While shoes by themselves are common fashion statements, you can also add personality to your feet by the way you lace your shoes. There are a number of popular ways to lace shoes that have emerged as part of a modern culture that includes Air Force Ones, Chuck Taylors and various skater shoes. One way to lace them is with the simple straight bar style, which can be accomplished in just seconds.
Lace the left end of your lace through the top of the left side loop and the right end through the top of the right side loop.
Pull the right side loop through the slot directly above it and then lace it horizontally across to the left side loop.
Skip one loop with the same lace and pull the lace through the loop and then over horizontally again. Do this as far up as you would like to go on the shoe.
Pull the left side lace up to the first free loop on the left side and then pull it across horizontally like you did with the other side.
Pull it through to all free loops that were skipped by the right lace to complete the lacing process. Read more....

The Nike+ SportBand is a wristband with a small display and a shoe sensor. Place the sensor in your shoe and it sends information about your workout to the wristband, including pace, distance, time and calories burned. The WearLink is a chest transmitter from Polar. It wirelessly sends your heart rate information to a Polar wrist monitor. You can use the Polar WearLink chest strap to send heart rate data to your Nike+ SportBand. You need to link the transmitter with the wristband before using them together for the first time.
Wrap the WearLink transmitter just below your chest muscles. Tighten the strap so it is snug, but not uncomfortable. The Polar logo should face front and upright.
Moisten the electrodes on the back of the transmitter with a few drops of water.
Press and hold the button on the side of your Nike+ Sportband for three seconds. The word Link should appear on the screen, followed by OK. Your transmitter and wristband are linked. Read more....

The Nike Swoosh is one of the most famous brand logos in the world. Instantly recognizable by almost anyone, the Swoosh contains no letters but a right-pointing curved tick. The most straightforward way to make a Nike Swoosh of your own is to download a brush that mimics the style of the logo. From the basic shape, alter and customize it in Photoshop to suit your style or project.
Launch your PCs Internet browser and navigate to a website such as Deviant Art or Brusheezy that offers custom Photoshop brush packages. Photoshop does not have a Swoosh or tick-based set of brushes by default, so download a Nike set of brushes and save it to the PC desktop.
Launch Photoshop and open a new document. Ensure that the document is the size you need it to be. Alternatively, load an existing document if you want to add the Swoosh to an existing image.
Select the Brush tool embedded in the toolbar on the left side of the screen; the Brush tool is represented by an image of a painting brush.
Click on the small arrow next to the brush shape at the top of the screen. Doing so should open a drop-down menu with a series of different brush shapes and diameters. Click on another arrow pointing right in the top right corner of the drop-down menu. Another menu should appear.
Select Load Brushes from the menu options and choose to load the Nike brush package you downloaded to the desktop earlier. Click the Load button to confirm.
Scroll down the list of brushes available in the previous menu and find the Nike swoosh toward or at the bottom of the list. Click on it to select the brush.
Alter the size of the Swoosh by changing the Master Diameter option in the brush menu; the diameter is measured in pixels, and around 200px is a good size for a large Swoosh.
Alter the fill and line color of the Swoosh by changing the two color boxes on the left-hand menu. The top color is the fill color and the bottom color is the line; change them both by double-clicking on each and selecting a shade from the options.
Print your custom Swoosh onto the image or document by clicking on the page only once. The Swoosh should appear in the size and colors youve selected. Read more....

For many fans, Michael Jordan is the greatest player ever to grace the game of basketball. NBA 2K11 tapped into this by making the shooting guard the star of the game. Users can play as Michael Jordan and all of his Chicago Bulls teammates in some of Jordans most legendary matches. Unfortunately for those who have not picked up the newest installment in the NBA 2K series, the 2010 game has no such features. If you want to play with the celebrated number 23 on this game, you can create your own Jordan in the My Player mode of NBA 2K10.
Select My Player mode, then New.
Press the RB button on the controller. Change height to 6.6 using the right and left arrows on your D-pad.
Set weight to 194 lbs. using the same technique.
Make muscle tone ripped.
Press RB.
Alter hairstyle to Stubble Short.
Set hair color to Medium Brown.
Change eyebrow to Eyebrow 2.
Press RB to move onto the Face section.
Set eye color to Brown using the right and left arrows.
Enter the Head section and choose the top-left box.
Move the controllers left stick 4.5 boxes left and 5.5 boxes down on the left grid. Move the controllers right stick 4.5 boxes right and 5 boxes up on the right grid. Press the RB button.
Set the cursor 4 boxes to the left using the left cursor. Hit RB.
Pull down on the left stick until the cursor hits the bottom of the grid. Press RB.
Set the left grids cursor 2.5 boxes down and 1/2 box left. Change the right grids cursor 2 boxes up and 1/2 box right. Return to the Face section.
Enter the Face section and then the top-left box.
Set the left cursor 3 boxes up and 2 boxes right using the left stick. Position the right cursor 3 boxes left using the right stick. Hit RB.
Move the left analog stick 4 boxes left and down. Press RB.
Position the left cursor 2 boxes right and 1 box up with your left stick. Move the right stick left until the right cursor cannot move any farther. Return to the Face screen.
Select Mouth and then the top-left box.
Move the left stick 3.5 boxes left and 1.5 boxes down. Shift the right stick half a box right. Press RB.
Set the left cursor 4.5 boxes right and 3 boxes down with the left analog stick. Using the right analog stick, set the right grids cursor 1.5 boxes to the right. Hit RB.
Shift the left stick 1/2 box both up and right. Move the right stick 4.5 boxes right. Go back to the Face menu.
Select Ears and then choose the top-left box.
Set the left cursor 3.5 boxes up and 3 boxes right with the left stick. Hit RB.
Move the right cursor all the way to the left and 1.5 boxes down using the right analog stick. Return to the Face section.
Enter Nose and then select the top-left box.
Move the left stick 4 boxes down and right. Hit RB.
Set the cursor 5.5 boxes up and 1.5 boxes right with the left stick. Press RB.
Shift the left cursor 2.5 boxes down and 1 box right using the left stick. Press the RB button.
Move the left stick 1.5 boxes up and 5.5 boxes right. Return to the Face screen.
Select Eyes and then enter the top-left box.
Position the left grids cursor 5.5 boxes left with the left analog stick. Shift the right grids cursor 5.5 boxes up and 2 boxes left using the right analog stick. Hit RB.
Move the left stick all the way to the left. Move the right stick 1.5 boxes to the left. Return to the Face menu and press RB. Read more....

Shoes with spikes may be necessary for certain sports. They add friction and control when running on wet or slippery grass and dirt for sports like baseball, football, and soccer. For track and field, spikes add traction and grip between your shoes and the track surface. After your sport season is over, your should remove the spikes from your shoes and replace them. This will help to prevent older spikes from breaking and perhaps causing injury.
Place the spike wrench over the spike.
Begin twisting the wrench counterclockwise.
Pull the spike out once it is loosened. If the spike is stuck, apply a lubricant (like WD-40) to the base of the spike to loosen it up.
Purchase a bag of new athletic spikes.
Talk to your coach and trainers before putting in the spikes. Each sport may require a different placement for the spikes. Your coaches and trainers will be able to tell you exactly where the spikes should go for optimal performance.
Insert the first spike into a spike hole on the bottom of the shoe. Use the spike wrench to turn the spike clockwise until it is tightly screwed into the shoe.
Repeat Step 6 until all of the spikes are properly placed. Read more....

Increase your vertical leap as you build calf and thigh muscles with your very own set of handmade vertical leap shoes, also known as jumpsoles. By shifting weight and balance to the front area of the foot and away from the heel, these shoes put stress on those muscles that assist in vertical jumps, so you can single them out.
Dont expect instant results! Practicing running, walking, and jumps a little bit each day with these shoes will gradually assist you in developing the relevant muscle groups. Be safe and enjoy!
Step on a roll of toilet paper to squash it. Align the squashed roll with the bottom of the shoe so that it covers as much area as possible, beginning from the toe.
Tightly wrap duct tape around the shoe and toilet paper roll so that the roll is firmly attached to the shoe. Make sure to tape in both directions, wrapping around from sole to top and from toe to heel. Repeat these steps for the other shoe.
Your vertical leap shoes are intact! Now, wasnt that easy? Time to strap them on and give them a go. Remember to check your duct tape and reapply as necessary if any rips occur. Read more....

Womens shoes vary in style as much as the women who wear them. It is impossible to name every type of womens shoe, however, there are overall categories the shoes can be placed in. Each category has many different types and styles of shoes within it, and these are suited for every type of woman and circumstance.
In this case, the term heels does not refer to every type of shoe that has a heel. Heels generally fall into the pump category, although other shoes are referred to as heels too. Pumps are open on top, with a back and sides. The toes are pointy, round or square. Heels also refer to sling-back pumps, which have a strap that goes around the heel, as opposed to a full back. Open-toe or peep-toe shoes also have high heels. These shoes have a small hole in the toe of the shoe. Wedge shoes have a chunky heel that looks like a wedge and lies flat on the ground.
Flats are shoes with no heels. Flats can be pointy- or round-toed. Though the top is open, they have sides and a back on the shoe. A popular flat shoe is the ballet flat, which has a rounded toe and looks similar to a ballet slipper.
This type of womens shoe includes both dressy and casual open shoes. Sandals are any type of shoes that expose the toes or the majority of the foot, in which the shoe is held on by straps or buckles. Sandals can vary from the most casual type of shoethe flip-flopto dressy, formal sandals with heels and other adornments. Though wedge shoes are sometimes categorized as sandals, in stores or online shopping, they usually fall into a category of their own.
Evening shoes are basically a dressier version of heels or dressy sandals. Evening shoes are often made of satin or leather, and are black, white or metallic in color. They usually have at least a small heel, and they are worn with formal gowns or wedding and bridesmaids dresses.
Boots are the winter alternative for womens shoes. Boots can be flat and casual, or dressy with heels. They are made of soft suede, leather, fabric or even rubber. There are many different heights of boots. Ankle boots are short, usually only coming to the top of the ankle, and knee-high boots come all the way to the knee. Over-the-knee come up higher. Most boots come to the mid-calf and can be worn over the top or under a pair of pants or jeans.
Sneakers or tennis shoes are the most casual type of womens shoe. They generally have rubber soles, and are made from both leather and nylon on the body of the shoe. Sneakers often lace up so they can be tightened or loosened as necessary. There are many different types of sneakerscasual street shoes for walking, running shoes and basketball shoes are only a few of the styles available. Read more....

Linking the Nike+ Sport Band Watch is a two-step process that involves pairing the watch with the Nike+ sensor device. Once connected, the device tracks and stores information to be uploaded to your computer.
Download the Nike+ utility installer from nikeplus.com/downloads. Save this file to your desktop.
Double click on the saved file to launch the installation program.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software to your computer.
Plug the sport band link into an empty USB port on the computer with the utility software installed. The software will automatically launch when you plug in the link.
Click the large i button in the lower right hand corner of the utility software.
Customize user settings to your liking.
Insert the Nike+ sensor into your compatible shoe.
Place the Sport Band link into the wrist holder.
Begin walking and hold down the large button on the top of the Sport Band Link for 3 seconds to pair the devices. A shoe icon will appear to verify the link.
Remove the Sport Band Link from the wrist holder.
Plug the Sport Band Link into your computer.
Wait while the utility software automatically downloads your data to the computer.
Unplug the Sport Band Link from your computer and place back in the wrist holder. Read more....

Running shoes should be considered more of a sports equipment than an object of fashion. Yet there is many good and practical reasons to keep your shoes clean. If you are not sure how to clean running shoes without permanently damaging them, this article should offer you several safe and proven methods to do so. Moreover, depending on how you clean your running shoes you can also learn about the limits of a particular cleaning method.
CONSIDER WHY DO YOU NEED TO CLEAN YOUR RUNNING SHOES
Some runners may not think about it this way, but there is several reasons to clean running shoes. Depending on the way how and how much your shoes got dirty, you should choose the appropriate cleaning method. I would say that the dirty running shoes can be divided in four basic categories or their combination:
* STINKY RUNNING SHOES this is a result of your feet sweating inside
* DUSTY RUNNING SHOES common to all trail runners, fine dust just penetrates the mesh covering your toes, sneaks in the shoe around your heel, simply gets everywhere
* MUDDY RUNNING SHOES here and there you step into a mud puddle, or have to cross wet lawn. The mud is basically just on the outer surface of the shoe
* SWAMP RUNNING SHOES if you enjoy running on a dark side and participate in races like Dances with Dirt when you run miles in swamps with sections of waist deep black stinky mud then this is your case.
Now you have to consider that your shoe has only certain useful life time, and if you choose too often too brutal cleaning technique this life time can be significantly shortened. On the other hand keeping your running shoes dirty can also significantly contribute to tear and wear. Therefore judge wisely how to clean your running shoes.
HOW TO CLEAN STINKY RUNNING SHOES
Bad odor of your running shoes is a direct consequence of fungus and bacteria living in your shoes of the sweat and skin particles your feet left there. These little creatures enjoy moist and warm environment and thus summer is usually perfect season. Bad odor may be the only harm to your shoes, but quite honestly you are asking for troubles in terms of athletes foot or other fungal infections. You may significantly reduce the risks by venting your shoes and letting them dry after each run, or using special anti fungal sprays. But the organic debris these fungi and bacteria so love will just keep piling up in your shoes. The best is then to wash your shoes in a washing machine from time to time. Yes, you read correctly, you should wash your running shoes in a washing machine. The idea is that you really want to flush your shoes with something which will dissolve all fatty residues such as skin particulates. You also want to flush out the dirt from the all the tiniest pores and scratches of the shoe cushioning and mesh. Thus washing your running shoes in a washing machine in warm (NOT HOT!!!) water with some "not-so-aggressive" detergent is the best option. Your running shoes will come out without any harm as new. Concerning the detergent, do not use anything with bleach, probably the best would be something organic. I use baby detergent. Do not tumble dry your shoes, and do not blow any hot air on them. Do not let them dry on a direct sun. Just put them on a dry place, stuff them for a Read more....

couple of hours with old newspapers. After removing the newspapers, let the shoes open as much as possible. They will be dry before your next run. If you stick with warm water, gentle detergent, some "regular" washing cycle and natural drying your shoes can be washed in washing machine easily at least once a month. Your feet will thank you.
HOW TO CLEAN DUSTY RUNNING SHOES
It can take just a single trail run during summer and your shiny white running shoes will look like you just ran through a dust storm. Most likely you wont be able to simply dust the shoes off, since the fine dust penetrated all the fabric on your shoes and is now deep in the fabric and cushion texture. Very likely when your running shoes were also wet from your sweat in which the dust particles nicely dissolved and were absorbed by all the soft material your shoes are made of. If you keep running with such shoes, you increase the pace of wearing out the inner environment of the shoe. You may be also more prone to blisters, since with each step there will be some dust particles coming out of the shoe fabric into your socks and then on your skin. The cure is simple the dust needs to be flushed out. Of course you can throw your shoes into the washing machine, and with gentle approach described above you will get good, but very rarely perfect results. However, my personal experience is that in case of this really fine dust the better method how to clean such running shoes is to run in the rain. This cleaning method is only for hard-core runners who dont mind to get soaked. But running on a clean solid concrete or asphalt surface from one water puddle to the other will get your shoes clean better than the washing machine. It is the dynamics of each stride which pretty much compresses and expands the shoe with your stride frequency, flushing more and more dust each time your feet hits the ground. Regular running in rain is surely not for everybody, but most of the runners would be surprised by themselves when they would actually try it. Most of them would really enjoy it and their shoes would shine like new again. Moreover, running in rain is not only gentler to your shoes, but is also more environmentally friendly than the greenest washing machine.
HOW TO CLEAN MUDDY RUNNING SHOES
Sometimes it is unavoidable to step into wet dirt, mud hole or just run across a muddy piece of road which is just being repaired and does not have any hard surface yet. Very likely you will pick up quite some quantity of mud on your shoes and it may feel like wearing some additional dumbbells. As long as the mud stays just on the soles or its sides you dont really care. It wears of quickly. But how to clean your running shoes if this mud is splashed over the fine mesh of your running shoes ? Or what if you sink so deep that virtually all the toe cap gets covered by mud ? Do not panic, thick mud usually does not penetrate the fabric of the shoe. If it does, then it never gets so deep like the fine dust. The easiest way to clean the shoes is just let the mud dry and then gently brush it off. If there is still a bit left, and the shoe does not shine as new, then washing machine will do the job even without any additional detergent. Please, never throw your muddy shoes right into the washing machine. Chunks of mud may contain grains of sand even small stones which can damage your washing machine. Use the brush first, then washing machine. If you dont want to bother with either of these cleaning processes and you dont live in a desert, you can again clean your shoes very efficiently by running in the rain.
HOW TO CLEAN SWAMP RUNNING SHOES
This is an extreme case of running shoe soiling. You should never face such a problem unless you consciously crossed the line to the dark side of running. Swamp running shoes are shoes which were used in races such as Dances with Dirt. In this running legend most of the race goes on trails through the swampy wetlands surrounding Hell in Michigan. The course leads you through sections with waist deep black oily disgustingly smelly mud. When you get out, depending on your body height, you are covered with half inch thick layer of black stinky pulp from toes to waist, breast or even neck, and you have hard times determining if the bulk of mud at the end of your leg still contains the shoe or not. Read more....