Maximum Cush ‘Fat Shoes’ Are Trend for Multiple Brands in 2014
Minimalist-style running shoes have been all the rage. But for 2014 the pendulum has swung. Look for a trend in “fat” shoes with extra cush at stores starting next year.
Backpacks, Footwear are NOT ‘Made in China’ (made in Ethiopia instead)
Startup brand Oliberté has a goal: Produce high-quality gear using native African resources and labor to improve the economic situation across the continent, one product at a time.
Your Great-Grandpa (Could Have) Worn These Boots. Retro Wolverines
Handmade in the USA and modeled after footwear from 100 years ago, Wolverine offers a line of leather-soled retro boots that will turn heads indoors and out.
Jupiter Peak Steeplechase a Serious ‘Mountain Running’ Race
Looking for a lung-burning trail race to a rugged Wasatch Range summit? The Jupiter Peak Steeplechase in Park City, Utah, will not disappoint.
Rugged Terrain, Long Desert Trek in ECCO Shoes
“It’s noon in the desert. I’m five miles into the Abajo Mountains of southeast Utah in search of ancient ruins.” In this post, a shoe reviewer heads into the deep desert for a test.
First Look: 45Nrth Fasterkatt Winter Cycling Boot
A new boot from Minnesota-based brand 45Nrth was designed to replace the need for shoe covers during the months leading up to winter.
‘Creek Bed’ is Multisport Shoe made for Mud and Water
Strange-looking and made with mesh uppers, the multisport and water-oriented Creek Beds are fun all-around outdoor kicks. We tested them around the country this month.
Best OfView All
First Look: Under Armour Running Shoe ‘Made in Bra Factory’
Where do you get the ultimate in anatomical fit? According to Under Armour, the answer is in a bra factory….
Flip-Flops offer ‘Sleeping Pad Comfort’ in Every Step
Casual footwear company Freewaters teamed up with Therm-a-Rest to create a flip-flop that employs sleeping pad technology to achieve big time comfort and solid everyday functionality.
You’re Grounded! ‘Earthing Sandals’ Provide Electrical Link To Planet
Sandals from Earth Runners use conductive materials in the laces and soles to quite literally ground the wearer with the planet.
Shoelace of the Future? Tour of Boa Technology in Denver
“Build a better shoelace and the world will beat a path to your door.” That’s the plan with Boa Technology, which launched more than 10 years ago and is slowing taking over in parts of the outdoor world…
Stomping Grounds: Photo Shoot and Shoe Test in ‘Urban Outdoors’
Our home state of Minnesota is bursting into spring, and with it we used the occasion to get away from our daytime duties for a bit and into the urban outdoors right from the GearJunkie office back door…
50 Miles in Flip-Flops? Luna sells sandals to ultra-running market
Luna sandals are made with distance runners in mind. Crazy as it sounds, a subset of runners and ultra athletes now tackle great distances in shoes most people wear to the beach.
Under Armour Shoe Inspired by Poison Dart Frog
The Toxic Six from Under Armour ranks as one of the most aesthetically “aggressive” shoes we’ve ever come across. In terms of performance, it’s not a half-bad introduction to minimalist running. But could you bear to wear it in public?
Moccasin-like Merrell is ‘most minimal shoe’ ever built by brand
With a thin sole and an extra-minimal build our tester “could feel each stone underfoot” as he scampered up a steep bank on a rough trail. Here’s our full review.
First Look: Teva ‘Pivot’ clipless bike shoe
Teva is further diversifying its footwear offerings with the Pivot, a clipless, freeride mountain bike shoe set to hit stores this fall. We got a pair in to test.
2nd Biggest Shoe company in World (celebrating 50 years in business)
Believe it or not, Danish brand ECCO calls itself the second-biggest shoe manufacturer in the world. The company has produced more than 350 million pair since its founding in 1963.
Boston shoe has glow-in-dark stars, Nocturnal motif
Made for this year’s Boston Marathon, a custom New Balance shoe is said to have been inspired by Paul Revere and his long-ago middle of the night ride.
BIOM shoe represents ‘one of the weirdest footwear trends’
They look like hip leather shoes for work or a casual setting. A running shoe might be the last thing you think. But the BIOM Lite 1.1 are built for outdoor sports, hiking, and running.
‘Work Boots’ By Chrome Industries
Put away your fixed-gear bike. Jump on a skateboard? Chrome is a bike brand, but this week the company unveiled a boot made for skateboarders, the moto crowd, and flat-pedal cyclists.
10 Years Old: KEEN ‘Franken-Shoe’ an unlikely footwear success
Ten years ago this month, a startup footwear brand launched in California. KEEN Inc. offered a hard-to-categorize shoe with a beefy outsole, a cutout webbing pattern body, and an oversize bumper at the toe.
Tread Lightly: 20 low-profile KEEN shoes
KEEN is slimming down for spring. In a major launch, the company unveils 20 lighter, lower-profile models under its CNX line.
Video Reveals American-made Boots, Century-old Technique
Wolverine’s American-made “1000 Mile” heritage boot collection utilizes a construction technique that dates back to 1870 to produce high-end footwear that performs, and looks good doing it.
FiveFingers for ‘Tweens’: Youth-size Barefoot Shoes
Vibram FiveFingers shoes let you run the way you did when you were a kid. So, it makes sense that the company is expanding its youth size offerings.
First Look: Foam-sole ‘Virrata’ running shoe
Saucony’s latest lightweight running shoe has a sole made of foam and a promise to be “the most cushioned shoe for its weight on the market.” We took it for a test run.
Mountain Boots to ‘Glowing’ Shoes: Peek at Footwear for 2013
Highlighting tech-heavy shoes, a ski boot, and handmade footwear from Africa, this spread includes 10 to-be-released shoe products coming to stores later this year.
‘Split-Toe’ shoe launched by former CEO of Vibram
Lighter weight than an iPhone, and with a unique split design at the big toe, a new shoe concept from startup Topo Athletics promises to draw buzz in the minimalist-running world. We got a sneak peek.
Foot in Armor? Chainmail Running Shoes now a Reality
Holy chrome-moly is right. These barefoot-style “shoes,” made by a German brand, employ thousands of tiny, interlocking stainless-steel rings for protection and “sensation” on the ground as you run.
‘Barefoot’ Running Season is Year-round with New Winter Vibram
Snow and ice used to keep Vibram FiveFingers wearers and other “barefoot”-style runners indoors. No longer. The FiveFingers Lontra, new last month, is an insulated model made for temps more often dedicated to winter boots.
New-School Snow Boot: Light, packable (bootie ‘slipper’ inside)
Where is it written that winter boots have to be heavy, boring toboggans for your feet? That’s a question Teva poses to introduce its new Jordanelle Boots, which our writer tested this month.
A Flap of rubber and some Cord: Meet the Xero Shoe
Xero sandals are at the extreme end of the “barefoot” footwear spectrum. A flap of rubber and a bit of cord complete the shoe. The company tag line of “feel the world” is definitely apt.
