Part 3
ALTRA, BIRKENSTOCK, FORSAKE, CHACO, TREDAGAIN, WOLVERINE 1000 MILE X SAUCONY, FREEWATERS, FIVE TEN, SKECHERS
Athletic/Comfort footwear companies-makers of sneakers for running/sports on dirt, mountains, or watery endeavors and healthy sandals that coddle...are offering up lifestyle choices for the already wearing their brand types AND people looking for that comfort technology in an everyday wear.
High fashion dressy versions-these are not...instead most looks border on the line between weekday work and weekend playable styles. And that's practically ok all the time...except for rarely worn fancy attire
anyway...
Highlights:
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| Altra Dessert Boot-offers a comfortable yet dressier-premium leather upper- take on their fab award winning running shoes. Using the brand's own dual EVA midsole with A-Bound™top layer and FootPod™ outsole -on the signature cushioned Zero Drop™ platform and Footshape™ toe box-allows toes to splay- feet to naturally move the way it should. 5mm footbed too-$120 |
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| FootPod outsole---see how the treads are shaped like a foot! Great slip-on feel |
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| Altra Desert Boot is the brand's new Chukka style-here in FUN colors that features the FootShape™toe box allows toes to relax and spread out-and fully cushioned (A-Bound™) runs the whole length of the shoe (like a sneaker)-atop the signature Zero Drop platform. Lightweight too...upper of premium leather-minimum lacing keeps fit snug. |
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Birkenstock practically invented the comfort sandal-its signature multi-layered pliable- cork/latex blend footbed-shock absorbing, deep heel cup, arch supporting contoured footbeds, jute fibers to wick away moisture/add strength, , flexible shock absorbing sole etc...
Fortunately for the faithful-their handsome kicks for guys have that signature comfort built inside of each of their new urban walker- lace-up hiker styles. Quality leather, stitch details, sturdy brass eyelets and rugged treaded outsoles..on left the available now- Hancock ($249).Impressive! |
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| Birkenstock-women's Stowe has a edgy MOTO boot feel but oh-so much more comfortable and better fitting. Premium upper leather, leather lined footbed, durable treaded outsole -in brown leather too. $195 |
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| Also from Birkenstock-very pretty equestrian style boots-with cross ankle strap and buckle details...on low block heel. |
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| Foresake...new to us brand-by Union College grad guys who grew up wearing skateboard style kicks (Vans comes to mind)...yet needed street friendly versatile footwear-comfort a MUST- with a bit more grown-up polish than those school boy staples and def less the clunkiness of typical hikers. Sneaker-Boot hybrids. Functional design in clean silhouettes-all day comfort with well coined rugged Peak to Pavement™ outsoles, anti-microbial footbeds, quick drying moisture wicking lining, compression molded EVA midsoles and nylon shanks for stability (all characteristics of serious outdoor hike footwear we write up)...with no fray laces that deliver two colors in the FREESTYLE- pictured above. Can see the reinforced toe bumper too...for trails or curbs...and all metal hardware, water resistant uppers, Spring 2017 style fyi-in brown/navy suede-full grain leather. |
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| #AdventureWorthy-Forsake |
CHACO's Fall collection (review here)..include these terrific women's Field Boots ($190) in great Ponderosa Pine color. NICE. Slim enough for city gals-eye catching points on the full grain leather upper with a rolled collar, waxed cotton flat laces hooking up in metal D-rings, women's specific mesh lined LUVSEAT™ PU footbed and burly non-marking skid resistant tread design- CHACOGrip™ rubber block outsole. From the brand that invented the river rat sandal of choice...and webbing in hundreds of patterns (!!!)...now one of the big growth stories for parent Wolverine.
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| TREDAGAIN-(Austinfootwear) is an amazing footwear company-that 'discovered' a way to "upcycle" rubber from discarded tires-(there are, globally- billions of them in landfills=2.6 million tons YIKES!!!). The technology behind reimagined rubber-produces an 100% "clean virgin rubber substitute called APX®"...accordingly TREDAGAIN shoes/sandal outsoles are made of 50% or more of their upcycled rubber-which is tough and as durable with-no compromise on quality which might be a problem of recycled rubber, generally speaking. IMPRESSIVE. Comfortable too-with EVA footbeds. The pictured style- are from the Spring preview-is a casual slip-om with primo leather upper-San Antonio $119.99..with a relaxed style- with that collapsible heel-the outsole is vulcanized rubber molded-including 50% APX® rubber substitute USA manufactured - made from 100% upcycled scrap tires from the US...for now flip flop sandals are for sale... |
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| TREDAGAIN Trinity $79.99 - outsole is vulcanized rubber molded-including 50% APX® rubber substitute USA manufactured - made from 100% upcycled scrap tires from the US...five colors...upper options in leather, canvas or blend of 30% recycled plastic/70% recycled cotton. |
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| WOLVERINE 1000 Mile X SAUCONY SHADOW ORIGINAL--talk about a perfect fusion of a sneaker and luxury-check out the primo Horween Leather primo lace-up-two toned upper with white outsole (and shock absorbing/energy returning) and treaded sole (in maroon) of a regular Saucony Original-with meticulous craftsmanship of the iconic Wolverine 1000 Mile boot including subtle brown and white stitching. WOW. Available in limited edition onsale- wolverine.com and saucony.com, and select retailers including the Wolverine Company Store (254 Elizabeth Street, NY). |
WHAT ELSE:
via GIPHY
Approach shoes-and sneakers...aimed at walker/day hikers too-in urban friendly black.
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| Talk about superb graphics...FREEWATERS casual footwear has avery artful angle...proof even at the most recent Outdoor Retailer show....bonus 1% of top line gross sales go to fund water projects in areas of the world that really need it. Take on their Sky Trainer Mesh-with minimalist design-runner midsole-athletic comfort. Not pictured-the waxed primo suede leather KENT $100-rugged lightweight desert boot style chukka...herringbone lining with the brand's sSuper Pillow insoleBubble Foam outsole -plus durable rubber welt reinforcement...cause even super dudes need to take off the flip-flops on occasion. |
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| Five Ten approach shoes-all feature the sticky rubber the brand is acclaimed for PLUS-approprately enough for an Adidas owned brand-we think a whole lot of style. Pictured-the ACCESS $140 in urban hip carbon with pop of red laces. Stealth®S1 outsole-durable and technical edging, lightweight EVA midsole with high rubber content with increased shock absorption, reinforced cap toe, and rubberized exoskeleton lacing system makes this a highly protective/supportive shoe with a street cred. via a perforated nubuck leather upper. |
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| Skecher's has kicks for all occasions...including a black style of their GO WALK lifestyle sneakers and slip-ons. Pictured: GoWalk4-5th generation design with soft fabric upper, fabric ending (here in black), stabilizing heel fabric overlays, easy on/off, tapering midfoot design for improved arch support-super lightweight- 5 1/4oz design...with new Goga Max™ insole /5Gen™ midsole cushioning. |
CHACO's Fall collection (review here)..include these terrific women's Field Boots ($190) in great Ponderosa Pine color. NICE. Slim enough for city gals-eye catching points on the full grain leather upper with a rolled collar, waxed cotton flat laces hooking up in metal D-rings, women's specific mesh lined LUVSEAT™ PU footbed and burly non-marking skid resistant tread design- CHACOGrip™ rubber block outsole. From the brand that invented the river rat sandal of choice...and webbing in hundreds of patterns (!!!)...now one of the big growth stories for parent Wolverine.
