Hello Indy!
We'd like to give a final farewell to the hustle-n-bustle of Brooklyn, NYC and want to give a big ol' hey y'all to our new home in the Crossroads of America: Indiana! Look out for Sohofeet products in a store near you as we travel to more tradeshows!
As we unpack and settle into our new digs please note that all orders will be shipping from Indianapolis, IN and may take an extra 3-5 days to ship out. Normal shipping speeds will resume in August.
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Arch Frenemies
Do your shoes leave your feet aching after a long day or a grueling workout? There’s a great chance that you could be in need of proper fitting arch supports, to relieve your pain. Whether they are over-the-counter or custom made arch supports (orthotics), we have 5 rules you should follow to help make shoes a FRIEND not a FOE to your daily activities!
Make Room!
Always check to see if the insoles inside your shoes can be removed, before inserting new arch supports. Inserting arch supports without removing the insoles can “crowd” your shoe, making for a tight and uncomfortable fit.
Left Foot, Right Foot
Is there still something about the fit of your supports that is not quite right? Then you want to make sure that you have the correct arch support in the correct shoe. The solution? Label you supports LEFT and RIGHT to ensure you’re placing your inserts into the correct shoes.
Easy Does It
It is always a great idea to not go full throttle when prancing around with your new arch supports (esp. custom orthotics). Instead, start by wearing the inserts 1-2 hours, then increase by 1-2 hours each day. This gives your feet an opportunity to adjust to your new inserts, preventing further discomfort.
One Size Fits All (of your shoes)
On the hunt for a new pair of kicks? Don’t forget your arch supports! Inserting them into any new shoes of interest provides you with the best idea of whether those new shoes are truly the right fit.
No Fit, No Good
If you follow the rules above and continue to experience discomfort with your newfound inserts, do not hesitate to contact your podiatrist. They can answer questions, provide general supervision, and even work to correct arch supports that are problematic.
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Easy On the Feet, Easy On the Eyes
Gift News Daily gives the lowdown on Southern Hospitality while at our most recent trade show at AmericasMart!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Daily Aha!
Special thanks to YouBeauty for allowing us to contribute to their Daily Aha!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
The Heat Is...OFF! 4 Tips to Care for Your Skin During the Winter
The temperature outside may be falling, but the need to give your skin the proper care is still at an all-time high. Here are 4 tips to help your skin win the battle against Jack Frost.
Exfoliate
Cold weather brings low humidity and high winds that strips your skin of its natural moisture, leaving your skin dry and- over time- thickened and rough. To rid your skin of those excess, unwanted layers, exfoliate your skin 3 to 4 times WEEKLY. You always want to make sure to exfoliate on wet skin (particularly after soaking, bathing, or showering) to prevent causing further damage to your skin.
Moisturize
Once you remove the skin you don't want, the next step is to nourish the skin that you do want. To make your skin go from rough and scaly to supple and smooth, moisturize your skin 2 to 3 times DAILY- giving priority to the areas that are in direct exposure to the cold.
Sunscreen
Yep, you read right! Sunscreen shields you from sun's harmful ultraviolet rays that are problematic, EVEN during the winter months. A minimum SPF of 15 should be used and applied to sun-exposed skin 30 minutes before going outdoors and RE-applied every 1 to 2 hours. Hitting the slopes this winter? Then you should "up" your SPF to 30. High altitudes puts you closer to the sun, making the sun rays even more damaging to the skin.
What the foot !?!
Socks
Avoid wearing cotton socks in freezing cold temperatures. Instead, look for socks made of synthetic materials (nylon, special polyesters, etc.) to wick away excess moisture and alleviate chilled tootsies. To learn more, check out Jack Frost Nipping at Your...Toes.
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Pssst! Your Epidermis is Showing (Winter Edition)
Coat...check! Hat and gloves...check! Scarf...check! But did you grab your sunscreen? That's right! See why applying sunscreen is a must, even when it's cold outside.
Apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. Even when temps turn frigid, sun rays are still strong enough to be harmful against your skin. That's why it's always best to apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. The combination of cool weather and high altitudes can put you at an even greater risk for sun damaged skin by greater than 10%. In this case, you should look for sunscreen with a SPF of 30.
Make sure all exposed skin is exposed. Even as you bundle up in layers and layers to stay warm, chances are there is still one part of your body that is still exposed...your face! Make sure to cover your face- and any other exposed skin- before braving the sun and the cold. Remember, it takes 15 minutes for your skin to fully absorb sunscreen and it should be applied at least 30 minutes before going outdoors, for maximum protection.
Reapply. Be sure to always reapply your sunscreen every 1-2 hours. Excessive sweating or engaging in outdoor activities may require more frequent applications.
Lastly, be sure that your sunscreen of choice is marked "broad spectrum" and "water resistant." Also, inspect your skin regularly for any potential changes, such as moles and lesions. If you suspect any changes, report to your physician immediately
Learn more about the importance of sunscreen HERE!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Foot Fungus Amongus
Our friends at Wake - The Foot Sanctuary & Shop lets us get the word out of the Foot Fungus Amongus....Check it out!!!
Crossfoot: 5 tips to finding the right shoes for crossfit
With CrossFit being the latest workout that is all the craze, do you have the right shoe gear to conquer your workout? Here are 5 tips to find the right shoes that will put the “fit” in CrossFit!
Lightweight
The key for any CrossFit workout is to allow your feet to perform in as close to a minimalistic natural state as possible. The rigors of CrossFit subjects your body to maximum physical exertion. There’s no need to carry anymore unnecessary weight on an already taxing workout. Remember, any shoe for CrossFit should yield the feeling and freedom of being shoeless while providing the comfort and protection of a proper fitting shoe.
CrossFit Activities of Interest: Running, Box jumping, Jump rope
Minimal Heel to Toe Drop
Your heel should not be in a raised position when sporting the ideal CrossFit kick. Having increased cushioning in heel- as opposed to the forefoot- can transfer too much weight towards the toes with any activities involving planting your feet firmly. Also, increased cushioning in the heel promotes premature heel strike impact when landing, giving way to increased pressures to the heel that can be detrimental long term. Instead, cushioning should be as consistant as possible from heel to toe. This allows for pressure and shock absorption to disperse evenly across your feet with activity.
CrossFit Activities of Interest: Any crossfit activity
Minimal Tread
It is always best to “tread lightly” when on lookout for the right shoes for CrossFit. Less tread on the outsole creates more stability, allowing you to stand firm. Shoes with more extensive treading can cause you to lose your footing which may lead to injury.
CrossFit Activities of Interest: Burpee, Squats, Lunges
Wide Toe Box
Our feet naturally expands outward (called splaying) with weightbearing or establishing a firm stable stance. That’s why you want to make sure to find the right shoes with a toe box that can accommodate for the expansion. But take care to not sport shoes that give too much room. Find shoes that are roomy enough for comfort, but snug enough to prevent side-to-side movement.
CrossFit Activities of Interest: Deadlifting, Kettlebell swinging, Tire flipping
Breathable
An intense crossfit workout is best tackled with shoes that are made with breathable- often mesh- material. As heat build-up mounts, mesh lining provides increased ventilation helping control sweating which can minimize problems such as chaffing, foot odor, slippage within the shoe, and the formation of blisters.
Crossfit Activities of Interest: Any crossfit activity
Check our Soul Searching Series and Get Sporty for more info on finding the right shoes for the right activity!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Can I get athlete's foot from my yoga mat?
Southern Hospitality answers the question: Can I get athlete's foot from my yoga mat? Courtesy of YouBeauty!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
