I believe that the world is divided into two kinds of people: those who wear flip flops and those who don’t. For the former denotes a type of relaxed approach to life and its experiences, while the latter remains resolutely restrained in the closed realm of work, duty and two-week vacations.

Flip flops, at least in the West, are an enduring symbol of summertime, where lazy Saturdays spent going to the local swimming pool or washing the car blended into one long afternoon. Donning a pair of flip-flops was less a statement of one’s wealth than a statement of one’s well-being. For no one can be in a hurry wearing flip flops, and they can rarely be expected to an urgent appointment with a bit of plastic and rubber wrapped to their feet.

Though we are forever striving for an ergonomic ideal for our backs, arms, ankles and arches, if you are fortunate to own a pair of flip flops, you need to look no further. Flip flops relax the body, thereby allowing the arms to swing freely, the shoulders to relax, the knees to bend, and the toes to spread out. They are the ultimate relaxation treatment, and can be bought at your local drugstore for fewer than ten US dollars (a snip!) – the monetary equivalent of five minutes at the chiropractor.

Flip flops are also excellent ameliorants towards changing your state of mind from exhausted, work-related despair to joyous, unbridled contentment. The moment I kick off a pair of oxfords, take off my socks and slip on a pair of flip flops, worries and tensions become a thing of the past. I am immediately transported back to the days of school breaks, long vacations, and poolside lounging. What matter that it is mid-winter and I have the heating cranked up to 80 degrees? My flip flops set the stage and I am willingly dressing the part.

Moving to Africa helped to relieve the societal pressure of wearing what can be termed as ‘normal’ shoes.  I could exercise the freedom of choice, and would not be judged for choosing the cheapest and most relaxing form of footwear. I was no longer forced to pay absurd amounts of money for leather boots, overpriced tennis shoes or tottering high heels. Instead, I wore bright green rubber flip flops bought at the local village market. They had bright red balloons decorated across them with blue spots indicating where the toes should go. They were audacious, outlandish, and absolutely suitable for walking on sandy roads in the searing heat. They withstood saltwater, sea air, muddy streets and long treks through the bush.  And the beauty of it was, everywhere I turned in Africa, at any time of the year, in many places and professions, the flip flops prevailed. And the people wearing them had the easy, laid-back attitude that seems sadly lost to those distant summers of youth.

I would like to say that I finally found the flip flops I had been looking for all my life, but it seems that they had finally found me.

I was going through my closet the other day, and I came across a few pairs of my daughter’s infant shoes. I held them in my hand in wonder, staring at the tiny little shoes that she probably couldn’t even fit two toes into today. At one time, her feet were so tiny that they could indeed fit into these shoes, and she may have even had some room to move. I can understand why some people save their baby’s little shoes, and there was no way I was going to part with the ones I have either.

Some people like to get infant shoes bronzed, though this is not as common as it used to be. Many parents may show you that they have their own pair of infant shoes that were bronzed once they outgrew them. I’m not sure why this is not as popular as it used to be, but I would like to find somewhere near me to get it done. This process covers the shoes in bronze and keeps them in their shape for as long as you keep them. Perhaps the expense or finding someone who actually does it might be why it is not so popular any more.

The best thing about infant shoes is the way they feel in your hand. As a parent, it is easy to forget how small babies are when they are first born because they grow so fast. We have a hard time picturing the forty pound kid that is climbing all over our house with the helpless little one who could fit into two hands quite easily. The tiny infant shoes remind us of how small they really were, and they also remind us of the joy that came out that day, and that has grown with each passing day.

You can find great infant shoes almost anywhere, but makes sure they fit well. Talk to your doctor about shoes if your baby is beginning to walk. Certain types of shoes might be bad for their developing feet. However, if you need infant shoes for a newborn, you will probably be more concerned about how warm and protected they keep your child’s feet. Infant shoes are more for looks and warmth than anything, and some parents skip them all together and opt for booties or warm socks for the first few months if the weather is warm. 

Just like grown-ups, kids feet and legs need to be protected. Mud puddles, flooded driveways, and stinging wind are all culprits inviting colds and flus. With all these hazards lurking outside, wouldn’t it be sensible to buy your munchkin a pair of kids boots? Just because they’re safe doesn’t mean they have to be ugly. There are whimsical boots for both boys and girls, in dozens of styles and materials. There is a kids boot tailored to your child’s personality.

Although appearance is important to children, before you decide on the latest pair of trendy boots, take some practical factors into consideration. How sturdy is the boot? Will it last through the winter? Is it waterproof and easy to clean? Is the inside comfy and cozy?

Durable boots have reinforced soles that won’t peel off with a child’s rambunctious play. Because kids grow so quickly, it’s a good idea to get a boot that’s just half a size larger, both to accommodate thicker socks and to allow for growth which happens in just a couple of months.  Resilience also plays a major role. Some stores carry suede boots that look fuzzy on the outside, but with the first rainy day, that pair will be ruined. Instead, waterproof boots made of vinyl, rubber, or other water resistant material will be easier to clean as you’ll need to do frequently. If the outside is comfortable, how about the inside? A bare, unlined boot not only lets cold air penetrate, but can also be harsh on little feet. Lined boots insulate the foot, as well as keeping cold out. Even with all this function behind it, kids boots can be as attractive as they are easy to maintain.
 
Now that you know the basics of kids boots, let’s look at some of the styles available in kids boots.

Some are super shiny and made of rubber, while others have a more subdued look.  Other types are simply pull-on rubber boots that your child can put his already shoe-clad foot into. A few have cartoon characters printed on them, and some are available in bright solid colors.

Puffy kids boots are a favorite of children. The smooshy material is appealing, especially when there are plastic bubbles with snowflakes or hearts attached. Rubber boots are more versatile in design, in many prints and colors. Polka dots, stripes, and swirls are all great. What makes the plastic boot so much fun is that kids can customize them. With the proper paints, children can customize the boots to suit their own personalities. If your kids’ time is filled with play and friends, a boot with cartoons on them might be perfect. Disney princesses, Blues Clues, Dora the Explorer, and Sponge Bob Squarepants are adorable prints that you will find on many kids boots.

Whatever pair of kids boots you choose, make sure they are comfortable, durable, washable and water resistant, lined, and cute!

There’s always one pair of shoes in every individual’s closet that they can’t live without. Am I right or what? I know that I have an old pair of wrestling shoes that hit the spot on certain occasions. They’re a break from the Dr Marten boots I typically wear. If you’ve never experienced this type of shoe, then you’re sadly missing out. I can’t say that I’ve ever tried on a sneaker that was more soft and comfortable than those made for wrestling. Now, if you assumed that this type of shoe was only designed for wrestlers, then you would probably be correct. However, who say only wrestlers can wear them. I see folks all the time sporting camouflage clothing, who definitely aren’t in the military. Catch my drift?

The very first time I purchased a pair of wrestling shoes, I was in high school. A fellow I met in Tae Kwon Do recommended them to me. He said the flexibility and grip of these particular shoes was phenomenal. I soon found out that he was right. Man, were these wrestling shoes ideal for fighting arts! Forget all that crap you see in old kung fu movies. I now laugh at those guys wearing those irksome little slip-on shoes. Those things are utterly ridiculous. I can’t even fathom how they’re sparring in them. If I had to where those, they would either constantly come off, or I would slip and fall down. Attire truly is important in combat. Just look at the old-school martial artists who where Karate gees and such. They get thrown all over the place with such clothing. It’s just easy for an opponent to grip.

One thing I can tell you for certain is that if you are training in some sort of martial art, then wrestling shoes are perfect for you. Out of the hundred various styles I can imagine, new-age wrestling shoes work for any of them. You name it; stand-up striking styles like boxing, Wing Chun and Tae Kwon Do; grappling arts such as Judo, BJJ, and Vale Tudo. Pick up some wrestling shoes to better your game and leverage. You may be amazed at how much they offer when you’re training. Find several styles on the World-Wide-Web today.

I used to be just like the other kids my age. I would do anything to fit in. I played sports, even though I was not very good at them and do not like them very much. I wore the same clothes as everyone else. And above all, I always had to ask my mom for the nice, expensive Nike running shoes. Although they cost twice as much as a good pair of discount running shoes with no noticeable advantage, I really wanted to have them. After all, they were the cool thing to wear.

Now that I’m growing up and have to buy my own clothes, however, I see the value of discount running shoes. I have been wearing discount New Balance running shoes for the last several years, and honestly, I think they are better than the Nike’s that I used to wear. They cost half as much, are more comfortable, and do not have all that silly styling all over them that makes most gym shoes look like toys. Best of all, I can afford to replace them. Before I bought discount running shoes, you could bet that I had to make every pair of athletic footwear I bought count. I would wear them until there were holes in the sides. Now that I have discount running shoes, however, I can afford to replace them when they get old. You can’t beat that!

My cousin swears by his discount new balance shoes. He has unusually wide feet, and has always had a hard time finding shoes that will fit him. He used to just have to settle for buying shoes that were too large. They would give him blisters, wear out much more quickly, and make him clumsy on top of all of that! He would always be tripping over this toes. Now that he has discount running shoes in his size, he doesn’t have any of these problems. He has cheap shoes that work perfectly. His discount running shoes come in sizes that other shoemakers do not make. Even if he could find something besides a discount running shoe that would fit him, I don’t think he would go back.

The fact is that, unless you really want to waste your money, there’s no reason to buy any other kind of gym shoes. Discount running shoes do the trick, and they do it for about half the price. Why waste your money when you don’t have to?