MONTARA (W) in Ruby Wine
“IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE”
OUTDOOR RETAILER, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
Words, Images, Judith Ecochard
When we first started covering performance wear…the outdoor labels were adapting the fashion MO…happening colors, more flattering silhouettes (women’s wear), extra design details to make it all interesting---all without compromising the technical features that get the customers in the door (or clicking away).
Well lo and behold…maybe it’s all that SNOW back East…but the big urban footwear trends for 2010 are boots, boots, boots and clogs… with lug soles and military stylin’…that’s a page right out of the Outdoor Industry!
VIBRAM SOLES THAT GRIP
Ahnu is a brand--- that those who's idea of nature is to hug a corner tree---should check out as readily as hard core athletic types. We are jazzed that for the upcoming season…the rainbow worthy tones of the lifestyle, hiking and trail running Ahnu samples we saw--- really pop.
Building on the mantra…performance products for the outdoor lifestyle--- both on and off the trail…the proprietary Neutral Positioning System---engineered into every shoe we saw--- provides comfort and stability.
And the design took very good care of the uppers IMHO.
WHAT’S NEW:
Light hiking styles for gals…including the ASTRAL AURA shade for the MONTARA BOOT…takes the trendsters on and off roads for the day--- in hiking gear or head to toe black city clothes.
Men’s Light Hike shoes---can do double duty as everyday kickers…in the new WOODSIDE and ELKRIDGE models (comes mid boot too).
The perforated patterned upper on the QUINN (in sepia or smokey brown) has the ease of a chukka boot…but the lace-ups bump it up to an office shoe if need be.
THE MENLO have touch of Euro with multi-textures, dark inserts highlughting hardware eyelets...NICE!
Clogs get a refresh with the ANSELMO (W) in a smokey brown (also black, rosin green). Unlike those we nabbed in Sweden---that we had to painfully break in---these felt just right from the get go.
The wedge boot is major for 2010…and Ahnu delivers the sporty EMBARCADERO--and LOMBARD-giving gals height and comfort.
And none of this would matter…if the innards of the peds weren’t as advanced as some of the hardcore shoes we put on when scaling mountains…
LIKE different densities of foam to help center the heel and cushion the feet… and high density EVA plugs supported with external struts on both the medial and laterial sides of the heel= for ultra support.
SHIP DATES: MID SUMMER.
PRICE RANGES: MOST cost in the $94-$124 range…a sweet price point--- given all the thoughtful techy stuff.
INFO: AHNU
MARINA (W)