We’ve put together our latest spring catalog to put you in the mood for spring and take your mind to a warmer place.   From March 20th, through April 1st, 2012 the shoes shown in our catalog can be had for 10% off.  To receive this discount just enter this code at checkout:

sp12web

Click here to view our entire spring 2012 catalog

Cheers,

Alan

We’ve been asked by many friends and fans to see our TV spots that we’ve ran in the past and will be running this spring.  As I said yesterday, I would post a link when it was done.  I also uploaded the rest of our old spots.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!

Here is the You Tube link to our latest and greatest TV spot talking about our stores!!  We thought it would be fun to share! 

When The Shoe Fits…Life is Better!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gECPJ3CSbJ4

And for the rest…. (keep in mind the early ones were when we just had two stores, not three)

COMING SOON….Keen and Outdoor in the Movies:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iGhWC_jVP8

New Balance Make Excellence Happen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg2PKK3mC6s&feature=bf_prev&list=ULKeJYsy39lrU&lf=mfu_in_order

Spring Montage:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUqpMuCuoCY

Fall Montage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbqXtV3rLWs

Did You Know? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH9cfF9pkxE

Cheers!

Alan

Thanks again everyone!

Alan

Cheers!

Alan

Vibram Five Fingers at When The Shoe Fits

Vibram Five Fingers are those funny little toe shoes you see around that are being used for barefoot running and cross fit training.  We’ve been on this barefoot trend for a while now and have many different versions as well as many discontinued styles of Vibram Five Fingers on sale on our sale page.

The trend toward this minimalist footwear has been gaining strength now for several years.  The idea is that by letting the foot move freely the way it was intended to move you will build strength and increase the range of motion in your feet.  This can be a big part of overall foot and body health.  A proper conditioning program can help prevent injuries to the foot and lower leg.  A big word of caution is that most of us have worn shoes our whole lives and expecting to go out and use these barefoot shoes for long periods without proper build up is a recipe for some serious foot pain. Common injuries include plantar fasciitis, calf strains, and Achilles tendonitis.

Don’t get me wrong, we are big fans of the Vibram Five Fingers shoes and the whole barefoot running and cross fit revolution when incorporated conservatively into a fitness program.  In fact, we have new styles arriving for spring right now.  We like to look at these barefoot shoes almost as if they are exercise equipment.  If you lifted weights all day long you would most certainly injure something.  Likewise, we think going barefoot too long or using these types of barefoot shoes for extended periods is like lifting weights all day and you will get injured.  Going to the gym and lifting weights, taking a boot camp style or cross fit training class keeps our muscles and bones strong and fit.  We also think recovery and rest are just as important as the actual workout.

We sell a lot of Five Fingers and other minimalist and barefoot running shoe styles but our advice is to GO SLOW!  Ease them into your routine and treat them as a piece of exercise equipment that you use to get stronger.  After your workout you can slip into a more supportive shoe with an insert that will help support the foot and take the load off your muscles and tendons allowing them to recover and heal.  This is how we build strength.  Continuing to go barefoot for long periods could set you up for overuse injuries that can take you out of the game altogether.  Make sure you stay in the game.

Cheers,

Alan

Spending three days at the Outdoor Retailer Show, it’s sure easy to get caught up in the moment!  In fact a buyer could go crazy buying all this fun stuff!  All the latest gear from virtually every top outdoor supplier tempts you at every turn!  Hiking shoes, running shoes, casual shoes, boots, and clogs are all represented.  Dansko, Keen, Merrell, New Balance, and most all our best vendors are there to show us product for Fall 2012.  Even brands like Naot, Wolky, Josef Seibel, and Romika with styles you wouldn’t think of as “Outdoor” come to find new distributors for their shoes.  Layer in all the ski and snowboard companies, snowshoe, climbing and backpacking gear, plus high end outdoor apparel makers and I’m like a kid in a candy store!  I keep warning, “One of these days I going to come home and start trying to sell skis or something!”  On second thought, maybe I should just stick to the comfort shoes, boots, and sandals along with our mix of running shoes, hiking shoes and everything else that goes on a foot.  That’s what we’re best at.

The Outdoor Retailer Show, held twice yearly in Salt Lake City, brings suppliers and retailers of all types of gear together under one roof.  This makes planning and buying for our stores a much easier task by allowing us to view offerings from most all suppliers over the span of a few days vs. weeks of sales reps bringing their fare to us.  It also allows a buyer to compare shoes and gear from multiple suppliers and make better decisions about what to carry without over-duplicating categories….at least that is the theory. 

Now I’m starting the job of putting pen to paper ( or type to spreadsheet) and putting together the buy for Fall 2012!  If anyone has any requests or directions you would like to see us move toward, please let me know!

Cheers!

Alan

Cheers!

Alan

   Whether you’re an avid runner, weekend warrior or just someone looking for a unique experience, these newest additions to our minimalist category is worth a look and try! These new Merrell shoes offer great styling, the best in barefoot feel and a “GLOVE” like fit! See the entire MERRELL LINE or stop by one of our 3 locations today! 

“LIKE” us on Facebook for exclusive offers, new products and to be in the KNOW… Everybody’s doing it!

Right now we have a many running shoes on our sale page that are being discontinued.  As their new replacements come in, we will get them loaded onto our site as well.  It may be winter now and may be cold, dark, or wet in the morning but look on the bright side; the days are already getting longer.  We get a lot of rain here in the Pacific Northwest and when I try to pull the rain card out of my deep pocket of excuses; my training partners remind that I carry Gore-tex running shoes and other waterproof trail running shoes.

Remember this your next rainy day you’re thinking about a run.  The hardest part is always just getting started.  Once you get a little wet, you usually end up not minding.  Plus, the sense of overcoming the elements after your done is always a boost to your sole!  That and a hot shower never feels as good as after a wet run!

Cheers!

Alan

To make sure our foot doctors in Vancouver are continually up to date on what we are doing, we like to contact them from time to time regarding their patients care and how we can better help serve them.  The following is a letter we put together when we opened our third store.

Dr. XXXXXXXX and staff,

We wanted to make sure you were aware that we’ve opened our third store in Vancouver at the Grand Central Shopping Center.  It’s the center with Fred Meyer just off highway 14 one mile east of downtown Vancouver.  We also would like to thank you for trusting us to help care for the patients you refer to us. 

Our goal is simple; be the best place in the entire Portland and Southwest Washington area for true professional shoe fitting.  We’re committed to the proper pedorthic training of our staff to properly fill any needs you have for your patients.  All of our locations have a clean upscale retail feel yet our promise to the medical community is that we will care for and educate any of your referrals in a responsible and professional manner.

Here are few things we’re proud to bring to the community:

-We now have three Certified Pedorthists between our stores

 -Two of our locations are ABC accredited pedorthic facilities.  This is a requirement by CMS to bill for approved diabetic footwear and sets us apart from other shoe stores.

 -We have digital pressure plate systems to use as a tool to determine off-weighting and support needs of feet.

 -We are set up to do video gate analysis at our new Grand Central store.

 -Our entire staff is extensively trained in pedorthics and is capable of modifying OTC inserts and providing proper shoes to accommodate most common foot ailments.

 -We can digitally or manually cast feet to build custom foot orthotics from a wide variety of materials to care for feet of all types and conditions in our accredited facilities.

 -Our broad footwear mix of extensive sizes and widths and categories ranging from athletic, casual, dress, and outdoor to allow us to provide solutions for all occasions.

 If ever there is a concern, suggestion or a specific need for anyone please let us know how we can assist.  I hope to continue fulfilling any needs you may have.

 Regards,

 Alan O’Hara

When The Shoe Fits