Footwear

First Look: Vasque Arrowhead UltraDry

The Vasque Arrowhead UltraDry is an agile winter boot with a lot of features to keep feet warm, dry and comfortable while pounding out miles…

Written by Sean McCoy October 16, 2013

First Look: Salomon Sense Mantra A Capable High-Milage Shoe

The Salomon Sense Mantra is designed for mid and forefoot runners who put down a lot of miles on trail. We put it to the…

Written by Sean McCoy October 07, 2013

Boa Taking Over As Bike Shoe Closure Of Choice

The twist-to-tighten simplicity of the Boa Closure System has found a following among bike shoe designers. Eight brands have embraced the technology for new, high-end…

Written by Sean McCoy October 01, 2013

First Look: Made In USA Dress Boots

Red Wing boots went back to its American Made roots with the Heritage line. The results are beautifully crafted, low-tech dress boots.

Written by Sean McCoy September 19, 2013

Light Boot Offers ‘Natural Motion.’ Our First Look at Asolo Piuma

Heavier and more protective than a trail running shoe, the boot still allows the foot to move naturally thanks to a flexible sole and wide…

Written by Sean McCoy September 12, 2013

Welterweight Trail Shoe from Asics. FujiRacer First Look

Asics touts the GEL-FujiRacer as a minimal shoe. But with an 8mm drop and modest stack-height, the natural runner hits a middle ground between barefoot…

Written by Sean McCoy September 09, 2013

New Balance Race Shoe is Minimal Build with Maximum Protection

A thin but effective sole coupled with a forefoot rock plate and aggressive tread pattern makes for a podium-worthy trail runner. Meet the New Balance…

Written by Sean McCoy September 03, 2013

Shoe Made of ‘Vegetable Plastic’ Can Biodegrade in Months

From your foot to the compost bin, these slipper-like shoes are sold for $20 a pair and touted as usable in the outdoors. We gave…

Written by Stephen Regenold August 30, 2013

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…

Written by Amy Oberbroeckling August 28, 2013

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…

Written by Amy Oberbroeckling August 26, 2013

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…

Written by August 21, 2013

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.

Written by Sean McCoy August 14, 2013

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…

Written by Amy Oberbroeckling August 09, 2013

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.

Written by Amy Oberbroeckling August 06, 2013

‘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.

Written by Sean McCoy July 25, 2013

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….

Written by Stephen Regenold July 09, 2013

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…

Written by Patrick Murphy June 20, 2013

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.

Written by Sean McCoy May 22, 2013

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…

Written by Sean McCoy May 21, 2013

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…

Written by Stephen Regenold May 17, 2013

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…

Written by Stephen Regenold May 13, 2013

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…

Written by Patrick Murphy May 09, 2013

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…

Written by Stephen Regenold April 26, 2013

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…

Written by Patrick Murphy April 17, 2013

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…

Written by Stephen Regenold April 15, 2013

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…

Written by Stephen Regenold April 02, 2013

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…

Written by Stephen Regenold March 25, 2013

‘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,…

Written by Stephen Regenold March 14, 2013

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…

Written by Stephen Regenold March 14, 2013

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.

Written by Stephen Regenold March 04, 2013

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