utterly mesmerized by the sea of elaborate and ridiculous women’s hats I observed floating by, it occurred to me that I don’t own headwear—much less a dress—that would be appropriate. So I started thinking, what shoes would I have worn to the Royal Wedding had my invitation not gotten lost in the mail…again?

That long, slow shuffle into the Abbey would’ve required support and comfort. Sure, even six months pregnant Victoria Beckham was no doubt wearing a pair of four-inch Louboutins (and probably Elton John was, too), but after careful consideration I’d have gone with the Naot Pleasure mary jane pump.

Perfect for multi-season wear, not only do these shoes have a closed toe—requisite for such an occasion—but they have a removable bow for a bit of girly flounce, a medium, stable heel for lift, a supportive metal shank and the all-important Naot comfort footbed. Plus they come in a lot of terrific colors! In yo’ face, Posh Spice!

So, do tell: What shoes would you have picked for the Royal Wedding?

Follow OnlineShoes.com employee Lee as she trains for the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and shares her progress.

Well, it was not really a huge running success for half of March. Early April was bust. I managed to run a 5k on the 5th, and it was decent weather this time. This was actually a day when I felt like I could keep on running. Maybe I’ll have that kind of day when the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon hits  (June 25, 2011). Spring should be here…and I should be more into this than I am right now.

I was doing pretty well for a few weeks, until it was time to move to my new home. As an example, the running log began to look a little like this:

3/10 – Wore a new Adidas Supernova Racer Bra which is kick-ass for comfort. 3.0 miles, but in a sideways windstorm! Left side of face was so cold that my right ear was numb! Earache resulted. Finished off with hot bath.

3/17 – 3.0 miles, lame. I have only run once in one week. No excuse other than lameness. Lovely day, though, and I ran with a friend who is also now officially registered to do the Rock ‘n’ Roll ½ with me! So I won’t be going it alone.

3/20 – Hold the running – must pack and move.

After nearly a two-week hiatus and not being able to locate my Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11s, normal running has resumed!

In my first week in my new neighborhood, I have accomplished three runs at approximately 4.25 miles each. I love that I can step out my door and run down to the lake and not have to watch for speeding cars. The dogs are enjoying the new running routes, too! With this fresh take and renewed inspiration, I am expecting great things come Rock ‘n’ Roll time.

As spring starts to shine a little brighter (more in some places than others) and the birds start to sing a little louder, it’s time to get outside. Time to lace up those sneakers and go.

Whether that means going to the dog park, heading to the local coffee shop or taking a walk around the park with friends, now is the time to get out there. And whether your excursion of choice is an urban adventure or a fitness-oriented endeavor, find a collection of shoes that meets your feet’s desires at OnlineShoes.com.

From walking shoes to running shoes to the latest in minimalist footwear, OnlineShoes.com offers a variety of comfortable choices—including gear, clothing and accessories—that are perfectly suited for your active lifestyle.

You’ll find Merrell shoes and boots to match every outdoor enthusiast’s needs, as well as Merrell walking shoes, casual shoes, sandals and more. Outfit yourself for warm-weather occasions with fun Merrell slip-on shoes, quick-drying athletic clothing and a multitude of accessories for beautiful blue-sky days.

Interested in taking up running, volleyball or spending time on the trails as the weather improves? ASICS footwear has the perfect pair for the activities you love, including casual lifestyle choices for kicking back after your workout.

Support your own efforts of health and well-being by building a solid foundation with the right shoes. You’re sure to find exactly the right ones at OnlineShoes.com. Inspire yourself to get outside; OnlineShoes.com makes it easy and fun!

Follow OnlineShoes.com’s Dave M. as he reconnects with his passion for running.

I got these Merrell True Glove barefoot running shoes four weeks ago. Like the New Balance Minimus (check out my previous blog post, where I wrote a review of the New Balance Minimus), the True Glove looks great! Actually, they look like shoes that you could wear all day long running or not.

I have only run in these shoes on trails near my house, no road running to speak of. The park itself, which maintains an extensive trail system, has a bunch of trails that are open to horses and has some wild cougars (and I think Coyotes, too).

When you first put these shoes on they feel a lot like the Minimus. But when you run in them, it is an entirely different story. They essentially have no cushion, but they do have a thicker outer sole than the Minimus. And when I first started running in them, it felt a lot like the sole of the forefront was a little heavier than the sole of the heel, but you would never get this by looking at them. Over time and after a few trail runs, they did not feel this way.

There are some cool features on the True Glove that I like a lot. First, they are pretty darn resistant to water. Time after time, puddle after puddle, my sock stayed pretty dry, unless water got in through the top of my shoe. The tread on the bottom of the shoe does not have the same traction control as the Minimus, but I have had no issues with sliding or slipping (thanks to the Vibram sole).

The True Glove definitely has more support and more stability than the Vibram FiveFingers (FF) (check out my previous blog post, where I wrote a review of the FF or the Minimus. It feels a lot more like a normal shoe, but you still feel pretty barefoot because there is no cushion in the footbed. These shoes can be washed and cleaned and look like new when you’re done. I think Merrell must have used some very high-end components when putting these together. The lacing on the True Glove is great because they have semi-elastic bands that allow you to lace up tight without the shoe actually feeling tight when on foot.

One last feature of the True Glove that I really like above and beyond the Minimus is that they have a guard to protect your toes. This feature is nice because it allows you to focus a lot more on the cool visuals on the trail and a lot less on your foot placement. These shoes do not have the same out-this-world ventilation system as the Minimus, but Merrell has other versions of this shoe that do.

I think these are great shoes, especially for those of us who want to extend their semi-unstructured bare footedness to other parts of the day (like when they are not running). The True Gloves are great to run in, but I think they are close to casual-outdoorsy shoes whereas the Minimus looks more like a running shoe.

Take it all off with VIVOBAREFOOT—your socks, that is. And join the barefoot running revolution with VIVOBAREFOOT.

Inspired by Christopher McDougall’s best-selling book Born to Run, running barefoot is becoming more and more popular as runners go back to the basics in hopes of improving their efficiency and preventing injury.

Launched in 2004 by Terra Plana, VIVOBAREFOOT is a minimalist shoe that offers maximum ground feel and protection, delivering the next best thing to being barefoot.(VIVOBAREFOOT will be available at OnlineShoes.com very soon. We promise; we’re anxiously waiting for their arrival just like you are, so check back often!)

The VIVOBAREFOOT difference is in the sole. The nerves in the soles of your feet transfer information to your brain regarding movement; the more your feet can feel the ground, the greater your body’s understanding of its surroundings and natural movement. The ultra-thin, puncture-resistant VIVOBAREFOOT running barefoot shoe sole allows the foot to do just that, while at the same time providing protection from debris and other sharp or potentially dangerous objects.

Each VIVOBAREFOOT sole is specifically designed for varying elements, terrains and activities. From high performance off-road and trail-running shoes, to work and everyday shoes, VIVOBAREFOOT shoes make it easy to enjoy the benefit of going barefoot.

Check out what our very own OnlineShoes.com employee, Jimmy, has to say after testing the VIVOBAREFOOT Neo minimalist shoe: “After a couple of runs in the Neo, I began to appreciate how they enabled a more engaged and controlled push-off from my forefoot. The Neo added a little extra zing to my stride, making me a little faster on my feet.”

And Dave M., another OnlineShoes.com test runner, also tried out the VIVOBAREFOOT Neo minimalist shoe. He discovered that removing the insoles revealed something even better: “I felt like I was unlocking the secret to these shoes. Removing the insoles made them feel like barefoot running shoes and I really enjoyed running in them. They have nice traction and were thick enough to help prevent sharp biting pains when I ran on top of a rock yet they were still thin and pliable enough to really feel the terrain on the run.”

What’s more, VIVOBAREFOOT minimalist running shoes are as good for the environment as they are for your feet. As with all Terra Plana products, VIVOBAREFOOT footwear is produced sustainably using recycled, locally sourced materials, with efficient and eco-friendly production techniques, and in independently monitored ethical factories.

Check out VIVOBAREFOOT (coming soon to OnlineShoes.com), including the VIVOBAREFOOT Neo minimalist shoe and the VIVOBAREFOOT Evo II barefoot running shoe. It’s time to experience the next best thing to running with barefeet!

No one likes to be another face in the crowd, right!? So how does a bridesmaid, who is wearing the same dress as five other girls, make herself stand out?

Her shoes, of course!

Whether you are a bridesmaid with free rein over the style of shoes you get to pick or a bride looking for something impressive for your gal pals, I’ve got a few show-stopping heels for you…and I’m not going to save the best for last!

The Nina Galiza will get everyone talking. The tulle and satin roses add a feminine and romantic touch to these bold sandals, and it comes in a variety of colors to match with your color theme. If you are the bride, they even have ivory so you can coordinate with your bridesmaids!

Color can be a scary word when choosing bridesmaid shoes. It would be safe for anyone to choose a simple pump, but why not take it up a notch! The Kenneth Cole Reaction Know Way sandal combines bold color with a trendy silhouette. This sandal is sure to make you stand out among the crowd!

When I was planning my wedding, it was important to me that I find shoes for the girls that they ACTUALLY CAN wear again. The Isola Ibera is exactly this…a shoe that can play the role of both bridesmaid and “girls’ night out.” The cork heel is perfect for your summer nuptials, and the bold suede upper would work perfectly for a night out on the town!

If you’re wearing a very bold colored dress or something with a lot of details, it’s always best to keep your shoes simple. That doesn’t mean you have to forgo style, however. The Steve Madden Haylow, in blush, is the perfect shoe to tone down that look. The neutral color matches with just about anything, and this platform T-strap is right on the mark for 2011 trends!

If you’re always the bridesmaid and never the bride…at least be a bridesmaid with the show-stopping shoes!

As the weather is warming up and the days are getting longer, we know that can only mean one thing. Ok, yes, it’s the beginning of baseball season, but I want to talk about wedding season!

As many brides are feverishly trying to tie down any loose ends, the last thing they want to worry about is which shoes they are going to wear! Typically you can’t even see the brides feet anyway, right?

As a former bride myself, I know that it is still important to have the complete package…whether anyone will see your feet or not!

Nina, known for their stylish and elegant shoes for women, has something for every bride out there, and I’ve picked out a few of my favorites for you!

I know, from personal experience, that the most important thing for a bride’s feet is comfort. You’re walking around all day and dancing all night, so who wants to end up with sore feet an hour into the day!? The Nina Forbes peep-toe pump has a simple silhouette and a shorter heel to help with that comfort.

The Nina Evelixa is another peep-toe pump, but with a sexier feel to it. It has a higher heel and the ruffle detail adds an extra element to the simple sandal.

If you want to add a touch of elegance to your shoes, the Nina Neva peep-toe pump is it! The pleated upper is simple and classy, while the bead and ribbon accent add an element of glamour to the silhouette.

Finally, for the bride who wants to add the “wow” factor. The Nina Galiza sandal is a show stopper with the tulle and satin rose embellishment. This is definitely one of those styles that will be talked about for days to follow!

Whether you are looking for simple comfort or a show-stopping silhouette, Nina fits every bride’s need!

Follow OnlineShoes.com’s Dave M. as he reconnects with his passion for running.

I got these shoes from New Balance; they are called the Minimus (sounds like a transformer). They were just released in March, and  I received a pair of the trail version to test out. Unfortunately, OnlineShoes.com won’t carry the Minimus MT10, but this summer we will carry the MT20 and the WT20 from New Balance, which are pretty much the same shoe as the MT10 with some awesome updates.

First of all…they are really cool looking shoes; in fact they are downright AWESOME looking. No reason to forgo style when going minimalist. The features of the shoe are really an evolution from the Vibram FiveFingers (FF) for a few reasons (check out my previous blog post, where I review the FF). The Minimus has a band over the upper part of the forefront, which gently draws the top of your foot together. It doesn’t give you much support, but it does provide good stability, which is really nice on varying terrain.

The first few times I ran in these, I was running in a place where there was some pavement and some flat dirt trails, and the stability provided with this band really helped make the back-and-forth transition from pavement to dirt trail much easier in terms of thinking through foot placement. The footbed is totally flat and unstructured and has the same DNA as the FF from that regard (the sole is Vibram®). The traction on the sole doesn’t provide cushion but really provides traction, which really helps when you’re running on varying terrain as I described earlier or when it is damp or wet. The shoes have amazing ventilation, the reason I call this out is because it makes the shoe a lot of fun to wear from the standpoint of feeling more like you’re actually running barefoot.

The true test I had with my Minimus shoes was trail running at Red Rock Canyon National Park in Las Vegas. My buddy Ron and I went a day early to the WSA Shoe Show to have dinner with a vendor before the show started, and we took the opportunity to run in this awesome park. The terrain on the trail was very technical and varied a lot from quarter-mile to quarter-mile. It was very hilly, and there were a ton of loose rocks with jagged edges. Okay, to be honest, the first five minutes I was wondering if I should have worn my normal trail runners because I made some poor foot-placement decisions. And each time I took a wrong step, it felt like I was standing on a sharp spike that one of the prospectors left 150 years ago when they were looking for gold (true story: there were a ton of prospectors there). Anyway, I digress…Then after five minutes, I started to figure out how to run in these shoes and, I kid you not, I felt like Forrest Gump did when his leg braces flew off when he was running away from those crappy kids.

Red Rock is epic. We had a clear day, it was 67 degrees and it was a total blast. The other challenge I had was that it was sooooo hard to focus on foot placement because I wanted to look up the whole time at the INSANE views. After about 5.5 miles, Ron and I (mostly me) got sorta tired. I am a Northwest kid and I am not use to running in heat; and yes, when you’re use to running for months in 40 to 50 degree temps and you’re suddenly thrust into 67, it is rough. We then ran about 2 more miles on the pavement all the way back to the conservation center.

The shoes performed well on the trail and well on the pavement. I did not hurt my feet, but within about 15 minutes my muscles were incredibly sore and I was physically exhausted. These were the first pair of minimalist shoes that I had run in outside of my FF, and I would say they performed well. They added a whole new dimension to the run, partially because it was something new. I do not think I would have had as enjoyable of a trail run at Red Rock if I was in the FF, but I may try them next time.

If you’re interested in trying out a pair of minimalist shoes and don’t think you’re up for the FF, I highly recommend these as a place to start!

Runners have an indomitable attitude that doesn’t let weather get in the way of their passion: There’s no such thing as “bad” weather. Just different kinds… Chilling wind? Invigorating! … Rain? Refreshing! … Snow? An exciting challenge!

Legendary track coach and Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman (he’s also credited with setting in motion the running boom) took it one step further when he said: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just soft people.”

Many don’t get why runners brave the elements to “punish” themselves, scurrying about aimlessly. What is it that makes these running die-hards completely disregard the elements to undertake their running routine? There are many very good reasons people run. Here is a couple…

Movement is life
To some, it’s simply a devotion to moving. In addition to getting the body moving, running gets the blood moving and the mind moving.

Stress relief
Many enjoy running for its stress-relieving aspect. “Stress can be a cruel master of a helpful servant” is a wise adage. These are very stressful times we live in; we need to find ways to relieve stress rather than be a servant of it. And running can be very soothing therapy in dealing with stress in daily life.

Self identity
The first-ever women’s Olympic marathon champion, Joan Benoit Samuelson, described running as something that helps define you: “As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are.”

Whatever motivates you to run, whether you’re a beginner or a competitive athlete, the important thing is that we keep doing it and enjoying it. This brings me to some good, comforting advice to all runners concerning running shoes.

Between each run, put your running shoes on a PEET Dryer. That way you’ll put on a fresh, dry pair of running shoes to begin each and every run.

Keep the comfort comfortable. The comfort technology in running shoes today is truly amazing. Runners have many choices in outfitting their feet with footwear that add to running enjoyment. PEET Dryers enable this comfort technology to start out maximized by removing wet, sweat and odor from the last run. As a result, running shoes not only feel better, they last longer.

No more “odorrific” complaining. PEET Dryers remove the stress of having to deal with those you live with that whine about your running shoe “aroma.” (To me, that alone is worth going PEET Dry!)

Colorful dresses and tops are all the rage, but what busy fashionista wants to spend time hunting for shoes that perfectly match her dress (especially that bright royal blue or pale yellow)? Thanks to nude shoes, the search is over. Nude sandals, nude shoes and peep-toe nude shoes match every outfit under the sun while adding flattering length to your legs.

As stylish as they are versatile, nude shoes complement virtually every color in your closet, from white to black to neon green–and everything in between! Nude shoes are timeless, and the endless number of styles stay fresh through every season, making an effortless transition from early morning board meeting to girls’ night out. From conservative and graceful designs to contemporary-sexy, nude shoes are the perfect accessory to polish any look.

Add some sun-kissed sparkle to your look with the women’s Sofft Brescia sandal. These women’s nude sandals feature a soft, Nappa leather upper adorned with ruching details and an eye-catching goldtone metal band with a toe-post ring at the toe. A cushioned footbed offers long-lasting comfort, while a leather-wrapped heel lends just a touch of height.

For a rosy outlook on the peep-toe nude shoes trend, you’ll love the fresh look of the women’s Sofft Pavia peep-toe pump. This gladiator-inspired women’s dress shootie accents a soft leather upper with contemporary cutouts for a bold touch; a rocker-inspired back zipper lends easy on/off. Sofft’s famously comfortable padded footbed and smooth metallic leather lining keep you energized and provide a healthy and comfortable foot environment. The Sofft Pavia peep-toe nude shootie carries you with a subtle platform and Leawood-wrapped, stacked heel to add a sophisticated polish to your look.

When warmer weather sets in, be groovy and glamorous in the women’s Report Pendroy thong sandal. Crafted with a leather upper featuring a riveted T-strap and embroidery details, this pair of women’s nude sandals is embellished with an eye-catching tribal accent that could nicely complement a bohemian-inspired outfit or a modern hit-the-streets-in-style casual ensemble.

If a little lift is what you desire then you’ll enjoy a stylish, comfortable look with the women’s Rockport Emily T-Strap platform nude sandal. This women’s T-strap sandal features a rich leather upper with an adjustable ankle strap. Borrowed from athletic shoes to give your feet sneaker-like comfort and support, adidas adiPRENE® comfort technology provides responsive, shock-absorbent cushioning in the heel for dressy looks with slipoper-esque wearability. The jute-wrapped platform and wedge heel lend daring height, while the platform keeps you feeling stable and comfortable. And paired with all that height, the nude color extends the look of your legs.

No matter where you’re headed or what the occasion, OnlineShoes.com has all the styles of women’s nude shoes you need to keep you looking great well into the warm-weather season.

Well, it’s now April and Earth Day is rapidly approaching. Come April 22, we will observe this day to create awareness of living and acting sustainably. At OnlineShoes.com, we strive to take the necessary steps toward being a greener company. And many of our vendors are doing the same.

Merrell is a popular brand featured on our site, and they have long touted the importance of getting outdoors and living an active lifestyle. To further this commitment, they’ve partnered with the National Park Foundation (NPF) to promote their business ethos. The National Park Foundation is a charitable organization that was chartered by Congress in 1967. It is the official national non-profit partner of America’s National Parks and was formed to help strengthen the bond between U.S. national parks and the American people. The Foundation raises private funds, makes strategic grants and forms creative partnerships while generating public awareness about the need and opportunity for park philanthropy. Merrell proudly supports the Foundation, seeking to increase access for everyone to our magnificent national parks. Merrell encourages everyone to simply get outside!

Another brand favored by OnlineShoes.com customers, KEEN is also committed to social and environmental responsibility. From their use of sustainable materials in product development to their community outreach programs, KEEN’s focus is to be a company with a conscience, making a positive difference in their community and the environment.

They continually work to reduce and eliminate toxic materials in the production of their products, as well as the amount of waste created during the manufacturing process. They’ve honored that commitment with the establishment of a giving program called Hybrid.Care. Since the program’s inception in 2004, KEEN has distributed over $4.5 million to non-profit organizations who have paved the way for change through community, education and understanding. Some of these Hybrid.Care partners include American Whitewater, The Conservation Alliance, and The Forest Park Conservancy—to name only a few.

Timberland is yet another well-known brand committed to the environment. In 2007, they created “Earthkeepers Virtual Forest, ” an app on Facebook. An ‘Earthkeeper’ is a person who cares about the environment and is willing to do his or her part each and every day in order to preserve it for future generations. This program allowed users to create a virtual forest on Facebook. For each virtual tree planted and grown to adulthood, Timberland committed to plant a real, live tree in a real area of the world. Their goal to plant one million trees by 2010 was reached (and exceeded), in 2008—two years ahead of schedule.

In 2010, Timberland made a pledge of “Five in Five,” a reforestation effort with the goal being to plant five million trees in China and Haiti in the next five years. In Haiti, Timberland has partnered with nonprofits Trees for the Future and the Yele Haiti Foundation on Yele Vert. In China, Timberland has partnered with GreenNet, and their efforts will focus on the Horqin Desert in Inner Mongolia, where it planted its one millionth tree in April, 2010. To coincide with the Earthkeepers theme, Timberland has created a line of eco-friendly footwear for both men and women, aptly named Timberland Earthkeepers™.

Find more eco-friendly shoes at OnlineShoes.com and celebrate Earth Day by leaving a lighter footprint.

A self-proclaimed fashion lover (with a shoe obsession that runs deep) shares her favorite sandals to jump start her first week of spring.

Let’s talk sandals, shall we?

Personally, I’m a big sandal fan because I don’t really like wearing socks. Too much information? Maybe. But it’s true. ‘Sandal’ is a very broad term when it comes to shoes; generally, when you think of sandals, you think of open toes, straps and (best of all) sunshine!

Follow me as I brave my first week of sandal wear in Seattle!

Monday was the first day I was able to leave my UGG® Boots behind for the morning walk to school. The sun was shining and bright, and I knew that I had to bust out the flip-flops! Everyone needs a simple, easygoing flip-flop style sandal in their shoe collection. I love the Chaco Locavore Ecotread flip-flop. They are a go-anywhere style that you can easily transition from pulling weeds in your garden to grabbing dinner with friends. The sand color is my favorite—a nude-tone sandal always helps make bare legs look and feel longer!

I spent Tuesday running errands downtown, which called for a bit of a dressier sandal, so the Matisse Bennett sandal
fit the bill perfectly. Not only are these incredibly fashionable, but they are also so comfortable! If you’re looking for a sandal that you can dress up easily but don’t want to be in a traditional heel, try a platform wedge. The platform gives you height without being hard to walk in and the wedge looks great with pants or a dress.

As you can see from the video, Wednesday in Seattle was way beyond gorgeous and perfect sandal weather! I chose a simple gladiator style to enjoy the blue skies, very similar to the Kork-Ease Katherine sandal. These look great with anything you wear and are particularly great if your outfit is already patterned or busy. I love the super soft colors that the Katherine comes in (the navy is my pick for spring and summer!).

Thursday was a working day for me. I spent most of it at my desk (which is at home) and typed my shoe-loving heart out. On days like this, I try hard to get out of my yoga clothes and into a cute outfit to keep me motivated—nothing like a fun, embellished sandal to do just that! I’m definitely swooning over the Steve Madden Groom in Silver Multi– it’s just the right amount of “bling” to be fashionable rather than gaudy. Remember, if you are wearing an embellished sandal, keep your outfit a more low-key for balance.

Want to know the secret to making your weekend seem longer? Go out on Friday night! For my Friday night this week, I wanted to wear a sandal that was nothing but FUN. Meet the Dyeables Best Bet. I assure you that these are not the same Dyeables that make you think of prom circa 1992 — they have come such a long way and offer some stylish options for going out and for special events. I love that the straps on this pair are elastic, so you don’t have stiff sandal straps rubbing against your feet all night!

And finally, a sandal for the weekend. Since my weekends are typically filled with trips to the park, projects around the house and kids’ birthday parties, I absolutely need a comfortable sandal. Something like the KEEN Summer Golden Sandal will keep me moving easily from weekend chores to weekend adventures without having to give a thought to what’s on my feet.

Be sure to check out these and other great sandals at OnlineShoes.com—they have a sandal for every day, every occasion and every adventure you’ll find out there while enjoying some Vitamin D!

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Thank you for playing. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED ! 

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Always ahead of the pack when it comes to combining unerring technological innovation and distinctive style, New Balance has introduced the 890 New Balance running shoe, a sleek new trainer designed to enhance the comfort and performance of the neutral runner by shaving ounces off the weight of each shoe.

Despite being the lightest neutral cushioned running shoe on the market, the New Balance 890 isn’t geared exclusively toward the competitive racing professional, instead taking aim at a wider, all-ages audience that ranges from beginners to seasoned runners. Onlineshoes.com is excited to introduce this revolutionary design, which is why we’re giving away a pair of these women’s or men’s New Balance shoes to two lucky runners.

Built on the popular PL-1 (performance) last, the New Balance 890 trainer owes its reduced weight to innovative REVlite foam used as midsole cushioning. While retaining the same compression set rating as traditional foam, REVlite is 30% lighter—without sacrificing an ounce of responsiveness, stability or durability. In a size 9.5D, the men’s 890 weighs a mere 9.65 ounces (275 grams).

To keep athletes comfortable from the beginning of each run to the end, the stylish New Balance 890 trainer has a lightweight synthetic and mesh upper, flat, low-profile laces and lace holes to eliminate any unevenness inside the shoe, and welded seams to further reduce the likelihood of chafing. Also present and accounted for are ABZORB® cushioning—in the form of both a Strobel board and removable insole—and a sturdy, Ndurance® compound rubber outsole that offers not only dependable grip and transition to the New Balance 890, but provides full ground contact to accommodate forefoot, midfoot and traditional heel strikes alike.

Weighing in at 7.7 ounces (213 grams), the women’s New Balance 890 offers the same streamlined look and set of performance features in a selection of cool, eye-catching color combinations intended to appeal to a female aesthetic.

If you want to throw your hat in the ring to be one of the two randomly selected winners of a pair of New Balance 890 trainers (up to $100 value), simply post a comment below, answering the question “How would a pair of men’s or women’s New Balance 890 running shoes help you achieve your training and fitness goals?”.

Contest entries will be accepted from Friday, April 15, 2011, through Friday, April 29, 2011. See the complete contest rules and regulations for details. Open to U.S. residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

***UPDATE*** 05/03/2011

The contest is now closed and the winners are:

1. BobBarley “The main thing that a new pair of NB 890 running shoes would do is allow me to begin training so that I can someday run a mile faster than my six year old son who just ran a mile in 0:09:30! Please help!”

2. Janet “ I teach aerobics classes 5-8 times a week and have decided this year I plan to add on at least 3 more hours of workout to MY routine… something for me… and yes running is involved!! The Women’s New Balance 890 would give me that extra incentive (cause I’d be looking sharp)to work harder in great comfort!! Plus I can share the greatness of the shoe with all class participants!!”

Congratulations! Thanks to everyone for entering, and make sure to check back with the OnlineShoes Blog, we’ve got other exciting things planned on the calendar!

Follow OnlineShoes.com’s Dave M. as he reconnects with his passion for running.

I bought a pair of Vibram FiveFingers (FF) and a few pairs of Injinji socks a year or so ago and, while they are cool to wear, they are a real trip.

OnlineShoes.com doesn’t currently carry Vibram Five Fingers footwear, but the Merrell Barefoot minimalist shoes are made with a Vibram outsole.

The basic concept is that normal shoes cast your feet and prevent natural movement. When I started using my FF, I found that they worked out a totally different set of muscles—muscles that I didn’t even know existed. I first started using them on my treadmill, for a mile here and there, and then I took them outside and slowly increased the mileage and length of time I ran in them. Running with them on the treadmill wasn’t too difficult and actually didn’t feel all that different from normal shoes. I did shorten my stride and struck on my forefront, but I really didn’t need to consider foot placement as it was a dumb flat surface. The only time where the treadmill runs on my FF felt a little different was when I increased my grade and started running uphill. However, when I took them outside on pavement and on easy trails, the FF immediately changed my gate. My knees went higher, my strides shortened, I started striking and releasing on my forefront, and I straightened my back and started running more from the gut. It actually made for a nice little workout that changed things up. On the downside, my black lab Bella Boo, who is my on-again, off-again running buddy thought that they made me look like a crazy gorilla, and they actually kind of scared her. Her reaction was to move as far away from those goofy looking feet as she could.

The FF are sort of different, and this is one of the reasons I like them. For years I have been running in some of the best shoes in all of the usual suspect brands, shoes with unparalleled technology and blah-blee-dee blah-blah-blah. There is something basic and pure about the FF. If the foot is true engineering perfection with all the bones, ligaments, tendons, nerves, muscles and perfect arch design, then the FF are perhaps the perfect complement. They actually wrap around the foot like a glove, the rubber is stiff, and the FF come in varying thicknesses but overall they are very pliable. I usually wear them with Injinji socks (the socks that actually look like foot gloves), because the inside of the FF will wear at my skin in small places, which isn’t bad for short runs but when I run 5 to 7 miles in them I can get some nasty blisters.

Running in these gorilla kicks is an interesting experience. When in my FF, I tend to run at about two-thirds my normal speed for a couple reasons. First, I have found they encourage me to subconsciously shorten my stride. Secondly, you really need to watch your foot placement. If you land in the wrong place on a rock the size of a marble, or a pinecone, you can hurt your foot. But here is the thing, when you step on something the wrong way, you will feel a quick, sharp, cutting hit of pain and then you will begin to adjust your step, gate and foot placement without even thinking about it. Seriously, it’s like your foot has a brain and it learns as you go. The nerves in your foot are actually connected to your genitals (something I learned in BTR, the book I talked about in my Week 1 blog post), which gives you some idea of just how sensitive they are. When you hit a nerve the wrong way, you learn quick-like. The more I ran in my FF, the more I felt like I was reconnecting with my feet. It was like finding two old friends that I hadn’t really spent time with since I was a child running wildly outside and all around the house barefooted and carefree.

When I took the FF out for their first, true off-road trail test on Military Ridge Trail in Dodgeville, WI in June of 2010, I had a complete blast! First of all, this trail is really cool, it is light clay and small chip gravel and you can take it all the way from Dodgeville (a small city built around the Direct Marketer Lands End) and go all the way to downtown Madison, which is 55 to 60 miles). I ran 4 miles out and back on the trail. And I started at about 6 am. As I looked up on the run, I saw cows and farms on rolling spreads and, outside of the occasional cow fragrance, nature was offering up some amazing smells and colors. I had to carefully watch each step I took at the beginning, and it was quiet enough where I could hear each step I was taking. It quickly heated up and there was a light breeze that cooled me off to just the right temperature.

The FF performed well and the next day I had that good sore feeling you get after a killer work out, no touchy specific aches but rather more of a general soreness. The FF were a really interesting addition to the running experience. They were like adding truffle oil to one of your favorite dishes—they didn’t change the taste but added depth and flavor.

The FF were a great addition to my normal routine but, more than that, they reignited my interest in the pursuit of great running and opened my eyes to different ideas about training, physiology and footwear in general. On a deeper level they called into question something that I had believed at my core was true, which was that structured, supported, light correcting shoes with tons of cutting-edge technology were always better than less. I am a shoe dog, I have sold, marketed, fixed, cleaned, packaged, shipped, bought and tried pretty much every shoe out there. So this was a pretty big notion to challenge. It is like a doctor finding out that using dirty needles helps their patient’s immune system or a navigator finding out that true north was actually true south…get the point…? It was as shocking as a 60 Minutes expose on NASA finding little green men on Mars!

So which is it? Structured, cushioned technology shoes with buzzers, lights, motors and microchips…or humble peasant shoes…or is the answer somewhere in the middle? Tell me what you think?

Navy is a bold choice that can go with everything! Navy shoes can transform your wardrobe from acceptable to exceptional. Women’s navy blue flats and women’s navy shoes are a fashion essential and a great way to showcase your sophisticated style. The modern spin on navy has found its way to fashionistas’ feet from runway to every day, and everywhere in between.

As stylish as they are versatile, women’s navy shoes complement virtually every color in your closet. Navy shoes are timeless, yet the styles stay fresh through every season, making an effortless transition from early morning board meeting to girls’ night out. From conservative and graceful designs to contemporary-sexy, women’s navy shoes are the perfect accessory to polish any look.

Step out in style with the Isola Ibera sandal. This playful T-strap pump boasts a supple, chrome-free suede upper in a strappy silhouette with an open toe for a sophisticated, sexy look; elastic in the heel strap ensures easy on/off and a snug fit.

Show off your feet to their best advantage with the classic Rockport Luciana Two Band Sandal. Lined in smooth leather, this square-toed women’s dress sandal boasts a gleaming patent leather upper in a rich, deep navy hue; the wrapped heel and covered platform create a streamlined look with flattering elevation. The latex foam-cushioned footbed is bolstered by adiPRENE® in the heel and adiPRENE®+ in the forefoot for reduced impact and responsive push-off.

If women’s navy flats are what you seek, you’ll revel in the casual comfort and serious style of the Born Adele ballerina-inspired flat. This slip-on features a full grain leather upper with chic gathering at the toe, while a padded footbed and flexible, handsewn Opanka construction for lasting support.

Capture a classic look with the Isola Britt skimmer. This navy ballerina-style shoe features a chrome-free suede upper adorned with an eye-catching grosgrain ribbon and medallion detail at the toe.

Slip into a sweet, stylish look with the Etienne Aigner Iliad peep-toe skimmer. This women’s navy blue flat is crafted with a leather and mesh upper for a cool look and feel; a flower embellishment rests atop the flirty peep-toe front.

No matter where you’re headed or what the occasion, OnlineShoes.com has all the styles of women’s navy shoes you need to look great well into the warm-weather season.

Follow OnlineShoes.com’s Dave M. as he reconnects with his passion for running.

WHY I LOVE RUNNING

I have been told since I was a kid that I am not supposed to be a runner. I am very broad and on a good day, I am 6 foot tall with legs so short they would only make a short barstool jealous, shoulders so wide that I have to turn sideways to walk through a narrow doorway and my feet, well, they are wide, flat and, like many people, one is just a little bit bigger than the other.

But…I saw this Nike ad a long time ago and convinced myself that I can become a great runner. I can’t find the ad on YouTube but here are the words in the commercial:

“All your life you are told the things you cannot do. All your life they will say you’re not good enough or strong enough or talented enough; they will say you’re the wrong height or the wrong weight or the wrong type to play this or be this or achieve this. THEY WILL TELL YOU NO, a thousand times no, until all the no’s become meaningless. All your life they will tell you no, quite firmly and very quickly. AND YOU WILL TELL THEM YES.”

The stirring advertisement was very apropos. It hit me right between the eyes and got me thinking about running. Then, I did what every self-respecting, lazy slacker would do. I bought a new pair of shoes, joined a gym and about 10 years later decided to do something about it.

I was in pretty poor health in my 20s. I ate too much, drank too much, worked too much and had figured out a lot of ways to build my life around doing nothing that required any type of physical exertion. I had become the “Master of the Couch.” It was pretty sad. At some point, prior to coming to the realization that I was in such poor shape, I went to the doctor and got the speech: “You are in horrible shape, you’re too fat, you smoke, you drink too much and let me tell you what you get to look forward to. First, diabetes. Second, heart problems. And finally, an early death.” I am taking some liberties in how he explained my future health to me but not many. It was brutally honest, and I took it to heart.

I quit drinking, and then started to diet. I walked a lot, hiked a lot and slowly, very slowly, started to run. I started running for a little bit between my walks for about a month or so, but I just couldn’t keep it up for any extended period of time. Then one fall afternoon when I was in Dexter, Maine for work, I went outside for my walk and instead of making my first step a walking step, I took a running step, then another. And two miles later I still felt great. It got dark out and I kept running, then it started to rain and I kept running. And then I got lost and kept running. I think I ran about 7 miles.

I got back to my hotel room, cried with happiness because I could really run and, without taking a shower, went to sleep. This was the day I found running.

For the record, I am still barely 6 foot tall, and I still have stubby legs, a wide frame and I am a little overweight. But damn I love running!

RE-BORN TO RUN

About a year ago when my first child Sydney had just turned one, I had slowed my running down a lot, got into a lot of bad eating habits, gained a lot of weight back and needed to re-charge myself. I needed to recommit to running. I had heard about this book, Born to Run (BTR) by Christopher McDougall. I thought, “Wow, this sounds pretty interesting.” And I decided to give it a try.

BTR is the most compelling memoir I have ever read. It isn’t as much about running as it is about the power of running to bring people together. It isn’t as much about barefoot running as has been widely reported, but it is about the willingness to challenge conventional wisdom, science and the status quo people must have to improve.

THE QUEST

In the spirit of BTR, I have made the conscious decision to re-engage with my running. I have no delusions of becoming a world-class barefoot runner but, due to the fact that I have ready access to all of the newest, coolest barefoot and minimalist shoes, I am going to write about them as well as my experiences and provide one person’s perspective about running in unstructured shoes.

I would like this blog to be a place where we can all talk, share and bounce ideas off each other. Running solo is cool, but running with buddies is better. So let’s go out on a barefoot run, invest ourselves in the discovery and try on some pretty cool kicks. The irony is pretty cool: Running in shoes without soles to rediscover the soul of the very thing I love to do.

A Merrell expert answers questions about Merrell Barefoot  ( You can read Part 1 here )

Can a man wear the women’s sizes and vice versa?

• Yes, the men’s last is a little wider than the women’s but it’s definitely the same design across gender.

Why partner with Vibram?

• Vibram believes we can service a broader range minimalist consumer to ultimately foster the movement forward.

Why run in Merrell Barefoot compared to Vibram FiveFingers?

• Same last, new outsole and eliminating the toes made it easy to wear for a broader range of consumers. It is easier to put on the foot and has more casual “wearability”.

How are Merrell Barefoot shoes different from Vibram FiveFingers?

• Eliminating the toes has made it possible for a broader range of consumers to wear and is easier to put on the foot.

Why would Vibram want Merrell to make “Barefoot” shoes when they currently own the market?

• The category itself is beginning to grow so providing outsoles gives Vibram greater reach in the category and they know the great quality product that Merrell produces.

What if someone already owns Vibram FiveFingers? Why would they want to buy Merrell Barefoot?

• They might want the feel of going barefoot and take it casually in a full shoe form. Not to mention, people buy shoes for looks. Not everyone loves the FiveFinger silhouette.

Is the MBF product safe in water or can it be used as a water shoe?

• Yes, MBF can be used in and around water. They are designed as a minimalist approach to outdoor multisport including water.

These look like climbing shoes? What is a Barefoot shoe?

• These shoes can be used for multiple sports and activities, but they not made specifically for climbing I.E. different last (Climbing shoes aren’t as flexible, and no tread.)

How do we address walking in these?

• The same as running and any activity that causes you to use muscles and tendons that may not be strong yet. Start slowly.

Can they be used in the rain?

• Yes, running in the rain is completely fine. The Vibram Trail Sole is designed for both wet and dry surfaces.

Can they be used in snow?

• Yes, running in the snow is fine and I found that the toe lugs are great for snowy trails and compact snow.

Can I only run/ train with these shoes or can I just walk?

• You can walk, hike, run, wear them casually or wear them for water sports. It’s about making a new connection to the outdoors!

Where should people NOT wear them?

• Merrell Barefoot can be worn anywhere your feet take you…the key is to listen to your body and slowly progress into full-time use.

Why not go just barefoot and totally not wear any shoes?

• Many people do…Merrell Barefoot is just a way to provide that same feeling with a little added protection.

Will I be sore if I wear these all day?

• At first yes, you must allow your feet and legs to get stronger and adjust to being active in Barefoot. Again, it’s important to start slow.

How many miles should someone expect to get out of one pair?

• It depends on the end user but they’ll wear like a typical running shoe and, with the use of a Vibram outsole, the durability isn’t and issue.

Are there certain techniques to running Barefoot?

• Techniques include: midfoot/forefoot strike, realigning your center of gravity, increased cadence and short efficient strides.

What are the advantages of running Barefoot?

• Merrell’s claims, i.e. strengthens, realigns, stimulates.

How does Merrell address over-pronation? Under-pronation?

• Because the foot sits closer to the ground, stability is increased and over-pronation is minimized. Plus starting a slow Barefoot progression will increase strength and overall flexibility related to foot function.

How much lighter is the Barefoot models vs. traditional in running shoes?

• Merrell Barefoot: The men’s Trail Glove weighs 6.2 ounces for one size 9. The women’s Pace Glove is 4.7 ounces for one size 7.

If someone is feeling pain should they discontinue use?

• Yes, running though pain is never good especially running Barefoot…start slow and progress from there.

What is the difference between the heel striking and midfoot/ forefoot running?

• Heel landing causes breaking and increased force at impact. Forefoot running distributes force throughout the ankle, hip, knee, etc.

What about kids?

• These shoes provide a great opportunity to allow a child to continue to build/strengthen and you could say that it makes more sense for kids to wear them, because they will be able to properly develop the muscles in their feet and lower legs.

Isn’t the current cushioning in running shoes designed to minimize impact and reduce injury?

• Every shoe is different, but we are simply providing another choice for consumers looking to stimulate their training routines.

Why all the warnings?

• To insure that a proper progression is taken, to achieve maximum benefits without risk.

How and who has tested these products?

• Staff, retailers, media and members of the Barefoot Society have tested these shoes extensively.

Why do I need special shoes to use “barefoot like” running technique?

• Shoes that lift the heel are promoting a forward heel strike instead of the natural midfoot strike of a 0mm drop shoe.

Is it a negative heel similar to Kalso-Earth shoes, etc.?

• No it’s not a negative heel but a 0mm drop shoe means from heel to toe the amount of midsole/ outsole is the same, just like being barefoot!

Is this a vegan shoe?

• Yes, the men’s Trail and True Glove as well as the women’s Pace and Pure Glove are made of fully synthetic materials and glues.

Is there a DWR finish on the shoes?

• Not on Barefoot.

With the stormy days still lingering but warmer temperatures with more daylight coming upon us in Seattle, I am outside more with our newly adopted dog, Murphy. He joined our family on November 15, 2010 just in time to enjoy plenty of dark, soaking wet morning or evening walks through the winter. During the winter, I walked many miles on twice daily walks with Murphy in my trusty Timberland pull-on boots in black suede with a SmartWool lining. They have seen better days.

Now that it is starting to finally get nicer (well, sort of) outside, I was looking to find new shoes that would be easy to get into at a moment’s notice and would still protect my feet from the wet. Comfort and durability were important considerations as well.

In looking for a new shoe, I decided to start looking for a clog with a lining and, low and behold, Timberland came up again with a clog that has a knit SmartWool liner: the Timberland Beautiful Clog. I ordered it in black just due to the nature of the shoe being purely for utility. I honestly would not characterize the clog as “beautiful,” but I did get compliments on them on a recent trip to the PCC market in my neighborhood.

The clog is sleek and comes with anti-fatigue technology that is supposed to be supportive for all-day wear. Given that I only wear the shoe for short walks so far, I can’t attest to its anti-fatigue capabilities, but I do feel that they are very supportive for how lightweight they are. Initially, they rubbed my toes a bit when I had to flip them on in a hurry while barefoot, but now they are completely comfortable. So, just a bit of breaking in was required.

These fit true to size with a slim fit, and they are roomy enough in the toe box to allow wiggle room. I’m happy to add the Timberland Beautiful Clog to my collection of shoes. Murphy is pretty pumped, too, and twitches with excitement when he sees me slipping into them by the door.

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Thank you for playing. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED ! 

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Inspired by the beauty and mystique of the rainforest, Jambu footwear is designed to guide you in style and comfort on your next personal journey—at home or across the globe. Durability and comfort are two principles Jambu strives for with every shoe they design. With so many silhouettes, spanning from wedge sandals, hiking shoes, barefoot shoes and vegan shoes, Jambu has you covered. And you can “Be you with Jambu!”

Doing their part for the environment, Jambu uses only 100% recycled, recyclable and re-usable packaging. Whether the style is a shoe, boot, heel, wedge, mule or sandal, Jambu’s outsoles are made with partially recycled and re-usable compressed rubber. In this small way, Jambu hopes to preserve our great outdoors for future generations.

Part of the All Terra Designs collection, the Jambu Himalaya trail shoe is an all-terrain, casual sneaker designed with the active woman in mind. These Jambu Himalaya hiking shoes offer superior comfort with a breathable mesh and leather upper, perfect for your busy lifestyle.

The Jambu Acapulco wedge sandal, from the Jambu Sporty Wedge collection, is a must-have T-strap sandal for the Jambu fashionista who enjoys flirty and feminine styles without sacrificing comfort. A contoured, Memory Foam™ footbed keeps you comfortable, while a non-marking, partially recycled compressed rubber sole delivers dependable traction.

One of Jambu’s styles from the new Bare Feet Designs collection, the Jambu JBU606 Vegan sandal is a thoughtful interpretation of the popular barefoot shoe trend. The minimalistic approach of these barefoot shoes allows a wider range of natural motion for the feet and leg muscles. A blend of rice husks and natural rubber make the lightweight Double Rice Rubber™ outsole eco-friendly and sustainable. Active, stylish and kind to the planet, this Jambu vegan shoe is a must-have for the eco-conscious and outdoor-loving woman.

Unlike other outdoor brands, Jambu shoes are designed by women for women, using details such as floral motifs, contrast stitching and materials to keep Jambu a step ahead in outdoor fashions. Let Jambu join you zip-lining through the rainforest, strolling the beach, navigating the city or traveling the world.

All you have to do is enter to win a pair of Jambu shoes, valued up to $120.00, by posting a comment below that answers the question, “Which Jambu shoes best complement your personality and why?” One lucky winner will be chosen to join the ranks of loyal Jambu fans who know that Jambu shoes offer high-quality construction, fashion savvy designs and an eco-conscious approach to style.

Contests entries will be accepted from Tuesday, April 5th, 2011, through Monday, April 18, 2011. Open to U.S. residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

Good luck!

***UPDATE*** 04/20/2011

The contest is now closed and the winner is:

1. Rayna “Oh, I think the Jambu Milos in black best suit my personality. Fashionable, functional–like it’s ready to go to a party or work or walk through the park at a moment’s notice.”

Congratulations! Thanks to everyone for entering, and make sure to check back with the OnlineShoes.com Blog, we’ve got other exciting things planned on the calendar!

We all know there are no such things as stupid questions. Now as for stupid answers, well, we’ll let you be the judge of that when we ourselves answer any question you’ve ever had about or for OnlineShoes.com.

Every month we’ll post a video where one of our teammates will answer your inquiries to the best of their footwear, industry and public school knowledge.

But first, we need some questions from you to get started. We want to hear any question you might have, such as:

- How do I find shoes in wide sizes?
- Why don’t you ship to my second cousin in Angola?
- Is this cheese still good to eat?

So think hard and post a question below that you’ve always wanted to know about us. Or even remotely related to us. (But please, no birds and bees questions…it’ll be embarrassing to have to ask our Dads. Again.)

Ever since designer Toni Ray founded the company in 1991, Hobo International has been the cure for the common bag. Ray believes that quality and “cool” never go out of style, evidenced by the fact that many women are still carrying Hobo International wallets and leather handbags that look as fresh and fabulous as they did two decades ago.

Savvy dressers know that great accessories help you make a lasting, memorable impression. With its rich, signature vintage leather exterior, the Hobo International Paulette shoulder bag seamlessly takes you from a business meeting or job interview to an evening out on the town.For extra style points, organize cash, cards and receipts inside the perennially popular Hobo International Lauren clutch wallet, which is offered in a wide range of colors and finishes. With its retro-inspired style and side-by-side framed, kiss-lock compartments, this Hobo International clutch is roomy enough to hold a phone and lipstick, too, and can be carried on its own when you want to either pare down or show off your flawless fashion sense.

If the Lauren’s dimensions are more than you need, check out the compact, Euro-inspired Hobo International Bette wallet, which sports a similar vintage vibe and handy, kiss-lock coin pouch, but in a more sleek silhouette.

In fact, the Bette slides comfortably into Hobo International’s popular, petite crossbody bag, the Camilla, which is perfect for travel or days when you simply want to travel light. If you choose not to carry a wallet at all, fear not, because this bag features loads of pockets for smart organization, as well as a secure, three-sided zip closure for easy access to the contents.

The calendar promises that warm weather is just around the corner, so why not banish painful memories of sub-zero winds and hip-high snow drifts with the sleek Hobo International Paulina purse? From its skinny, rolled shoulder straps to protective metal feet, this bag, a timeless classic, epitomizes understated style. For a double dose of cheer, pair it with the stylishly efficient Hobo International Clio clutch wallet.

One of the best things about Hobo International bags is that they come in so many shapes, sizes, colors and textures that there’s bound to be a Hobo bag to suit every occasion and personality. Set aside a little extra time to check out the array of Hobo International styles at OnlineShoes.com.

A self-proclaimed fashion lover (with a shoe obsession that runs deep) shares her favorite clogs to help ease the transition from winter to spring.

I don’t know if it’s the hint of spring in the air around Seattle, but the past couple weeks I’ve been dying to get out of my boots and into some open-back clogs! I love them in the transitional seasons because they still keep my toes covered up in case it’s raining, but they let me take off my socks for wearing with jeans or a maxi-dress, which is also great for this time of year. Plus, once the cool crisp air rolls back around in fall, you can slip them on with a pair of cute, cozy socks under your jeans and get double the use of them.

There are a few pair that I’ve been stalking:

Frye’s Campus Clara Clog comes in tan or black, both with a wood platform and rubber sole. I know from experience that Frye makes quality products that last a lifetime and are truly timeless. Not only do I love the color of the Campus Clara Clog and the rivets along the platform, but I love knowing that I’ll have these forever. (Pssst—They’re on sale right now!)

There’s something about the Vivica Clog by UGG Australia that I can’t resist. First of all, a clog in an untraditional color intrigues me—this one is called Seal, which is a gorgeous, soft gray. I think it would be perfect with some super dark-wash skinny jeans! The heel is a little higher on the Vivica at 2½ inches, but the rubber sole and sheepskin in the toe still keep these super wearable.

I couldn’t write about clogs without including my pick from everyone’s favorite clog-maker, Dansko. Although they are best known for their closed-back clogs, Dansko occasionally offers an open-back fashion clog, such as the Dansko Skylar clog. The laser-cut flower detailing on the Skylar is so sweet and gives this pair of clogs such a feminine touch—perfect for wearing with a shorter dress or skirt that lets that detailing show. Plus, it comes in a variety of great colors (I’m partial to the Crimson).

Hope this helps you find the perfect open-back clog for your own transition from winter to spring! After all this clog research, I’m still undecided about which to order for my own wardrobe—which one is your favorite? Tell me in the comments and help me decide!

Downward Dog…Warrior 1…Sun Salutation?

You don’t need to know what those words mean to look cute in some yoga wear!

Whether I’m toning my muscles or running errands, yoga apparel has become my go-to gear. By combining fashion and comfort, this multifunctional apparel is sure to suit your every need.

I love sporting my Alo Relax Leggings and Performance Hoodie from alo when I’m out and about shopping. The slip-on silhouette of the leggings make them easy when trying on clothes at the mall, and the zip hoodie gives you layering ability for that temperature change.

The ASICS® Abby Pant and Thermopolis LT Hoody can take you from the gym to the grocery store without looking like you just ran a marathon. Not to mention…it’s probably the softest hoody I’ve ever worn!

My Zobha Straight Leg Capri pants and Cowl Neck Hoodie are perfect for lounging around the house on those rainy days when you just don’t want to get all dolled up. I love that the hoodie is tunic length. This gives it more of a fashion aesthetic rather than an athletic look.

I’ve said it a hundred times before, and I’ll say it again…you don’t have to sacrifice fashion for comfort.

Trust me…yoga gear is the new black!

A newly fashioned “mountain girl” (and Onlineshoes.com employee) shares what a beginning hiker must know.

Over a year ago I set out for the climb of my life: to summit Mt. Rainier in the great Northwest. This 14,411-foot mountain would require some serious training for a novice hiker like me. Throughout the process of training and finally a summit trip, I learned a lot about making my life as a “mountain girl” easier.

Lesson One: What the heck is an elevation gain and slope?

Because I was new to the game of hiking, my first couple of one or two hour hikes led to all day adventures. I saw a sign that said “elevation gain 5,000 feet,” which to me meant about one mile. Little did I know that the 5,000 feet was my elevation gain and could be spread across miles and miles of trail. Elevation gain is simple; it’s the measurement of the mountain’s height, not of the length of the trail. How to combat this endless feeling of “are we there yet?” Check the trail head sign for the “slope” of the trail; it’s the angle (and difficulty) at which you will be climbing. A mental image is this: 90 degrees would be a straight up and down cliff (you might want to save that for hike #2). Math time: the smaller the slope, relative to the elevation gain, the longer the trail and vice versa.

Lesson Two: A good pack means a happy hiker

When entering the wilderness, you never know what you might come across and it is important to be prepared with food, water, first aid, additional clothing and so on. This stuff gets heavy. A good day pack like the KEEN Newport DP can help take the pressure off your back and evenly disperse it to your hips and legs. The padded back structure will help with positive load transfer to keep you from tumbling back down the mountain Jack and Jill style.

Lesson Three: Hiking can be cold

With every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, the temperature drops outside by 3.5 degrees. Your body temperature drops about 5 degrees every time you stop to rest, plus the fact that you are wet with sweat, this can start to make for an unsafe experience. Down jackets and vests like the Columbia Reach the Peak™ Down Vest or the Patagonia Down Sweater are hiking essentials. Down is one of the best materials to maintain your body heat and allow your muscles the break they need. It is also very lightweight and compressible, taking up little to no room in your pack.

Lesson Four: How to save your pedicure

Hiking can be tough on the feet. Often times a good hiking boot is much stiffer then running shoes and can cause nail pain and blistering. Not cute! A good pair of wool socks like these SmartWool Hiking Light Crew socks can save you a lot of pain. It is always a good idea to carry an additional pair of socks in your bag for the trip back to the car; it is amazing what a fresh pair of socks will do to your attitude after a long day’s hike.

Lesson Five: It is a mountain, not an amusement park

One of the hardest lessons for me to learn has been that Mother Nature doesn’t care if you forgot a jacket. Being that I live in Seattle, forgetting a jacket might happen more often than not, but when you are four or five miles into a hike and it starts to rain, it is a long trip back to the car. A lightweight rain jacket like The North Face Venture Jacket can really be a life saver. It is great for hiking because the armpit zip vents keep you from overheating while you continue to climb. It weighs 12 ounces, so you won’t even feel it in your bag.

Lesson Six: No stilettos on the mountain

Comfort is everything when you are shopping for a hiking shoe or hiking boot. One thing to remember is that you will be wearing a thicker than normal sock and that you will be traveling downhill half your trip, so give yourself a little extra room in the toes. It is generally a good idea to go up half a size on any hiking shoe or hiking boot. Check out the Outdoor Shop to find the right boot for your hiking adventure.

Hiking is an amazing way to get exercise while enjoying the outdoors. I hope my hard-learned lessons will help you pick the right trail, save yourself some unneeded back pain, keep you warm, save your pedicure, and keep you dry throughout this year’s hiking season.

There are running shoes. And there are everyday shoes. When it comes to maintaining healthy feet and injury prevention, what you wear for everyday comfort is just as important—if not more so—as what you wear on the run. It’s important to wear supportive shoes on a daily basis in order to help prevent injuries. Here are some great choices to help you do just that:

For runners with normal or high arches, Birkenstock sandals make an excellent choice in regards to providing comfort and support. Introduced in 1973, the Birkenstock Arizona sandal is designed with a layered footbed that molds to your foot for a customized fit. The iconic two-strap style is available in a leather, suede, nubuck or microfiber upper with a moisture-wicking, suede footbed liner. If you’ve just finished a run, free your feet and let them breathe in the women’s Birkenstock Arizona sandal or the men’s Birkenstock Arizona sandal.

Something to consider: You may want to choose something other than Birkenstock sandals if you have low arches. The stiff support of the sandal can bruise your arches and the ball of your foot and cause nerve swelling.

Walking shoes, sporty sneakers or old running shoes that have been retired from running make excellent everyday companions for low-impact activities like mowing the lawn or taking care of errands. Just remember to be aware of the amount of cushioning in these types of shoes. Once it has worn out, the support has diminished, which can increase your risk of shin splints and Achilles tendinitis.

For women, check out the Privo Bingle shoe. Designed with a Soleassage™ footbed, this women’s sneaker cushions and supports the foot with unique, textured bumps that simulate a massaging effect. What’s more, the women’s Privo Bingle sneaker is every bit as cute as it is comfortable, making it a stylish choice as well as a smart one when it comes to choosing a supportive shoe to wear when not running.

For pre- or post-workout comfort, men are sure to enjoy the KEEN Newport sandal. This multi-sport favorite offers an anatomical last, which incorporates the true shape of the foot into the fit for lasting comfort. The metatomical footbed provides optimal arch support, while the bungee lacing system contours the foot for a secure fit. Whether you’re walking the dog or kicking back at home, the men’s KEEN Newport sandal delivers tried-and-true comfort and the lasting support that feet need during non-running activities.

Mephisto, Dansko, Ahnu and Clarks are other brands that offer a variety of supportive shoes that promote healthy feet and help prevent injuries when you’re not on the run. Each brand has a unique selection of shoes, slides, clogs, sandals and more that are perfect for recovery days, pre-run comfort and post-run relaxation.

As anyone—such as yours truly—with wide feet knows, finding attractive, comfortable men’s and women’s wide width shoes can be a challenge.

I will forever be scarred by the memory of being dragged at the age of 10 to the basement of the small, local department store in the Alaska burg where I was raised, in search of ‘dress shoes’ for Easter Sunday. The only thing that fit was a pair of bone-colored, lace-up orthopedic oxfords that any self-respecting, god-fearing, socially and politically conservative grandmother would have turned her back on. They were purchased, worn once (at gunpoint, essentially), and consigned to the back of my closet, never again to see the light of day.

Happily, those days are gone (if not entirely forgotten, or so my therapist would say—ba-DUM-bum!). Wide shoes for women are now manufactured in gorgeous styles, colors and materials that women with wide feet can proudly wear in public. Likewise, men’s wide shoes, styles that go well beyond the athletic and therapeutic, grow more handsome every season. Be sure to check out the full range of new arrival wide shoes for men and women at Onlineshoes.com, including the following:

You’re always true-blue in the strappy Sofft Tremblay wedge dress sandal, a sexy, high-heeled style with a decorative buckle that lends a tailored polish to spring and summer outfits. Perfect for outdoor parties and summer weddings alike, this is only one of the exciting new sassy, dressy styles offered in wide widths this season.

As the weather gets warmer, flat sandals often replace comfy shoes and waterproof boots as the go-to, everyday favorite. Onlineshoes.com offers casual sandals in wide widths to suit every taste and occasion. (Hint: When shopping on a page like this that shows all Women’s Wide Sandals, sort by “Newest,” “New Arrivals,” or look for the “New Arrivals” banner that appears below the shoes’ photos.)

Aravon shoes get their comfort engineering from New Balance, a brand long known for specializing in narrow and wide shoes for men and women. Offered in a fun new color—purple—for spring, not only is the popular Aravon Robin thong-style sandal available in a wide width, but two strategically placed hook-and-loop straps enable even greater adjustability.

Looking for a comfortable, everyday wide sandal but don’t like the feeling of a toe post? No problem. Offered in fun, new colors for spring and summer, the water-ready Keen Venice H2 has an anatomical, odor-managing footbed for all-day wear, a webbing upper lined in stretchy, cushy hydrophobic foam rubber, and the signature, patented KEEN toe protection. And here’s the big secret: This sandal may be marked ‘Medium’ width (so it won’t show up when you search specifically for wide shoes), but between the broad, stable ‘Newport’ last, stretchy upper and bungee elastic closure, it is a style that fits up to very wide feet (like mine): Width-wise, it is probably the most accommodating sandal in the KEEN collection. The KEEN Venice H2 sandal is offered in so many colors and patterns, you’ll definitely want more than one pair. (I have four. The only downside to wearing them constantly are the distinctive tan-lines that linger on your feet until December.)

Naturally, Onlineshoes.com offers a vast selection of athletic wide shoes, suited for men and women who pursue active lifestyles. The ASICS® GT-2160™ is a stand-out wide running shoe for men: Its long list of comfort and stability features earned it a Runner’s World magazine ‘Editor’s Choice’ award in December 2010.

Men’s wide shoes aren’t limited to walking and running shoes, wide work shoes and boots, or outdoor and hiking shoes: Onlineshoes.com offers a range of wide dress shoes and wide professional shoes, as well as casual yet fashionable wide shoes that guys can slip on to attend the game and even go out to dinner afterwards. Sure, you can wear socks with laid-back boat shoes, but why? The Rockport Seaforthe dock moc is offered in two bright, new color combos for spring.

Among more office-ready men’s wide shoes, the supportive, slip-resistant Dunham Prospect oxford fits the bill, and has a waterproof upper to take on unanticipated spring showers.

No doubt every person with wide feet is already familiar with the tricks to finding the right wide width shoes, such as looking for adjustable closures, a roomy toe box, and elastic goring in just the right places. Onlineshoes.com knows how hard it can be to find the perfect shoes for wide feet, so make sure you give the list of fit tips the once-over before ordering, to find just the right men’s or women’s wide width shoes to kick off the spring season in comfort and style. And if you don’t get it right the first time and need a different style or size, no worries: Onlineshoes.com always offers easy returns and free exchanges.

Spring is almost here! No time like the present to treat your feet to a new pair of wide shoes. Go on—you deserve it!

An expert hiker and professional guide shares his favorite hiking shoes and hiking boots.

I have worked as a professional mountain guide for a little over a decade. On average I climb, hike, ski and run six days a week which means that any given week, I will probably wear four or five different pairs of shoes and boots. Looking back over the years with all the gear I depend on and wear through, I can usually remember the shoes I was wearing, for better or for worse. Shoes are so important to what I do; they make up about 70% of my overall gear budget. So, don’t underestimate shoes—they have the biggest impact on the quality of your mountain adventure. Yes, I love shoes.

So, with that said, Onlineshoes.com has a couple of gems available that I would like to highlight. To start, the Vasque Sundowners. These boots bring back fond memories. As probably the most classic and versatile hiking boot ever made, these things have stood up to the test of time (I bought my first pair of these 18 years ago). These look-good-and-feel-good boots are best served as a heavier backpacking boot that can take a beating from both miles and weather while still looking good out on the town (even towards the end of their tour of duty). If you are able to wear through these boots, you may have a hard time finding a reason to buy anything else for your next pair.

Some shoe makers make a specific type of shoe really well. Garmont makes every type of mountain sports boot and shoe, and they make every type really well. Let’s start with the Garmont Tower GTX® boot. Hands down, this is the best boot I’ve ever owned. I bought these boots six years ago and I am seeing no sign that they need to be replaced. Since I bought them, I’ve gone through two pairs of ski boots, three pairs of high altitude boots, six pairs of rock shoes, and I have not counted how many running shoes. But here’s the thing: Aside from my favorite bedroom slippers, I’ve spent more time in these bad boys than any other shoe. These lightweight alpine boots climb rock, ice and mixed terrain as well as any boot and, most importantly, they can crank out miles while carrying heavy weight. I have become so accustomed to wearing these boots that if I ever do have the capability of wearing them out, I would be doing myself a great disservice to replace them with anything but a new pair of the Garmont Towers.

Next, the Garmont Zenith Mid GTX® boot. This boot is the mid-weight hiking boot you want for the warm weather backpacking season. This boot will provide the agility of a trail running shoe while providing the extra support needed for those high mileage backpacking trips. Expect to get good traction and stability for a little off-trail or scramble as well as a nice balance between breathability in hot weather and rain resistance in showery summer weather. Also, these boots will last. Change out the insoles with a pair of Superfeet insoles and you’ll have the boots for a long time.

Now let’s look at another of Garmont’s gifts. The Garmont 9.81 Bolt is an underpriced shoe. I know many have a hard time with the hundred dollar price range when it comes to running shoes, but let’s face it: The technology, time and skill put into new shoe construction has taken off. As this shoe performs well in wet trail conditions, it’s also what you’ll want if you do any trail running with a little technical move here and there. Think running agility of a higher degree than you’re accustomed to as well as long-distance comfort and support your body needs to enjoy running into old age.

The Merrell Moab Ventilator is a great all around and every day adventure shoe. This is one of those shoes you can use year in, year out to just do stuff. I know you have a comparable pair right now on the shoe rack. It’s that pair of shoes you throw on to do errands around town, go for a hike, hike to the crag, go for a run. When I think of those multi-element family adventures, I think of these shoes. Granted it is not what you want for big runs or long backpacking trips in less than ideal weather. For that everyday accessible adventure to the majority of people, this is what you want.

Shane Downey the Sales Merchandising Manager for New Balance gives an overview of the anticipated summer release of the New Balance MT20 and WT20 Minimalist running shoes.

New Balance is launching a cross category collection of shoes  that offers a “closer to barefoot” experience. The collection includes road running, trail running and wellness products. The wellness model is designed for those who want to pursue a more natural stance and gait throughout the day even when not exercising, and is targeted as an exceptional recovery shoe for post workout or post-race activities.

Having developed running footwear for over 100 years and having an established background in performance running has allowed New Balance to have a very focused and distinctive approach to this incredibly exciting product. When New Balance set out to develop this product, it was tested and validated through our high performance, ultra marathon runners, traditional midfoot and forefoot practitioners as well as in our state of the art Sports Lab in which we measure and test a multitude of areas.

We have determined that the true benefit of minimal footwear is that it serves as a tool to deliver better running form by encouraging a mid-foot strike and aid in strengthening the legs and feet. In addition, minimal shoes deliver increased ground feel and control, making them fun to use!

The shoes in the NB Minimus collection deliver the benefits of barefoot running, married with the modern realities of terrain and feet that have been raised on shoes.

In developing this product New Balance had four key areas of focus to deliver this “Best in Class” product:

• HEEL TO TOE DROP. Traditional shoes have a 12 mm drop from the heel to the forefoot. NB Minimus shoes have a 4mm drop. This puts your foot into a more neutral position and encourages a mid-foot strike.

• REDUCED STACK HEIGHT. Stack height is the overall measurement from your foot to the ground including midsole, outsole, insert and any other materials. Lower stack heights improve ground feel and control and also promote a mid-foot strike. The stack height of NB Minimus shoes is approximately half that of traditional shoes.

• LIGHTWEIGHT. All NB Minimus shoes are extremely lightweight. All models weigh in under 8.2 ounces (men’s size 9.5)

• NEW LAST. All NB Minimus shoes share a new last, the NL-1, which has a more anatomical shape and provides more room in the forefoot for expansion of the foot on impact.

This is truly a growing market with an incredible ground swell from a variety of end-users driving this interest. We are seeing true passion and enthusiasm around this running boom unlike anything we have seen in recent memory. We believe that the New Balance Minimus product will deliver an experience that is organic and ornate, creating a truly revolutionary experience that will change your outlook on running and minimal footwear for the future. At New Balance, we have a saying of “Let’s Make Excellent Happen” and I challenge you to do the same in your next run, workout or obstacle that lies ahead.

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Thank you for playing. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED ! 

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Barefoot running shoes constitute the most exciting new development in footwear for active lifestyles. Onlineshoes.com is happy to announce a new contest giving four lucky enthusiasts the chance to win a free pair of minimalist shoes from the Merrell Barefoot collection, giving them the opportunity to try out this new, lightweight style of running shoe.

Barefoot running became part of the cultural lexicon in the mid-1980s when the record-breaking South African-born Zola Budd rose to fame. Now, two-and-a-half decades later, Merrell and Vibram® have teamed up to create the Merrell Barefoot collection of minimalist running shoes for men and women, combining the natural benefits of going barefoot with enhanced support and protection from environmental hazards. Read more about the collection in the Onlineshoes.com blog post Merrell Barefoot Running Shoes.

Current styles offered by Merrell include the men’s Trail Glove, Tough Glove and True Glove, and the women’s Pace Glove—which was designed by women, for women, with a women’s-specific last. These four styles feature Merrell’s Omni-Fit™ lacing system to ensure a snug, glove-like fit. Additional women’s-specific minimalist shoes include the Pure Glove mary jane and the Power Glove bootie with a one-hand Z-Rap™ closure. All styles keep feet fresh with Aegis® antimicrobial treatment, offer a thin layer of compression-molded EVA, and have a smooth interior for chafe-free comfort. A specially engineered Vibram® Trail Glove outsole provides protection, traction and nimble response on rocky or uneven terrain.

Three primary benefits of running, trail running or walking in Merrell’s Barefoot style running shoes include:

1. It stimulates sensory receptors in the feet: Truly feel and connect to the terrain through the more than 7,000 nerve endings in each foot.
2. It encourages realignment: Merrell Barefoot running shoes help engage the feet, creating a more natural stride. Moving the body forward from a heel-strike landing to a midfoot landing lowers impact on the joints, producing better posture and a more efficient gait.
3. It strengthens foot and leg muscles: A byproduct of stimulated muscles is increased strength, amping up agility, balance and quickness, and aiding in the body’s ability to burn more calories.

However, like any new physical activity, it’s not possible to jump in with both feet: Adapting to barefoot running footwear is something that happens gradually. People wearing barefoot running shoes for the first time must start slowly and pay attention to what their bodies are telling them, incorporating barefoot training in no more than 10% of overall activities at the outset. Unlike most street shoes and running shoes, styles in the Merrell Barefoot collection have a 0mm difference in elevation between the heel and forefoot, which engages a different set of muscles—a fact that every body is sure to respond to.

New users must develop a new “barefoot form,” learning to walk before they run: In fact, the suggested preparatory training for Merrell Barefoot shoes includes toe, forefoot and ankle exercises and literally walking barefoot for 30 minutes per day on varied surfaces for five consecutive days.

Once graduating to wearing their Merrell Barefoot shoes, such as the Tough Glove for men or the Pace Glove for women, people are advised to begin on flat, smooth surfaces, avoiding steep hills or rocky, uneven trails until strength and endurance have increased. (Note: A bit of muscular discomfort is to be expected; sharp, shooting pains are not. If the latter is experienced, suspend use of minimalist shoes until pain subsides. Additionally, anyone who suffers from chronic, pre-existing physical issues should consult their physician before using minimalist shoes.)

Barefoot running shoes are not necessarily intended to be a replacement for normal walking and running shoes: They are an additional component of an athlete’s arsenal, encouraging the development of another set of muscles—or tools—to benefit a fitness regimen or overall physical health. In this contest, Onlineshoes.com is seeking active, curious individuals eager to expand their workouts by embracing the less-is-more concept of minimalist shoes and be among those at the forefront of the latest revolution in fitness.

Four randomly selected blog readers will each win one pair of men’s or women’s shoes of their choice from the Merrell Barefoot collection, with a value of up to $120. Just answer the question (in 200 words or less) in the comments section below: “Why do you think you’d be a perfect candidate to try out a pair of minimalist running shoes from the Merrell Barefoot collection?”

Entries will be accepted from Thursday, March 10, 2011, through Wednesday, March 23, 2011. See the complete contest rules and regulations for details. Good luck…and what are you waiting for? Get outside! Open to U.S. residents only. No purchase necessary to win.

***UPDATE*** 03/28/2011
The giveaway is now closed and the winners are: