The gold standard for making men's shoes?

Technology is revolutionizing everything from how we shop for shoes, to the weight of our sneakers and even if we have to lace them ourselves. But most experts agree the best way to make men's shoes is a method invented 150 years ago.

It's known as the Goodyear Welt and while it is more expensive, the shoes can last forever.

The method is used by high-end brands, including Mezlan and Allen Edmonds.

Here are the ways a men's dress shoe can be made.

Cementing:

This is the cheapest and fastest way of attaching the sole to the rest of the shoe, according to Primer Magazine. Its attached with an adhesive and no stitching. While cheap, it does not last as long as other methods. A downside is that often the sole cannot be repaired and the shoe will need to be replaced.

The Blake Welt:
The Blake Welt uses stitching instead of adhesive to attach the sole. The stitching is located on the inside of the shoe and must be done by machine, according to Primer Magazine.

The advantages of the Blake Welt are that it is more secure than cementing and since the stitching is small, the sole can be cut close to the top. The sole is also usually repairable. While more expensive than cementing, it is less expensive than the Goodyear Welt.

The Goodyear Welt:

The Goodyear Welt is the oldest method, invented in 1869, according to Mezlan.

It uses an extra piece of leather that its attached between the upper and the sole. It has special stitching that runs along the outside of the sole, giving these shoes a distinctive look.

While the Goodyear Welt is the most expensive method, it lasts the longest and is easiest to repair, according to Mezlan. It is also more water resistant, according to Primer Magazine.

To perform the Goodyear Welt requires skills. Mezlan makes their shoes using artisan shoemakers at a factory in Almansa, Spain. They are still hand sewn.




Be careful, the stitching doesn't tell the whole story. According to Mezlan, some shoe makers add the stitching to make you think the shoe is made with a Goodyear Welt.

Can new Nike sneakers let you walk on air?

Its well known you can't walk on water, but now you can walk on air.

Earlier this year, Nike announced a new sole, made completely of its air technology. And today, a rainbow version in honor of Pride Month was released, Air VaporMax BETRUE. Unfortunately, they are already sold out.

To understand how this is revolutionary, let's take a look at the history of Nike Air. 

In 1987 Nike introduced the first Nike Air Max with visible air unit. In 1997, Nike developed the ability to put air cushioning along the entire sole, according to the sneaker manufacturer.

Those older versions needed a layer of rubber to keep the air from breaking. This made the shoes heavier and they often became a fashion statement instead of something for working out.

Nike Air Motion LW Sneaker

The above Nike sneakers I bought as casual sneakers, instead of athletic wear. They feature an air cushion in the heel and are very comfortable.

The new Nike Air VaporMax does not need that extra rubber leading to an ultra lightweight sole. The air unit also holds its shape, adding more flexibility. 

The upper on the sneaker is Nike's FlyKnit technology, which is also lightweight. 

The shoes are designed to have a cushy feel for running, as if you're running on a cloud.

 Unfortunately demand for the sneakers has outpaced supply and every version has sold out quickly. Many love the style even if they don't run. 

The downside for runners is that some reviews have said the shoes lack support and take an adjustment period.

I would love to try them if I could get my hands on a pair.

The Nike Air VaporMax retails for between $190-200.

Did Nike's sneakers lead to the fastest marathon ever?

26 seconds...that's how close Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya came to sub 2 hour marathon. Instead he finished in 2:00:25, just over a second too slow per mile.

But first...thank you for your support. Through the Sole had a record breaking April, over 8,200 pageviews!

Now back to the sub 2 hour marathon. In March, I wrote about Nike's attempt to break the 2 hour mark in the marathon, including with specially designed sneakers.

Nike decided the conditions were right and had the 3 selected runners try this weekend at the Formula One track in Monza in Italy, selected for having low wind, good oxygen, and being relatively flat with modest turns, according to Runner's World.

At 5:45am on Saturday, the 3 selected runners, Kipchoge, Eritrean Zersenay Tadese, and Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa set off in hat was deemed to be perfect weather. They had pacers in front of them in an arrow formation to block wind, according to Runner's World.

In the end, Kipchoge ran must faster than his previous record, 2:03:05 in the London Marathon. Tadese is the record holder in the half marathon and Desisa won the Boston Marathon twice, according to FiveThrityEight.

Tadese finished in 2:06:51 and Desisa in 2:14:10. The event was three years in the making and used science to try to engineer the sub 2 feat.

The current world record for a marathon is Kenyan Dennis Kimetto 2:02:57 at the 2014 Berlin Marathon. This attempt did not change that, according to Runner's World, because of practices involving pacers that are not allowed by the running governing body.

In addition to the specially designed sneakers that were customized for each runner, they also wore clothing that was designed to be aerodynamic.

It's hard to say how much came down to the sneakers and how much to other factors, but those are some fast times.

Hillary Clinton models Katy Perry designed shoes

Secretary Hillary Clinton's new role: shoe model?

A post not related to running... As I have gotten into running, many of my recent posts have been related. But I want to keep my non-runner readers happy and continue to use shoes as a lens to view the world.

The great news is that Through the Sole has been breaking records. Already this month, there have been over 7,600 pageviews!  Thank you for all your support.

But back to Secretary Clinton's shoes...

⚡️POWER PUMP⚡️your way over to katyperrycollections.com for the last few hours of the spring 25% sale❗@HillaryClinton is wearing #TheHillary (OMG I LOVE HER SO MUCH)

A post shared by KATY PERRY (@katyperry) on Apr 10, 2017 at 6:15pm PDT

Singer Katy Perry launched a shoe line in February, according to People, naming many of the shoes for famous women, including Clinton, whom she campaigned for.

The Hillary shoe came in a light pink, now often referred to as millennial pink, or seafoam green and had a 3.5 inch clear heel with moons and stars floating inside, according to the New York Times. It retailed for $139.

Katy Perry Collection's The Hillary

Last week, the singer posted a picture of the former presidential candidate wearing the shoes on instagram with information on how to buy them (see above) and Internet controversy ensued. 

Conservative news websites ran headlines like, "Hillary Clinton Reduced to Modeling Shoes for Katy Perry" (Breitbart), and "Hillary Clinton Now Hawking Katy Perry Shoes On Instagram," (Daily Caller).

Other pointed out that Perry and Clinton have a long relationship. Clinton recently made a surprise appearance at the Unicef Snowflake Ball to present the singer with the Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award, according to the NY Times.

However, this was the first time the two connected on fashion. 

For the shoe brand, the results were great, the shoes began to quickly sell and appear now to be unavailable.

Clinton has not benefited in anyway from the shoes.

Could sneakers be the key to a faster marathon?

The Nike Zoom Vaporfly

As I have talked about my running sneaker choices, I realize that shoes could make a run more comfortable, more stable, but could they make you faster?

Sneaker company Nike has teamed up with elite runners and scientists since 2014 to achieve a sub 2 hour marathon, something some believe is impossible. The effort is known as Breaking2. The current fastest time is 2:03:03, quite impressive given how many recreational runners struggle to sub 2 a half marathon.

As part of that effort, Nike is releasing new sneakers. 

The Zoom Vaporfly Elite is only for the runners trying to break the 2 hour mark. The new revolution is a ultra light weigh cushioning material, known as ZoomX. The cushioning is lighter and softer than traditional foams, allowing more of it to be added, while still keep the shoe light. As a result, according to Nike, the sneakers are taller and more responsive while providing more cushioning from the road than a traditional racing shoe. The height of the shoe is also designed to reduce Achilles tendon strain. The sneakers only weigh 6.5 ounces, very light for a running shoe.

The Zoom Vaporfly has a unique heel designed to reduce drag, according to Runner's World.

The upper is Nike Flyknit, a knit material designed to be supportive. 

In between 2 layers of foam is the most controversial part, a carbon-fiber plate. According to Nike the plate adds stiffness and helps reduce energy loss. According to the New York Times, the plate is shaped like a spoon and acts "as a kind of slingshot, or catapult, to propel runners forward." 

The plate is designed to reduce 4 percent of the energy required to run. The NY Times says that's the equivalent of running downhill 1 to 1.5 percent.

That's where the controversy comes in. as any shoes that give an unfair advantage, like a spring are banned. According to the NY Times, Spira Footwear had shoes banned because of spring technology.

So far the Nike Zoom Vaporfly is allowed. Runners have worn an earlier version to great success. "The shoes cushioned the feet of all three medalists in the men’s marathon at the Rio Olympics last summer. Later, in the fall, they were worn by the winners of major marathons in Berlin, Chicago and New York," according to the NY Times.

Pumped: The Art & Craft of Shoemaking at Charlotte, NC's Mint Museum

Back in June I was in Charlotte and was able to see Pumped: The Art & Craft of Shoemaking, an exhibit on the art of shoe making at The Mint Museum.

The exhibit ran from May to August, so unfortunately it is no longer open. Still you can enjoy my pictures and what I learned.

These are silk shoes from the early 1700s. Like other shoes from the time, they were made so that each foot was identical.

These are silk boots from the mid-1800s. They are beautiful, but seem very unpractical, like they would get filth the minute you walked outside.

These are some of the tools used in shoe making. It reminds me of visiting the shoe making shop in Colonial Williamsburg. 

These shoes are from the 1860s and represent a return to embellished shoes. Hooped-skirts were becoming popular and allowed glimpses of the wearer's shoes.

These are slippers from the 1890s but both remind me of more modern styles.

These shoes which include clear plastic are from the 1940-60s but remind me of newer shoes, including Cinderella's glass slipper being re-imagined. 

If you thought heelless shoes were a thing of modern times, these are from 1955-1960.

And one of m favorite displays, the shoe on the left are Yves Saint Laurent haute couture while those on the right are a knock-off. While the look similar, the knock-off is slightly different to avoid copyright infringement. The original is made of leather and the punches are done by hand. The knock off is made of man-made materials and the punching was done by machine.

Self-lacing shoes are actually here

Self-lacing shoes have hit the market!

Back in 2010, Through the Sole wrote that Nike had patented technology for self-lacing shoes. Earlier this week, those shoes hit the market, the NIKE HYPERADAPT 1.0.

Here's how the sneakers work. When you place your foot in them and stand-up, there is a sensor that automatically tightens them. Then, there are buttons to tighten or loosen them, according to Nike. The sneakers need to be charged and come with charging pucks and an adapter.

The idea of self-lacing sneakers was first shown in the movie Back to the Future 2.

Nike says the self-lacing is more than just a cool use of technology, the sneakers allow athletes to make adjustments quickly without slowing them down.

The sneakers retail for $720.

Popsugar recently got to try a pair out and said you cannot feel the batteries in the sole. The tester liked them for both training and running.

Nike isn't the only one trying self-lacing shoes. Puma is coming out with the Autodisc, also a self-lacing sneaker.

New environmentally friendly sneakers

What if sneakers could be made of biodegradable material? Or how about recycled plastic?

That's just what shoemaker, Adidas, is doing with its latest designs.

Back in March of 2012, Through the Sole wrote about using recycled garbage to make shoes for the homeless. Now, the idea is going mainstream.

Last month, Adidas released the Adidas UltraBOOST Uncaged x Parley, pictured above, made from recycled ocean plastic. The 7,000 pairs of sneakers retail for $220. Each pair is made from 95 percent recycled ocean plastic and 5 percent recycled polyester. A pair of the sneakers reuse 11 plastic bottles. The shoes laces, heel cap base material, heel webbing, heel lining and the sock-liner cover are also made with recycled materials, according to Adidas.

Adidas plans to continue to make sneakers with recycled plastic, 1 million pairs by the end of 2017 and hopefully one day use no virgin plastic at all.

As for the sneakers themselves, they are part of Adidas Boost line which is popular for running. I have heard great things about them, but am yet to try them out.

Now what if sneakers could help the plastic problem by not creating waste?

Are these the worst shoes? Cowboy boot sandals

Have you ever thought that your cowboy boots need to be summer-ized?

Scotty Franklin of Springfield, Mo. and his company Redneck Boot Sandals will do just that, according to the Austin Statesman.

For $50 you can mail them your cowboy boots and they will make them into sandals. According to their facebook page, they will soon have their own designs. 

Since 2012, Franklin told the Austin Statesman that he has done boots for doctors, nurses, attorneys, pilots, teachers, preachers, and farmers

The idea of cowboy boot sandals has recently been trending online and the facebook page has over 4,000 likes.

My take? I've always thought that open-toed boots were silly. If its warm enough to have open toes, doesn't the extra fabric make you hot? And in the winter aren't you cold? I know the say to wear tights under the boots for winter but most tights are far from warm.

How New Balance makes 4 million pairs of sneakers in the U.S.

I was able to visit New Balance's factory in Lawrence, MA and see how they make sneakers, for my job.

I will never look at a pair of sneakers the same way. So many parts and skills go into making each pair, yet the manufacturing associates are only supposed to touch them for 22.5 second each! That's even for things like hand stitching and cutting leather. The sneaker goes from raw materials to box in less than 3 hours.

While many of its competitors moved their manufacturing overseas, New Balance makes over 4 million pairs at its 5 factories in the U.S.

To learn more check out the video I produced and read my full article on CNBC. 

An overview of New Balance's values.

Is this the future of shoes? New e-ink technology

Imagine being able change the color or pattern of your shoes with the simple tap on an app. That's what the creators behind Volvorii Timeless, a new technologically advanced shoe, are trying to make reality for everyday consumers.

Lithuania-based start-up iShüu Technologies created the peep-toed shoe using e-ink, a type of digital paper that can display different colors and patterns. E-ink is most known for being used in e-reader displays.

The Volvorrii Timeless currently has a prototype which features panels that can be black, white, or a variety of black and white patterns. According to CNET, the shoes feature a Bluetooth sensor, allowing them to be programmed with a phone.

In addition to being able to customize the patterns, buyers will be able to add their own personalization. There are anchors to add accessories, such as bows, on the toe and heel.

If you're worried about charging your shoes, you're in luck. CNET says they only need to be charged once every few weeks because e-ink uses small amounts of energy.

To bring the Volvorii Timeless to fruition, iShüu Technologies has started an Indiegogo campaign, where for a donation, you can one of the first to get your hands on the shoes. Some of the options are already sold out. So far, they've raised over $40,000.

Killer Heels: Art and Shoes Collide at the Brooklyn Museum

The perfect shoes are a pair of art and today and I got to see Killer Heels: The Art of the High-Heeled Shoe at the Brooklyn Museum,

Here is the museum's take on the exhibit:

When you first get into the area of the exhibit, the first thing you notice is a large sign saying Killer Heels. Perhaps it is because the exhibit ends March 1, but I also noticed a large crowd today.

When entering, you are greeted by a short film. Unfortunately, given the large crowd it was hard to watch as the security guard kept telling people not to block the entrance.

The next hallway of the exhibit traces trends and inspiration from the being of heels hundreds of years ago to today. It is amazing how Rococo style and Louis the IV heels have gone in and out of fashion many times.

From there, the exhibit goes into many architectural shoes, which may be hard to walk in, but are gorgeous to view. Some shoes even challenge traditional thinking of what a shoe is.  Here are a few of my favorites:

From afar, these look like classic t-straps, but the front of the t is actually a woman in an evening gown.

Cinderella's Glass Slipper Re-imagined

Prince Charming with Cinderella's glass slipper in Walt Disney World's Main Street Electrical Parade

Next month, Disney's live action Cinderella movie his theaters. As you probably know, I can't think of that story without thinking of the glass slippers.

Now, Disney has asked designers to re-imagine those famous shoes for modern princesses (or adults who still harbor princess dreams). Sketches from the 9 designers have been released and the real shoes will be available in stores in early March. For those of us in the U.S., the shoes will be available from Saks Fifth Avenue in New York and Beverly Hills, according to the press release.

First, check out the movie trailer to see how the live action movie presents the glass slippers:

The glass slippers from the movie seem pretty traditional with butterfly decals on the toes. They were produced by crystal company, Swarovski.

However, the 9 designers selected for the re-imagination went much more modern, with booties and cage heels.

And like the sign that decorates my desk says, these shoes could change your life.

Here are the designs:

Alexandre Birman

Charlotte Olympia

Katy Perry wore shoes with 12,600 Swarovski crystals for the Super Bowl Halftime show

If you were performing in front of thousands of people and on millions of TV sets, what shoes would you wear?

According to People Style Watch, Katy Perry wore Custom LaDuca booties adorned with 12,600 Swarovski crystals when she performed for the Super Bowl's Half Time.

As you see in the above screen shots, the pop star wore the same shoes from start to end of the performance. Also check out the photos Moschino designer, Jeremy Scott shared on Instagram, embedded below. 

If you're looking to draw attention to you feet, what better way than with blinged-out shoes?

The future is almost here! Self-lacing sneakers to be released.

This USA Today video shows the self-lacing sneakers from Back to the Future  II.

Nike is set to unveil self-lacing sneakers like those from the movie, Back to the Future II, according to sneaker blog, Sole Collector. 

Through the Sole shared back in 2010, that inventor Blake Bevin created shoes that laced with the push of a button. These were also inspired by the Michael J. Fox movie, but designed to help those who have trouble lacing shoes.

Athletic company, Nike, is set to release the sneakers in 2015, when they appeared in the future of the movie. Last year, Nike released the the fictional high-top sneakers last year and auctioned them off on eBay to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. The sneakers brought in $6 million, according to Sole Collector. No word yet on if the new self-lacing sneakers will look like those from the movie.

Move Over Shoe Designers, Start-up Allows You to Design Shoes

In the world of shoes, designers like Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik have become household names. Now, a new start-up, Milk & Honey, is letting YOU be the designer.

The start-up was featured on CNBC's Power Pitch, which gives start-up founders 60 seconds to convince a panel of experts that their business has what it takes to make it big.

This week, Milk & Honey co-founder Dorian Howard told Power Pitch why her shoe customization business is going to make it big.

“If you want a certain shoe at a certain heel height or strap option you should be able to have exactly what you want,” Howard told CNBC.

The site allows you to pick a silhouette, colors, embellishments, and heel height, according to CNBC.

Shoe History: The Birth and History of the Stiletto

Stilettos with the amazing tall and thin heel are synonymous with sexiness and femininity, but when was this famous shoe invented?

Ancient Greeks may have worn sandals according to History of Sandals and in the 16th and 17th centuries chopine, very high and difficult to walk in platforms, were fashionable, according to All About Shoes.

It wasn't until after World War II that the stiletto became all the rage. After the war, women left their jobs and returned to domestic life. As this shift occurred, heels became higher, according to Hilary Greenbaum and Dana Rubinstein of the New York Times.

The exact inventor of the stiletto is unknown. While Ferragamo, Roger Vivier and Perugia have all been credited with invention, the shoe was most likely designed by a mix of Italian shoemakers, potentially with French designers involved.

Truth or Dare: Madonna to Launch a Shoe Line This Summer

The Material Girl shows off her fashion and shoe sense.

Some of the shoes from Madonna's upcoming Truth or Dare shoe line. 

The Material Girl is joining the ranks of celebrities, like Jessica Simpson, Fergie and Rachel Bilson, by launching a shoe line, Truth or Dare by Madonna. The line includes pumps, heels, flats, and boots, almost all black in color with embellishments like lace, cap toes, and studs. The line will include styles Madonna is famous for, like over-the-knee boots.

Retailing from $89-$349, the line is aimed at woman aged 27 to 5o who are timeless but have sex appeal, according to the press release as posted on all about Madonna. The line will include over 60 different styles, according to the Huffington Post.

Madonna will make some contribution to the design of her line. The creative consultant behind the line is Arianne Phillips, who worked on Madonna’s film W.E. and is a longtime fashion collaborator of Madonna, according to Glamour.

Shoes for a Cause: Using Recycled Materials to Make Shoes for the Homeless in Detroit

Shoes are often thought of as frivolous, but serve an essential function- protection from the elements.

Students in Stephen Schock’s, a professor of industrial design at the College for Creative Studies, class are using recycled materials and creativity to serve the needs of the many homeless people in Detroit. These shoes are serving a critical need as there are not enough warm shoes available, leading the homeless to be at high risk for frostbite and amputation, according to Jennifer Conlin of the New York Times.

Royal Fashion: Kate Middleton Judges a Shoe Design Contest

 

An ABC News video on the contest.

The six students from De Montfort University show their designs.

Fashion icon, Princess Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge is known for her classic shoe choices. In nod to her taste, she was chosen to judge a contest of shoes designed by students in the footwear design course at De Montfort University in Leicester. The shoe Kate picked were custom made for her.

The contest is part of a tour of the UK by Queen Elizabeth for her 60^th anniversary of ascending to the throne, according to Simon Perry of People.

The six students were chosen by a lecturer out of more than 100 applicants. Each designer had different inspirations, according to Lauren Paxman of the Daily Mail.

Tabitha Duffield designed feminine nude and pink heels including laser cut flowers and fringe. Kate is known for wearing nude pumps, especially in the summer