We Fit You #12: April Showers Makes...

Above: Kamik ladies rubber boots $69.90, BOGS men's rubber boots $119.90 and $94.90, Baffin men's duck boot $74.90

So far, Winnipeg has had a miserable spring with little sunshine and a surprise of MORE snow - actually, not really that surprising. Thankfully, I think the snow is finally gone for good, and the rain has been coming down. In this type of wet weather, you need to keep you're feet dry to keep them comfortable. A little piece of advice: stay away from 100% cotton socks. They are not moisture wicking, and your feet will end up cold. Picking socks with wool, bamboo, or acrylic are good alternatives. My personal favourite are Smartwool socks. They come in really cool patterns, and some styles come with padding on the balls of your feet so it feels extra cushiony all day. 

Check out our socks here, and the Smartwool socks here

Not only are rubber boots going to keep your feet dry, but they are also trendy. It is common to stumble across photos of celebrities wearing their rubber boots - they are so easy to wear both serving function and fashion. 

We Fit You #11: Show Me Those Sexy Feet!

Have you ever heard of the term podophilia? Yes, it is quite close to pedophilia but it is MUCH different. Podophilia is when people find feet sexy – a foot fetish. Many more men have this than one would think with a whopping 47 percent.

There is a Sex and the City episode, “La Douleur Exquise!” which features a shoe salesman with a foot and shoe fetish, who assists Charlotte York. He allows Charlotte to have a very expensive pair of shoes for free simply so he can rub down her feet, and assist her in trying on multiple pairs of sexy high heels. Charlotte soon figures out why she continuously receives substantial discounts, and becomes discomforted when the salesman obviously climaxes as he helps her with a pair of shoes.

Yes, highly comical and disturbing.

I am absolutely not trying to insinuate that our staff possess foot fetishes, but we definitely love shoes. Don’t worry – we won’t let anyone get weird with your feet.

In our store, the staff’s goal is to make every customer feel comfortable and at cared about. We take time, and sit down one on one with each customer to measure their feet, discuss any problems, and find the perfect pair of shoes, socks, insoles, or all of the above!

Yesterday, a staff member was telling me her experience at the mall when she took her grandson to buy new shoes.  He did not know what size he was, so she had to go hunting, looking in every single shoe store to find a brannock (this object measures your feet), being unable to find one.  If you come to us, you can cut to the chase and find out your size right away. No running around the mall. No guessing.

Here is a print out version of a brannock, so if you are unable to make it to one of our stores, you can try measuring yourself.

For Men:

http://www.canadianfootwear.com/files/docs/Mens%20Foot%20Measuring%20Guide.pdf

For Women:

http://www.canadianfootwear.com/files/docs/Womens%20Foot%20Measuring%20Guide.pdf

Photo found on google images of "shoe lady" Darlene Flynn

We Fit You #10: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MARK

Follow mark as he longboards to work at Canadian Footwear, and tours around our awesome Exchange District building - 128 Adelaide Street. You get a sneak peek at his adorable baby boy too... 

filmed with a Go Pro by Mark San Juan (shipping department)

We Fit You #9: A LITTLE HISTORY

Bert Scharfstein acquired Canadian Footwear Ltd. in 1932. The Winnipeg-based company has since gone through many changes - as a wholesaler from the 30s through the 50s, as a footwear discounter from the late 50s, and competing with the big box retailers through the 70s until the late 80s when Bert and his wife died nine days apart.

That was when the most dramatic changes began. Bert's son Brian and his partner Pam Cipryk bought the business from the estate, but they faced a big challenge. Buying the company was the easy part. Finding the right direction for future success was more daunting.

After months of analyzing Canadian Footwear, Brian experienced minor health problems. He saw a specialist who put arch supports - orthotics - in his shoes to ease some pain in his knees. That was when the light bulb went off in his head - offer additional services to better fill customers' needs.

Brian visited a factory in New Jersey that makes orthotics. He learned everything he could about the industry. He enrolled in a pedorthic class in Chicago. From 1986 to 1990 he invested many dollars and hundreds of hours taking classes to become a Certified Pedorthist, a "foot pharmacist" who dispenses "medication" in the form of socks, orthotics and shoes.  During this time his partner Pam Cipryk developed the infrastructure to enable the business to grow.

Brian's pedorthics certification marked a significant change in the company. Canadian Footwear began to specialize, focusing on our customers' needs, providing education, service and the best in quality footwear and accessories... our “We Fit You” experience. Let us provide you with the “We Fit You” experience today by dropping into any of our 3 Winnipeg locations.

We Fit You #8: TRENDS OF SPRING/SUMMER 14

Cobb Hill Styles L: "Ivanka" $99.90 & R: "Ivy" $99.90

Animal Print, perforated details, and 70's wedges are some of the trends hitting our shelves this spring (all shoes in photo above are by Clarks and can be found on our website). These styles are all extremely versatile and can be worn dressed up or down with basically any outfit. Super easy to wear! 

And the athletic trend continues! Every colour you can think of is in stock, and they are not just used for working out. You can pull these off with your everyday look. If the Man Repeller can do it, so can you. See here: http://www.harveynichols.com/news/2014/04/14/man-repeller-leandra-medine/

You can get ANY of the shoes above at: www.canadianfootwear.com

We Fit You #7: SAFETY FOOTWEAR - WHAT ARE THESE SYMBOLS?

We Fit You #6: TIPS

There are many things to consider when purchasing new footwear. The fit and support of the footwear are the two most important. You can benefit from having your feet measured and professionally fitted by experts who understand the way footwear is supposed to fit. Canadian Footwear has those fitting experts who can help you make the right choice.

Here are some points to consider regarding proper shoe fit:

o Trying on shoes later in the day is always best. This will ensure your footwear fits correctly even if your feet have become more swollen throughout the day.

o Have both feet measured every year. Your left and right foot are most likely not the same size and may change in size from year to year. (your feet never stop changing)

o Always fit the larger foot. Adjustments can be made to your footwear to help fit the smaller foot.

o Purchase footwear that matches the general shape of your foot. (don’t try to fit a square peg in a round hole)

o The footwear must allow adequate toe room while standing. There should be 3/8” to 1⁄2” of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe (approximately a thumb’s width)

o The widest part of your foot should sit in the widest part of the shoe

o Shoes should have a comfortable snug fit but should not feel tight or binding.

o Your heels should fit comfortably in your shoes with minimal slippage.

o Walk around in the shoe and be sure they feel comfortable. Make sure there are no pressure points from seams. 

Don't forget to check out our website, we've got a MASSIVE selection to choose from!

www.canadianfootwear.com

We Fit You #5: Follow Us!

Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook to be in the loop with latest product, deals and events! 

http://www.canadianfootwear.com

We Fit You #4: what is NEUTRAL/CUSHIONING?

Everybody wants good cushioning in their shoes...but what are we talking about when we refer to an athletic running or walking shoe as being an actual neutral or cushioning shoe?

While all athletic running and walking shoes have cushioning, there are some other important characteristics for shoes that qualify them as "true neutral cushioning shoes".

A neutral cushioning shoe will not have any extra motion control features added to the medial or inside of the shoe to reduce the foot from rolling inward or over-pronation. A neutral cushioning shoe will also have a more curved shape to the outsole, carved out near the mid foot to encourage the natural pronation or rolling inward of the foot. For those who have a higher more rigid arch, the neutral cushioning shoe helps them have a more natural foot strike and better absorb for impacting forces. 

Neutral cushioning shoes are usually lighter and more flexible than their stability and motion control cousins. 

Check out our neutral/cushioning shoe options at our store linked below:

Men's walking neutral/cushioning:
http://www.canadianfootwear.com/browse;cat,86603;Cushioning-Neutral-

Men's running neutral/cushioning:
http://www.canadianfootwear.com/browse;cat,86600;Cushioning-Neutral-

Women's walking neutral/cushioning:
http://www.canadianfootwear.com/browse;cat,86593;Cushioning-

Women's running neutral/cushioning:
http://www.canadianfootwear.com/browse;cat,86191;Cushioning-Neutral-

If you have any questions, comment below!

We Fit You #3: What is STABILITY?

If you ever stared at a wall of athletic shoes and thought..."what's the difference between all of these shoes...they all look the same!" Well you are not alone. It can be quite confusing. 

When we refer to stability shoes, what are we talking about?

In general, stability walking and running shoes have additional support features that provide extra stability to the foot. Most often this extra support is added to the "medial" or inside part of the shoe to help prevent the foot from over-pronating or rolling inward excessively when walking or running. This design is similar to what we see in motion control shoes but to a lesser degree. While stability shoes give up a little support and control as compared to their motion control cousins, they offer a lighter, less bulky and more streamlined alternative for someone who may need a little less support but more cushioning. 

If we were to look at all athletic running and walking shoes in a larger spectrum of support and control, you would have motion control at one end, neutral cushioning and minimalist footwear at the other end and a range of stability shoes in the middle. Some stability shoes (more often in the walking category) will offer this additional stability equally to both sides of the shoes making them suitable to the under-pronator (foot rolls outward) as well as the over-pronator. 

check out our stability shoe options in the links below:

Men's walking stability:

http://www.canadianfootwear.com/browse;cat,86604;Stability

Men's running stability:

http://www.canadianfootwear.com/browse;cat,86601;Stability

Women's walking stability:

http://www.canadianfootwear.com/browse;cat,86594;Stability

Women's running stability:

http://www.canadianfootwear.com/browse;cat,86592;Stability-supportive-cushioning-

If you have any questions or need clarity, leave a comment below and I will answer!

Have a great day! 

www.canadianfootwear.com

We Fit You #2: what is MOTION CONTROL?

Do you have flat feet or fallen arches? Do your feet collapse and roll inward excessively when you walk or run? Would you describe yourself as having a heavier build? Then you might benefit from a pair of motion control shoes. 

A motion control walking or running shoe is constructed to help control the excessive rolling inward or "over-pronation" of the foot. Motion control shoes can help in preventing and reducing the severity of many foot, ankle, knee and back problems that can arise from this excessive motion. Some motion control shoes can provide neutral support that can also benefit an under-pronator or someone who excessively rolls outward. 

Motion control shoes are generally built on a straighter and wider platform than other walking and running shoes and have thicker midsoles of higher density material which enables the footwear to be more durable and supportive over a longer period of time.

photo courtesy of walkncomfort.com

If you would like to check out the motion control shoe selection on our website, click one of the links below!

Men's walking motion control: 
http://www.canadianfootwear.com/browse;cat,86605;Motion-Control

Men's running motion control:
http://www.canadianfootwear.com/browse;cat,86602;Motion-Control

Women's walking motion control:
http://www.canadianfootwear.com/browse;cat,86595;Motion-Control

Women's running motion control: 

http://www.canadianfootwear.com/browse;cat,86223;Motion-   Control-

Have an awesome day! 

We Fit You #1: What is a LAST?

Have you ever noticed the shape of shoes can be very different? Have you wondered why you are a certain size in one style or brand of shoe but a different size in another?

This is because different brands and styles within brands are not all made using the same last. 

A last is a 3 dimensional form on which a shoe is constructed. Different shoe manufacturers design their own unique lasts which differentiates the fit of their footwear from their competitors. A unique last is used for every individual half size and width. Footwear brands such as New Balance, that are dedicated to fit and comfort, will use numerous last designs that target very specific fits for a specific type of foot and/or activity. This can also explain why some brands may charge a little more for their shoes as the manufacturing costs increase greatly with every size and width added. 

Having a professional shoe fitter who understands the unique fit of every shoe is very important in finding you the right pair of shoes. Understanding that while you may have a foot size (like an 8B or 8 medium) that doesn't mean you will have the same shoe size when you try on different brands or even models within a single brand. 

Having your feet measured gives you a great place to start when you begin trying on shoes. Understanding how your foot size will fit into the thousands of shoes out there may require some help. 

Finding the correct shoe will make you feel better from head to toe!

Thanks for stopping by!

www.canadianfootwear.com

We offer FREE shipping across Canada on orders over $100.