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.
Best OfView All
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.
Shock-Absorbing Shoes touted as ‘World’s Fastest’
Switzerland-based On AG puts shock absorbers on its line of running shoes. The rubber circles, called “clouds,” act as tread but also flex and cave in to absorb shock on each stride. We gave the shoes a month-long test.
Speed, Cushion, Minimal Build: Sense shoes are Rare Breed
“Low, light and fast.” Salomon picked those adjectives to describe its S-Lab Sense, a racing shoe new this year that is the most minimal in the company’s line. Our writer put them to the test on the tough Patagonian International Marathon last month.
Oxford Leather Shoes from Keen (part of ‘Minimal’ line)
The minimalist craze has impacted footwear in virtually every realm over the past few years. It appears the workplace is no exception, for which Keen has made a leather oxford-style model to debut in 2013.
Shoe is Lightweight, not ‘Minimal’ in build
Climbing-oriented footwear brand Scarpa has leaped into trail running. We test the Spark, a shoe our reviewer says “shines in places where hiking boots are too much but ‘barefoot-style’ shoes too light.”
Thick Straps, Old-School Look for Lizard Sandals
Though new for 2012, we’ve been calling the Kiota H2Os our “Biblical sandals.” We swear the strap-heavy sandals are something Saul of Tarsus could’ve worn in a desert long ago.
Teva to go Clipless with new Bike Shoes
Teva currently has free-ride mountain biking shoes made for use with flat pedals in its line. Next year, the company is going clipless.
Hiking Boots go Minimal, Get Weird
The trend of minimal footwear is not lost on hiking boot manufacturers. After years of boots getting lighter and more flexible, a few companies are now going to the extreme.
‘Barefoot Boots’ new Trend at Merrell
The barefoot craze has made its way to hiking boots. Merrell will offer multiple “barefoot-influenced” boot models with lighter weights and low-drop, flexible builds beginning in 2013.
‘Exotic Creature’ Trail Shoe Woos Longtime Latent Runner
Says our correspondent, “In a former life, I was a runner. Then the Caribbean happened.” After a decade hiatus from the sport while living on an island, our writer jumps fully back into running, and he’s testing a few “exotic” shoes along the way. . .
Factory Tour: Leather Boots, Made in USA, at Danner
Founded in 1932, Danner Boots of Portland, Ore., still makes footwear in the USA like it has for decades. Our editor got a look inside the factory on a tour last month.
‘Ultimate Ultra-Light, Semi-Oversized’ (Yep, that’s what they call ’em)
Beefy and padded but still ultra-light? That’s the premise put out by Tecnica with its new Inferno X-LITE trail-running shoe.
New VFF Shoe Touted as ‘Fashion Conscious’
The unlikely footwear phenomenon rages on! Vibram FiveFingers this week announced a new “foot glove” model to debut this fall that’s advertised as a “stylish streetwear cross trainer,” whatever that exactly means.
Boot Test! Hike to High Falls in Iceland
In Iceland last week, a GearJunkie editor laced into a new pair of hiking boots and trekked uphill to a high falls. Here’s a look at the trip plus a few first impressions of a to-be-released ECCO boot.
Fast, Light ‘Mountain Slipper’ Shoe
In a lineup of minimal shoes, the Vertical Ks from La Sportiva are unique. They offer a flexible, lightweight build plus a low heel-to-toe drop spec. But the cushy shoe has more protection underfoot than true “barefoot” stock.
Illuminated Feet: Test of ‘Glow in the Dark’ Sandals
Teva came out with its light-equipped Illum sandals last year. We test a new model, the Illum 2, and give them a try in the Colorado desert during the day as well as the dark of night.
Beefy ‘Zero Drop’ Shoe is Crusher on Trails
A retro look and a deliberately under-engineered design set Altra Running’s Lone Peak shoes apart. We give the zero-drop running shoes a trail test.
Toe-Shoes with Tread: Vibram FiveFingers ‘Spyridon’ Test
Vibram adds tread to sole and a rock guard to protect on FiveFingers shoe, markets the result to trail runners. We give it a test this spring on hardpack, mud and loose dirt.
Goat Leather, Minimal Build set Running Shoes Apart
A minimal athletic shoe made with goat leather? A $195 price tag? Yep, meet Skora Inc. of Portland, Ore., a startup looking to build a better, different type of running shoe.
Swanky Vibram ‘Barefoot Boutique’ to open in Boston
Vibram’s ubiquitous FiveFingers “foot gloves” have sold like mad in recent years. This weekend, the company opens its first and flagship store dedicated to FiveFingers and “the benefits of minimalist footwear and training.” We get an early peek inside the front door. . .
Flip-Flop Sandal has ‘Five Fingers’
Breed a flip-flop sandal with a Vibram FiveFingers shoe and you might get something like the Sazzi. This new line of sandals have straps that segment your toes for “incredible agility and freedom of movement,” as the company markets it.
Yaktrax and Frankenspikes: Gear for Running Uphill on Snow
Footwear for running uphill on snow — that’s the topic of this post, which highlights a GearJunkie editor’s equipment picks and overall experience in a unique mountain-running event earlier this month in Colorado.
Street-Legal ‘Bootmobile’ to Tour USA in Celebration of 100 Yrs. in Business
To commemorate 100 years in business, L.L. Bean will tour the USA in a boot. Oh, and the Maine brand is running free outdoor programs as well as giving away $1million to the National Park Foundation.
Salomon Uma Trois Boots are ‘Sporty, Sexy, Sleek’
The problem: A boot that can brave the winter elements as well as look good out on the town. The solution: Salomon’s Uma Trois women’s boot. Our writer gives this hybrid footwear a test.
