Outdoor Retailer, SLC
words/images Judith Ecochard
One of the advantages of being part of a large family-in this case a corporate one---is that the parents kinda leave you alone.
Deckers' owned Ahnu-has pretty glammy older siblings-like Uggs-but we think this younger child really turned a corner with its Spring 2012 feminine shoes for gals. With a designer who we guess, has a free rein...
SMART-as Branding 101 is never to acquiescence to public perception of one's brand--- like the new (sic) Brooklyn NETS did!
WHAT's NEW:
Inspired by the Jackie of All Trades fused with Jackie O chic--we get comfortable slip-ons for women- who have multi-faceted lives and need the footwear to match it.
But staying true to its DNA that's worth referencing---the footwear is all constructed with Ahnu's Numentum™ Technology-a neutral positioning system that encourages a natural bio-mechanically accurate way of going forward- designed around speed, impact, and motion--- that varies depending on the shoes' purpose.
The Jackie----we loved the supportive feel of all day comfort- via the Numentum™ Commute Technology---with a U shape heel stabilizer built in --great for tooling around the town and easy packing for travel too.
Our top pick:
Eye-catching too---available in great color waves and upper materials...
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| Top pick: Jackie in woven canvas/leatherMajlica Blue, Grenadine, Bright Chartreuse (l-r) $110 |
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| outsoles non-marking carbon rubber |
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| Jackiein Gargoyle (grey), Garden Green, Plum, Mood Indigo Canvas/Leather (Jan. 2012) |
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| All leather Jackie in black |
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| Cute---Chi--A Grenadine Jackie delivers April 2012 |
The Numentum™ Minimal Technology- that features a light-weight, low profile-for a natural stride (think Barefoot Running's MO)...plays into these adorable Caledonia ($110) multi-strap sporty Mary-Jane kickers.
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| Glacier Gray, Cuban Sand, Sky Gray (l-r) |
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| Branded Outsoles |
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| Stretch for comfort |
The Crissy ($100)...an everyday sporty ballet slip-on...also belongs to the Numentum™ Minimal group. We loved the contrasting edges of the criss-crossed upper straps and details...like the bold colored linings give this functional all around a spin towards the trendy side of life.
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| Cuban Sand, medium Gray, Grenadine, Cobblestone, Black |
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| pretty plum |
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| Plum, Black, , Garden Green, Smokey Brown (l-r) |
The ease of a flip flop sandal with the benefit of having a covered toecap-(besides... no needs for a pedi) and great arch support...the ZEN $80.
IMHO -Fancy enough for gals to wear to the White House without getting flak from the Fashion Police- like some members of the NCAA winning Lacrosse Team from Northwestern did when meeting George W awhiles back.
When a more formal shoe -especially if wearing any kind of stockings-is needed- the Karma $90 with collapsible heels... (background), and Gracie $110 (up front) with the same cushy footbed and heel support...is adorable. We love have Ahnu really bumped it up with the added girly elements-the contrast stitching ---petal and swirl designs-slender adjustable straps that are functional but hit the foot just so...not looking clunky but dainty. And a nice style change for ballerina flat wearers.
For the "go-anywhere" lifestyle...
A bit more sporty--the Janie has a velcro strap and microbial footbed that helps make this an easy good all day shoe when walking over cobblestones or even a maintained trail...multi-tasking...$100
Water sports enthusiasts as well as warm weather hikers gravitate towards sandals with non-marking outer rubber soles...that can handle different types of terrain.
The Napa $92-with an EVA midsole for shock absorption--offers superior comfort and stability...with the added benefit of a breathable microfiber suede liner.
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| NAPA |
The Olema slide is beach worthy as well as city street friendly with the added heel cushioning. This is the kind of shoe we'd pack on warm weather travels -
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| grippy enough for varied surfaces $75 |
Basic slide styles but still passing the comfort test---Ahnu offers the Nicasio Flip. With an adjustable toe strap-pretty unusual...the flip flop weighs practically nothing. Yet at $70---it's not a disposable beach ped---but part of the multi-terrain bunch---embedded with Numentum™ Traverse Technology designed for variable speed, impact and motion...built in.
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| Garden Green, Black, Dusty Blue |
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| Stretchy toe in grosgrain ribbon pattern |
The water-friendly Tomales $75 ---another take on a beach worthy, all day slide.
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| Bright Chartreuse |
We saw these light hikers with eVent technology (waterproof and breathable)---last season...no surprise, retail favorites---and now in a low cut version--- in new colors.
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| Montara Boot and Montara II----Waterproof... |
