Shoe Tying Techniques, Part 3

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Loop it, Swoop it, Pull! As you probably discovered in kindergarten, there’s no one way to tie a shoe. But what you may not be aware of is that shoe tying can address serious problems when it comes to fitting athletic shoes. With a little ingenuity and some fancy shoe tying skills, fit problems that would normally lead you to toss out a pair of running shoes can be solved easily. Unfortunately, these techniques are little too complex to be summed up in a rhyme. But with a little patience, they can be tackled step by step.

If your shoe is putting pressure on your big toe…
Often athletic shoes put unwanted pressure on the big toe. This can cause capillaries behind the toenail to burst, resulting in what is commonly referred to as a “black toenail”. To address this problem, start by threading the lace through the eyelet closest to the big toe. Now take the inside end of the lace and thread it through the eyelet furthest away from the big toe (i.e., at the base of the shoe on the opposite side near the ankle). You should create a long diagonal line that stretches across the toe box. Pull the lace so that the majority of the slack is up by the big toe. (The lace near the ankle only needs to be long enough to tie a bow.) Now lace the entire shoe using the end of the lace that is next to the big toe. Thread the lace through the eyelet directly across from it. And then thread it through the eyelet that is diagonally up one eyelet (i.e., if your tail is protruding through the second eyelet on the right side, thread it through the third eyelet on the left side). Repeat this pattern: across and then diagonally up. Once you have laced the entire shoe, you can tie a bow. But notice this neat fact! If you tug on the lace end opposite from the big toe, you will actually lift the fabric up and away from the toe. This should reduce the pressure.

If the shoe rubs the top of your foot…
This is a simple fix-it! If you find that your shoe is rubbing the top of your foot raw, try skipping the eyelets in the area where the foot is most sore. Without laces being cinched over the sore area, irritation should be reduced. You should be able to skip a couple of eyelets without the fit of your shoe being compromised. For best results, do not skip two eyelets in a row.

Jane Barron works for OddShoeFinder.com,a free online website that helps people find mismatched footwear.Get more information on club foot, club feet or corrective shoes.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/shopping-articles/shoe-tying-techniques-part-3-1463841.html

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How to Care for Athletic Shoes

Athletic shoes are a big investment, and unfortunately for your wallet, they are an investment you will continually need to make. Of course this kind of maintenance is worth it! After all, the health of your body is at stake. Anybody who leads an active lifestyle wants to be able to maintain that lifestyle for as long as possible. Athletic shoes that properly support and protect your feet, knees, ankles, legs, hips and back are a crucial step in this direction.

The good news is that there are several steps you can take to extend the life of your athletic shoes.

Rotate your shoes regularly. Your feet contain thousands of sweat glands, and after each run or workout, your shoes have soaked up an enormous amount of sweat. Rotating your shoes allows the shoes to dry thoroughly between runs, which ultimately results in your athletic shoes lasting longer. To increase the rate of drying, remove the shoes’ insoles.

While it may seem like an inconvenience to purchase several pairs of running shoes at one time, it will actually save you time and money in the long run. Specific versions of running shoes are discontinued every 12 to 15 months. This can be particularly irksome if you have finally found a shoe you really like. By stocking up on a shoe that works for you, you will save time shopping in addition to extending the life of each pair by rotating your shoes regularly.

Use protective soles. Sole guards are a new product designed to go over the existing sole of the shoe. They come in different colors (to match the color of the shoe’s sole) and are supposed to be thin enough not to affect the sole’s performance. In fact, many people claim that these protective soles actually increase a shoe’s traction.

Clean your shoes regularly. As tempting as it may be to throw your athletic shoes in the washing machine, it is better for the life of the shoe if you wash them by hand. Use a scrub brush and neutral cleaning solution (liquid dish detergent works well) to douse and scrub your shoes. A tooth brush can help you tackle the tough spots. Perhaps the most important step to washing your shoes is making sure that you dry them properly. Stuff your shoes with paper to draw out the excess moisture and to help the shoe retain its proper shape. Never stick your shoes in the drier. The extreme heat will ruin your shoes.

Jane Barron works for OddShoeFinder.com,a free online website that helps people find mismatched footwear.Get more information on club foot, club feet or corrective shoes.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/shopping-articles/how-to-care-for-athletic-shoes-1458496.html

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