Footwear | Evolving Consumer

Except No Substitute

Adidas has created the Cadillac of boots – no make that the Ferrari of boots. OK, third times the charm, the shoemaker has worked with Porsche Design Sport to come up with the Porsche of winter books. The Easy Winter Boots are designed to be a style alternative to traditional boots and feature PrimaLoft insulation, premium nubuck leather upper and protective TPU shell to help feet dry and the weather out. The rugged outsole will even help provide traction on wet surfaces.

You might not want to take that Porsche out of the garage in the winter, but you’d be glad to have these Porsche designed boots on your feet.

Adidas Easy Winter Boots Official Website

Weekend Reading List (10.12.2013): UniRider, Shoe Hole, Football Tech

UniRider

From Gear Junkie: Man Rides Unicycle On 525-Mile Bike Tour
Riding 525 miles on a bicycle is a solid physical challenge. Grandfather of five Mark Massie made it tougher, opting to ride the entire California Coast Classic Bike Tour on a unicycle. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (10.12.2013): UniRider, Shoe Hole, Football Tech

Nike Boots (almost) Ready for Lunar Landing

The new Nike Lunarterra Arktos books look truly out of this world. The modular books appear to be ready for a cold hostile environment, and while that might not be the moon these will get through the upcoming winter. These feature a Lunarlon midsole that means lighter weight, but with improved comfort and movement of the foot; while the Vac Tec molding helps create a serious seal – it might not endure the vacuum of space but it will keep rain, snow and slush out. Ideal for hiking or just shoveling the driveway these boots will offer stability and keep the feet warm.

Nike also reminds us that “arktos” is ancient Greek for “bear” and is where the term “Arctic” is derived. In other words these arctic ready boots will be good cold weather – and they’ll arrive just in time.

Nike LunarTerra Arkt

Weekend Reading List (09.05.2013): Boa Yeah, Getting Warm

Boa Yeah

From GizMag: Boa Taking Over As Bike Shoe Closure Of Choice
Boa Technology touts its twist-to-tighten, cable-and-dial closure systems as light, easily adjustable and strong. Manufacturers seem to agree. Eight bike shoe brands will release 39 new models with Boa closures by spring 2014. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (09.05.2013): Boa Yeah, Getting Warm

Timberland at 40

Timberland is celebrating its 40th year in business with a very special 40th Anniversary Ltd. Collection, where only 1,973 of each style will be made available – while numbers #1 and #1973 will be put up for auction. Bidding began this week and will continue until October 5th, with all auction proceeds going to Rainforest Alliance.

As the company notes:

“These are the boots that have not only withstood our tests for durability and protection, they’ve withstood the test of time. This special collection is limited to only 1973 pairs each to celebrate the 40th anniversary of our very first original Yellow Boot – the one that started it all.”

Timberland 40th Anniversary Ltd. Collection Official Website

Interbike 2013: SealSkinz has the Foot Covered

U.K. based SealSkinz headed to the dry desert terrain of Las Vegas to introduce its own U.S. subsidiary and is unveiling its full line to American retailers last week. The company’s line of waterproof yet breathable socks will be heading to America.These handmade socks are filled with water, and if it leaks it won’t make it to your feet.

The Thin Angle Length Sock (left) is 100 percent waterproof and breathable. It has elastic around the ankle for mobility.

The Cycle Over Sock (right) are designed to be ideal for those early morning rides in the wet weather, particularly when it’s cold but these can be also used for everyday commuting just in case the weather turns. These socks are close fitting, yet the highly stretchy material easily slides over cycle shoes and the close, smooth fit means cleaner lines and less wind resistance. These even fold up and can be washed just like a pair of socks – compact and easy to clean.

SealSkinz Official Website

Going Asolo

Whether you decide to hike with a friend or hit the trails solo you can do it with the Asolo Piuma, a light but supportive boot. It is heavier than a trail running shoe, so it isn’t meant to replace one – but it still provides natural movement more than a lot of boots. It features a suede/nylon mesh upper and Vibram sole that provides a secure footing on most terrain. While it isn’t waterproof it is meant to be rugged enough for hiking beyond the beaten path.

Asolo Official Website

Nike’s Pole(r) Dancing

Nike has put its best forward in so many sports that we’re not sure how many feet it actually has, but the company has looked to get on deck as well with the Poler x Nike Braata Sneakers. This partnership brings Nike know-how along with Poler Outdoor Stuff camouflage for shoes that don’t so much blend in as totally stand out.

The Nike Braata skateboarding shoe is available in three camo patterns including classic camo, night camo and now the autumn camo.

Poler x Nike Braata Sneaker Official Website

Interbike 2013: Smells Like V-Spirit

At this week’s Interbike trade show in Las Vegas Vittoria is introducing its V-Spirit high-performance lightweight shoe. This features a new micrometric cable closure system that perfectly adapts to the foot. It further utilizes a highly breathable upper mesh and the Pebax air system allows heel ventilation.

The V-Spirit also offers a CNS Carbon Heart sole. Spirit, sole and heart and all for the feet. What more could you want?

Vittoria Shoes Official Website

From the Ashes

We’re not saying this shoe burned up and rose from the ashes, but perhaps if you wear it you’ll be able to burn up the track – at least stylistically. The Nike Air Pegasus 83/30 offers a classic look and comes in a range of colors. There is even a reflective strip that provides visibility at night. The shoe offers a mesh upper that features stitch-less construction for a comfortable fit with excellent ventilation. It will look good and feel good – and isn’t that a way to rise above?

Nike Air Pegasus 83/30 Official Website

Arm Up the Feet

In medieval times armor was worn on the feet, and this meant metal coverings over shoes that featured riveted sections that were anything but comfortable.

Today the Under Armour Speedform running shoe isn’t mean to protect a warrior on the battlefield but rather to provide greater comfort and stability for those to in some miles on the road or trail. These feature a seamless interior along with ultrasonically welded components and form-fitting construction but not a rivet or stitch anywhere in sight. These feature moisture-wicking technology via the chafe-free 4D foam to provide a different kind of protection.

Under Armour Speedform Running Shoe Official Website

Breakdown Shoes

Most shoes will break down in time, but the 01M shoes are designed to biodegrade in months. The Spanish-made footwear, which offers a true minimalist design that could be ideal for barefoot running when you still want some coverage on the feet, are made of a vegetable-based plastic material. This means when the shoes start to show wear they can go in the compost bin and won’t end up a landfill.

01M Official Website
[Via GearJunkie: Shoe Made of ‘Vegetable Plastic’ Can Biodegrade in Months]

Newton Goes the Distance

Minimalist shoe maker Newton looks to have its Newton Running Elite team put in some serious miles to demonstrate that the company’s Distance Elite shoe is ready for the loneliness of the long distance running. It features race-specific fit and a streamlined midsole, creating a lightweight, highly responsive shoe that tips the scales at 7.2 ounces for men, 6.2 ounces for women.

It features highly breathable, fast-drying mesh upper that employs minimal stitching, an asymmetrical lacing system and welded support strapping over the midfoot. The Distance Elite further offers the same outsole/midsole package as the Distance Light Weight Trainer, which has a 2mm drop from heel to toe, as well as Newton Running’s dynamic four-lug cushioning to protect the runner from impact.

Runners won’t have to wait long to try out this minimal long distance shoe. The Distance Elite will arrive in stores on November 1 for $155.

Newton Running Official Website