Ready for your next vacation? Before taking off, a trip to The Shoe Market for your perfect travel shoes can help you arrive in comfort.
P. J. Calhoun, manager of The Shoe Market in Greensboro, has spent years helping customers find the best fit for their feet.
Where to begin? Calhoun shares some tips.
Plan your activities, then shop for your shoes
Knowing what you’ll be doing on vacation can help you select the best pair of vacation shoes. From conquering local trails to mastering long climbs in faraway places, many customers this time of year are looking for well-fitted, waterproof hiking shoes.
“We have options from Keen, Merrell, New Balance and Hoka in a variety of styles, sizes and widths that will fit your needs. Getting the right fit and testing shoes ahead of time can ensure your feet stay comfortable, wherever you take them,” Calhoun said.
Playing in, on and near the water? There’s a pair for that
The Shoe Market stocks a huge selection of waterproof sandals with arch support that are all about comfort, function and style.
“We have sandals from Birkenstock, Dansko, Aetrex, Olukai and Keen that are water-friendly but also keep you comfortable on longer, active outings,” Calhoun said.
Stylish comfort for the urban wanderer
If you’re traveling to an urban area, consider shoes that will keep you moving throughout the city but also look stylish for evening events. For women, attractive wedges from Dansko, Naot and Aetrex can offer the aesthetic needed for a night on the town, but still offer the support needed for walking through city streets.
For men, The Shoe Market offers comfort-oriented hybrid dress-sneaker options from Samuel Hubbard, Ecco, Pikolinos and others that give the look of a dress shoe with the feel of a sneaker.
Go with the proper fit
Fit is crucial. “That’s what sets The Shoe Market apart from other footwear stores,” Calhoun said. “Our experienced staff is trained to measure the feet and to suggest the right products for your foot type.”
Stocking men’s sizes 7-17, 2A-6E and women’s sizes 4-13, 4A-4E, customers can get the right fit for their unique foot type.
“A well-fitting shoe has about a thumb’s width of room between the longest toe and the end of the shoe and will fit securely at the ball of the foot to lock you into the shoe and reduce slipping in the heel,” she said.
All products at The Shoe Market are selected with comfort in mind.
Socks matter
The right socks are an important accompaniment to the right shoe, working in tandem to keep you comfortable. Be sure to bring the socks you’ll be wearing with you when you try on shoes because socks affect shoe fit. Should you forget to bring socks, ask the staff for suggestions on the proper socks for your foot needs and how these will match your shoe needs.
Consider compression socks for long flights. These are designed to reduce swelling when sitting for long periods. The Shoe Market stocks a wide selection of patterns and colors from Sockwell that you’ll look forward to wearing long after your vacation ends.
If you are dealing with foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, The Shoe Market sells socks from Feetures and OS1st that are banded around the midfoot to keep your feet supported. “These socks offer compression around the midfoot and Achilles tendon to hug the foot all day and to reduce pressure on the heel and forefoot,” he said.
Win a new pair of shoes
This summer, The Shoe Market wants to see where your shoes take you. Now through July 31, post your vacation pictures with shoes you’ve purchased at The Shoe Market and tag @TheShoeMarket to be entered to win a $200 gift certificate for The Shoe Market. A winner will be chosen at random and announced Aug. 1.
For more information, please visit theshoemarketinc.com or their facebook page.
