We know that lots of you are looking for comfortable shoes and boots this winter and so we though that it was about time that we told you about what has been selling well why.

Alegria Shoes

This style really has taken off with many of customers, people who are already familiar with the Alegria Shoes brand those new to the brand absolutely love this little ankle boot that we have in 3 great colours, Black Etched Leather, Brown Etched Leather and Black Leather shown above.

Alegria Shoes Make You Happy….

Or so they claim, what we can tell you is that at Cheerfulsoles we all have a pair and find that this brand works really well and demonstrate all the features that we ask for in a shoe – It looks great and feels great! Key features include:

Key Features

• Anatomic Foot bed - Also made from leather and moulds to the shape of your foot for ultimate comfort
• Mild Rocker Sole- Not on the same level as MBT however the Alegria sole will make you roll your foot naturally as your walk and helps to relieve pressure from heels and toes.
• Secure Fastenings - Our Alegria Shoes and Boots have velcro fastenings that hold them onto yur foot well. On the Caiti Boot, this enables you to adjust for a perfect fit which is great if you have wider than average ankles!
• Non Slip Sole - Essential in our British Climate, the non slip feature makes them an ideal choice when outdoors in lot of different work place settings

Theresia M Shoes

Our best selling Ladies Comfort Shoe has now been joined by a leather alternative with is great for winter. The Theresia M Harriet Black Suede has been one of our most popular shoes for people who wear Orthotics or just want a stylish comfortable shoe for work. We are not surprised that this smart Graphite Leather alternative is selling fast and the good news is that we are able to get more stock!

Key Features

• Extremely Comfortable - The Harriet style is deceptively roomy and looks really elegant on the foot
• Cushioned Removable Insole -The insoles on most of the Theresia M Shoes are fully removable and have a soft finished footbed underneath. This makes them ideal for people who wear orthotics or simply need to make a bit more room in one or both shoes to accommodate other foot problems
• Secure Adjustable strap - The strap across this shoe is Velcro and can be adjusted for a more secure fit

Hassia Shoes

The Hassia Petra Pump really is a Little Gem! Shown here in Black, it is also available in Navy too. It’s a great choice for people with sensitive feet, arthritis or Bunions (even large ones)!! Along with the Theresia M Harriet Wedge, it is consistently one of our best sellers and is a style that we will always have in stock, or coming into stock soon.

Key Features

• Wide Fitting - This pump will fit D+ width feet easily and with removable insoles we find that it will also accommodate a Ladies E width too.
• Removable Insole- As stated above, great if you need some extra depth for one or both feet. They are soft and cushioned with a soft finished foot bed underneath too making them ideal for a shallow orthotic.
• Secure Fit in Soft Suede- These pumps are so soft when on the foot that it really does feel like you are stepping out in your slippers. This is a comfortable shoe that fits like a glove an holds onto the foot well

Mephisto Shoes

We love this little boot by Mephisto and so do lots of our customers who have voted with their online shopping baskets. We will always try to keep a good stock of these in (though colours may vary depending on what Mephisto are stocking throughout the winter). Shown in Grey nu-buck above with a grey leather cuff around the ankle, we also have the same style in Navy. Mephisto Shoes are well known amongst the comfort shoe market for their stylish and comfortable designs that incorporate lots of technology to make them one of our most popular brands. We find that once you have bought Mephisto, you will be converted and do so time and again.

Key Features

• Soft-air Latex Midsole and Shock Absorbing System – Basically this means that the sole unit helps absorb the shocks from walking, relieving pressure and jarring of your feet, joints.
• Rounded and Seamless Toe Box – so this boot will be good if you have sensitive toes or an enlarged joint.
• Removable Insole – so you can pop your own in or make a little bit more room in the boot if you need to.

If you think that we have missed any of our great winter selection from this list then please let us know and we will update the blog with your thoughts too.

Ladies Comfortable Work Shoes

Finding Comfortable Shoes for work that look great and feel even better can be a challenge. Luckily for you, at Cheerful Soles we are trying to make this even easier for you by finding comfortable ladies shoes that are smart for work and still provide you with all the comfort you need to make your feet feel great all day long.

Wearing high heels or cramming your feet into flat pumps all day long are both extremes of what not to wear when you are on your feet all day. The pumps will lead to your feet swelling and spreading whilst the high heels will leave your calf muscles stretched and your toes squashed.

What to look for is a Comfortable Work Shoe

• * Firstly make sure that the shoe fits! Most of  our ladies shoes come in half sizes making it even easier to find the perfect fit. If you are not sure what size you are then pop into a local shoe retailer and asked to be measure. You may be surprised that you are no longer the perfect size 5 that you were in your 20′s!
• * Are you shoes wide enough? As we get older, some of us find that we need  wider fitting shoes when we used to. We are not talking about really wide fitting here, however a good E  fitting may be more suitable for you if you are up and about at work all day. A comfortable shoe that is a wider fit will allow room for inevitable swelling that takes place during the working day
• * Look for a slight wedge or block heel as this will spread the pressure on your feet more evenly (hurray we still get some extra height)!!
• * Adjustability is good. A good ladies comfortable shoe is one that allows your feet to behave is as ‘normal’ a way as possible. Adjustable straps and laces allow you to adjust the shoe all day long for a secure and comfortable fit.
• * Look out for Removable Insoles you can take them out and pop in your own orthotic or take one or the other out for a bit of extra depth and width.

Comfortable Work Shoes from CheerfulSoles

Click on the shoes below to go straight to our fantastic selection of comfortable shoes for work now!

Want to know how to look after your favourite Suede Shoes this Winter? Then read on.

One of our best selling ladies comfortable shoe is the Theresia M Harriet Suede Wedge, see below. It is elegant, deceptively wide and roomy and simply one of the most comfortable pair of shoes we have ever worn (personal testament here)!!

Given that we know that you will want to wear it in the winter too, we have put together some tips on how to look after your suede at this time of year.

How to be Suede Smart

The wet cleaning remedies that work for smooth leather aren’t good for suede, which needs to stay dry so it doesn’t lose its texture. Instead, quickly rub off overall dirt with an eraser, or just lightly sand away obvious stains with an emery board.
To raise the nap of suede that’s flattened, scrub briskly with a clean toothbrush or terry cloth towel. If it’s really matted, hold the shoe a few inches above the spout of a steaming teakettle for a few seconds, then brush up the nap.

You can read our own online review of this shoe in our “What are We Wearing Section of our Blog” or just click here

If you have any more tips on how to be ‘Suede Smart’ then let us know.

We are very excited to tell you that we now sell Mens Waldlaufer Shoes too!

Waldlaufer Shoes have long been synonymous with comfort and style but up until recently only our female customers were able to buy this European Comfort Shoe from us. Mens Waldlaufer Shoes offer complete comfort at what we think is a really reasonable price. Waldaufer, or ‘Wood Walker’ have long been associated with the comfort shoe market with over 50 years in the business. No wonder our customers love this brand so much. Many of the Waldlaufer mens shoes have removable insoles making them ideal for men with a wider than average foot or who need to accommodate an orthotic insert.

Go straight to our Mens Waldlaufer Shoes department now to have a look.

Our Summer Sales starts next week so hopefully you will be able to bag yourself a great pair of comfortable shoes at at discounted price. Can you believe that we have already taken delivery of some of our Autum / Winter shoes. There are some great styles from Mephisto and Theresia M that we can’t wait for you to see.

Watch out for your newsletter letting you know that the sale has started.

Bye for now

Jo, CheerfulSoles

I was listening to the news this morning about the fiasco that was the London Olympic 2012 ticket allocation and it got me to wondering, whatever happened to Zola Bud, the South African Olympic runner who became famous for runnung Bare Foot during the 1984 Olympic Games. It was during these games that she also became infamous for that falling incident with fellow competitor Mary Decker-Slaney. What the race courtesy of You Tube here>> The fall hapens at about the 5 minute mark. Read a great interview with Zola Bud on Runner Dudes blog site>>

What an inspiration she was for lots of athletes (no performance enhancing drugs, just sport and pure adrenaline). So, does anyone still run in their bare feet today? There are lots of forums and websites dedicated to the love or hate of barefoot running and you can even buy a barefoot running shoe like the Vibram ‘Five Fingers Running Shoe’ shown below (which surely defeats the objective)?

Some supporters of running barefoot quote findings from a medical paper Foot strike patterns and collision forces in habitually barefoot versus shod runners, published in ‘Nature’ and claim that the paper proves conclusively that we should all ditch our trainers and start making like Zola in a bid to save our feet from permanent damage. However closer inspection calls for caution and further research as Ross Tucker PhD States in his article.

I have to say that from a purely practical aspect, I am not keen on the idea of barefoot running (or walking for that matter). My oversion to going barefoot is a practical one, though I love the feel of sand and grass on my bare feet, I am always on the look out for broken glass, dog poo and other nasties that could hurt or dirty my tootsies. Perhaps in my girly, materialistic and pampered environment I am just soft and prefer the comfort (and I’ll be honest fashion / style and extra height) that my footwear provides me with.

But wait…….Perhaps I have missed the meaning of ‘barefoot’ as lots of forums have barefoot runners asking whats the best barefoot runing shoe that they can buy? Most brands now offer a running shoe that will give the runner all the benefits of barefoot running (without actually being barefoot) like the Nike ‘Free’, Inov-8 ‘Bare Gripp 200′ and Vibram ‘Five Fingers’.

So, my question to anyone is, do we mean Zola Bud style barefoot running or running in shoes that multi billion manufacturers state is just like the real thing (but with a price tag and status that we all seem to need)?  

Let us know what you think!

Jo

Please tell be if you are getting board of me telling you how great Mephisto Shoes are, however it’s time for another review on the shoes that we are wearing in the shop and I am afraid that once again my choice for May has been another Mephisto Shoe, the Mephisto Hatty Sandal (in spite of the rain we have been having)!! To tell you the truth I have been coming to work in my Alegria Clogs because they are shower proof and then changing into my lovely Mephisto Hatty Sandals because they are my favaourites at the moment.

What do Mephisto Say about the their Hatty Sandal?

Its delicate leather straps are highlighted by the use of a jewel-encrusted toe ring. Its stretch elastic in the strap across your foot molds and flexes according to your feet. The famous Air-Relax foot bed has been specially designed to support and hold your foot in all the right places as it conforms to the foots natural shape reducing the need to ‘grip’ with your toes in order to stay in the sandal. Its cork/latex insole is nubuck-covered and helps to soak away all any moisture. Its 100% caoutchouc rubber foot bed makes it durable and absorbs shock to reduce fatigue. It has one inch heel and weight is only 8.oo oz.

My Review

To be honest I was a little worried about whether or not the Hatty Sandal would be able to match the everyday comfort of the Helen Sandal (that we all know and love so well). I am glad to report that it does not disappoint, though there isn’t as much arch support in the Hatty Sandal, the footbed is designed using the same principles and with its curved supportive edging around the whole foot bed,  you really do feel secure in these mephisto sandals. The Toe Ring did feel a little weird at first but now I hardly notice it at all. Cute, Quirky, Comfortable and Stylish are all words that spring ot mind when I think of the Harry Sandal. If I were to sum them up in one strap line it would be, “A glitzy Sandal that will take you from day time to evening in style, a perfect choice for your holiday wardrobe with the all round Mephisto Comfort that will not disappoint”!

Would I recommend to a Friend

Yes, though I have a friend who wears the Helen Sandal as she has really flat feet and the Helen Sandal is a perfect choice for her as she needs the arch support. I would not recommend this sandal for her or anyone else who needs arch support in their shoes – look at the Mephisto Helen Sandal as an alternative.

Summary

Comfort - Its the footbed that will leave you thinking that you still have your slippers on! The cork Sole unit takes care of any shocks the nubuck foot bed is great for absorbing moisture from your feet.

Style - What can I say, we all ove a bit of bling and the Mephisto Hatty Sandal is unique and looks fabulous.

Complete disbelief today whilst listening to the radio and working on the  CheerfulSoles website. I have seen some questionable fashion choices in the school playground from mums (and Dads) who are rushing from here to there, dropping off and picking up kids from school. BUT, never have I seen someone drop their kids off wearing pyjamas! Amazingly this appears not the be the case in Middlesbrough where the local Gazette report that some schools in east Middlesbrough have had to ask parents to stop wearing pyjamas on the school run. Headteachers across 11 schools have requested that mums and dads show decency and respect when attending school premises.

What is even more amazing is that on radio 2 this morning, although most shared my complete disbelief, some people were actually ringing in defence of poor mothers who have had sleepless nights and are too rushed in the morning! No make-up I can forgive, but where I am from, turning up somewhere in the morning wearing the clothes you were wearing last night is called “the Walk of Shame”!

Why not go the whole Hog and wear Slippers too?

It did make me chuckle though as we describe some of our shoes as, “like walking around in Slippers”, especially the Mephisto Helen Sandal range. I also know that Kate wears her Alegria Clogs around the house because they are soooooo comfy. Both of us regulalrly wear the Mephisto Helen Sandal and Alegria Clog to pick our children up from different schools. Of course we haven’t sparked the national debate that these unfortunate ladies in Middlesbrough seem to have done.

Want to Read More?

• *Read Kates Mephisto Helen Sandal ReviewRead Now>>
• *Read my Alegria Clog ReviewRead Now>>
• *To read more on the story about Middlesbrough parents being asked not to drop their kids off at school in their pyjamas  click here>>

Thanks for reading – Jo

We are loving our Mephisto Sandals!

It’s no surprise that Mephisto shoe customers are loyal consumers of this remarkable footwear. Mephisto’s shock absorbing technologies and stylish fashions are unsurpassed in the footwear industry. Mephisto’s credo is “Tired Feet, Never Again,” and they stand by that statement. As a result, customers return time and time again to purchase stylish, comfortable Mephisto shoes.

Mephisto has styles for men and women. They include both casual and dress shoes, as well as sandals. They also carry a line of golf shoes for men and women. And just for the women they have boots and clogs. All stylishly constructed with added emphasis on comfort.

Mephisto uses a unique construction and varied features to create the pinnacle of comfortable footwear. Shock absorbing heals protect the joints and spine from jolting when you walk. The heels contain a patented technique using an airbag to further protect the joints and spine from vibrations. Their 100% rubber, rugged, non-slip soles assure traction on wet surfaces. There is a deep latex cushion in the sole of the shoe that contains thousands of small air bubbles to promote shock absorption. An air-jet circulation system causes the air to flow through the interior of the shoes. Air flows from the front to the back as you walk to help keep feet cool, fresh and dry. They use natural latex foam inside the mid-sole to add flexibility and comfort with each step. The insole of Mephisto shoes is uniquely designed to provide support and hold your foot in the right place.

Pinching and rubbing is eliminated with a latex foam padding below the ankle. A special heal and joint padding cushions the heel and prevents painful constriction. Mephistos promote good posture with their anatomic arch support which embraces the natural contours of the feet.

Mephistos incorporate a lightweight padding on the tongue which helps you securely lace the shoes without added pressure. Quality, genuine leather is used and naturally protected to allow feet to breathe. Goretex waterproof membrane protects from the cold, wind and water while allowing the feet to breathe.

There is no better manufacturer of stylish footwear that promotes comfort and protects the spine and joints. 

View our great range of In Stock Mephistos shoes is available online at www.cheerfulsoles.com

Maternity Shoes

Are you looking forward to the joys of Swollen Feet and back ache during pregnancy this summer? Women often look for comfort when they are searching for maternity shoes. Feet and legs are often swollen and this changes how shoes fit. It’s time to focus on comfort in order to find the right maternity shoes but that doesn’t mean forgoing your sense of style or fun either!

CheerfulSoles have maternity shoes that are perfect for women who are pregnant. We have a great choice of shoes that are suitable for maternity and  provide comfort and style at an affordable price. Women love to shop for shoes and this shouldn’t stop during pregnancy. If anything it’s a great excuse to look for new shoes or ‘maternity shoes’ that will last way beyond these 9 months when your body is changing.

Alegria Shoes are a great choice for Maternity Shoes

The unique and stylish Alegria Clogs have an anatomically correct footbed and give your feet the comfort and room that they need if you become prone to swollen feet during your pregnancy. These shoes are also made of leather, are breathable and are available in a large number of styles and colors. Any woman would love these shoes and not just because they are suitable as maternity shoes.

Another choice that women can look for as a suitable choice for maternity shoes is the Alegria Paloma. These are a great choice as maternity shoes as, like the clogs, they have a rocker sole and provide unbelievable comfort. They have a strap that appears to be a buckle, but is velcro. They are not too tight and are designed for comfort. These shoes take the pressure off of the heel and are a wonderful choice when women are searching for a good pair of maternity shoes.

Alegria also produce great sandals that ouze comfort and are again a great choice for maternity shoes at CheerfulSoles. We dare you not to love these summer looks and styles. Alegria Sandals have adjustable straps and also benefit from the anatomically correct footbed. Many women fear that they will not be able to find comfort and style from shoes that are ‘sensible’ and supportive of feet and ankles. Women fear that they will be stuck in maternity shoes that look terrible but feel devine. Well, we think that you will be pleasantly surprised by the Alegria range as a choice of maternity shoes that not only look terrific,, they feel like you are walking around in your most comfortable pair of slippers.

It’s all about comfort, just don’t forget the Style!

The most important thing for expecting women is to find comfort when looking for maternity shoes. Women often overlook comfort for style. When you buy these maternity shoes, neither has to be compromised. These maternity shoes give women unbelievable comfort and support. We like to pamper ourselves and being pregnant doesn’t change this. Yes you need comfort above all during the nine months you are expecting but if you are not expecting to give up entirely on your sense of style then check out Alegria Shoes at CheerfulSoles. Alegria means Happiness and we can certainly promise you this for you feet by finding the right maternity shoes!