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Airport and Foot Friendly Trade Show Shoes?
Milo_Mindbender asks: "Where the heck can you find shoes that let you handle the ten or more hours a day of continuous walking computer trade shows require and won't set off the airport metal detectors? I used to go for hiking boots, but can't find a pair that don't buzz, even after I've stripped off every other particle of metal. I'm getting tired of trial and error (and blisters/sore feet when I go to CES, SIGGRAPH...etc). Does anyone have any suggestions?"
Also, if you're on your feet so much, you might want to look into an expensive pair of specialty shoes from a shoe cobbler (yep, they still exist!) This way, if you take the rubber off of a shoe but the shoe's still good, they can re-sole the shoe for much cheaper than a new pair. Good luck!
Condemnant quod non intellegunt.
http://www.wildlifeonline.com/cgi-bin/ss000002.pl? SN=2&PAGE=SEARCH&S_Brand1_0=Merrell&S_Category1_1= Mens+Footwear&GB=A&ACTION=search
Like walking shoes - only light - very comfortable, I'm on about my fifth pair in as many years.
(of wearing every day)
Alex
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Stay tuned folks...
There's this service provided by airlines called "baggage handling". What you do is, you put your comfy show-room-floor shoes (that may or may not contain metal) in your baggage, and... check them in!
You can then safely wear your shoes that don't set things off to the airport. Then (*gasp*) take them out of your baggage when you get to wherever you're going.
WWJD? JWRTFM!!!
If you can't handle 10 hours at a trade show in any old pair of shoes, I suspect your proplem is in your mouth, not on your feet. Step away from the twinkies.
Hiking boots? Hiking boots are made to be warm, waterproof, rock proof, grippy, and prevent ankle sprains. 'Comfortable' is way down on the list of features.
God, I can just see you, this big fat guy wearing hiking boots at a trade show. Now I know why this is news for nerds.
Skateboarding for 22 years and two knee replacements later, I agree with czion3. Very comfortable, durrable and mostly made out of synthetics so no beep beep beeping Ellen Fliess style. But which brand of skate shoes?
Vans are known to be a bit narrower than other brands, they also have sizes and half sizes all the way up to 18 1/2. Far as their classic shoes, like the 86 lo-cuts, you can have them taylored of any color, pattern and material that you like (for an additional cost)
Emerica/Etnies are a bit more customizable for the foot, you can pull out the insole and remove a blue foam wedge to deduct the ammount of arch support if you have fallen arches. Their solid sole shoes are the most durable, but their foam soled ones are the most shock absorbing.
DC shoes are the british knights of footwear, not very business attire friendly. But you can jump off the roof of your home onto concrete all day.
DuFFs are a good all around performer.
Nike's new skate shoes are a contender as well...
By far this is one very dull post, go barefoot. Those cross country runners that go barefoot seem to be more comfortable than I do running 100 feet in my shoes.
Spelling never got anyone laid...
I second the Ecco recomendation. They're a little pricey, but quite comfortable (much more so than the lesser shoes that I replaced) and they don't set of metal detectors. In fact the last time I went through the security check, I took them off, and the guy said "ah, Ecco. These don't set off the detector, don't bother to take them off in the future".
I am a prosthetist/orthotist. (I'm now studying EE to get my Masters in Biomed, but thats beside the point)
:)
When I am looking for a good shoe there a few things to test.
I look for a reasonable sized toe box. This is the part where your toes are and is the front part of the shoe. This gives my toes plenty of space and does not constrict or deform the toes.
I also then check that the upper actually grips on to my foot when done up. A lot of problems can actually occur because this is not done up correctly and the foot slips forward to allow the toes to slam into the end of the shoe.
I then make sure that there is reasonable heel control in the heel cup. This will help the shoe grip around you foot and assist with stability.
And probably the other main checkpoint is that the toe break is in the right spot. This can be hard to pick if you don't have any training, but some sales assistant may be able to help you if they have been trained. Lucky I know how after spending time at uni
There are a few other things to look for when buying shoes, but these are the main ones that I tell patients.
Personally I also check the sole, and the heel composition to make sure that they will blend into my personal biomechanical requirements, but this is another thing that is hard to explain in a few short lines of text.
I also like to wear insoles that are adapted to my feet and help smooth out the foot/shoe interface. Though there is nothing wrong with my feet, a good insole is very very comfortable.
And to help you get the right assistance, see a prosthetist/orthotist for further information.
(There, I supplied a plug for my colleagues, yay!)
I used to dress like a schlub all the time (shorts & t-shirts at work, etc.) I had to wear suits occasionally, though, and found that, if you have to wear a monkey suit all day, you might as well make it comfortable. When you see people in Brioni suits, there's a reason for it--they are comfortable. Rule of thumb for a good suit is that you should be able to wear it all day, and not feel confined.
The same goes for shoes--I can't recommend any particular brands, since every foot is different (ask Dr. Shoe! 555-SHOE) but spending some dough for a really high-end pair of suit shoes makes a world of difference. They're lighter than combat or hiking boots, they look good (even with jeans) and your feet won't smell nearly as much after 10-15 hours in them (because you'll also wear some light socks, and because your feet can breathe.)
Look around some high-end shoe stores. Remember, trying shoes on is free and will give you an idea what you're looking for. Also don't hesitate to look around some conservative mens' fashion rags (GQ, Esquire and the likes) to get ideas for what makes good shoes. They have most of their features archived on their websites, and were of unbelievable use to me when I was buying my first suits (knowing what to look for in materials and make, and what questions to ask the sales guys.)
Lastly and please please please trust me on this, a good pair of shoes makes a huge difference in the impression you make. If you're hanging out with the type of insecure idiot geek (a geek is someone who bites the heads off chickens at a carnival, I fail to understand how it's used in a positive sense here) who won't give you the time of day because you're wearing a tie (hence, salesman), you're probably not around someone whom you should consider good enough in his(technical) field to be really competent.
The really good people won't give a shit what you're wearing, but will listen to you instead--in fact, very few of the really awesome engineers, with some notable exceptions, have fit the steretype of unshaven, unwashed, t-shirt-clade slob--most look and dress like your average joe.
As for the other 99% of the population, a good suit/good shoes automagically puts them more at ease with you (not to mention speeding you through airport security.) Try it sometime, you'll understand immediately what I mean.
Looks may not matter, but like it or not, it does make a difference if you're dressed well. What precious few people in the technical community realize is that suits and business shoes can be more comfortable than a track suit and a pair of Nikes too.
Cole's Law: Thinly sliced cabbage
I'd be wary of shoe advice from a guy whose username is legless...