A Footwear guide for the Larger Man

You know what they say about men with big feet right? "Big shoes."

For a long time big shoes has been synonymous with clunky, unfashionable, practical shoes that are the size of small boats. Shoe manufacturers have gone to absolutely no lengths whatsoever to make sure that larger men with larger feet have stylish alternatives in which to bedeck their feet.

This doesn't necessarily have to be the case any longer though. An advent of cool independent designers have begun to look at footwear for larger men and realise that trainers need not look like some bad imitation of a gym teacher; - boots no longer have to look like small fortresses too heavy to ever lift your feet off the ground; and causal shoes don't have to equate to hiding large feet.

The first thing to remember is that shoes are cool and sexy. You do not need to select the most inconspicuous footwear in order to try to hide your feet. Bold, bright colours and cool, funky designs will make you stand out from the crowd in all the right ways. Choosing black trainers with hints and accents of neon flashes, or clashing bright colours will give onlookers the distinct impression that you are too cool for school.

With their predisposition to a wide and chunky design, the increasingly popular skate shoe that has emerged from American skate parks is the perfect kind of footwear for the larger man. The rounded shape and heavy-duty suede and rubber design make this shoe appear much sturdier and as result, it will balance the dimensions on larger men.

Additionally, choosing footwear with thick, durable materials and high tops will also help balance out one's overall aesthetic. The idea is to carry on the idea that the feet are as mighty and powerful as the rest of the body, right down to the tips of the toes.

For more hardcore outdoor activities, a durable but versatile boot is perfect. Whilst obviously these boots should have hardwearing and waterproof features, make sure your feet are also protected. Fleece lining, air pockets, insulation and full tongue gussets to keep any errant rain out are all important elements to look for, as is technology that gives the boots adequate ventilation to allow your feet to breathe.

Whether you are choosing hiking boots, smart footwear or DC skate shoes, you should make sure that the shoes are a good fit, protect your feet and that you don't shy away from making a style statement. People are more likely to make fun of your archaic public health shoes than they are about your wicked new kicks that scream trailblazer!

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