Posts Tagged Ahnu
Ahnu Menlo Shoes for Hiking the Urban Jungle
Over the course of a year I try out a lot of different travel shoes for this blog. Some look great on a display rack but fail the fit or comfort test before I even get up from the bench. Others look too cool for words in the online photos, but then feel worn out just a few months later.
Every once in a while I get some travel-ready shoes that feel like I should have been wearing them all along, like these Menlo ones from Ahnu. I once had a friend Jim who called shoes like this “twofer shoes.” Because when he found some that looked good and were super-comfortable, he would buy two pairs in case they stopped making them. That way he was always set for years.
There’s nothing all that brag-worth about these Ahnu street shoes really when it comes to features. They’re leather, they’re water-resistant, and they’ve got some venting holes at the top above the toes. There’s a tab on the tongue, plus a loop on the back for pulling them on. There’s a rugged non-marking rubber sole, laces that stay tied, and good stitching all around. 
I’ve been wearing them pretty steadily for a couple months and they’re not showing any wear and tear, even though I live in a city with cobblestone streets and uneven sidewalks. The shoes look good with a pair of jeans or khakis.
The main plus in my book, however, is that these are just really comfortable over the course of a long day of pounding the pavement. They fit like like lace-up Vans, but with a much better sole and footbed cushioning. All-day comfort is a hard thing to quantify, but it is seemingly also a hard thing to get right, especially for people who don’t have the narrow feet so many shoe styles seem to be designed for.
The Ahnu Menlo shoes come in versions of black, blue, and brown and list for a hundred bucks. That’s on the high side for a low-cut walking shoe made in China, but if my friend Jim were with me, he’d gladly spend $200 for a double.
Get the Ahnu Menlo at Campmor or direct from the company online.
Related reviews:
Posted by Tim L. in Travel Light on January 13th, 2011
Rugged Quick-dry Techical Ahnu Reyes Sandals
After two months on the road last summer, I found that the shoes I used the most were the wet-dry sandals that were good in the heat and offered plenty of support. After trying these out over a few weeks, I know this summer I’ll be spending a lot of days in these Reyes Technical Sandals from Ahnu Footwear.
These are set up a bit differently than the Teva Omnium ones I’ve worn so much I wore them out. The straps really weave across the foot with these, insuring a snug fit. There’s plenty of open space for circulation, with holes that go all the way to the bottom—appreciated when there are pebbles that need to shake out.
They’ve got anti-microbial properties built in to keep them from getting stinky and so far so good on that front. The footbed is comfortable and supportive, with a thick sole that made me feel like they will continue to hold up well for light hiking or my days of walking the cobblestone streets of colonial Mexico.
All the materials dry quickly—in my experience an hour in the sun was more than enough. The tough toe is good for banging against rocks and the sole gripped boulders well on a hike.Think of these as water shoes that can double as walking or light hiking shoes, great for a river rafting trip and then a walk through town the next day.
Be advised that these are sized generously, with the expectation you’ll pull in the straps if you have narrow feet, so go a size down if that’s you. For my E feet, they fit perfectly.
These come in two colors and list for $90. See more photo angles and info on the Reyes sandal at AhnuFootwear.com
Get the Ahnu Reyes Technical Sandal at Backcountry.com
Get the Ahnu Reyes at REI
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on June 23rd, 2010
Travel Wedges for Women from Ahnu Footwear
Regular readers of Practical Travel Gear know that I’m a fan of sporty shoes and Mary Jane styles, so it’s no surprise I was immediately attracted to Ahnu Footwear’s Olivia style: a two-inch wedge heel with a braided elastic strap across the top. As with all its styles — from aqua socks and ballet flats to multi-sport hikers and all-weather boots — Ahnu Footwear creates its shoes with performance in mind.
The Neutral Positioning System in the Olivia wedge is designed to keep the foot aligned and centered (for comfort, good balance and overall foot health), while a thick midsole promotes shock absorption and a grippy outer sole provides traction on uneven surfaces. There’s a rubber toe guard for extra protection and elastic mesh at the heel and on the sides for snugness.
Oh, how I wanted these wedges to fit like a cushiony glove right out of the box. Alas, after I recently wore them to a PTA meeting followed by drinks with the girls (maybe four hours total), I had a blister on the side of the ball of my foot — and soreness on the other one. By the end of the night, I could barely walk in the shoes, with some rubbing on my heel, too.
The second time I wore the shoes, to an all-day conference, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., I wised up by slipping on no-show ped socks as well. Though I felt like my Grandma wearing the little nylons, they provided enough cushion between my foot and the shoe to prevent any rubbing. No blisters at all!
Lately I’ve been wearing the shoes around the house to further break them in, and it seems to be working. I feel confident the next time I wear them out and about I can do so without peds or bandaids.
I think I’d sooner wear flats to do a lot of sightseeing or walking in an unfamiliar city while traveling — that’s just my style to opt for absolute comfort. (Plus, I’m 5’9″ and just don’t need much height in my shoes.) But I’ll absolutely keep these travel shoes on hand for versatile use on trips — I’d pair them with jeans or a skirt when I want to feel a bit more dressed up (or tall).
The Olivia shoes, which come in Smokey Brown, Loden Green, Mood Indigo and Black, retail for $100 at brick-and-mortar shops nationwide and online dealers like REI and Zappos. See plenty more women’s Ahnu styles on Amazon, too.
Free Returns and Exchange Shipping at Ahnu.com
Posted by Kara in Travel Light on June 4th, 2010
