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RSSGuide: Choosing the right pair of shoe for Guys
Credit: Image from http://www.fotosearch.com
People always assume that some of the most important factors when it comes to choosing a pair of shoe are Comfort and the Outer designs.
"Half correct"?! What do I mean "Half correct"? Well, the other half is the shape of your feet. Not many people understand the shape of their feet well enough to buy a pair of suitable shoes. And this resulted to their feet having blisters, corns etc etc. In the long run, you might develop symptoms like "HongKong Feet", "Chicken Eye", which are really bad for your feet.
And I Don't think you wanna have these things bugging your feet.. Right?
Well, let me give you some tips on what you should choose, and own a pair of shoe.
Step 1
To choose a pair of suitable shoe, we have to start with our feet.
Why?
No two pairs of feet are the same. Or put it even simpler. Our left and right feet might not even be a "Mirror image" of each other. Very few people have feet that are a perfect "Mirror image".
According to information from [Wikipedia], there are generally three types of feet:
- Neutral Pronation:
When someone is neutrally pronates, it means that when he/she walks, they will land on the side of the heel. As the person transfers weight from the heel to the middle portion of the foot, the weight is distributed evenly across the middle portion of the foot. Here, the knee will generally, but not always, track directly over the "Big toe".
This "rolling inwards" motion as the foot progresses from heel to toe is the way that the body naturally absorbs shock. Neutral pronation is the most ideal, efficient type of walking. - Overpronation
When someone is overpronates, it means that when he/she walks, they will land on the side of the heel. As the person transfers weight from the heel to the middle portion of the foot.
However, the foot will roll too far in the middle portion, and the weight is distributed unevenly across the metatarsus, with excessive weight borne on the "Big toe". In this stage of the Walk, the knee will generally, but not always, track inwards.
An overpronator does not absorb the shock from the Walk efficiently. Imagine someone jumping onto a diving board, but the board is so flimsy that when it is struck, it bends and allows the person to plunge straight down into the water instead of back into the air. Similarly, an overpronator's arches will collapse, or the ankles will roll inwards (or a combination of the two) as he or she cycles through the gait.
An individual whose bone structure involves external rotation at the hip, knee, or ankle will be more likely to overpronate than one whose bone structure has internal rotation or central alignment. - Underpronation (supination)
it means that when he/she walks, they will land on the side of the heel. As the person transfers weight from the heel to the middle portion of the foot. The weight is distributed unevenly across the middle portion of the foot, with excessive weight borne on the fifth bone of the Middle portion, towards the lateral side of the foot. In this stage of the Walk, the knee will generally, but not always, track laterally of the hallux.
Like an overpronator, an underpronator does not absorb shock efficiently - but for the opposite reason. The underpronated foot is like a diving board that, instead of failing to spring someone in the air because it is too flimsy, fails to do so because it is too rigid. There is virtually no give. An underpronator's arches or ankles will not experience much motion as he or she cycles through the gait.
An individual whose bone structure involves internal rotation at the hip, knee, or ankle will be more likely to underpronate than one whose bone structure has external rotation or central alignment. Usually - but not always - those who are bow-legged tend to underpronate.
Step 2
Now that we have a general idea of which type of feet we belong to. It's time to look for that "Perfect pair of Shoe"!
Normally I would recommend a Guy to own at least 4 different types of shoes.
- Sports shoes:
Of cause, it's only to be worn for exercise. Nike, Adidas, Puma, Reebok etc.
Before you settle on one, determine the type of workout you will do normally. If you're a basketball player, it would be advisable to own at least 2 ~ 3 different types of sports shoes. 1 for Basketball shoe, 1 for running shoe, and maybe a cross-training /general purpose sports shoe.
Otherwise, a running or general purpose sports shoe should be sufficient for most of us.
Next, understand what the shoes are able to give you. The basics here are "Comfort" and "Protection". Other gimmicks like "Max-Air", slick designs, roller-blade features should not even be taken into consideration if Comfort and Protection are not there. Many people make this mistake here when it comes to buying a sports shoe, most of the time they were distracted by the nice designs and the Sales Assistant's sweet words.
Don't get "tricked"! Comfort & Protection are foremost important!
Another thing that will be good to know is the "Mileage" of the shoes. Why is it important?
Now, if a person wears the sports shoe at least 3 times a week and runs about 5 KM every time, he would need to change his shoes roughly every 2 years to ensure that his feet are well protected.
The "Mileage" I'm talking here is so-called the "effective period" of the shoe before it starts to lose its protection and comfort due to constant "Wear & Tear"
Only very experienced Sales Assistants would be able to tell you this information. Otherwise, do some research before buying that sports shoe you love a lot.
But on average, a person who exercises about 2 times a week and runs about 3 KM each time, should change their shoes about every 2.5 years to 3 years. - Casual sneakers:
Wear it when you're out chilling with your friends or going shopping. A popular choice for any age group. Converse, Adidas, Puma, Nike, and many more.
I would recommend sticking with a few colours like Black, Navy Blue, Grey, Canvas White.
Because these colours are easier to match clothing.
If you're just starting out, consider the type of clothing you have currently, stick with Versatility and you won't go wrong... - Black dress boots:
As the name speaks, it's normally meant for formal wear. White long sleeve shirt, black pants and probably a Wide-V neck blazer with a matching black tie.
Tons of brands out there. Timberland, hush Puppies, Black & Decker, Armani, Zara, Pedro, Versace etc etc.
Normally, Black dress boot/shoe gives people a more serious and composed image, especially if you're always out meeting Clients.
How to choose?
1st, choose a shoe that suits your feet type.
Next, Comfort and air ventilation within the Shoe are the most important things to take note, especially for guys who work in Offices and wears these shoes for at least 10 hours, everyday. You don't wanna end up with "Hong Kong feet" and feet full of sores.
Then, consider the weight and balance of the Shoe. A good pair of leather shoes is very well balanced, light weight, durable and of cause, comfortable and well ventilated. But of cause, they normally command a price range starting from SGD400.
Of cause, if you have the pocket, you can always go Customized. The Shoe maker will carefully record the measurements of your feet and make a shoe that fits you only.
- Shoes with wing tip, are generally suitable for most types of pants (Stripped, Slight bell-bottom etc)
- Similarly, Shoes with Cap toes designs are generally fine and goes well with any Formal wears.
- Brown dress shoes
As the name speaks, it's normally meant for a more casual or relaxed formal wear. Short sleeve shirt or polo t-shirt, canvas pants and probably a sleeve-less sweater.
Normally, it's more suitable for Fridays or Saturdays as it's the Weekends or for Companies which have a "Dress-down Day".
Now, depending on the nature of your work, you should choose the right type of socks to compliment your shoes and feet.
Generally, I would avoid socks that are too tight, as it will prevent good blood circulation to your feet. Or even materials that are too thick, it will prevent your feet from "Breathing".
For Office people, I would recommend black socks and made from slightly thinner materials.
Keep a look out for socks that allow fast sweat absorption, or allows your feet and shoes to "breathe" more easily from long-hours of wearing. I would also recommend thin materials and this would allow better air ventilation for your feet. These are even more important if you have sweaty feet.
For more active or Sportsmen, I would recommend socks that allows fast sweat absorption and promotes protection around your ankle around and comfort to the soles of your feet, to enhance shock absorption during sports.
For Casual or leisure outings, I would recommend ankle socks. Try to go for those that are thinner. Because after "trapping" your poor feet in thick and long socks for 5 to 6 days a week, it's time to pamper them and let them "breathe" easily and relax, so that they can "serve" you better at work =)
~ J`z Trading
if you have more information, do share with us! we would be glad to publish in our website.
Email us at jz-trading@hotmail.com
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