Ben Franklin probably didn't say "show me a grumpy man and I'll show you a man with bad shoes", but he should have. They say that shoes make the man, and they're right on that one in more ways than one. Good, quality shoes do more than make you look good - they make you feel good. A pair of high quality shoes makes your feet happy, and when your feet are happy, the rest of you is in a much better frame of mind to deal with your day. Poorly made and ill-fitting shoes are at the root of many a miserable day, and here's why.

Poorly made shoes hurt more than your feet.
Your feet are your skeleton's foundation. When there's a problem with the foundation of a building, the symptoms can show up in cracks in the walls or ceilings, floors that tilt in the wrong direction - even in electrical and plumbing problems. The same is true with your body. When your shoes don't support your feet properly, your legs and hips and spine and shoulders and neck try to compensate. Taking any of those out of alignment can cause discomfort, pain and other problems.

You're far more likely to notice the discomfort of things like bunions and blisters caused by rough seams, heel pain from poor support and generally aching feet from shoes that constrict them. Between the obvious pain caused by shoes that aren't made well and the more subtle effects of poorly fit and low quality shoes, you can end up in constant low-level pain. Who can think clearly and be cheerful when their feet and their body are in pain?

How high quality shoes can help
Well-made, quality shoes like those made by Naot support your feet in a number of different ways. Naot shoes are designed to keep your feet happy. The heel cup is designed to keep your heels steady, preventing your ankles from tilting when you walk. The shank that runs from the heel to the ball of your foot gently encourages your feet to distribute your weight evenly. A roomy toe box gives your toes the room they need to move and grip the ground while you walk - even if they're not actually in contact with the ground.

The materials that go into making up your shoes also make a big difference. Real leather breathes, wicking moisture away from your feet and letting air circulate around them. That means cooler feet, less chance of infection and a lot less stinky feet.

What to look for in quality shoes
Now that you know why quality shoes are important, let's talk about how to choose a good pair of shoes that will support your feet - and your body - properly.

-First, look at the shoe.
Style may be important to your eye, but there are other things to look for. Are the seams straight and evenly stitched? Is the leather smooth and well-finished? Does the shoe LOOK well-made?

-Feel the shoe.
Take the shoe in both hands and try to twist it. It should have a little give, but not bend out of shape easily.

Try to bend the shoe in half so that the heel and toe meet. Again, it should have a little give, but you shouldn't be able to fold it. The shank of the shoe should prevent the shoe from bending beyond the ball of the foot.

Push up against the bottom of the toe of the shoe. The front of the shoe should bend easily so that your toes and the balls of your feet can do their work.

-Poke around inside the shoe.
Go on, push your hand inside the shoe and feel around. You should feel no protruding seams or rough areas. The inner surface should be comfortably padded and smooth. The tongue of the shoe should have enough padding to let you lace shoes without cutting into the top of your foot.

-Check the materials.
The uppers and lining of the shoes should be leather. Leather breathes and molds to fit your feet comfortably. You may not be able to look under the shoe's hood, so to speak, but you can ask about other materials. A steel shank is the most supportive, and leather soles will wear far better than most manmade materials.

-A few last things:
Excellent quality shoes like Naot clogs and sandals can be pricey, but it's money well-spent. Still, like anything else, shoes do show wear. You'd hate to find a pair of shoes that fit perfectly and make you feel so good - only to have to replace them in just a few years. A good quality pair of shoes will last you up to ten years - if you care for them properly. Look for shoes that can be resoled and reheeled easily. Naot shoes are among the most versatile in this respect - you can replace the entire shoe bed when needed to keep them feeling fresh, new and comfortable for years.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/clothing-articles/quality-shoeswhat-traits-to-look-for-326962.html

Men’s Saddle Shoes

Shoes have always been the part and parcel of fashion since ages and always enhanced the personality of any individual. One such shoe is saddle shoe; this shoe got its name due to the vamp and instep of the shoe which take the shape of the saddle in the center. The shoes are formal leather footwear normally with two tones of black and white. Combinations of other colors are also available. The shoe with black and white coloration mostly has black leather on the middle part vamp, instep, throat, eyelets and tongue and white on the toe and the back. Other color combinations like tan shoes with brown and white shoes with red are also in vogue. Saddle shoes are worn by both men and women considered as a style statement with various styles from golf cleats to ultra high platforms.

The popularity of Men’s Saddle shoes is from the Post war era and it still rocks the fashion world. Many famous icons like Elvis Presley and James dean adorned these “old school” men’s saddle shoes (the old name). The saddle shoes were first introduced in 1906; the shoes manufactured were in combination of colors with the complimentary black strip in the rear part of the shoe on the back of the heel. These shoes continues to have the same model with same features, some saddle shoes have buckle on the top of black strip with composite low heeled sole of coral color. Now days, the manufactures make this shoe with every possible color combinations and different designs.

The demand for saddle shoes never faded and now the shoes are made to cater to the different needs of the people. Even though there are hordes of men’s casual dress shoes available in the market the saddle shoes still have its independent place in the market. There are shoes for the athletes (athletic men’s saddle shoes) and golfers (golf saddle shoes) this is not all there are oxford saddle shoes for casual wear used mostly by the executives. Moreover there is waterproof type of saddles shoes for men.

Today the saddle shoes are specially designed for the golf players which still have its classic saddle look with more advance features in respect to support and comfort along with a rounded toe box with leather upper and contrasting color combination. The sporty or athletic saddles are popular for their amazing traction and have good stabilizers and shock absorbing midsoles. Good traction in shoes enables the player for swinging. The shoes are very sturdy and will definitely last long. For its long lasting nature and sturdiness it was popular among the cowboys and it could bear the rough use. They are ultimate and considered best among all American shoes. The saddle shoes are also getting attraction of the children. The shoes have gone through the test of time successfully and passed on to us from generation and may be our next generation is ready to feel the magic of the saddle shoes.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/mens-saddle-shoes-251165.html

Women’s Shoes

Shoes are universal and women just love them. Shoes have the power to make women not only happy but sexy also. Women use different collection of shoes to match their outfits. Even researchers have attested to the fact of increasing love of women for shoes. Some women keep a large collection of shoes in their wardrobes while some like only few selected ones. Men can easily make women happy by gifting a sexy pair of shoes.

About Sexy Women’s Shoes

Nowadays woman want to buy shoes that look sexy and add value to their look. The vast collection of shoes available in the market has also changed to the thought process of women and they opt for sexy and trendy shoes. Common women are emulating celebrities and models and their wardrobes include shoes ranging from high heels to fetish shoes.

The fetish of women for shoes is well known. Sex appeal and allure is what women want and fetish shoes hit the right spot by providing both to women. The different styles like pointed shoes, stilettos, and shoes with wedges make women buy them without any second thoughts.

The vast collection of sexy women’s shoes is available in almost every leading store. You can also buy this collection from online stores that are genuine and sell durable shoes. This collection of shoes include high heels, platform shoes, thigh high boots, knee high boots, ankle boots, mules, lace up leg shoes, court shoes, wedges, stilettos, peep toe shoes, pointed shoes, party shoes, strappy shoes, flats, gothic, and fetish shoes. This list is endless because women are not satisfied with only few. However, they can choose among this collection to complete their wardrobe.

Pointed shoes

Some women like pointed shoes. The closed point becomes a seductive sight and women look very sexy in these shoes. They can wear it with skirt or dress. This is also very trendy, as women want slim and trim things. These shoes are available in different sizes making it easy for women to get the size that fits them easily.

Stilettos

Stilettos are generally seductive shoes. These shoes have closed toe ankle strap pump and are available in different sizes. Buying stilettos online is a new trend that is catching up with most of the women nowadays.

Wedges Shoes

These types of shoes are popular with fashion lovers. Wedges can add appeal to catwalk. Those women who are trendy and fashionable buy these shoes. The different sizes, styles, and colours give options to all women to select the best shoes.

The different types of shoes available for women in leading stores have affected the fashion trends. The fashionable aspects of shoes were not explored in the past but due to growing reach of internet worldwide, women are catching up with the latest fashions and shoe industry is coming up with trendy and sexy shoes.

Shoes are important in all seasons of the year. However, some stores make sales offers usually at the start of every season and it generates huge craze among women who want to buy the latest and sexy shoes at not so high prices.

Shoes industry has become the busiest industry in the world, women are unstoppable when they move out on a shopping expedition. The introduction of sexy summer shoes or fetish shoes at the start of the season generates lot of demand. You can find every type of shoes that fits both your size and imagination.

Sexy shoes can make women look sensuous even if they do not have matching outfits. The power of shoes is such that men just kneel down at the feet of women who look sexy with high heels or fetish shoes on.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fashion-articles/womens-shoes-wardrobes-for-sexy-womens-shoes-and-stilettos-371474.html

For a good tennis player, the foot is quicker than his mind. It seems as if the foot has its own intelligence to act upon the bouncing needs. As Tennis needs a lot of side to side movement and forward and backwards movements on the court, it’s very essential that the tennis shoes you wear for your game keeps your feet comfortable. There are lots of shoe brands for tennis shoes that cluster the market for being noticed like Adidas, Fila, Lotto, Prince, Yonex, Babolat, Head, New Balance, Reebok….. the list goes on.

Here are three best pairs of shoes from three famous brands:

Nike Air Zoom Mystify III

Imagine shoes being designed just for the needs of a pro, then the Mystify line of Nike is the definite answer. Many top professionals wear Mystify III, including Maria Sharapova and Daniela Hantuchova. Like those pros, this shoe brings performance, glamour and high style to the courts.

Beauty of the Mystify is not just skin deep alone. Underneath the shining cosmetics is a powerful technology to bring players' feet closer to the ground for optimum feel and maneuverability: Nike's Zoom Air. The Momentum Control System keeps the shoe stable and offers optimum comfort and performance. To give an added performance feel, Nike's Contour Speed Fit allows the shoe to conform to the foot, giving each player a glove like fit.

Adidas CC Feather 2 Remix

Once again, Adidas brings back the popular CC Feather II in this exciting Remix color. CC Feather is one of the best speed oriented shoe available for clay court besides having a glamorous look. The ClimaCool Feather II is a lightweight performance shoe which combines match day performance with the comfort and durability needed for long training sessions. Advanced chassis design promotes air flow to keep your feet cool when the action gets hot. This shoe is a popular choice on the pro tour during the clay court season. Pro players who used this shoe on clay included Marat Safin, Guillermo Coria and Tim Henman.

Prince OC-1 Men's Shoes

Prince’s M-Series had a great last and has gained a huge reputation for it. And now built on the same last as the M-Series, the OC-I provides Optimum Cushioning offering more room for a more universal fit while improving on the Precision Tube Technology. The shape of the tubes has been slightly varied by Prince to round instead of oval for more effecient cushioning. Use of lighter gauge Precision Tubes for a softer, more cushioned ride is one of the killer feature of OC-I. An AirMesh tongue and breathable synthetic upper allows feet to breathe and combines with a DriLex lining for lasting comfort during long matches. Lastly, Prince's Goodyear Max outsole features a 6-month durability guarantee!

Tennis is now one of the most popular sports in the world. With its growing popularity, many tennis equipment manufacturers have merged in the shoe market with innovative styles of tennis shoes and well equipped features to boost the player’s performance. But all brands are not good except some.

You should keep knowledge of the most popular brands of this footwear available in the market that are having a good craze. While shopping for a nice and best pair of this footwear, you should well know the art of weeding out the odd and bad ones and select a quality pair. Well, this article will give a clear idea of the popular brands of this footwear in trend. Below described are a few most famous brands of this footwear.

Adidas Tennis Shoes

Adidas tennis shoes were first manufactured in the year 1931 especially targeting the needs of the professional players. Adidas is one of the leading manufacturers of this footwear and within a short span of time they gained much popularity. These shoes are designed to provide excellent traction, much durability, good cushioning and most importantly great performance with much comfort. Below mentioned are some of its great features that gain the wearer extreme comfort and performance.



Canvas, synthetic and mesh are the much used materials by Adidas for designing this footwear to enable lightweight comfort, durability and breathebility.

They use ‘Climacool’ technology to ensure moisture free comfort to the wearer’s foot.

Adidas uses ‘Adi Wear’, the non-marking high density rubber outsoles that assure excellent traction and durability.

Adi prene technology is mostly used in these brand footwear to provide good cushioning comfort to your feet.

New Balance Tennis Shoes

New Balance designs a wide array of tennis shoes for men as well women with the most well equipped features catered to the needs of the players. They are having a good craze in the market as they well satisfy the wearer in terms of comfort and performance. Here are some of the efficient features of New Balance that makes it stand apart from other brands of tennis shoes.


The ABZORB technology engineered in most of the tennis shoes in heel and forefoot area yields greater comfort by ensuring good shock absorption.

Most of the Men’s New Balance tennis Shoes feature N-durance outsoles that last longer.

The Thermo Plastic Urethane medial pest in the shoe enables increased stability and brings utmost comfort by controlling pronation.

Reebok Tennis Shoes

Reebok Tennis shoes are a great deal for the serious players as it gains them outstanding performance in the field. If you aim at performance with comfort then these brand shoes are the right bet you to excel in your game. Reebok has excellent features that impress many players to have them. Below are some such features;


Reebok has introduced the DMX technology in many models of its tennis shoes that enable great support and good cushioning comfort to the wearer’s feet.

Supportive CMEVA midsole assures adjustable base to enable free and easy movement in the court.


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People were born with different physical characteristics in their bodies. With regards to feet considerations, you may be blessed (or cursed) to have a flat foot. In accordance with this aspect of biological uniqueness, the best running shoes for flat feet should be used for optimum comfort and convenience.

What is a flat foot?

Having a flat foot can sometimes be a frustration in searching for the appropriate accessory, like shoes. A flat foot is characterized by your foot print looking like a blob contoured in the general shape of a foot. You can easily check this using a footprint on a piece of paper. Also, physically, you may observe that there is almost no curve going inward from your toe to your heel. Another significant characteristic is that when you press firmly on any surface, your foot seems to spread out.

What shoes to use?

Shoes are generally created to provide protection to a person's feet. However, even though most of the commercially available shoes are using soft and shape shifting materials, a specific pair of shoes should be used for flat-footed people. Usually, when a person has flat feet, they are also considered to be an overpronator. It is a condition when the foot rolls inward while running. That is why the appropriate shoes should be used.

The most appropriate shoes for flat feet are the ones that are equipped with high stability properties as well as with motion control materials. Also, shoes with firm mid-soles are far the most efficient types. These factors reduce the capability of your flat foot to roll over in specific areas, thus making your walking or running more comfortable. You should avoid shoes that are highly curved in inward soles for these types may reduce your stability and compress your foot painfully.

Since running shoes were manufactured based on the activities of runners, they are equipped with padding and cushion materials for greater flexibility. You won't need shoes that have multiple layers of padding since this will apply pressure to your flat feet, thus making it very uncomfortable to use. You can just use running shoes that have at least a single layer of comfort pads but are not too curved.

There are some health problems that you may have if you do not use running shoes ideal for flat footed individuals. For example, if you tend to run long distances with an inappropriate shoe type, you may experience instability from the flat panels of your feet towards the upper portion of the legs. These conditions may cause knee and leg injuries while running. Also, your balance capability is compromised, leading to an uncontrollable body movement while in motion.

If you are going to purchase a pair of running shoes, you can search over the basic items sold in the market. But, you should always bear in mind that you might need to sacrifice style and brand in order to make sure that you have the best running shoes for flat feet. Although this may seem to be a little frustrating, you should always consider the health factor of using them. You may ask for assistance to get you the right model and brand of shoes for flat feet.

Diamante shoes – In the vogue

Are you wondering…

• What to buy now that the season to flaunt your beauty has arrived?
• What is the latest runway trend?
• What is the fuss about diamante shoes?

Well, we saw high heels and platforms, we saw black boots and we saw crazy crocs on the ramp. Now is the turn for sexy diamante shoes to set hearts aflame and ramps on fire. Perhaps, the most striking, the most elegant and the most chic shoes are sexy diamante shoes. They somehow put the wearer on a high pedestal and work wonders for their personality.

Do not delay – make room for the latest style symbols – get designer diamante shoes! Find out here what to keep and what to delete. Know what fashionistas love and what they love to hate and much more with the help of a fashion insider’s tips.

Diamante shoes – Are you up for them?

Exclusivity and elegance move a notch higher with sexy diamante shoes. These shoes are not for realists and pragmatists. A Plain Jane dressed in woollen skirt might need to skip sexy diamante shoes. They are for women who believe in magic, fantasy, and experimentation. Diamante shoes have bursts of brilliance, which ordinary women might not dare to wear. You need ornate embellishments with diamante shoes to get a perfect look. These shoes are perfect for you if you can stand tall in a party with all eyes feasting on you. You have to be ready to get a thousand compliments from men and jealous glances from women when you wear your sexy diamante shoes.

What to keep and what to delete – Insight into the latest trends

Chuck you ballet pumps and ankle boots. If you still want ballet shoes get ballerina flats with diamante. The best choice to look stunning this year is to get silver diamante shoes. They are sure to carry you this season and year round and may be much later than that. Now is the time to look feminine and charming and feel like a woman again. Designers are coming up with more graceful clothes and this new trend will make feminine and elegant pair of diamante shoes a must-have.

What goes with diamante shoes?

Forget your casual pyjamas and baggy jeans if you want to wear designer diamante shoes. Cast off your tomboyish look and get some urbane, classic, and chic wear with diamante shoes. Any dresses with shimmering tones and bright accents look great with sexy diamante shoes. You can also go for rusty copper and other metallic shades with golden diamante shoes. Chiffon dresses in turquoise blue and pastel colours look great with silver diamante shoes. These shoes are even perfect for brides to look simple yet striking on that most special occasion of life.

Why diamante shoes?

Have you ever seen a room light up because of a diamond studded collectible? Sexy diamante shoes have the same effect. Whether you are dancing in a black outfit or a chiffon evening gown; whether you are hosting a party or are a guest at one; whether you want to get the attention of a cool colleague or simply want all eyes on you – designer diamante shoes won’t let you down. These amazing shoes teamed with a matching outfit and right accessories create a full on flash effect that can bedazzle anyone.

What fashionistas love and what they love to hate?

Fashionistas love sexy designer diamante shoes. Most of them prefer silver diamante shoes; only some bold ones wear golden shoes. They also love to shop online and with so many choices available online they can go on a shopping spree without having to pay any fares. Fashionistas also love intricately designed feminine outfits to pair with diamante shoes.

On the other hand, fashionistas love to hate designs that are too loud and over the top. So be careful and select the perfect kind of diamante shoes.

Soccer players are gifted athletes with physical strength and agility that would put many other sportsmen and women to shame. The finely-tuned, committed professionals that we see playing in the World Cup Finals and in leagues across the globe have access to the most advanced designs of soccer shoe to enhance their performance. Since the first ever pair of soccer shoes were produced for King Henry VIII in 1526 for a cost of four shillings, this vital piece of a player's equipment has evolved into a multi-billion dollar business.

In the late 1800s, the heavier boot style gradually became replaced with a more lightweight shoe as the game changed from hobby to sport. In 1891, a revision to the Laws of the Game allowed projection on the soles of the shoe for the first time. This pioneering move introduced studs and saw the first incarnation of the modern-day soccer shoe. Weighing half a kilogram, this thick leather ankle boot would not offer the most flexibility but offered much-needed progression from the steel-toe-capped work-boots.

The twentieth century saw a little progress and various soccer shoe manufacturers starting mass-production including Gola, Valsport and Hummel. In Germany, the industrious Dassler brothers introduced the interchangeable studs to give wearers the opportunity to adapt to different playing surfaces and conditions. This developed further in the 1950s when soccer shoes were equipped with screw-in metal or plastic studs.

The Dassler brothers were to play an even larger part in the evolution of the soccer shoe then their previous work suggested. After a bitter dispute the two separated and went on to form Adidas and Puma, now two of the leading names in soccer shoe manufacturing. In 1948 when the brothers split their business, Adi Dassler formally registered Adidas while Rudolph Dassler's company would become Puma. These two companies were to become massive soccer shoe manufacturers producing classic designs like the adidas Copa Mondial (1979) and the Puma King (1968).

The 1960s and 1970s brought international superstars like Pele, George Best and Eusebio to the world's attention - so soccer shoes evolved to accommodate the increasing pace and skill with which the sport was being played. Players began wearing a particular brand of boot, Pele and Eusebio performed at the world cup wearing Puma soccer shoes - however, shoe sponsorships would reach a much larger scale in the 80s and 90s. Shoes become lighter and more supple, made primarily from kangaroo skin and are designed specifically to accommodate hard, firm and soft ground.

The Copa Mondial, released by adidas in 1979, went on to become the best-selling soccer shoe with its synonymous three-stripe design and fold-down tongue. The Puma King continued to sell well as other sportswear companies entered the market including Umbro, Lotto and Diadora. But more was yet to come.

In 1994, adidas released the much-anticipated, revolutionary adidas Predator. This soccer shoe broke the mould, almost literally, with its 'polymer extrusions' and bladed studs. Designed by ex-Liverpool FC soccer player Craig Johnston, the adidas Predator took the soccer shoe world by storm as it claimed to increase swerve and power with the rubber moulds on the top of the boot. With player endorsements from such global stars as Zinedine Zidane, Paul 'Gazza' Gascoigne and David Beckham, the brand continues to develop and evolve the design with such releases as the Predator Precision (2000) and the Predator PowerSwerve (2007).

Nike were one of the last global super-brands to begin marketing its own soccer shoes but the company's designs and player endorsements have forced Nike to the top of the soccer shoe ladder. Nike Total 90s and Mercurial are their biggest selling designs and have been advertised by players of the ilk of Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney as well as Brazil international Ronaldinho.

The turn of the millennium also saw the introduction of soccer shoes of various colours, with players often wearing designs that were colour coordinated with their team's uniform. Various new designs have also been launched including the Craig Johnston P.I.G (Patented Interactive Grip) and the Lotto Zero Gravity laceless shoe but none has yet to make the impact of the Predator. However, it will only be a matter of time before a new style takes the world by storm, and the soccer shoe that Henry VIII ordered in 1526 becomes an even-more distant memory.

While you are a talented tennis player and you doing well on any type of court, your tennis shoes might play an equally critical role in winning you crucial matches. Many professional tennis players will tell you that tennis is all about maintaining your balance while you swing.

A good pair of tennis shoes will help you strike a perfect balance between the control of your shots and power. Hence, you should buy tennis footwear that perfectly matches not only with the anatomy of your feet but also with the surface you play on. That is why professional players use different tennis shoes on different tennis court surfaces such as hard, clay, grass and carpet.

Buying the right tennis footwear is crucial to your winning games. Ill-fitting shoes can result in blisters and even ankle & knee pain. Worst of all, they will fail you in your game. Hence, follow these tips on how to buy your tennis footwear which will be in sync of your feet and help you play your best tennis.

Know Your Foot Type:

You can visit a podiatrist to know your feet type or figure it out yourself at home too. For instance, if the impression of wet feet shows a crescent-shaped foot print with little of no footmark made by your arch, you have a supinated foot. Usually, your shoes tend to wear down faster on the lateral side than your big toe. Moreover, supinated feet are wider and require tennis shoes that offer additional room in the forefoot and toe box. Additionally, you should look for tennis footwear that can provide extra cushioning to compensate for the high arches.

You have pronated feet if your foot impression shows that it`s completely filled in. Due to your flat foot, your shoes tend to wear out before the lateral part. You tennis footwear should give you extra support. Find a pair that has additional stability on the medial side or go for shoes with a mid-cut model.

You have neutral feet if your footprint impression shows a moderate amount or arch. This is most versatile and ergonomically efficient toot type. This being the most coveted foot type, you can play tennis in almost any shoes.

Understand The Shoes Anatomy:

After knowing your foot type, try to understand the footwear`s anatomy. Try different pairs to see that you feel comfortable at the upper against the top of your foot. Also, make sure youy shoes have a durable toecap especially if you tend to drag your toe while you serve. Moreover, you should put special emphasis on extra material along the medial portion of the upper if you have a habit of hitting your forehand from an open stance.

While checking the insole of your tennis shoes, make sure it provides extra cushioning as it is the part where foot rests on. If you are one of those players who are fiercely aggressive on court and give their shoes a good pounding, the midsole of your tennis shoes will wear down faster and you will soon feel the need chuck out those pair and go for a new pair of tennis shoes.

The outsole affects the traction especially when you play on the clay or hard court. Those who play mostly on the hard court should look for tennis shoes with outsoles with a wide variation in the design to get the best traction.

Weigh You Options:

Ideally, you would like your tennis shoes to be as light as possible. However, tennis footwear is usually heavier than other running shoes for the simple reason that tennis shoes have extra cushions and durable outsoles that add to the weight of tennis footwear. Buy two different pairs - one with a lighter weight and the other with a heaver weight. Practice with the heavier weight so that when you play real matches with the lighter tennis shoes, you will feel more comfortable to zip around the court.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you a little something about a topic very near and dear to my heart. That topic is ballet shoes. These are shoes that you wear when you dance ballet. They're vital to the art of ballet dancing, because without shoes it would hardly be an art at all, just moving around on a floor and kicking your legs into the air. But thanks to the presence of ballet shoes, the form is elevated into the rarified place it currently holds in the contemporary artistic and cultural world.

I once had to purchase a pair of ballet shoes for my niece, who was desperate to become a ballerina after watching a movie in which a ballerina (wearing ballet shoes, of course) danced in front of a king and queen and was selected to become a princess. Everyone in my family decided to purchase for the young girl a different piece of the ballet ensemble, and I was tasked with the purchase of the ballet shoes, so that she would be able to dance and pay proper respect to the medium as an art form.

It was during this process that I learned a great deal about the construction and traditions surrounding ballet shoes, and this information is so fascinating to me that I feel compelled now to convey it to you. Did you know that men wear white ballet shoes, and women wear pink ballet shoes? It's true, and it is a custom that dates back to the earliest days of ballet, perhaps even to the time in which that young ballerina performed in front of the king and queen to become a princess, and so inspired my young niece to attempt to become a dancer herself. Yes, women wear pink ballet shoes and men wear white, except sometimes they both wear tan shoes, which makes it look like they're wearing no ballet shoes at all. But they are, so it remains art.

This is not the only interesting fact about ballet shoes that I am excited to be sharing with you now. In addition to the color, the material with which the ballet shoes are constructed can vary, but not according to gender - rather, ballet shoes vary in material based on how expensive the shoes are. Some are made of leather and some are made of canvas, but the most important thing about a good pair of ballet shoes is that the sole remains thin and flexible, because people have to dance in them, and it's really hard to dance properly in shoes that don't have a thin and flexible sole. This is why the soles of ballet shoes are thin and flexible.

Now that you've learned a bit more about ballet shoes, I hope that you understand why this is a subject that is so important to me personally. In case you were wondering, my niece did not stick with ballet and is not a ballerina anymore, although it is not because the ballet shoes I bought for her weren't good enough. She eventually outgrew them, however, and she was not all that graceful anyway.