LYRA MAG.

It's doubtful most holiday time purchases of apparel/footwear set off brain cells on just how 'dirty' that industry is.  Still-companies themselves are getting schooled and acting on environmentally friendly initiatives to clean out some of the toxicity from sourcing-manufacturing-delivery chains. On the home front brick/mortar retailers...are selectively editing their offerings -with greener merchandise getting stocked.  In lower Manhattan... Bishop Collective  's (143 Ludlow Street) careful picks include multiple indie designers making (in the USA) modern clothing/jewelry-all  ethically designed and sourced. In town???- The  Designer Series Sessions  this month  feature meet/greets with seven designers-for not only in person style help- but also highlighting exclusive one-off items-which is pretty remarkable for the 99.9% of us who can't 'touch' price-wise , couture handmade anything. Voyager Sleek Parley w/ Boost and Stealth out...

Getting aways to anywhere via public transport - demand multi-tasking, thoughtful clothing. No checked baggage or single purpose anything-head to toe apparel/footwear needs to function in many environments. No wonder outdoor brands are becoming urban mainstream labels.. .that stuff is made to last, weather tough-and now-fashion-y enough-for today's casually dressed traveller. Not an item to wear-but a traveller's essential...the multi-tool pocket 'knife.' Raise your hand -a round of applause.if you've had yours confiscated by TSA. via GIPHY OKAY THAT WOULD BE EVERYBODY. Solution- Victorinox Swiss Army multi-tool less the blades-travel ready-TSA okay. YAY. Award winning Jetsetter@work Alex knife  $70 has a removable 3.0/3.1 USB stick (on the left) with 16 GB of storage (ideal to store all those pictures you're gonna take w/o having to access a cloud service)-plus six functions-scissors, bottle opener, wire stripper, Phillips screwdriver0/1 m...

ALTRA +  NINA Footwear Life on the go-travelling for pleasure or purpose (like destination weddings) ... For footwear...two picks for minimal packers. via GIPHY Hands (feet) down-trail or well made road running shoes are the best multi-tasking one and done shoe for travelers traveling light! For comfy supported running-day hiking or walking hard or soft (ish) surfaces like city cement-quaint cobblestone byways, or dirt trails...our fav-no drop specialists ALTRA-offers up popular shades of their woven mesh uppers- and super super light weight-high traction styles-for S/S 2018! ALTRA-"zero limits"...just about true!  Available now in summery shades (pictured above/below-are Fall'18) men's and women's specific last women's Escalante-lightweight and with the brand's distinguished wide toe box for toe splayers, Engineered knit uppers -shaped perfectly for a  sock-like fit w/ a performance last with the new    Altra Ego™midsole and decoupled heel...

Boa® Closures Lace Up New Balance, Asics, Adidas Outdoors  Boa® 's closure  - have been SOP on snowboard/ski boots/helmets for years-but now the floppy laces' slayer convenience... via GIPHY no more slip+trip  and lightweight comfort... on sneakers...is rapidly gaining favor. BOA's push up/down release dials (sport specific including a new run specific system of the TX4™ soft lace, FormTX™ textile guides-a blend of nylon and Teflon®- and the secure low profile L6 dial)- don't add up -onto a shoe's weight (a good thing), plus reduce chaffing/lower friction-are addictive, IMO...once one experiences' it. New Balance  FuelCore Sonic ($109) is for the fast+furious-or those who wannabe. In  Men's (8.5oz)+Women's (7.3oz) running shoe-w/ bootie construction-  ultra-breathable mesh upper combined w/ minimal cage support-kept secure w/ Boa closure. 

via GIPHY source jezebel.com Ready for whatever twists outdoor music fun conjures up-comfortable footwear that withstands the elements...by OBOZ, ROCKPORT, CHACO, TREKSTA finally- OBOZ ---who makes our fav waterproof/supportive and cute(!) winter boots the MADISON Bdry-has a collection of flip-flops for Spring 2017...with the label's legendary BFit. deluxe footbed, spring EVA midsole and rugged outsole..applied to these easy to wear, webbed thongs.  carbon rubber pods on outsole OBOX Ocoee  and Selway  flip-flops for women-$55

Adidas Outdoors, Sperry Seven Seas, Ex Officio, Birkenstock, Summit by White Mountain, Aerosoles  via GIPHY Women's Agravic Shirt by Adidas Outdoors-breathable, cooling moisture wicking fabric, zipped chest pocket for quick subway card grabs-some of the functional pluses -but it's the sleek design-in basic B/W with zipper pop in grey, cute cap sleeves and the mock turtleneck collar...has us wanting this to wear all summer long with casual capris/denim as well as workout bottoms. ADIDAS Terrex Agravic men's and women's-trail running shoe featuring boost™ energy returning , shock absorbing cushioning, lightweight textile overlays and mesh uppers-abrasion wielding and supportive, Continental rubber outsole for superior grip , fast speed lacing construction and back tab for ez on/off and secure fit-AND bungee stows so laces don't untangle. IMO-trail running shoes ideal travel kicks-incredibly comfy all day long on the concrete urban sidewalks, and doub...

Outdoor Retailer/SLC Casual - Technical Mids+Lows featuring 'hot' Energy Returning proprietary Boost™ Technology Adidas footwear is selling these days-the YEEZY is blowing out... via GIPHY source wifflegif.com But it's not just the kicks for the street savvy getting the nod.... adidas OUTDOORS -sports performance offerings- smartly incorporate the iconic three stripes... and are embedded with tech features that imo the adventure types that expect functionality- will give their approving nods to too . Some Highlights: THE Terrex Agravic -is  light, fast and stabile...available  in a waterproof  GTX (Gore-Tex) and non Gore-Tex versions...weighs in at  12.5oz for men and 10.8oz for women.  On board= adidas’ proprietary Boost™   technology for superior energy return and stability, protection and flexibility during trail runs. A 2015 Industry Award at the Outdoor Fair in Friedrichshafen. TERREX AGRAVIC- Lining : GORE-TEX®   Extend...

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...

SLC ICE BLOCKS DEMO GRIPPY OUTSOLES-Slip N'Fall Fears Banished VIBRAM- MERRELL-SPERRY-WOLVERINE- HANWAG- ICEBUG- ALTRA-BAFFIN- KODIAK-KAHTOOLA Sloooowly -encompassing the urban kinds of customer (see a 2012 Prez. election voter map for where they live...it's the blue spots)... ...the exhibitors at Outdoor Retailer  -we'd say deftly---cater to the elite winter backcountry extremist - adventurers who have 'the seven summits'  done ---as well as NOW the city types-who more likely "venture out" for day jaunts, travels, indoor fitness centers-including yoga, Cross-Fit and climbing...and who may only see the skies/feel the weather when walking to mass transit hubs. Smart: the authentic outdoors-ness of the brands-remain-for both older and new labels (like Under Armour moving their outdoors bunch to Portland)...an important story to keep on telling to sell to hard core and casual types alike. It's like ...as competitive triathletes...still look...

 ALTRA, HOKA ONE ONE, TOPO ATHLETIC, 361º, VIBRAM, LIFEWAY Protein Kefir, ACUMOBILITY Much is made about getting in shape-but most of our pals- are athletic already-and want to keep the old self-rather just as is-makes sense, fitness wise- once hit mid 30s on up, depending on the activity. SNEAKERS, Trail Running and Fitness shoes come in all shapes and sizes for different activities, foot anatomies, and level of efforts...short bursts vs long endurance endeavors. Some highlights from cult brands: Long distance fav- ALTRA  adds to its no drop ZERO DROP™platform with new beefier shock absorbing A-Bound™ maximum cushioning models-for neutral or stability needs-aimed at trail runners and roadsters- Pictured: women's specific OLYMPUS 2.0 9oz trail runner  characteristic of ALTRA-FOOTSHAPE™ toe box- allowing the toes to spread naturally... unless trained as a ballet dancer en pointe shoes . ..Olympus 2.0 revamped Vibram trail sticky rubber outsole for maximum cus...

FUNKY FUNKY-ADIZERO xt BOOST  technologies energy returning -shock absorbing---with protective toes, breathable mesh upper, and cage stability overlays...sport performance or style mid. SLC/OR ADIDAS sure gets MAJOR style bonus points with their highly functional kicks for the outdoors types=so much so-we think strictly city types would find favor with these mid height- striking color block -high top-hiker lace-ups. With neon pops of laces, the Continental® and Stealth® rubber beefy-grippy outsoles -with bold black or white foxing-  serving as visual definitions to the tonal uppers. terrex X-KING: Engineered with the experts at Continental ®   slick kick offers a mountain bike tire for your foot .   Continental ®  rubber beefy grabby kick=m anufactured like a tire-the Continental ®  rubber compound is heat-pressed directly into the upper material + the  w eight is  reduced  so it is  lower to the...