Once in a while you come across a shoe that really, literally, blows your socks off.

Being a sneakers and tee type of mommy, I live in my jeans and casual tops and walk around either in wedges or very comfy shoes. A few weeks ago I got myself a pair of the new Women’s Relay Stretch  by Merrel and I’ve been loving and wearing it since.

I wondered why it felt so different from theother athletic shoes I had worn before. Checking the literature that came with the shoe, I note that it has a

“patent-pending technology that is 100 percent tailor-fit for women: Q-Form™. The Q-Form™ technology, which was specifically developed because women move differently, combines properly sequenced cushioning with a supportive and naturally aligning midsole. Upon initial heel strike, the Merrell Air Cushion® absorbs the brunt of the shock and centers the heel. As the foot rolls toward the medial side (inside) of the foot, a firm, supportive portion of the midsole gently redirects the foot toward the lateral side (outside of the foot). A neutral-density cushioning zone aids in the transition of weight and pressure to the lateral side of the foot. As the center of gravity shifts to the lateral side, the foot is further stabilized by a second firm midsole zone. A softer portion within the midsole provides cushioning under the peak pressure zone of the foot. Simply put, Q-Form™ compensates for a woman’s pronounced “Q angle” (the angle between hip and knee) to alleviate discomfort. This also reduces the wear and tear of shoes, enabling them to last longer.”

Q-angle. You learn new stuff everyday.  Whatever. I wear this everywhere now especially since I’ve been hitting the stores, trying to complete our family Christmas list. I’m loving this shoe and do hope that it lasts me a long, long time.