January 5th, 2012 8:54am - Posted By: Kara
I am always amused at how many customers (mostly men) are surprised to find out that we measure feet in our store as a matter of habit. They are often even more surprised to find that their foot size has changed in the years since last measured. Some are shocked to find that one foot is larger than the other or that their narrow foot has morphed into a wide.
There is also confusion when their size in one shoe style is different than another. Shoes, like clothing, vary in size. You may wear a 38 in a Dansko sandal, but a 39 in a Dansko clog. And you may wear an 8 ½ in a Merrell Jungle Moc but a 9 in a Keen hiking boot.
Measuring and proper sizing are critical to healthy f
eet. Here is an example. I have found that, without proper measurement, people with wide feet tend to always choose a size bigger than they need. Recently a man whose foot we measured at 8 ½ wide told me he had been buying size 10 for years. He thought he had to go bigger to accommodate his wide feet and have room for his toes. But his feet still hurt and he could not figure out why. Well his feet hurt because he was wearing a 10 medium instead of an 8 ½ wide. The arch of the shoe was totally misaligned with the arch of his foot! We fitted him with an 8 ½ extra wide pair of New Balance shoes and the fit was perfect! They hit his arches in the right spot and he had just enough room for his toes. For the first time in years, his feet felt great.
An important factor to remember is that one cannot get hung up on the size of shoe as measured by a number. The difference between each half size is 1/6 inch longer and 1/8 inch wider. So when trying on a shoe and walking around the store make sure that the arch feels like it is in the correct support area and make sure your toes aren’t hitting the very end of the shoe. This is especially important for our terrain. Most stores have a small ramp that you can walk down to make sure that the toes aren’t hitting.
Sometimes the shoe will meet a person’s needs but they may still need some extra support. We offer a wide selection of premade and custom orthotics that can enhance the footwear. We also have an assortment of pads to customize shoes for the individual “personality” of your feet.
After shopping at big boxes for years, many of us have forgotten what good customer service is all about. But the next time you are in The Good Sole or any full service shoe store, ask to have your feet measured. You might be surprised to find out your true size!
May 5th, 2011 9:02am - Posted By: Kara
There is a huge misunderstanding in the foot world that if you wear orthotics or suffer from various foot ailments such as plantar fasciitis or metatarsalgia that you cannot wear sandals.
That’s right; many folks – especially women – are told that if they have foot problems they must wear an enclosed shoe at all times. This is neither fun nor comfortable, especially when it is warm outside.
After all, who wants to attend an outdoor event in June in shoes? Not me and I doubt you!
We are not doctors, but at The Good Sole we have the training and expertise to modify many sandals so they are both comfortable and healthy for people with common foot problems.
We start with the highest quality sandals from the best names such as Naot, Wolky, Dansko and Mephisto. Some of these great sandals offer enough support and balance that even problem feet can be comfortable right out of the box. Others come with removable footbeds that allow for custom orthotics or modifications. We can add metatarsal or scaphoid pads (also known as arch cookies) to make the sandal even more supportive.
Don Feinberg, our manager, is a pro at helping to stretch or do bunion busting on sandals or shoes so they can fit around various toes, bumps, sensitive areas, etc. Annie Stewart, our lab technician, is usually available to customize a sandal or shoe to meet the needs of your feet. And Kara (that’s me) is a Certified Pedorthist. You can call any time to schedule a free exam.
We already have a great selection and are getting more new styles every week. So let the sun shine in on your feet and be comfortable this summer!
And, even if you don’t have any foot ailments, it is worth investing in quality sandals built for comfort and support. That is the best way to ensure your feet stay healthy and beautiful for years and decades to come.
So go get a pedicure and let your feet see the light of day this summer!
November 4th, 2010 3:30pm - Posted By: Kara
The weather has been terrific in Taos but let’s face it – it is November and soon we will see snow. And having the right winter boot is essential for this area.
When shopping for a winter boot keep in mind what you will be doing in the boot. 
Will this be a boot to get you from home, to work, to doing errands? Or, do you engage in outdoor activities that require you to shovel snow, etc.? Or, do you just need a boot to get you from your car to indoor places?
Warmth is a huge factor in a winter boot but you also need to consider other components; Is it water resistant? Does it offer a tread that will make it easy to walk? Can I use Yaktrax or other ice protection clamp-ons with it? Or do I just want a fashion statement?
Considering all this will make your choice easier when shopping.
And, one of the key things to remember is to make sure the boot fits properly. Most winter boots only come in whole sizes. If you are in-between sizes, for example 7 ½, it is generally best to go to the higher number. Winter boots are not like ski boots; they don’t need to be tight but rather offer some room so air can circulate and make your foot warmer. And heel slippage will occur until the boots are broken in and become familiar with your feet.
Many boots such as Sorel and Columbia have made their name by being tested to keep a person’s foot warm to 30 degrees below zero; however, that won’t be true if you have poor circulation or the boot doesn’t fit properly.
At The Good Sole we work to help you find the right size boot. We are more than happy to measure your foot if you wish and we believe if in doubt the person needs to try on several sizes and styles. Winter boots are an investment – but investing in keeping your feet and toes warm and comfortable is important.
July 27th, 2010 4:44pm - Posted By: Kara
Sounds like the wrong advice, doesn’t it?
In many cases it’s not. If you have a flexible, pronated (loose jointed) foot, a properly fitted shoe will tend to slip at the heel.
This is particularly true until the shoe conforms to your foot. Here at The Good Sole our shoe/feet specialists can snug up heels with special fitting tools which will eliminate some of the slipping without compromising the fit of the shoes.
When a person with this foot type is on full weight bearing, their arch rolls downward, their instep is lowered and the heel moves forward away from the heel counter of the shoe. Since the foot has moved away from the parts of the shoe that secure it, the shoe slips slightly when you flex your foot.
Millions of people with this foot type and others mistakenly fit themselves too short in an attempt to hold their foot back in the heel. The assumption is that if it slips it’s too big. Consequently you can develop foot problems by not allowing the feet to move naturally in a shoe. Some of these problems are bunions, calluses, nueromas, and hammered toes.
