Shoes


Nike Dunk review

nike dunks review

pictured: Nike Dunk High in olive and white /

It is entirely possible I have been on a sneakers kick the past two years. Ever since I started to have foot problems, I found sneakers were better for my feet than all my fabulous, sky high heels. In moving towards sneakers, my daughter introduced to me to the SNKRS app and the fun street sneakers from Nike.

Nike Dunks are a popular street sneaker which have been in high demand for many years. If you look at people’s feet, you will find people from teenagers through to Generation X, and possibly some Boomers, wearing Nike Dunks. This is a sneaker style and street style trend which transcends age and demographic. Love that!

You can find a few different types of Nike Dunks on the street. There are Nike Dunk Lows which are a traditional, low top sneaker. There are also Nike Dunk Highs which are traditional high-top sneakers, and the SB line which is geared towards skateboarding. Oftentimes, most SB styles are sold in skate shops rather than the SNKRS app or Nike stores. Although, you can find SB styles through Nike sometimes. I did manage to snag one pair!

Once in a great while, Nike will offer the chance to create your own Nike Dunk sneakers! This is really fun because you have many colors available to you, and you can design your own pair with the color combo you want. I have done this twice. Once with Nike Dunk Highs, which I ordered in blue and white, and once with Nike Dunk Lows which I ordered in mint green and a greyish-white hue. Love!

Nike Dunk sneakers are easy to wear with a variety of outfits. Of course, they can be worn with the obvious casual looks such as jeans, chinos, and shorts, but they can also be paired with dresses and skirts for a dressy yet sporty look.

What I love about Nike Dunk sneakers is that they are available in so many different colors! Many are one color plus white, but sometimes you can find them in three or more colors mixed together. They can match a certain outfit or be their own standout piece in an overall look. It is fun to find a pretty color and match it with a look! I also love my black and white Pandas because they go with literally anything! I feel like everyone needs a pair of black and white Dunks, often referred to as “Pandas.”

One of the drawbacks to the Nike Dunks is that the leather is not very soft. It is often stiff and easily creases. If you don’t mind creases, like me, then this will be OK with you. If you want your sneakers to keep their shape out of the box, you might consider adding an insert to the shoe or store them with a shoe shaper. One thing to note, the Dunk’s Nike allows you to create yourself seem to use higher quality leather which does not crease as easily, although they seem to fit a bit more snug than the off-the-rack Nike Dunk’s.

If you are like me, and need to wear orthotics, this can be a bit tricky. The insoles are glued inside the shoes. If you don’t mind ripping them out, it is easy to do. Then you can insert your orthotics. If you don’t want to rip out the insoles, you can wear an arch support band or add additional arch support to the existing sole. I wear mine with an arch support band and I am able to walk pain-free.

You can find Nike Dunk’s directly through Nike, or on the secondary market. Sometimes you will need to enter a lottery or draw through Nike or on the SNKRS app in order to snap up a pair you really want. If you can’t find the color combo you are looking for, you can buy from resellers but be careful! You want to make sure you are buying a legit pair made by Nike. I have linked to my favorites on the secondary market below. These are from reputable resellers, but always inspect them when you receive them to make sure you got the real deal!

There are plenty of colors to choose from through Nike right now. Here are my favorites! Please note, when you click on the black, grey, white pair, you will be taken directly to the create your own Nike Dunk low. Have fun designing!

I hope you enjoy your new Nike Dunk’s! They are a classic sneaker which you can enjoy for years; so, don’t be afraid to invest in multiple colorways! You can splurge all at once or invest in pairs over time. Love that!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

pictured below: Nike Dunk Low in black and white, also known as “Pandas” /

nike dunk review

Nike Dunks review


How to relieve Planter Fasciitis pain

how to relieve planter fasciitis pain

Panter Fasciitis relief from top left: green balls / sandals with arch support / foot roller kit / hidden arches / over the counter orthotics / arch support compression sleeve /

If you have been following along the past two years, you know I went from a hip injury to planter fasciitis. Ugh. Unfortunately, the planter fasciitis has decided to stay awhile, which means I need to constantly manage my pain and not get too confident that everything is over.

In late April, early May, I went on two quick trips and did a lot of walking. My foot seemed fine, so I left my orthotics at home. Big mistake. It is now June, and my foot is still sore. I need to undo the damage I did from not wearing proper arch support over a month ago. Don’t do what I did. If your doctor gave you orthotics, wear them!

If you have not seen a doctor yet, then you might be wondering what orthotics are. They are specially made shoe inserts you can use inside your sneakers to replace the soles the sneakers came with. The orthotics have been specially made to fit your exact foot, so they are far superior then anything you purchase over the counter. This also means they are quite expensive and if your insurance is like mine, they are not covered. The out-of-pocket expense was well over six hundred dollars for mine.

Before treating any ailment, you should always see a doctor. This post does not replace visiting a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. I am not a medical professional, so what I am about to write is from my experience only and may not be beneficial to you. If you have seen a doctor and know that some of these treatments will help you, then read on!

Orthotics: We just went over orthotics. If your doctor recommended them and they are too expensive, you can try using the over-the-counter inserts. They are a fraction of the price and should provide some relief. Also, if you live near a running shop such as Road Runner Sports in Campbell, they can mold inserts for you to fit your foot; also for a fraction of the cost of orthotics. Just know, medical orthotics are always the best option.

Arch support compression sleeve: This is a magical product! I wear these with flat shoes and when I do barefoot exercises such as Pilates or yoga. I absolutely love these and they are a total game changer. I can exercise pain free when attending barefoot classes! Yoga is great too because there are stretches which help relieve planter fasciitis plain. So that makes these little sleeves even more important. I cannot live without them! Love!

Roller balls: These little lacrosse balls are great for rolling along the tendon to relieve inflammation and pain. Be sure to consult your doctor before using one, and make sure they tell you how to properly use one. I also love this roller ball kit with different types of balls for relieving pain. Again, speak with your doctor before use.

Birkenstocks: These are the most amazing shoes. I have a pair I wear solely as slippers around the house so the soles stay clean. I also have an outdoor pair. These are perfect for days when you want to wear sandals but also need your arch support. I recommend sticking to the suede because they are more comfortable than the leather; although the suede does get dirtier faster. Just a heads-up.

Well, that’s it! You can also ice your foot as directed by your doctor. I find these products help me relieve pain in my daily life, so hopefully they can help you too! Always check with your doctor, just in case you have a serious tear or other injury which is acting like planter fasciitis but is something else.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy


Shoe capsule wardrobe summer 2023

Shoe capsule wardrobe summer 2023 from top left: mint green sneakers (similar) / black slides / metallic fabric espadrilles / metallic leather espadrilles / classic wedge espadrilles in ivory /

I am back on my espadrille kick! Espadrilles are my favorite summer shoe because they are soft, and the fabric allows your feet to breath. Also, with planter fasciitis, you can wear espadrilles if they have a wedge and you also wear a support band on your foot. Test this out at home before leaving the house to ensure it works for your particular planter fasciitis case. Also, bring a backup pair of sneakers with your orthotics inside just in case the espadrilles and band aren’t cutting it. I leave my sneakers in the trunk of my car in case I need to switch them out. So far, I haven’t’ had to do that! Yay!

Green, in any shade, is huge right now, so I picked up these mint green dunks when Nike offered design-your-own dunks. It will be fun to wear mint green sneakers this summer. It is such a pretty color!

Shop my summer 2023 shoe capsule online:

My summer will be fairly casual, so I am not including my high heels in this post. Of course, I do keep a classic black pair in my closet just in case!

Which types of shoes are you loving this summer season?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy