Pearl Izumi’s Ultralight, ‘Dynamic Drop’ Road Shoe
The Pearl Izumi Women’s E:Motion Road N1 has a “dynamic offset” and is the brand’s lightest road running shoe. Our editor tested them on the pavement.
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 over snow-covered trails. Our editor puts it to the test.
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 test on the rock, mud and snow of the UROC 100k.
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 models.
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.
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 toe box.
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 and beefy.
Best OfView All
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 Minimus 1010v2.
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 them a sniff test this week.
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.
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.
