Investing in shoes can never be wrong. A good pair of shoes can take us further than a so-so pair. Shoes say a lot about personality and behavior and make a fashion statement.

This is why brands like Denmark's ECCO and US Rockport are popular: They combine comfort with style. Entering the Chinese market late last year, Rockport is sold in 20 outlets around the country.

It recently launched its spring/summer collection with a dance show at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum in Pudong.

"It's like a walking massage" is how Rockport describes its new dynamic suspension technology. It's an innovative air-cushioning system to maximize comfort and provides long-term foot relief.

The technology is used in both dress shoes and flat casual shoes for men and women. Inspired by traditional ballerina and Mary Jane styles, the flat shoes are made of metallic silver and gold-colored leathers. an open-toe design is for heeled styles in classic black, white and red.

For men, the technology is used in both slip-on and lace-up styles for formal occasions. The sleek design goes well with the trend toward tailored suits.

The brand also showed its best-known "ProWalker" series, a hard-bottomed walking shoe that was one of the earliest Rockport lines. Special machine-washable leather shoes can be tossed in the washing machine, and they dry fast. They can be worn without socks in the summer.

Many white-collar ladies wear high heels in the office and change to sneakers on the street. If brands like Adidas and Nike are too common, check out the newly two-story K-Swiss flagship store in Xujiahui.

The American brand is best known for its all-white "Classic" series, the first all-leather tennis shoe introduced in 1966 with a one-piece rubber outsole, reinforced toe-design and five-stripe bands on each side.

K-Swiss has introduced "Ariake," athletic footwear designed for extreme sports enthusiasts. There's the colorful "Verstad SPT II" line inspired by the game "Super Mario Brothers" and "Fontes" shoes inspired by the galaxy and the "Lozan SP Jewel" women's collection decorated with glittering crystals.

(Shanghai Daily May 14,2008)