Imagine standing at the starting line of a half marathon, surrounded by athletes in high-tech running gear, their feet clad in the latest performance sneakers. Now, picture someone next to you wearing classic leather dress shoes. Sounds unbelievable? It has happened—more than once.
As the founder of Maratown, I have spent years exploring the intersection of footwear innovation and comfort. One of the most polarizing debates in the shoe industry revolves around cushioning—whether it's a necessary advancement or an unnecessary barrier between our feet and the ground.
When it comes to running shoes, brands like Hoka, Adidas, and Nike have earned their reputations for comfort and performance. Their shoes are often designed with cutting-edge technology to provide maximum support, cushioning, and a responsive feel that’s unmatched in the athletic shoe industry. But despite their success in producing highly comfortable footwear for runners, none of these giants have ventured into creating shoes that combine the same level of comfort with a more refined, dressy aesthetic for professional environments.
Have you noticed how TV presenters, car salespeople, and even top executives are increasingly pairing sneakers with their suits? In today’s fast-paced work environments, comfort has become essential for professionals who spend long hours on their feet. However, traditional dress shoes often fail to provide the support and cushioning people need, while sneakers—known for their comfort—are increasingly seen as too casual for formal settings. As work attire trends shift toward more casual outfits, professionals like real estate agents, doctors, salespeople, and executives are caught between the need for comfort and maintaining a polished, professional look. Maratown solves this dilemma by combining a cushioned running shoe sole with a stylish, minimalist dress shoe upper, allowing you to enjoy comfort without compromising on style.
In a world that has traded boardroom meetings for Zoom calls, the dress shoe has struggled to find its place. Imagine a business professional who once meticulously polished his Oxfords to complement a tailored suit, now opting for sleek, comfortable sneakers as his daily uniform. This shift is not merely a change in personal style—it reflects a profound transformation in the global footwear market.
In the late 1980s, the ski industry faced a revolution. Until then, skis had largely adhered to a uniform width, with only subtle variations for different conditions. But then, something radical happened: a few bold innovators introduced "fat" powder skis—much wider than anything seen before. Initially met with skepticism, these skis allowed enthusiasts to glide effortlessly over deep powder, turning a previously exhausting experience into one of floating bliss. The idea of adding width—or "fattening" devices for increased stability and comfort—soon began to ripple through other industries. Next came fat bikes, designed to tackle snow and sand, and then the running world saw the rise of Hoka One One's maximalist shoes. Now, in a surprising twist, the world of dress shoes is undergoing its own fat revolution, spearheaded by a company called Maratown
Whether you're an athlete or a business leader, the right footwear can make or break your recovery journey. Brands like Maratown, Doc Martens, Birkenstock, MBT, Spira, and VIVOBAREFOOT prove that injury recovery and professional style can go hand in hand.
In the fast-paced world of business, image matters. The right pair of dress shoes can be a game-changer, not just for how others perceive you, but for how you feel and perform throughout the day. Entrepreneurs often spend long hours on their feet, moving from one meeting to the next, making it imperative that their footwear offers both elegance and support.
Recent studies show that foot discomfort significantly impacts work performance and overall well-being. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 77% of workers experience foot pain, which directly correlates with decreased productivity and higher stress levels. For business professionals, this isn't just a minor inconvenience—it's a significant obstacle in their path to success.
In recent years, the footwear industry has seen a growing divide between barefoot and highly cushioned shoes. Barefoot enthusiasts argue for minimalism, while maximalist and cushioning lovers highlight comfort and shock absorption. For medical professionals and pedorthists, understanding the pros and cons of highly cushioned shoes is essential for patient care, especially for individuals needing support due to medical conditions. This article explores the benefits and potential downsides of highly cushioned shoes, backed by scientific research, user experiences, and considerations around style and fashion.
Imagine standing on your feet for hours during a high-stakes business meeting, every step sending sharp pains up through your heels and lower back. For many professionals, this isn’t just an occasional inconvenience—it’s a daily reality. Whether due to plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or chronic back pain, finding the right footwear can mean the difference between powering through the day and barely making it to lunch. Now, what if you could have shoes that not only looked the part in a business setting but also provided the kind of cushioning usually reserved for marathon runners? Enter the world of cushioned dress shoes—a revelation for those who demand both style and comfort.
Women entrepreneurs face unique challenges in balancing professional demands with personal style. Long days filled with meetings, networking, and decision-making require footwear that not only complements their confidence but also supports their busy lives. Enter Maratown: the dress shoes designed to combine elegance with the all-day comfort of running shoes.
Entrepreneurs know the challenges of balancing style and comfort in their footwear. Long hours, endless meetings, and constant movement can take a toll on your feet, affecting focus and productivity. Maratown offers a solution: dress shoes with the comfort of running shoes.
Overuse injuries are quite common, but these issues can be resolved by wearing the right kind of shoes. However, it is hard to find comfortable dress shoes considering that most cushioned shoes are designed for running.
When I switched from a sports career to a technical sales role, I went through the same dilemma. Years of running on concrete weakened my knees, leading to the onset of metatarsalgia—a condition where the bottom of the metatarsals in your foot becomes painful and inflamed. It was hard to find the right kind of dress shoes that could alleviate my issues. A few years later, the idea to start a company focused on cushioning in shoes came to me, and Maratown was born.
Typically, dress shoes are made with hard soles and provide at best approximately 5mm of cushioning under the heel and forefoot. Maratown shoes, on the other hand, come with a whole inch of cushioning under the heel and half an inch under the forefoot.
In today’s urban environments, where concrete sidewalks dominate, it’s easy to overlook the impact these surfaces have on our bodies. Many of us walk long distances daily—whether commuting to work or simply enjoying the outdoors. However, studies have shown that these hard surfaces contribute to an increase in overuse injuries. Wearing the wrong shoes, especially those lacking adequate cushioning and support, can lead to heel pain that radiates through your knees, hips, spine, and neck, potentially causing long-term issues. Choosing the right cushioned dress shoes, like Maratown, can make a significant difference, offering both comfort and the support necessary to prevent injury and pain.
For professionals—be they entrepreneurs, doctors, businessmen, professors, or anyone else on their feet all day—finding the right dress shoes goes far beyond style alone. The weight of each shoe plays a critical role in how your feet and legs will feel after long hours of standing or walking. Below, we’ll break down the common dress shoe sole materials—leather, EVA, PU, and rubber—and provide updated weight comparisons from a range of well-known brands.
Imagine stepping onto a busy city street, your feet enveloped in a cloud-like cushion that absorbs every impact from the unforgiving pavement. The quest for shoes with optimal cushioning is not just about comfort—it’s about reducing foot fatigue, improving stability, and enhancing overall foot health. As we delve into the materials behind maximally cushioned shoes, you’ll discover why some shoes feel like walking on air, while others fall flat.
It usually starts around your forties when you begin noticing discomfort in your feet and joints. What begins as a minor annoyance grows into persistent pain, affecting your focus and productivity. Suddenly, you’re facing an unexpected challenge: the shoes you rely on daily may be doing more harm than good. The solution lies in finding the right pair of dress shoes with more cushioning.
When I first set out to create Maratown back in 2015, I knew I wanted to combine the plush comfort of running shoes with the stylish look of modern dress shoes—footwear that could transition seamlessly from the sidewalk to the boardroom. What I didn’t expect was just how intricate and technical the process would be. Each design feature of Maratown grew out of a very specific need for comfort, stability, and durability—and it took years of trial and error to perfect.
Emma, a devoted runner and avid fan of cushioned shoes like Hoka, spent her mornings gliding effortlessly through her favorite trails. But once the running gear came off and her professional day began, comfort became a distant memory. As a commercial representative who spent long hours on her feet—whether in showrooms, at trade shows, or visiting clients—Emma needed footwear that matched her polished outfits without sacrificing the plush, cloud-like feel of her running shoes.
Maratown shoes, developed in collaboration with pedorthists, integrate advanced features to effectively address a wide range of foot conditions while maintaining a clean, professional aesthetic. This article highlights the key features of Maratown shoes and their potential benefits for foot health, based on insights from pedorthists and client feedback. While Maratown shoes are not medical devices and do not provide medical advice, they are designed to enhance foot comfort and support. Designed for comfort, support, and style, Maratown shoes deliver solutions tailored to foot health without sacrificing elegance.
Pedorthists frequently encounter patients with diverse foot conditions that require specialized footwear. From plantar fasciitis to arthritis and diabetic foot care, finding shoes that address these issues while maintaining a clean, professional design is often challenging. Maratown shoes, developed in collaboration with pedorthists, aim to bridge this gap. By combining advanced sole technology, adjustable fittings, and premium materials, Maratown shoes offer a solution tailored to the needs of those managing foot pain and discomfort.
Pedorthists often face the challenge of recommending shoes that strike the right balance between medical functionality and stylish design. Many brands focus on one at the expense of the other, leaving specialists to compromise. Recognizing this gap, Maratown has developed a unique line of shoes in collaboration with pedorthists, integrating their feedback to create footwear that is both medically beneficial and visually appealing. Maratown shoes are not designed for fashion but as prescriptions for maximum comfort and elegance. The secret lies in the sole—a carefully crafted combination of materials and structure—and the design’s commitment to comfort, stability, and adjustability.
Maratown dress shoes are the embodiment of functionality and style, designed for women who won’t settle for less. These unisex shoes boast a thick sole crafted to provide maximum cushioning and unparalleled comfort. Let’s explore what sets Maratown apart and why these shoes are a game-changer for women entrepreneurs and professionals.
When traveling, you need to pack light and have limited space for a second pair of shoes. This means finding versatile travel shoes that won’t compromise your holiday experience. The ideal travel shoes need to be comfortable for long-distance walking and dressy enough for dinners or parties. They should also be breathable and water-resistant or water-repellent. At Maratown, we noticed that such shoes are rare in the current market and strive to offer the perfect solution: stylish and functional travel shoes.
