Being a full service comfort shoe store owner is a mixed blessing for me — a fellow plantar fasciitis sufferer. You might think that the physician would be able to heal thyself, but pity the fool who has himself for a patient. Too many great shoe choices can sometimes leave one feeling as overwhelmed as a kid in a candy shop.

Over the years, I’ve found a measure of relief from my plantar fasciitis symptoms by wearing either the Arizona or Boston, two styles made by Birkenstock. That’s right, “Birks”, the good old earthy-crunchy favorites of hippie-trippie 1960’s Haight – Ashbury and Woodstock. For plantar fasciitis sufferers, evaluating Birkenstock on the rubric of fit comfort, fashion, durability, and price yields a “definite maybe” rating.

Let’s take a closer look:

Fit and Comfort: The Arizona and Boston both have the Birkenstock signature ortho-footbed. This is a firm, molded, supportive structure built of compressed cork and natural latex with a soft suede top liner. The arch support is substantial, and a deep heel cup design provides necessary stability. Both styles come labeled in German narrow and regular widths which translates to U.S. medium and wide. With adjustable straps, both will fit almost any width feet. However, if you need a true half size, you’ll need to explore other brands; Birkenstocks are made on a European whole size grading. Looking for more cushioned support? Consider the soft top footbed version available on both styles. But, if you require a custom orthotic, you are out of luck. Neither style accommodates one, and they both have open back construction, so if you need closed back support, you’ll want to explore other Birkenstock models – possibly the Toyko clog and Milano sandal. There is good news if you need a high arch footbed-an extra high arch option is available in certain core colors of both the Arizona and Boston.
If you are in the throes of a plantar fasciitis flair up, I suggest you strongly consider the soft top option and gradually build up to a full day’s wear time.

Durability: Quite simply, I have found Birkenstocks to last for years with proper care. Cork sole sealer treatment is recommended to extend the life of these shoes. Upper materials can be maintained with standard shoe care products, and if needed, the outsoles can be replaced at any independent Birkenstock repair center.

Fashion: Both styles are available in core and seasonal color palettes with material offerings of suede and smooth leather uppers. Take note, both styles come in vegan-animal friendly birko buc, and seasonal offerings of other fibers such as humane wool, hemp, and cotton canvas. While classic iconic styles, their look blends nicely with today’s bohemian gypsy clothing fashions. Both models are suitable for business casual dress as well.

Price: Suggested retail prices are in the $120 USD range for the Arizona and $130 USD for the Boston.

Conclusion: While not for every plantar fasciitis suffer, Birkenstocks certainly fit the therapeutic footwear criteria to aid in the relief from plantar fasciitis symptoms, and offer plenty of custom variations at a middle price range in today’s market. The Arizona and Boston merit consideration when shopping for your next shoe.

Disclaimer: Always consult a foot health professional completely familiar with your condition to guide you in making a proper footwear selection. The views expressed in this review are those of the article’s author. All rights reserved.

About the author: Mitchell Hagler is a third generation family footwear retailer who is president of Richard York of Riverhead, Inc. [dba: Richard York Shoes] in Southampton, NY. He was reared in the family shoe business, which was established in 1938 by his Grandpa Max. With over 25 years personal experience meeting a spectrum of consumers’ footwear needs, Mitchell is a career long member of the National Shoe Retailers Association, the Retail Council of New York State, and the Southampton Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached via e-mail: sales@RichardYorkShoes.com, Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RichardYorkShoes, or Twitter: @TheShoeDawg

My favorite recent consumer education episode involved someone who took exception with how trashy they feel Southampton looks at this time of year. Bless this person’s heart; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Their sense of aesthetic displeasure was focused on the fact that just about every shop in our village has a large sale sign plastered over its window in the dead of winter.

After regaining my composure, looking around for the candid camera and alien space ship, I realized this person was serious. Try as I might to let this person be entitled to their own opinion, I couldn’t restrain myself from turning this into a teachable moment.

Southampton Village is a unique shopping mix of small, independently-owned, boutique, mom-and-pop stores, and some national chain retailers. Even our somewhat mislabeled tony village has been touched by the worldwide economic condition. Southampton is an ocean side community whose census more than triples in the warm weather. My opinion is that businesses here stay open in the non-beach season as a service to their clients rather than with great expectations of large income due greatly to the population shift that occurs. The “off” season is fantastic opportunity to find exceptional values before they are scoffed up once the beach crowds arrive.

Here’s your sign: When those screaming banners go up shouting, SALE!, it’s an exceptional opportunity to support your neighborhood. Just what does independent business mean to a small town? Take a moment to read some amazing statistics at The 3/50 Project website

Ya’ll go shop now, hear…

Reach me via e-mail: sales@richardyorkshoes.com and Twitter. While you’re online, visit the Richard York Shoes website, and please fan our Facebook page.

* Always consult a medical professional familiar with your individual situation before undertaking treatment for a condition.

Lucy, you got some splaining to do! – Desi Arnaz

Anyone reading this old enough to remember that familiar I Love Lucy Show refrain of her TV and real life husband Ricky Ricardo [Desi Arnaz]? Maybe you’ve seen reruns? Well I had one of those kind of days, at work, recently. I was taken to task by a customer who had traveled a great distance to resolve an issue with a prior purchase only to find the shop closed. My reality and those of this person were not quite in alignment at the time.

For years the store has been open seven-days-a-week all year. 2010 is different; in order to expand hours during the busier summer season, I’m closing a few week days for January and February…something common with most of my neighbors in a beach resort area like the Hamptons. All reasonable efforts were taken to post this schedule change ahead of time. In case you’re wondering: Thursday – Friday Noon – 5p.m., Saturday 10a.m. – 5p.m., Sunday 11a.m. – 5p.m.

Just because the door is locked and the lights are off does not mean we’ve gone fishing or don’t appreciate our customers. Lots goes into running a boutique business where the owner wears many hats. I’m the bookkeeper, merchandiser, human resources and marketing director…no time for me to sit under the sun lamp eating bon-bons at this time of year. Rather, I’m catching up and doing the pre-planning necessary to grow and maintain a successful operation that is seventy years young – meeting with accountants and manufacturers reps, searching for fresh styles you want and love – you get the picture.

That said, here’s the public service announcement section of this post; if you are making a special trip to ANY store from a distance, it’s a good idea to call ahead, speak to a live body and confirm there is someone present to help you with what you need before traveling sixty miles round trip for naught. Please realize, that try as we might to keep our posted hours, life happens in a micro-business. Again, just call; any independent shopkeeper worth his salt will do his best accommodate by opening early, staying late, shipping your purchase, special ordering what you’re looking for…all the little extras to keep you happily returning. Reach me via e-mail: sales@richardyorkshoes.com and Twitter. While you’re online, visit the Richard York Shoes website and please fan our Facebook page.

The single most frequent set of questions we get asked relate to purchasing first walking footwear for a child.  In this post I will address the topics of when a child should begin wearing a first walker, characteristics of acceptable first walking footwear, and judging proper fit.

Please be aware that the following are generally agreed upon current opinions and research in both the children’s footwear industry and pediatric medicine [specifically the American Academy of Pediatric Medicine].  Citations are available upon request.

A first pair of walking shoes does not improve a child’s ability to walk if he has not already begun to do so.  Nor should a pair of walking shoes inhibit an early walker; that is, it should not form any resistance to his efforts. Long gone is the norm of a stiff bottomed tall first walker unless prescribed, by a medical professional, to correct a condition.  When the toddler has begun to stand, take steps holding on, and will begin walking a bit outside the home is a perfect time to graduate to a first walking shoe.

First walking shoes should provide protection from the environment [cold, heat, dangerous or harmful elements coming in contact with those tender tootsies, etc.].  Ideally the uppers should be constructed of breathable material.  Leather is the gold standard, but nylon mesh or cotton canvas are certainly acceptable alternatives.  The outsole [bottom] of the shoe should be a flexible, skid resistant material…usually a composite rubberized base.  What about tie vs alternative fasteners?  A conventional lacing system will provide the best fit control characteristics.  Alternative fasteners are acceptable for their convenience in today’s hectic world.

What do we look for to judge a proper fit?  One half shoe size, which equals 3/16inch, extra length in a first walking shoe will provide an average of three months growing room.  The width of the shoe should be appropriate for the foot–non-binding for wide feet, non creasing for narrower feet.  If you suspect the child’s feet have become irritated from a shoe, as evidenced by unusual redness, discontinue using the shoes, and pay us a visit, with the shoes, for an evaluation.  Regular fit checks every three months are recommended and take just a moment. If you’d like, we’ll even blow you up a helium balloon as a treat just for stopping by.

FYI, many new children’s styles have arrived recently for spring and extra daylight savings time outside.

E-mail your questions to sales@RichardYorkShoes.com or follow us on Twitter: @theshoedawg

I hope to be adding to the blog periodically to address issues of interest to you, the store’s customers.  Questions about footwear construction, proper shoe fitting, foot health, product trends, and small independent retail business are just some topics on the list that I will try to cover