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Feet Accompli!
Shoes That Are Foot-Friendly and Fun
By Susan Rich
In honor of our aching feet, we at Walk About are cheering the latest “Feet Accompli” — the long-anticipated arrival of shoes that blend fashion sense with foot sensibilities.
Mara (W) $189 |
Oh! My
“After so many years spent damaging women’s feet, I wanted to be part of the cure,” notes Greg Van Gasse, founder and CEO of Oh! Shoes. What sets this Portland, OR company apart is a passion for Italian styling combined with an ergonomic last. Their patented designs make it possible for women to walk gracefully — not totter — in 3” heels. It’s a design, he adds, that absorbs the impact of walking in heels, easing the long-term damage done to knees, ankles, and feet.
www.ohshoes.com |
Renew (W) $88 |
Dr. Scholl’s: Goes Green
For every pair of Eco-Friendly Original Exercise Sandal purchased online, Dr. Scholl’s will plant 10 trees in a rain forest. It’s a terrific give-back campaign sponsored by a shoe company whose focus on creating foot-friendly footwear for women remains largely unsung: There are more than 100 styles available online. What’s sustainable about this shoe: Recycled metal buckles, renewable wood sole, vegetable-tanned leather uppers, and a corn-based outsole.
www.drschollsshoes.com |
2nd Nature Slip On (W) $93
Modern Casual Slide (M) $120
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Is There an ECCO in Here?
Yes, there is — with its focus on form over function, this Scandinavian shoe manufacturer continues to hone its line of men’s and women’s shoes. ECCO was founded on the premise that the shape of the foot should drive the shape of the shoe. What seemed radical then is accepted lore 40 years later...and we echo the thought: Casual shoes should run the gamut between work and play — and not hurt your feet, either.
www.eccousa.com |
Eclipse (W) $65
Zong (M) $75
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Chaco Comfort Continues
Since 1989 Chaco sandals have been a staple of walking enthusiasts here in the Northwest. And with good reason — the company has been awarded the Seal of Acceptance by the American Podiatric Association (APMA) for its emphasis on designing footwear that ensures a supported, comfortable stride in any activity.
www.chacousa.com |
Susn (W) $169
Change (M) $235
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Our Thoughts on Think!
This is the trend we’re applauding this year: The marriage of healthy foot styling with fashion sense. Think! shoes, based in Sauwald, Upper Austria, has developed a unique answer to the form + fashion equation. Using all natural materials, including vegetable-tanned leather, these shoes are crafted to follow basic anatomical and orthopedic principles.
www.thinkshoesusa.com |
Ventura Cork (W) $70
Terraluxe (M) $85
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Steppin’ Out with Teva
The name says it all: Teva is a Hebrew word meaning “nature,” and its logo – a hand with a swirl in the center — is Hopi for “friendship” and “water.” Teva footwear combines the quick-drying comfort of a sandal with the rugged durability of a sneaker — a combination that continues to define sport sandals today. Where appropriate, recycled materials are used in the footwear.
www.teva.com |
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