Skip to main content

MATERIALS-TEXTILES INNOVATE OUTDOOR FOOTWEAR '15 Part 1

SLC/OR

Gore-Tex® Surround™, La Sportiva®, Vibram® MegaGrip, TrekSta®, HanWag IceGrip-G-LOFT FIT®


Just like the performance, lifestyle and fashion apparel previewed these past few months -for A/W2015/16---footwear that's headed for the great outdoors is a wearable (and weather tough) combo of new technology and amped up for snowy/icy trails- and city strolls old school materials felt/wool, shearling and leather.

Prediction- (more) suede (oiled -brushed)+velvet details/trims will be big for 2016/17 based on what we saw in fashion world-tends to trickle down (or up-depending one's perspective-ha ha).

Highlights:

La Sportiva-nifty-the lacey looking mineral blue-greyish protective Nano-Cell™ Technology overlay-great fit- of Synthesis GTX® available now-with the waterproof/breathable Gore-Tex Surround™ Technology

GORE-TEX's Surround™ Product Technology-360º breathability/waterproof-that was intro-ed last summer---added bunch of labels (like new to us TrekSta) embracing this innovative laminates-special construction.
La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX® with Gore-Tex Surround™ Tech and black protective Nano-Cell™ Technology  $180
Vibram's MegaGrip:
Vibram's latest rubber compound is the VERY durable MegaGrip-featured in outsoles of several brands including Hoka One One-improved grip on dry and wet surfaces
row of brands using Vibram's MegaGrip...including The North Face, Giro, Vasque, Salewa, Scarpa, Chaco+Arcteryx




outsoles of Dunlop workboots-Vibram

we wish our bike shoes used Vibram MegaGrip...these are by Giro

TREKSTA+BOA Closure Technology
click up/down paired with dial ease of on/off/ fit-by Boa Micro-Adjustable  closure system---is something that can become an addictive must in performance shoes or triathlons when seconds in transition count...here in TrekSta's trail runner-Women's Sync Boa (Teal/Yellow)-has brand's NestFIT system that coddles/cradles feet, and ultralight EVA midsole-stability, EVA insole for arch support, highly breathable mesh upper. 9.30z  6mm drop + a guy version too 10.5oz....
Check this out-proprietary technology pictured below-ZeroTie hands-free lacing system---a gift in cold weather when the mere thought of taking off gloves/mittens conjures up shivers.
TrekSta's ZEROTIE hands free lacing system....this lever like heel 'thing' aka release buckle/ clicks down to loosens up laces-the roller tightens... 
Pictured-all day comfort-in a women's Hands Free 103-an internal roller-allows tightening lacing- manis are SAFE. Plus EVA midsole incorporates TPU support, insole molded EVA with odor eating-anti-bacterial  Nano silver tech, NestFit system-construction cradles all nooks+crannies of one's foot.





HyperGrip®-proprietary rubber compound/IceLock™ outsole...superior traction with added grip on ice---collection ranges from$50-$220
HANWAG's ICE GRIP
The 411 on ICEGRIP= German brand HanWag's sole technology is microscopic glass particles embedded in the rubber thread blocks-for scratchy grip =enhanced traction on ice. 3 years in the making-we wonder if the brand collects broken glass beer bottles from fab Oktoberfests as a source material.
14 Grip Zones

Fjäll Extreme GTX® in Erde $380-serious technical boot-with removable innrer boot, waterproof Gore-tex® lining+durable felt upper. Multiple insulation layers-including use of G-Loft Fit® rated to -40ºF-IceGrip original outsole

seeing is believing---Canto Mid Winter GTX® -prrimo Nubuck leather heritage flavored-waterproof via Gore-Tex® Panda lining, soft padded fleece collar, all around rubber rand, heel loop for ez on/off, IceGrip ZT outsole

Abisko GTX®  $500-winter expedition-cold rated to -40ºF-With removable thermo inner boot constructed from durable felt w/ Gore-Tex® lining. Outer boot has an airy fabric upper with insulating aluminum, thermofoam, G-Loft Fit®+ fleece layer. PLUS-integrated Cordura® tough gaiter at boot cuff-with 14 grip zones

FYI: Cold ratings=something we had to explain to lotsa NYC pals to look for=specifically for cold rated boots-this past FREEZING weather...why dress label kicks were not worthy of wicked weather extremes.

ABISKO GTX® $500-snowshoe compatible heel...