These kicks were made for walking...

If you're anything like me, you've kind of gotten used to stores with a huge multi-brand selection and terrible service. That works for most things - espcially when you already know what you want - because you just pick the store with the lowest prices.

But, like buying a car, or deciding on a television, I finally realized that I need more information when it comes to getting new athletic shoes. And I don't mean for, like, walking around at work, I mean shoes that will be used for actual sport and fitness. I've been taking long walks in the morning before work and noticed that my shins were starting to smart. Then for the first time in five years, I jogged on Friday. My back and hips hurt by that evening. It was time for some new gear.

After 2 years of listening to my boyfriend gush about his NBs - which he wears all day everyday - I did it right and went over to the New Balance store in Santa Monica. The girl helping me was no older than 25 (at the most) but she knew more about shoes than any Best Buy employee anywhere knows about anything. I know that isn't really saying much, but she was really super. She asked me lots of questions - what would I be using them for: walking, running, weight training, etc., how often, and what problems I was currently having. She measured my foot, which hadn't been done FOREVER. Apparently, I'm a 7.5-8, not an 8-8.5, like I always thought. Then she brought out 4 possible pairs that were all suitable. Over the course of an hour, we slowly whittled it down. Along the way, she took in my feedback, and told me the body mechanics of why some shoes felt better or worse. She also showed me a new (and super cool) way to lace my shoes which keeps my heel in place without cutting off the circulation. It sounds dumb, but it was the icing on the cake. And now, for the first time since I was 10, I have a pair of running/walking/training shoes that feel absolutely 100% perfect.

*Editor's note: Until the age of 10, my mom took us to Keane's Children's Shoes, where they would always measure us, help us put our shoes on, feel our toes in the shoes, have us walk around, and remeasure us. They also had a talking parrot. When you're a kid, you will go anywhere if you get to see a talking parrot.

So, do your body a favor, get some kicks that fit your feet. Join team NB!
And below, my fresh new sneaks: