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 

If you have it you know. You know the comfort and the convenience. You know the feel of a great recovery shoe. You slide the 801's on after a long day at work, or a long work-out. You slide the 801's on after a long run. You even slide into the 801's after a never-long-enough night of sleep. The 801 is a short-cut to comfort for everyone and every after-activity. We have a limited availability! So if you want to replace an old pair, stock up, or slide them on for the first time Get HERE Quick!
I might have to fight ya for my size!

Men's 801       Women's 801

* Just a tip!
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis it is not recommended to go barefoot. Use the 801 as a slipper, or to supplement other footwear options to insure you do not walk barefoot while suffering from PF.  The exercise your feet receive through your arch and toe areas while wearing the backless 801 actually strengthens the fascia tissue, thereby relieving symptoms and expediting recovery.

School's Out. Pool's Open. Socks are Off.
It's warming up in the Midwest and if I'm not in my New Balance sneaks, you can usually find me with my toes exposed! These little piggies can hardly wait all winter! One of the many perks of working with shoes is getting a first look at all the new styles. I chose my favorite sandal for the year back when snow was still on the ground. It's the Freeport. No it's the Salina! ... or maybe the Margot... or the Petra! Eh. Who says you have to have one favorite anyway?! Those are my styles but the sandals can't do it all alone. For fabulous summer feet you have to do a little prep work as well.
Below I've listed some tips on getting your pigs out of their blankets for summer fashions and fun. 

1. Soak feet in warm water 7-10 minutes.
2. Pat dry with a clean towel, not forgetting between the toes.
3. Trim the nails straight across, not on a curve to avoid ingrown nails.
4. DO NOT use sharp instruments on calluses! This can cause infection.
     Instead use a pumice stone for the really tough spots.
5. Apply lotion, such as Khepra foot balm with essential oils, for good foot health.
     Repeat in the AM and the PM. Massage into cuticles as well but take care not to apply lotion
     between the toes.

Beware of Flip Flop Tendonitis! Adapting your feet to flip flops or sandals from closed toe shoes can create extra stress on the shin muscles and calves. Your feet aren't used to having to work to keep the shoe on and balanced. When moving into open toe shoes as the warmer weather approaches, wear them gradually and give your muscles a chance to adapt and get back into the "strut" of summer fun. This will help avoid painful shins or tendonitis of the leg. 

Use these tips throughout the warm season for good foot health!
And if you're feeling extra saucy put on some polish! Nobody likes naked toe!

For more advice on Foot Health click here.

19°

Brrrrrrrrr!!!!

• Michelin Man-up!
  In other words: Layers, layers and more layers! You don't want to bulk up your body and make a steady pace uncomfortable so use less heavy, multiple layers. Start with a wicking fabric against your skin to pull away the perspiration allowing it to evaporate. Something like the Reach Tight and the Tempo top from New Balance is perfect as it incorporates Lightning Dry, a wicking fabric. Make sure your outer shell is a breathable, wind resistant fabric such as Gore-tex or nylon preferably with closures over the zippers to keep air from leaking through. New Balance has you covered here as well with the Sequence Pant and my personal favorite NBx Wind Blocker jacket.  If it's really cold or BRRRRR be sure to add an extra layer in the middle for insulation.
• Accessorize!
  Don't forget the hat and gloves! A good percentage of vital body heat can be lost through your hands and out the top of your head like a chimney. Take a pointer from the little ones and go with mittens for even more warmth on your digits. And don't forget your toes! Add a wicking coolmax layer under your warm wool sock.
• Streeeetttch!
  Warm yourself up with proper stretching, before and after your run/walk. Start slow and gradually work into a more vigorous routine as you want to warm up your muscles before hitting the pavement too hard.
• Factor in Windchill!
  If the wind is strong the temperature you feel may be much different than the temperature you see on the thermometer. If it's too strong it can penetrate your layers and remove the insulating warm air you worked so hard to attain. Run into the wind! If you head out into the wind it will be behind you on your way back when your more likely to be sweaty and can catch a dangerous chill. If the temperature is BRRRRR or the windchill is in the single digits or below you may want to play it safe on the treadmill.  
• Drink up!
  Make sure to drink water or a sports drink before, during, and after your run/walk. You may not sweat as much on a winter excursion but cold air has a drying effect which can increase the risk of dehydration. You can immediately feel the drying effect it has on your throat when breathing heavy in cold weather. Staying hydrated also ensures healthy muscle action and recovery after running in the cold.
• Take it Off!
  Get out of your damp clothes and into a warm shower or dry clothes as soon as possible after your run/walk. This is very important when temperatures are low. If you get wet from rain, snow, or sweat in cold temperatures you're at increased risk for hypothermia, a lowering of your body temperature. And it just feels good to snuggle up in warm clothes like the cozy Kaspian after an exhilarating run!
• Save Skin!
  Last but definitely not least protect your natural outer shell. Apply moisturizer and lip balm before heading outdoors. Winter weather takes a toll on our soft outer layer with cold temperatures, chilling wind, and lower humidity indoors and out. To offset the chapping and drying effects of Old Man Winter and Jack Frost, moisturize before your run or walk and after your shower.

Now you have no excuse but a lame one so go out and make some tracks in the snow!

*Cold air can trigger chest pain or asthma attacks in some people. Before braving the elements, talk to your doctor if you have any medical conditions or concerns about exercising outdoors.

Let's face it. Your feet are the body part farthest from your brain, both physically and more than likely, mentally as well. Most people, with the exception of foot models, probably don't think about their feet until there's a problem. However the age old saying, "Don't fix it if it ain't broken!" does not apply when it comes to caring for your feet. There are 26 bones in the human foot. Third grade math will tell you that's 52 bones in a pair of feet, which is 25% of the 206 bones of the body, not to mention the numerous muscles and tendons affected by all those bones. Wouldn't it make sense to keep them happy? I spoke with Certified Pedorthist Randy Brown to find out how to do just that. I've elaborated below on 5 important foot care steps he's highlighted for us to follow.

1. WASH YOUR FEET!

Keep your feet clean and reduce bacteria with daily washing. Be sure to dry between the toes. Do your feet sweat? You bet! Each human foot has approximately 250,000 sweat glands that produce about 1.2 pints of moisture per day, or almost 2 quarts per week, equaling 25 gallons a year! Some feet give off even more! All this moisture is a great place for bacteria to feed and we all know what that can lead to... stinky feet!
Choosing the right sock with breathability will help combat foot odor and perspiration. Contrary to popular belief, cotton is not the best choice. Cotton, while somewhat breathable is absorbent and will hold the moisture in. Whereas a material such as Coolmax  incorporates fibers that will wick moisture away from your feet allowing for acceleration of evaporation. The right shoe will also help. Tight fitting shoes can compress the small blood vessels near the surface of the foot. This interferes with normal removal of wastes through the blood system and forces waste removal through the pores via excessive perspiration. We'll talk about getting the right fit in step 4.

2. MOISTURIZE!

Apply lotion such as Khepra footbalm to your feet daily, summer and winter! Believe it or not the sweating we just mentioned actually dries out your skin. This can lead to cracking and allow bacteria to enter and cause infection. Do NOT apply lotion between your toes as it can cause excess moisture, which as stated before, is a breeding ground for bacteria. So between your toes it's: wash and dry; do not apply lotion.

3.CLIP IT. AND CLIP IT GOOD!

Keep your toenails trimmed. A toenail is made of a protein called keratin and consists of many different parts vulnerable to troubles. Ingrown toenails are the most common of these problems. To avoid ingrown toenails trim your nail straight across. Do NOT trim by following the curve of your toe on the corners. Keeping your toenails trimmed will also keep your socks from getting holey toes. 

4.WEAR PROPERLY FITTED SHOES!

25-40% of Americans have foot problems. Blisters, Corns, Calluses, Bunions and Bunionettes are all conditions/ailments that can be caused by abnormal and excessive pressure from ill-fitting footwear. As you've probably found, one size does not fit all.  Just because you may wear a size 9 in Clarks does not mean you wear a size 9 in New Balance. Every brand will have different fitting characteristics that have to be considered. In addition no two feet are exactly alike, even if they both belong to one person. What? Really. Typically one foot will be longer than the other or wider or thicker and you always want to accommodate the larger of the two. It is best to have both feet measured and watch for any available fitting characteristics when choosing new brands.  *In addition to properly fitted footwear you want a properly fitting sock. A sock that is too tight can draw your toes up or squeeze everything together causing abnormal pressure in numerous areas. A sock that is too big can wrinkle or bunch up inside of your shoes causing areas of friction and increased pressure. 
*Ensure your Shoes will Fit*

5. DO NOT IGNORE FOOT PAIN!

Persistent foot pain and uncomfortable pressure is not normal. It is not something you should just tolerate. Your feet may ache after a long day of standing or walking but a constant ache or severe pain in any area is not something to brush off or take lightly. If foot pain persists, please consult a certified pedorthist or see your physician for a footcare evaluation. 

Your feet may be at the bottom but a stronger foundation leads to a happier, healthier structure.

Have a particular ped-question? Ask Dr. Shoelutions!
 

I've been on my feet a lot lately. I can't help it, this season gets me so excited I can't sit still...like a kid that finished off the rest of her Halloween candy and guzzled a couple of sodas! This morning when I jumped out of bed, ready to start my day, my feet hit the carpet. At least it looked like carpet but my heels were telling me I must have stepped on a couple of bear-traps! How did those get there? I'm not a bear-trapper.. I don't even know a bear-trapper, who does?! So my second thought, of course, was Plantar Fasciitis. Don't worry if you can't pronounce it... or spell it without a foot-term encyclopedia. It was only logical to me because I talk to people like you that may suffer from it every day.

Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most commonly treated foot ailments at our pedorthic facilities. Put generically it's heel pain syndrome and if left untreated, plantar fasciitis can become a chronic problem. The good news is that about 90% of patients improve significantly within two months of starting treatment. The better news, for me at least, is that I am best friends with a Pedorthist and she said I'll be better in no time! So cancel the flowers and cards. I am on my way to a speedy recovery with her recommendations of the Ultra Arch Insole and daily stretching using the Step Stretch. For those particularly trying evenings I treat myself to a foot rub with the Medi-Rub Foot Massager.  If you are among the many "stepping on bear traps" in the morning or have a constant aching heel, relief is closer than you think. Click HERE for more information on what you can do about plantar fasciitis.

Tired of always meeting the wrong ones? Get the feeling there are no more good fish left in the sea? Than you may be overlooking one very important characteristic. What is your arch type? Does it have too high of expectations from a low-arched shoe? Or is it getting too much pressure from a high-arched shoe? Get to know your inner arch to find a compatible match. Follow the easy steps in the video below and you and your new shoes can be on your way to a successful, lasting relationship.

It's a calamity across the nation! An estimated three out of four Americans are walking around with an improper fit. 
When is the last time you had your feet properly measured? Are you a "cool guy" with potato shoes?

When all is said and done, it is up to you to determine if you are like the "cool guy" refusing to admit his feet have grown. Brown's Catalog and our New Balance stores are here to help you "lose your cool".

 

Believe it or not, they DO make a difference!
I used to be one of the skeptical ones. Even when I first started wearing the New Balance socks, I thought to myself, "Sure these are nice but what's the difference? My old socks get the job done, even if I have had them since high school." What I did not know, did hurt me. 

The following is a true story.
Saturday was laundry day and I found myself out of clean New Balance socks. I had to resort to an oldie, so old in fact that I couldn't make out the brand name dotted across the bottom. By the time I took off my 1223's at the end of the day I had a little foot pain, arch strain. Gasp! Not in New Balance! I almost couldn't believe it! But I figured I was on my feet for about 10 hours straight and my shoes are about 7 months old so I'm due to pull out my new 768's. However I wasn't quite ready to give up on my favorite. On Sunday I pulled my SK260's out of the clean laundry basket and laced up my 1223's for round two. Guess what? When I slipped off my running shoes and into my 801 slip-ons Sunday evening, no foot pain. I was on my feet the same amount of time doing the same activities. It's not just in the shoes. It's also in the socks. The SK260, in particular, is made of Coolmax material to keep the feet cool and dry and incorporates a tighter woven fabric in the arch area for extra support. Just the support I needed!

So I get to keep my 1223's for a little while longer and hopefully sharing the story of my sock naivety can prevent you from making the same mistake in thinking your old holey socks are good enough.
Word to the wise: If your toe pokes through, it's time for new!
Slide into any of the NB socks and let us know how it makes a difference!