Posts Tagged footwear
Fun, Funny and Downright Useful New Travel Gear
What’s on the way in travel gear? I just got back from the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market held each year in Salt Lake City. It’s a place where retail buyers come to see what’s new and different for the upcoming fall season and place their orders. For us media types, it’s a chance to get a sneak peak at what’s going to be hitting stores later.
Over on our sister Cheapest Destinations Blog I already posted a rundown on new trends in travel gear that you should go check out before or after reading this post. It’s all about light gear getting lighter, but basic materials costs driving up prices. Plus some buying advice and a rant about retro bags.
When covering this show, most gear and outdoor publications get all serious and dive into the technical specs for all the new wonder jackets and slightly changed backpacks. I’d rather cover those items here in detail later—the ones fit for normal travelers—after they hit the market. I saw three developments that might be true game-changers though.
1) Lightweight shoes that are not just for runners. We’ve had ultra-light running shoes for quite a while now, thanks to the barefoot running style craze. But now the technology is making it to the mainstream. The post I mentioned before has some very packable winter boots from Teva. The picture above has some ultra-light Nike running shoes on a scale—and a pair of comfy Rockport shoes that weigh less.
2) Treated down that repels water. I saw two companies talking about this process, where down is subjected to a microscopic polymer that repels water, before it goes into a sleeping bag or jacket. Sierra Designs is the one that’s leading the way on this and is putting the most marketing muscle into it. From what I saw at the demos, it really works.
3) More and better rechargeable devices. I’ve tried some solar chargers over the years with mixed results, but now I’m seeing some solar panel/battery combos that pack some serious juice, like enough to charge a laptop once or an iPad multiple times—after a few hours of sunlight. Plus there are more items hitting the market that can be charged via USB instead of having to deal with AA batteries. The SteriPEN Freedom is a hit already and as this year goes on you’ll see more flashlights, lanterns, and purifiers that plug and charge. I’m especially excited about a Camelbak bottle coming in March that has its own UV purifier lamp built in.
Bring on the fun!
Enough serious stuff. Here are some of the items that I found more interesting to take shots of than yet another waterproof ski shell.
First up, two new face warmers to give you a cozy beard while on the slope. The left photo is me with a sample from 5 O’Clock Shadows. On the right are sample styles from Bearded Apparel.
I’m a sucker for silly winter hats for kids. The ones at the top of this post are from Knitwits. The ones pictured here are from Nirvanna Designs—made in Nepal.
Actually most of the gear that makes you smile is geared to kids, which means I think we all need to lighten up a bit. I mean how can you not smile when you see this backpack from MadPax? Or these fun mittens that look like bear paws (and have an opening where you can get your hand out to pull up a zipper) from Bear Hands & Buddies?
Okay, okay—I’ll put some photos of some serious gear to watch for on our Facebook page if you really want to know what’s coming to a store near you in six months. So go like us there and watch for pics the next few days.
Meanwhile, stay tuned the rest of 2012 as we review the best travel gear for your money.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Kids and Family, Travel Light on January 25th, 2012
Cushe Boutique Delux Shoes
Urban adventurers aren’t so very different than those who choose to trek in the great outdoors. Comfort and performance are still high on the list of requirements for the shoes travelers take along on either adventure. With the Cushe Boutique Delux shoes, you can meander city streets without needing major downtime to rest your feet.
The leather shoes have some fancy styling that make them far better for blending in with swanky city wardrobe than your average athletic shoes. And the sleek design makes them less bulky and easy to collapse and pack in your bag.
The rubber sole has a pretty good grip, however when I walked with the shoes on a wet, stone walkway, I felt a little slipping. It wasn’t enough to be a major problem, but it definitely made me slow my pace.
The interior of the shoe has a polyurethane insole that’s removable for custom orthotics, which is helpful if you need serious arch support, as there’s not very much in the shoe. The mesh lining is well ventilated, so your feet aren’t in a little puddle of sweat; your skin gets to breathe and stay dry.
Considering that I tend to take my shoes off without untying the laces, I loved the polyurethane below the ankle. It’s supportive enough to keep your shoes on when you want them on, but easy enough to allow you to pull them off without having to deal with laces.
The Cushe Boutique Delux shoes list for $90 on the Cushe website. They’re also available on Amazon, for $68-$91, depending on color, and at PlanetShoes.
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Posted by Jill in General Gear on January 20th, 2012
Baffin Candy Boots Let Girls Fight the Winter
Do you want your daughter to have warm feet, dry feet, and the ability to stay upright on packed snow and ice? If you outfit her in these Candy boots from Baffin, she’ll be next to indestructible from the calf down—but she’ll look cool too.
Baffin is probably Canada’s best-known footwear brand and they know a thing or two up there about dealing with frigid winter weather. When local conditions aren’t bad enough to test out their boots’ performance in sub-zero weather, the president has been known to trek to the North Pole for a test run. These are serious boots with the technology to take on whatever wintry conditions you may encounter.
This particular Candy version is a great example of the toughness. There’s a thick rubber sole with serious tread, but the boots have some bend to them even in extreme cold. The rubber extends over the tops of the toes, with an extra layer over the front. The whole upper is waterproof. The laces and tassels on the side can be left as is for show, but they are functional if it makes sense to tie the boots tighter around the calf.
Inside there’s a removable 5-layer lining that makes these really warm and snug: they’re rated to -40 degrees F. Brrrr! Despite that and the lack of scrimping on the rubber, they are surprisingly light, weighing in at 1 pound 6 ounces each.
No girl or tween worth her doll collection wants to be seen in a clunky pair of boots with no style though, so these Baffin Candy ones look as good as what Mom wears, with a healthy dose of pink. The fake fur on the cuffs along the top helps too. There’s also a solid black version if she’s too cool for pink.
So far my daughter has just worn these in barely freezing weather in Virginia, so I can’t vouch for that minus-40 claim yet. She didn’t whine when we asked her to put them on and when it’s time for a ski trip or a journey to an icy place, we’ll be ready.
The Baffin Candy boots list for $80, but check prices online at Backcountry and Altrec. See the full line of Baffin boots for kids here, including some more boy-friendly versions.
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Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, Kids and Family on January 11th, 2012
Cushe Boutique Sneak – More “Trainer” Than “Sneaker”
We review a lot of comfortable travel shoes on this blog that will feel great after a day of pounding the pavement or trails, but when the time comes to look cool instead, having a Cushe pair in your bag can give you a leg (or at least a foot) up on other travelers.
One of the vocabulary differences between American and British English is for athletic shoes: “sneakers” on one side of the Atlantic, “trainers” on the other. The two aren’t really equal though. While Americans tend to value comfort over all else, the Europeans are all about looking fashionable or at least having the right look for a night of clubbing. So while our sneakers tend to be comfy and clunky, ones like these cool Cushe Boutique Sneaks pictured here will get compliments instead of just being functional. Despite the “sneaks” in the name, with these you’ll almost fit in when you cross the ocean.
These are designed shoes: they don’t just sport a tried-and-true, me-too look that blends in. I’ll go for weeks without anyone saying anything about my shoes, then I’ll put these on and get two or three comments about them in a day. It doesn’t hurt that Cushe is kind of an “in the know” brand that’s not in your local Foot Locker store. You’d have better luck at a high-end department store. They look so different from everything else because they really are.
There are plenty of nice touches though that keep these Boutique Sneaks from being just something pretty to put on your feet. The materials are good quality, from laces that stay tied to a cushy liner that’s about double the thickness of most of the other shoes I review. It conforms well to your feet and holds up on long days. So while these look kind of thin and flat, you’re not getting foot pains after a couple hours in them. There are several layers of canvas and leather on the uppers, with double-stitching in most areas. The tongue and toe both have a pull loop, which I’ve found I use a lot and miss them on other shoes I wear. The sole is rolled on the back so it won’t wear down or start coming apart in the back. Above that is a fleece section that then extends around the ankle.
Plus I like the whimsy of these. As you can see in the photo to the right, turn them over (or cross your legs) and you’ve got a foot shape on the bottom. It’s not just printed on there either: it’s embedded in the clear rubber sole in a way that it looks 3-D. There are also sentences on the bottom, broken up into words that just end up being a design element.
Otherwise there aren’t a lot of features that are going to wow outdoor adventure types—that’s not the emphasis here. Pack something else for braving all elements and hiking through the mud. These look good for less lively pursuits, but are still structured enough for a two-mile pub crawl. They’re lightweight and don’t take up much space in your luggage.
The Cushe Boutique Sneak shoes come in four colors for men and one for women , all with the kicked-back Cushe guy on the side and tw0-tone elements. They list for $100 and $90 respectively if you order direct, but you may be able to find them discounted if you check online at these product links:
See Planet Shoes, Sierra Trading Post, or Amazon for Men.
Get the women’s version on sale at Backcountry or Department of Goods.
Posted by Tim L. in General Gear, Travel Light on December 29th, 2011
Sanuk Yoga Mat Sandals
Do you always travel with a pair of flip-flops for the airplane and hotel downtime, but never dream of wearing them for longer than a few blocks of walking around town? With the Sanuk Yoga Mat sandals, it’s time to flip-flop on those habits.
Even if you don’t practice yoga yourself, you’ve got to admit—those thick mats are downright comfy. And that’s what you’re wearing on your soles with these sandals. The foodbed is made from a real yoga mat. So, whether you’re standing around in line, meandering along the beach, or discovering a new city, you can do it in casual comfort.
Vegans and vegetarians don’t have to worry about the leather look of the Sanuk Yoga Mat sandal. The synthetic leather and printed jersey liner is free of animal products. And the range of colors—from basic black to screaming orange—allow for a variety of travel styles.
I’ve worn these sandals walking all day through New York, Disneyland and more tropical destinations. I’ve worn them along beaches, through airports and along trails. If you’re used to flip-flops, your soles will love them, and you may want to consider ditching your slippers for these permanently.
These shoes aren’t best for more rugged pursuits, obviously. And if you need more defined arch support, the sandals aren’t for you for long-term walking. But they’re far more comfortable than your standard rubber flips.
The Sanuk Yoga Mat sandals list for $30 on the Sanuk website, but on Amazon, they range from $12 to $30, depending on the color you choose. I guess that’s when it pays off to prefer bright colors, and not basic black, like me. You can also find a wide variety at Altrec.com.
Related review: Sanuk Beer Cozy flip-flops for men
Posted by Jill in General Gear, Travel Light on November 25th, 2011
