Tag Archives: foot care

Made in USA—we proudly support local shoe and foot care businesses

Manufacturing Marketing magazine recently published an issue devoted to USA-made products, including 6th-generation Annin Flagmakers who has been manufacturing USA flags since 1847.

Here at Justin Blair, we have been partnering with locally-made companies since we started our business over 40 years ago.  On the heels of Independence Day in the USA, we would like to acknowledge the shoe care and foot care products we carry that are made in the USA and the manufacturers we partner with who manufacture many (or all) of their products locally.

We also manufacture many of our own products locally, including more than three-quarters of our Ralyn Shoe Care line.

Core Products

Core Products’ best-selling Tri-Core Cervical Pillow and Soft Comfort CorPak Hot & Cold Therapy packs are manufactured at their industrial sewing and textile manufacturing facility in Wisconsin.

Plastazote Sheets

We convert Plastazote—a latex-free, non-toxic and hypoallergenic foam used for orthotic formation that is free from all residual chemicals—in-house in our Chicago facility. As a result of manufacturing locally, we can assure the highest quality—as well as produce custom sheets, strips, or laminates in any size.

Ralyn Shoe Care

Ralyn Shoe Care, our in-house line, is made for shoe care professionals by industry experts. More than 80% of our line is manufactured in the USA, including our top-sellers, Ralyn Aquatec, Ralyn Leather Lotion and Ralyn PediMates.

Disposable Foot Sox

Our brand of disposable foot sox is manufactured at our partner’s dedicated hosiery plant in North Carolina. We sell a range of foot sox used by top footwear retailers, from the top-selling Women’s Disposable Foot Sox, to specialty foot sox such as Men’s Disposable Foot Sox, Disposable Cushioned Athletic Sox and Disposable Trouser Sox.

Join us in celebrating and supporting these manufacturers whose products are MADE IN THE USA!

 

Finding the Right Shoe to Alleviate Symptoms from Common Foot Problems

Guest post by Rae Steinbach of Taos Footwear 

Each day we rely on our feet to carry us around with little thought until they cause us pain or discomfort. Our feet contain 42 muscles, 26 bones, 33 joints, and around 50 ligaments that hold everything together and help us move.

With so many parts, it is hardly surprising that it doesn’t take much for something to go wrong. In fact, there are many different types of foot problems. Understanding what they are and how they’re caused will aid us to choose shoes, like comfortable sandals or supportive sneakers, that can correct or help treat common conditions.

Common Foot Complaints and Treatments

Foot pain can occur in the ball, heel, toes, or ankles. Each condition has slightly different causes and requires various treatments to relieve the pain. Below is a list of common foot ailments and their likely causes, along with suggested treatments.

Hammer Toes, Claw Toes, and Mallet Toes

Although they may sound similar, each of these conditions has slightly different causes and treatments.

A hammer toe causes the second, third, or fourth toe to cross, point at an odd angle, or bend at the middle. Often caused by badly fitting shoes, this condition can be corrected with a proper fit that leaves room for toes, inserts, and foot pads. If left too long however, toes can become fixed in this position, leading to intense pain that can only be corrected with surgery.

Claw toes occur is when all but the big toe curls up from the first joint, where toes connect with the foot, and down from the middle joint. Wearing tight shoes can cause this condition, which often results in calluses and corns forming on top of the middle joints. Nerve damage from diabetes and other conditions can also cause claw toes.

Mallet toes usually affect the longest toe on the foot – either our big toe or second toe. The last toe-joint bulges, causing it to take on a mallet shape. Foot injuries and arthritis can cause this condition and it should be treated by regularly rubbing calluses with pumice stones to reduce their size. Those affected should also wear shoes with enough room for the toes and place a pad over the toe or under the tips.

Each of these conditions can also be helped by special exercises that strengthen and stretch feet and toe muscles.

Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Spurs, and Stone Bruises  

Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs can sometimes be confused, as both cause pain in the heel. Plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation or irritation in the foot tissue that connects the heel to the ball of the foot. Heel spurs, on the other hand, are the result of a calcium build up on the heel bone that can extend as much as half an inch, sometimes causing pain similar to that of plantar fasciitis.

Heel spurs are associated with poorly fitting or severely worn shoes, excess weight, and running regularly on hard surfaces. Plantar fasciitis is related to a wider range of factors. It can be brought on by increasing age that brings on a reduction in the heel’s protective fat pad, diabetes, spending most of the day on one’s feet, and flat feet or high arches.

The pain from both heel spurs and plantar fasciitis can be alleviated by wearing shoes that adequately support feet and cushion heels.

Stone bruises are deep bruises that feel as though you are walking on a small stone that can often feel like either of the above two conditions. Well-fitting shoes that have shock absorbing soles can alleviate pain while the bruise heals.

Bunions, Corns, and Calluses

Bunions form on the edge of the big toe and can cause intense pain, or simply cause the big toe to point inwards without any other symptoms. Well-fitted shoes with plenty of space for toes should be worn to avoid rubbing and generating unnecessary pain.

Corns and calluses are caused by shoes that don’t fit properly, put pressure on the feet, and rub on the toes, heels, or sides of the foot. Wearing shoes that fit properly should stop corns and calluses from developing.

If you have corns already, treat them by soaking feet in warm water for ten minutes or more. Then, file the affected area with a pumice stone to reduce thickened skin and relieve pressure when wearing shoes. Padding can also be used to protect affected areas from further damage.

Feet are often overlooked in the daily care and maintenance of our bodies. Taking a little time each day to look after our feet often prevents painful conditions (such as those noted above) from developing.

Freelance editor Rae Steinbach is a graduate of Tufts University with a combined International Relations and Chinese degree. After spending time living and working abroad in China, she returned to NYC to pursue her career and continue curating quality content. Rae is passionate about travel, food, and writing (of course).

New products for foot comfort, foot health & boot care

New products from Justin Blair
We are pleased to offer the following new products for foot and shoe comfort, diabetic foot health, and boot care and protection. All are in-stock and ready to ship.

Powerstep Memory Foam Comfort Insoles

Combines slow-recovery memory foam with an encapsulated polypropylene arch shell for maximum comfort with full support. Dual-layer cushioning provides targeted and controlled pressure relief. Plush memory foam layer conforms to the shape of the foot and provides maximum cushioning in a variety shoes.

Copper Cloud Diabetic Socks

Keeps feet wound-free, odor-free and feeling great. Seamless design curbs ulceration. Moisture-wicking promotes drier feet and ventilated airflow for temperature control. Non-binding for improved circulation. Copper yarn means antibacterial/antifungal/anti-odor and softer skin. Available in black or white, No-Show, Ankle or Crew styles.

Kg’s Boot Guard

Offers superior protection from toe wear, water seepage along the welt, and seam erosion. Can be applied to new or used boots and bonds to leather, rubber, Cordura, vinyl, and even to exposed steel. Available in 2 oz. or 4 oz.

Contact your Territory Manager or customer service to place your order today. Or order online.

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2017 Justin Blair Summer Sales Meeting is a success!

Justin Blair 2017 sales meeting recap

Left to right: Justin Blair Chief Sales Officer Scott Weinstein smiles at the great 1st half results our Territory Managers posted this year. Rob Cooper from Core Products presents to the JB team.

The Justin Blair Summer Sales Meetings wrapped up last week and we would like to thank all who attended: Jason Hoane of Powerstep, Josh Higgins of ING Source, Jason Bates and Rob Cooper of Core Products, Larry Goodman of Apex Foot Health Industries (an OHI company), Kate Spezia of Knit-Rite and via Skype, Tom Traver of Orthozone (Thermoskin).

Powerstep

Powerstep discussed new and exciting products that will become available in 2018.  Be on the lookout for more detailed information later on in the year

Orthosleeve

Orthosleeve presented their FDA medical grade compression products for more active lifestyles and talked about how to improve turns at the retail level. They presented the FS4, a new 200 needle sock that is seamless, moisture wicking, anti-microbial with a lighter compression than FS6 and appropriate for everyday use.  A new full line retail display is in the works—more information will be available soon.

Therafirm

Therafirm presented the following new products: Sheer patterns (Ease), singles for doctors (ideal for vein centers), arm lymphedema sleeves (30-40% lower than Jobst)

Apex

Apex discussed their new Copper Socks (available to ship from us on 8/1).  Their VP of Sales, Larry Goodman spoke of continued improvements in their 3PL operations.  Efforts continue to make Apex the best brand of comfort footwear in the industry.

Justin Blair Updates

We also discussed possible enhancements to return policies, updated processes to improve the experience for first time customers and customer service errors, as well as continuing efforts to make working with Justin Blair meet our philosophy of “Doing business, made easy!”

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