Shoe Anatomy

Shoe Anatomy

The first step to becoming a successful shoe-shopper is knowing your way around the shoe. I'm talking about "shoe anatomy". Various brands and department stores may advertise "premium leather uppers" and "light-weight midsoles", but if you don't know what an upper or a midsole is in the first place, it can be tricky to know if you are getting the right pair of shoes for your feet.

Think of a shoe as divided into 4 major parts. First you have the 3 soles: the outer sole, the insole and the midsole. The outer sole, as you can probably imagine, is the part of shoe that make contact with the ground. The part we normally just call "the sole". Outer soles can vary in traction and shock absorption. Some people prefer thin outer soles that maximize their foot's contact with the ground; others require a thick sole that will cushion their feet and legs. The heel is generally associated with the outer sole, and it is located at the back of the foot. Heels vary widely in elevation and adjusting heel height can go a long way to dealing with foot pain. Generally speaking, the higher the heel the more pressure on the front of the foot.

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The insole is the part of the shoe you see when you look inside your shoes. It is often removable and is associated with arch support. It is common for people who need extra support to insert customized insoles in place of the ones provided by the shoe manufacturer.

The midsole is the part of the shoe sandwiched between the insole and the outer sole. Midsoles vary in material, weight, thickness and flexibility. A rigid, heavier midsole is good for feet that require extra support. A flexible, lightweight midsole is good for active people who want to maximize their mobility.

The fourth major part of the shoe is called the upper. This is the part that covers your foot. It can be made out of canvas, plastic, leather and other materials that vary in breathability.

When examining the upper part of the shoe, it is important to pay special attention to the toe box and the vamp. The toe box is the part of the shoe that encloses your toes. It can be square, pointy or round. Whatever the shape of the toe box, it is important that it provides your toes with enough space to spread out naturally. The vamp is the part of the upper where the laces or Velcro is usually placed.

Shoe Anatomy

Jane Barron works for OddShoeFinder.com, a free online website that helps people find mismatched footwear. Get more information on deformed feet, corrective shoes or foot length difference.

MBT Shoes Clearance - The Anti-Shoe at Discount Prices

MBT Shoes Clearance - The Anti-Shoe at Discount Prices

If you are an avid fitness walker or have been looking for different weight loss methods, than I am sure you have heard of MBT shoes. Also known as the anti-shoe, it is a range of footwear that helps improve posture, work a lot of different muscle groups, and aids in burning more calories. But the biggest stumbling block for most people when deciding to buy these shoes has been its price tag of 5. Until recently, only the affluent and wealthy could afford these sneakers. Now days though, you can get the same quality styles for more than 40% of what people paid for them just a year ago.

Buying MBT shoes on clearance is a great way to save a bunch of money. Just because they are sold at a discount does not mean it is an imitation or a damaged style. Most of the models available at clearance prices are just discontinued types that retailers have an abundance of, and are reasonably priced.

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Receiving the anti-shoe at discounted prices is not something that takes very long. However, one must implement some simple steps that will help you pinpoint your selections. One thing you should do first and foremost is to know your foot size. Go to any retailer and they will properly measure your width and length for you or just use the chart yourself.

After you know your size, start looking on line for some of the best places to buy MBT shoes on the Internet. On the first couple pages of Google, you'll find the best on line retailers that sell the anti-shoe, but try adding the words clearance, discount, on sale to your normal search of "MBT shoes."

Whether you need shoes, sandals or boots, you will be able to find MBT shoe clearance sales on line. There are on line retailers that offer a massive selection of the discontinued styles. This footwear is specially priced because they have new MBT styles they are trying to promote.

They keep their prices for the anti-shoe low year round for discontinued styles. This helps get them more customers introduced to this beneficial footwear. Another great way to get MBT shoes clearance prices is to take advantage of the several shopping search engines out there. Most of them have at least a few providers selling the anti-shoe at discounted prices, some even offer free shipping as an added incentive.

Retailers know that they have to do what they can to stay in business during this economic meltdown. Some people may shy away from MBT shoes clearance items, but most will find these styles more than satisfying to meet their fitness requirements as well as saving a substantial amount of money.

MBT Shoes Clearance - The Anti-Shoe at Discount Prices

Learn more about these shoes here: http://www.walkingshoesonline.com/shoe_reviews/mbt_shoes_review Find detailed information on shoes, sandals and more. See articles, videos and other resources about Frye Boots and other shoes.