LYRA MAG.

PART 3 KHOMBU, K SWISS, RISEWEAR, EDDIE BAUER, TREKSTA, DANNER Urban outdoors is a reality-especially for mass transit commuters -living in city sized dwellings...who head out to city or massive national parks on days not spent indoors. Three season kicks- lifestyle sneakers and winter worthy fashionable boots -dominate precious closet space (or under the bed)...vs the most dressy of dressier shoes that rarely get worn these days. via GIPHY source: gifbay.com Some highlights: Khombu is raking in the retail accounts these days (and customers) for good reason-the value and eye candy proposition just REALLY work...esp. for F/W waterproof takes on their stylish molded one piece duck boots bottoms paired with fun textile/woolen uppers in terrific tweed and ethnic patterns. Pictured Julliard (left -ultra fun with comfortable insole $109) and Jazzy center, right $95 a wedge heel is the easiest walkable way to add height and still feel the ground-the Ashao comes in 5 colors....

Heritage Brands: Danner, HanWag, Sporto, Khombu, Sebago Rugged and durable, name brand kicks and boat shoes made by acclaimed labels famous for their quality construction know-how...are practically moved to the side as an afterthought- by more upscale lifestyle-streetwear selections-made for walking-delivering Fall/Winter 2016. via GIPHY  The result---the original DNA of these companies...get a few stylish-fashion-y makeovers...that surpass their original functions...without losing their original design personalities . HIGHLIGHTS: DANNER-(1932) Hardcore hiking, hunting, military and work boots crafted for guys... large casual side of Danner...including these MADE IN THE USA Mountain Pass Horween Rio Boot-(other men's and women's versions-$350-360)-takes style clues from MountainLight signature hiker-paired with modern aesthetic-and made of Horween Leather FROM HANWAG-a German heritage brand of sturdy hikers-since 1921...has a bunch of "urban winter...

SLC/NYC CHACO, LA SPORTIVA, KHOMBU, SKECHERS, ADIDAS OUTDOORS, OBOZ A few years back-females' shoe swappings (flats/sneakers to heels) outside of fashion shows, day time office buildings, nighttime bars/clubs=pretty standard visuals in Manhattan. Not anymore...and it's not just that those teetering stilettos are maybe  hidden in work cubicles. Nope-from what we can see- the foot wardrobes of the ladies -are mostly fashion comfort- and functional all-terrain kicks - performance shoes/sandals including decidedly outdoorsy silhouettes-ALL THE TIME. These kicks-are paired up with frilly dresses, dressier denim and athleisure wear looks that increasingly get worn M-F / 24/7. And it makes sense-especially for trail-and rugged water shoes...with their beefed up grippy outsoles, cushioning midsoles and supportive insoles with anti-odor, moisture wicking, and stability features would find favor with those who toil the urban canyons. Plus, digital printing makes those upper...

Outdoor Retailer/SLC  Birkenstock, Khombu, Icebug, Sperry, Merrell, Teva, Under Armour,  Sanuk, Oliberté Whether coined comfort fashion , or stylish performance ...versatile footwear for the outdoors market has broadened its tonal offerings to include many boots/sandals-in white, black and/or in a bold blue akin to Yves Klein's signature. A refreshing break from the tried and true browns-rust, muted tones of typical autumnal colors that typically dominate the shelves. Highlights: DANBURY- Black Suede and White -both available NOW $329-shearling lined knee high boot that riffs the Birkenstock iconic Arizona style-with adjustable buckles on the feet and calves, contoured cork footbed-made in Germany, shoe made in Portugal...like the play on shiny patent and metal-and textured everything else. Buffalo check plaid-in black and white. Arizona - Birkenstock -classic footbed with suede liner, EVA sole-flexible and durable, straps with buckles for great f...

 COOL COLLABS, MADE IN MAINE, NEW/OLD TEXTILE UPPERS California cool SANUK so got that camper COLEMAN green shade-with this nifty collab-featuring signature comfort details-padded collar, wide toes, patented tab construction, flexible Pylon or compression molded EVA outsoles, premium molded EVA footbeds with anti-odor AEGIS protection...  vulcanized construction-plaid flannel lining... slip on easy...tailgating gets a bit of fancier footwear but as comfy as Sanuk's signature Sidewalk Surfers... BLUNDSTONE -masters of the pull-on Chelsea style boot -that's outselling those knee highs (for gals) and are trend-right for guys-pretty much since the Beatles MOD days...collabs with popular Italian motorcycle giant for an homage to -Scrambler DUCATI ($249.95), Brands' design features on board include comfort construction and sleek upper details, elastic side Blundstone boot-with SPS max comfort system, PORON® XRD™ Heel Strike zone, removable comfort footb...

NYC: Comfort fashionable shoes are NOW the norm for American gals -even those chic city ladies-coinciding with the whole athleisure clothing boom- we don't remember a time when all but the tiniest fraction of men ever put up with uncomfortable shoes. Reasons abound-including more female urbanites taking mass transit, walking and/or biking to work...plus the acceptance of casual summer office attire-paired with lifestyle sneakers and sandals with cork footbeds, setting a high bar for bearable, wearable all day wardrobes, year round. Colder temps do mean different head to toe ensembles...and foot-wise, three lines previewed certainly offer many stylish feet worthy shoes that are pavement pounding, durably acceptable-and affordable. Highlights: WALDLÄUFER -a German brand (aka Forest Walker), is putting down roots on this side of the Pond...with quality classic styles and boots for men and women. Made in Europe ---the WALDLÄUFER selections we saw had signature comfo...