Nothing ruins your running momentum like having to stop to put your earphones or earbuds of your iPod back in. Well.. some things may be worse like running into an angry mutt, or an ex on your run. But those things make me run faster unlike having to put my "sound" back in. Another common problem with the run-of-the-mill earbuds/phones is the achey sensation in your ears after wearing them for a good period of time. I guess I could always wear my headphones from the 80's that make me look like a disc jockey.. although I'd need a converter because I'm pretty sure those aren't iPod compatible. What a dilemma!

 

Enter Seth Burgett, President and CEO of yurtopia™ (listed in Forbes magazine as one of America's Most Promising Companies 2009). Burgett like some of us, but to the n'th degree as he was training for an Iron Man 70.3 triathlon, suffered from uncomfortable earphones. Having a background in minimally invasive surgical devices Burgett came up with an award winning idea for custom size earbuds. Burgett and his team invented a unique-imaging technology to digitally scan an individual's ears and produce a soft custom-size ear-tip that attaches to iPod and mobile phone earbuds. yurtopia's patent pending ear "brannock" (measuring device) measures your ear and shape to find the right custom-size yurbuds™ for your ears specific. And guess where I got mine? That's right. New Balance Saint Louis. All of our New Balance store locations are now carrying yurbuds™ and yurphones™. Our fitting specialists at all locations already do a great job on fitting your feet, now they are trained to fit your ears as well! Once your size is determined the yurbuds simply slip over the high quality yurphones™ or your existing earbuds from your iPod, iPhone, or Bluetooth to provide exceptional comfort, unmatched fit that stays-in-place and superb sound quality. The concentration of sound that is so efficient that many wearer's are able to reduce volume by up to 50%. That's just for those who don't like to "rock out" to "Billy Jean" on their run like me.

So... to sum it up... Athletes. Music Lovers. Business Travelers. Gamers. BlueTooth® Wireless Headset Users. All listening to their favorite top 40 tune, favorite Sonata, favorite D&D character, or learning to ask where the men's room is in Swahili by CD, in comfort and convenience of their custom-fit yurbuds. Due to the fitting process these are only sold at our store locations not through our catalog or on our website. To find our locaton nearest you click here.

Shop all Aravon Sandals>>

Aravon Sandals.  What a great moment for fashion comfort!  Aravon sandals work biomechanically to support your feet through the walking motion, so foot distress is a thing of the past.  When your travels take you beyond the trails, active feet prefer Aravon.

Comfort Engineering by new balance®


1. Adjustable Strap Sandals: Adjust to fit your width, and depth.
2. Easy Slip On and Off Style: Stylish convenience.
3. ABZORB® Cushioning: All Day Comfort for work or play.
4. Premium Leather Uppers

Shop All Dunham styles for Men>>



Dunham for Men. The right boot or shoe should complement every aspect of you and your foot because you have a job to do. That's why Dunham Footwear. Fits. Style and comfort to take you from the board room to the job-site, to the ball-game and an evening out.

Is it a big deal if the shoe has pronation control? What if I don't need it? ... and by the way... What IS pronation control? In this session our aim is to clear up a little confusion about pronation and supination. As always if you are still left with questions please feel free to contact a member of our customer service at info@brownscatalog.com or go straight to the pro at DrShoelutions@BrownsCatalog.com. 

Pronation
When weight bearing, pronation is an inward tilt rotation of the hind and midfoot with a lifting of the outside border of the midfoot, and an outward swing of the forefoot. Sounds complicated doesn't it? But basically it refers to the outward rotation or "twisting" of the heel when weightbearing. It is quite common. In fact, a mild degree of heel pronation is considered normal. It is the natural yielding movement of the heel and heel tendon when receiving body weight and stress, and serves as a kind of shock-absorber. Excessive pronation however, indicates a serious foot problem. Such pronation is visible from a rear view of the naked foot when standing. The heel thrusts outward. This is accompanied by a visible outward curving of the heel tendon which is attached to the heel bone. Because the heel bone is the vital anchor or control center for normal foot alignment or balance, excessive pronation can create a malalignment and imbalance of the whole foot, as well as causing a shift in body posture. With excessive pronation the inner ankle dips down, the long arch becomes depressed, and the whole foot tends to tilt inward. Also the forefoot everts or turns outward. Excessive or Over pronation is a condition closely akin to flexible flatfoot. Excessive pronation tends to break down the medial side of the shoe from the excess pressure and stress. This is one of the ways a person can tell if they suffer from over pronation. A person with a flat or low arch tends to over pronate. Check your arch type here. For more information and recommended New Balance models for Pronation click here.

Supination
The opposite of pronation, supination is an outward tilt rotation of the hind and midfoot with an inward swing of the forefoot and increased pressure or shift of weight bearing surface to the outside border of the midfoot. Just as in over-pronation, excessive supination or under-pronation can create a malalignment and imbalance of the foot, causing a shift in body posture. With excessive supination the inner ankle is lifted, the long arch is extended, and the whole foot tends to tilt outward as the great toe may turn inward. Check the wear patterns on your current shoes. If the compression is on the outside (opposite side of arch) or lateral side of the foot from the heel to the midfoot this indicates supination. Please note, if the wear is primarily in the heel it may not indicate supination as a normal foot strike pattern shows wear in the outside edge of the heel. If there is excess heel compression this may be due to a heavy heel strike not necessarily supination. A person with a high arch may tend to supinate. For more information and recommended New Balance models for Supination click here.

For a full fitting experience contact a fitting specialist at one of our store locations. They will be able to analyze wear patterns and even scan your feet to identify high pressure areas and determine pronation or supination tendencies.

These recommendations do not take the place of consulting with your health care professional.

I often get the person who states, "I need a good shoe but I have no idea where to start." With all the different categories, models, and shoe technology "jargon" I can certainly see how it can get confusing. So I've decided to do my best at clearing at least a few things up. Over the next few months I'll be posting some informational blogs on some of the things that might be confusing when looking at all of the choices. Each of these informational write-ups will be titles New Balance Shoe Technology. If you've been reading for a while you may have caught the "What's Your Type?" entry that instructs how to find your arch type. That is a good place to start. Also consider the type of activities for which you will be using these shoes. For example, if you are running of course you will want to go with a running model. If you are doing weight training or aerobics and may also incorporate some jogging you would want to choose a versatile cross trainer like the 1210 or the 1010. If you are unsure or don't see your activity listed under the Men's or Women's drop down list on our homepage please contact a member of our product specialist staff either through Shoechat, Email, or by phone at 800-728-6247 and they will be happy to assist you. Once you've chosen the category type of shoe you need you may want to consider the last.
What is a last? 
A shoe last is the 360° plastic, wood, or metal model/form upon which a shoe is constructed. Lasts provide a unique fit and size profile for women, men, and kids. The last along with extensive width sizing, combine to provide the best overall fit in the shoe industry. The Last will give a particular model a general standard or blueprint for heel width, instep height, forefoot width, and toebox depth. The most popular lasts seen throughout New Balance's core models are SL-1, SL-2 and now the new PL-1 last. The link below will take you to a chart detailing each last and the fitting characteristics you can expect from a model made on that particular last. Keep in mind however that the last is just one piece of technology behind New Balance shoes. The material from which the shoe is made, such as leather, mesh, synthetic, along with the features incorporated in the shoe give each model individual fitting characteristics. Check back for more on "New Balance Shoe Technology".
Tips for a Comfortable Shoe Fit 

 Olympian and American record holder Jenny Barringer, who just graduated from the University of Colorado in December, owns the American record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 9:12.50. She has proven that she is one of the best athletes in the world, earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team, two world teams, and is a seven-time All-American and 12-time All-Big 12 honoree. Jenny also won four NCAA titles and two national steeplechase titles.

“I’m thrilled to join the New Balance family and am eager to represent a brand that I find both inspiring and authentic,” said Barringer. “Given their quality products, support of charitable programs, and commitment to domestic manufacturing, I feel that New Balance and I are a great fit. I’m particularly excited to work with the Girls on the Run® organization, encouraging young girls to respect themselves and develop a healthy lifestyle through running.”

Find out more. Here.

My non-work friends make fun of me. There. I said it. And they have good reason. Their mockery is completely warranted from an outsiders' point of view. When I am out and about I look at shoes. Not just in stores. NO. I look at shoes that other people are wearing and if I recognize the model or the brand I admit... I get a little animated and say it out loud. I even do it when I see an actor or actress in a movie or on television wearing something I recognize. For example, while watching an episode of House I spotted the 992 on Hugh Laurie and scared the friend sitting next to me when I shouted, "HEY! The 992! Good job Hugh Laurie! It seems the good doctor is also unnervingly intelligent when it comes to picking out comfortable footwear." So I am ridiculed on occasion by some of my nearest and dearest when I let my 10 years of shoe experience seep into my free time. I'm okay with that. And you should be too! If the 1063, 845, 769, or 622 is your go-to model of New Balance and you find yourself bragging to someone that your new, New Balance shoes take you everywhere in comfort and style... you can now add to those bragging rights that you got them at a Fantastic Price! At risk of facing further ridicule, I am passing this information on to you readers, the 1063, 845, 769, and the 622 are marked down NOW so get them while they're in stock! Because as I said, I get a little excited and I'm probably going to pass this information on to all of my friends and family. At which point they will be glad that I'm bringing up shoes during my leisure time! Although it's a tough crowd so I doubt it will slow down their friendly banter for too long. They should just be happy that I work with shoes and not.. organic fertilizer.

AND! Coolmax socks are buy one pack get the second pack 50% off! Just enter COOLMAX50 in the coupon code.
Click on the pic. to link directly to the sale!

Now through Sunday, November 22