The evolution of basketball shoes followed the rise in popularity of the game. The earliest shoes had canvas uppers with rubber soles. In the late 60s, companies started using leather for the uppers. The popularity of athlete-endorsed basketball shoes led to a heated competition among the manufacturers. In 1989, Reebok introduced The Pump. These shoes had an orange basketball in the tongue that, when pressed repeatedly, pumped air into the sole.
Introduced in 1989, these innovative shoes, with the signature orange basketball in the tongue, supposedly increased a players jumping ability. As the basketball was pumped, air inflated the cushioned sole. The ad campaign had the slogan Pump Up, Air Outan obvious dig at the Nike Air. The video images of Dee Brown, winner of the 1991 NBA Slam Dunk Competition, pumping up his shoes before each turn increased the shoes popularity. The shoes are now available in a variety of styles and colors.
In answer to the Reebok Pump, Nike introduced its Air Pressure in 1989. The shoe featured air chambers inside the ankle support that, when filled, formed a custom fit for the wearer. The shoes were named for the valve on the back which was used to release air pressure, and were packed in a special plastic box. The shoes were only produced for one year.
In 1991, up-and-coming athletic shoe company LA Gear introduced its own pump sneaker. The shoe, named the Regulator, featured a yellow ball in the tongue very similar to Reeboks. The concept was that the custom fit would improve the players comfort and ability. Reebok sued LA Gear for patent infringement over the pump design and LA Gear paid a $1 million settlement in 1992. The company no longer makes the Regulator.
Reebok also offers hockey skates that utilize the same pump technology featured in the basketball shoe. Read more....

Known for its comfort and fashion, the Nike Court Tradition is a tennis-inspired, mens and womens classic training shoe. Crafted with leather upper, textile lining and rubber outsole, the Nike Court Tradition is one of the most popular trainers in Europe.
The Nike Court Tradition comes in two styles. The first is the classic lace up trainer; the second is the Velcro version. This version comes with three horizontal straps over the tongue, for quick fastening.
The shoe comes in an array of colors for both men and women. Some of the most common are black on black, and the white and grey. Custom color design is available through select retail websites.
Priced between $39.99 and $54.99 as of 2010, the mens trainers are priced slightly higher than the womens. Women can expect to pay between $29.99 and $49.99 for the shoe.
In July 2010, Nike release the second generation Court Tradition. The updated version offers a clean style, a leather upper, stitched details and a rubber sole. In addition, the new version offers more color combinations and style options. Read more....

Introduced in 2008, the Nike+ Sensor is a performance-tracking sport device that can be used with a Nike Sportband and other Nike+ equipment. Radio waves exchanged between the devices allow the sensor to track and store important workout information, such as calories burned, speed, time and distanced traveled. This information can be invaluable for training. Check how many miles you have traveled with your Nike+ Sensor at any time.
Press the Toggle button, located on the right side or bottom of the Sportband or Nike+ device. This will take you the menu, where you can review the details of your last run or walk. The mileage of your last run will automatically scroll across the screen after you have pressed Toggle
Press Toggle for a second time and the word WEEK will appear, listing total miles for the previous week. The device records miles from Sunday to Sunday.
Press Toggle for a third time and the letters TOTL will appear on the screen. The scrolling data will reveal your total workout details, including your total miles logged since you began operating the device. Read more....

There is a right way and a wrong way to lace running shoes. Properly lacing your shoes can decrease your risk of injury. Its important to lace high and tight as this keeps your foot in the proper position in the shoe and on the cushions within it.
Lace the entire length of the shoe. Start at the bottom and insert the lace through the bottom-most eyelets from top to bottom. Pull the laces through until they are even and the lace lays flat across the top of the eyelets.
Begin lacing the shoe in a criss-cross pattern pulling the laces through the eyelets from bottom to top. Do this for the first six eyelets.
After the sixth eyelet, loop the lace through the topmost eyelet on the same side. Cross over and through the loop on the other side. Do the same with the other side.
This serves to increase foot stability and the more stable you are on your feet, the less likely you are to fall.
Pull your laces as tight as you can and still feel comfortable. You dont want too much pressure on the top of your foot. If there is, unlace the shoe and re-lace it but skip one pair of eyelets.
Tie a square knot. Thread the right lace over and then under the left. Form two loops. Put the left loop over and under the right. As you go through the motions, hold the laces steady and tight. If the loops are long, either tuck them into the shoe or tie another knot. Read more....

Meez is a 3-D virtual reality avatar created by members of the Meez online social networking community. Each Meez reflects the individuals physical appearance, personal style, hobbies, personality and more. If you want to switch up your Meezs footwear from boots or stilettos, or a new pair of Nike shoes, you get a new pair very easily in the game.
Access Meezs official web page and log in to your account using your username and password.
Click Shop and select Meez Maker.
Enter Nike into the Item Search field and click Go. To try on a pair of Nike shoes, click the color and style of your choice. Click Save under your avatar when finished. Read more....

The Nike+ sensor for the iPod is an add-on device for the iPod nano, iPod classic and iPod touch that allows you to record your exercise routines using the devices motion sensor. Although the device is electronic, its able to withstand outdoor use and light moisture caused by perspiration.
Place the Nike+ sensor securely into the insole of your left Nike shoe.
Avoid stepping in deep puddles of water or snow while jogging or running.
Remove the sensor from your shoe if it gets wet from water to minimize the possibility of damage.
Wipe the sensor with a clean, dry cloth to remove surface moisture. Read more....

Several major sportswear companies offer customers the ability to customize footwear on their websites. Though the customization option is not available with every shoe model offered by the company, in most cases you still have the option of customizing several different models. You are able to customize the color scheme and, in some instances, even add your own personal word or phrase. Though you can access these customization sections of a shoe site from anywhere in the world, delivery of customized products is typically restricted to the U.S.
Navigate to the website belonging to the shoe brand you would like to customize.
Select a shoe category: women, men or kids.
Select the specific model of shoe to which you want to add customizations and your shoe size.
Select an editable shoe section, which may include the sole, logo, tongue, trims and accents, various lining regions, base, underlay and toe cap. Then, choose your preferred color scheme for each section.
Add a personalized phrase or name if the company offers this choice. Be aware that custom writing usually comes at an extra cost.
Click Save or Add to Cart when you are finished customizing your footwear. Enter your personal information; you will be asked for a delivery address and your billing information. Read more....

Made from rubber, fabric and foam, running shoes provide your feet with added cushioning and comfort during your most punishing workouts. When your shoes have taken their last step, it is time to give them new life by recycling them. Recycling centers can take your old shoes and reuse them to make new products from the damaged materials.
Consider your recycling options. You can take your old shoes to a regular recycling center that disposes the plastics and synthetic materials, such as the rubber and foam found in shoes. If you decide your shoes can go to a better purpose, shoe recycling programs exist, such as Nikes Reuse-a-Shoe program who and break down the shoe into three parts foam, rubber and fabric in order to reuse the materials.
Note the times and dates a recycling center is opened. Most centers are opened five days a week. See resources for more information on finding a center near you.
Mail or deliver your shoes to a recycling center. If you decide to mail your shoes to a shoe recycling program, visit the website, write down the address and send the shoes in a shoe box to the specified location. Some shoe reuse programs do send you pre-labled boxes with their mailing addressing. Read more....

3M Scotchlite Reflective Material is an embossed vinyl fabric often used as a decorative trim on safety gear for construction crews and law enforcement as well as on athletic shoes and sports gear. Perhaps best known for being used on the Air Jordan V, 3M Scotchlite reflective trim has become a mainstay of high-end sneaker manufacturers worldwide, and it is important to clean this material regularly to keep shoes looking their best. Due to its sturdy construction, the 3M material is not difficult to maintain.
Dampen a soft cloth in cold water. Try not to make it too wet or it will take longer for the shoe to dry.
Rub some mild soap into the cloth. Most hand soaps should be fine or use a dab of laundry detergent that does not contain sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.
Brush the soapy cloth over the synthetic 3M material. You can scrub harder if the job requires, but most dirt and grime should come right off without much struggle.
Set the shoe aside and allow it to dry thoroughly at room temperature. Read more....

Coach is a brand that was developed in 1941 and is best known for its exquisite handbags. Using quality leather, Coach makes other products, such as clothing and many types of accessories, such as shoes, jewelry, sunglasses and belts. These products are featured in Coach stores and department stores all over North America. In the mid-1990s Coach introduced a line of shoes. Since then, Coach has continued to produce shoes for women and men.
What started off as a family-run workshop in Manhattan has grown into an empire that, as of 2008, had 297 stores in North America as well as products featured in over 900 department stores. Coach is a company widely known for its accessories such as footwear that, along with other products, are rich in heritage.
According to the companys web site, early on Coach was owned by a group of artisans that handcrafted leather goods using skills handed down from generation to generation. Coach products were different from other products on the market at the time because their leather was made softer and stronger like a baseball glove. The glove had distinct markings and supple leather that inspired the first handbag ever made by Coach. Since then, Coach has continued to be innovative with leather by designing new finishes, grains, textures and colors. These innovations with leather have defined Coach shoes.
Manufacturing of Coach shoes began in the mid-1990s behind the creative talents of lead designer Reed Krakoff, who is the president and executive creative designer of Coach. At around this same time, Coach began to use the distinctive C design on its products, which is now its signature logo. In 1999, Coach footwear became a licensed product with Jimlar Corporation. Although Coachs footwear is not its most popular item, the brand provides a large array of shoes for customers to choose from.
Coachs line of womens footwear includes many pairs of sneakers, such as the 2009 Kathleen or Barrett style sneaker, or the Birch style hightop sneaker. Along with sneakers, Coach makes heels, wedges, platforms and thong sandals. When the Florence sandal debuted in 2009, it was featured in the March 2009 issue of Glamour Magazine, on a page that featured Seriously Strappy Heels.
Coach shoes for men include flip flops, sneakers, loafers, boat shoes and boots. All styles are made from leather, suede and other high-quality fabrics. To go with its line of mens shoes, Coach also offers other products, such as wallets, briefcases, watches and belts. Celebrities such as Ryan Reynolds have been seen sporting the Coach Hamptons satchel for men. Read more....