Footwear
Archive
We polled an all-star team of experts and adventurers to put together our new rules of travel—all the airfare tips and digital tricks that make getting out there easier than ever.
The best shoe for speed work, and efficient runners with minimalist leanings.
Top shoe brands are racing to enter the super-cushioned fray. We review 2014’s corpulent shoe crop.
A few weeks before my first “half distance” triathlon—which consisted of 70.3 total miles, including a half marathon at the end—I slipped into a brand new pair of sneakers, intent on breaking them in during my next few practice sessions. They’re triathlon-specific shoes, outfitted with elastic bungee laces and a…
Seven men want to share a few thousand pieces of gear with the world. And they need your help.
In a desperate measure to burn surfeit calories, men and women have rushed to stuff their jiggly bits into resistance pants. But can clothing really make a workout any better?
Three entrepreneurs envision a future of shared outdoor equipment. And while the project is barely off the ground, their idea could change how we buy and sell gear.
‘Tis the season for car camping and barbequing, which means grilled burgers, sunny days, and (hopefully) cold beer. But to keep your beverage of choice chilled, you’ll need a cooler that can withstand the heat. We reviewed four mini coolers—each 10 liters or smaller and each packed with a six-pack—to…
For years, I used to test how far I could go on day trips without eating. I don’t know if it was some unexplainable machismo or just laziness, but that mindset changed about six months ago. I’d gone on a four-hour run with an empty stomach and no food in…
It’s tough to tell how trustworthy a piece of gear is going to be when you first buy it. In fact, the only way to actually test your equipment’s longevity is to, well, test it. Thoroughly. So instead of having you, dear reader, put your gear through the ringer in…
The $3.75-million settlement means the number of minimalist options on the market will continue to shrink—leaving runners in worse shape.
While its athletic footwear may not be what revolutionizes the performance-shoe industry, Skechers’ contracts could certainly change the way the game is played.
The most wholesome flip-flops in the world?
First, you should start by thinking about this question in a different way. It’s not about breaking in the boot to fit your foot, but breaking in your foot to fit the boot. If that sounds painful and a bit mystical, don’t worry. There are some easy steps you can…
Because you don't need expensive gear to enjoy the backcountry
Summer Buyer’s Guide tester Billy Brown currently has an office, a closet, and a garage overflowing with next year’s light hikers. The founder of Trek Tech blog and his testers have run about 120 boots through the ringer over the past year. In other words, he…
In 2012, Brent Sass won Rookie of the Year at the Iditarod, one of the planet’s most extreme competitions. The dog musher, who's run almost a dozen 1,000-mile races, knows the right gear can mean the difference between life and death. These are the items he deems worthy of going on his sled.
From a treadmill that forces users into a classic mid-foot stride to a device that tells you when to ditch your shoes, this is the gear you need to prepare for next season.
Earlier this week, The North Face launched a clothing line that includes free web training. It’s shaping up to be a pretty great fitness ally.
Seconds after giving an interview about running in the snow, a Portland woman wiped out—on television. Don't repeat her mistakes.
Editors at ϳԹ test socks perhaps more frequently than any other gear. If an employee finds himself sockless while prepping for a lunch run in the Santa Fe headquarters, he can always find a fresh pair that’s ready to be put through the grind. With a staff of year-round…
How a cushy clown shoe is upending the minimalist-running revolution by Gordy Megroz
It’s been years since we picked a thickly padded road runner as our top shoe. But the 1260v3 demanded the recognition. Yes, it goes overboard on the comfort, with a pillowy tongue and heel collar and spongy mesh in the upper. Yet it’s still efficient, so it was a welcome partner on long hauls.
This disc-exclusive aluminum frame takes tires up to 45mm, has internal cable routings to keep out the grit, a color-matched carbon fork to cut the rattle, and is built longer, lower, and slacker than your average road bike for fire roads, gravel grinding, and basically going wherever you please.
There are plenty of concessions to minimalism in Keen’s new CNX series
So-called maximum cushioning running shoes, as the Conquest’s are often referred, are definitely having a moment.
Splash around this summer. With this gear, you’ll be ready for serious summer fun whether you’re in it for fitness or just to get wet and cool down.
Stay comfortable and illuminated with LuminAid's TPU pillow lantern
Three Kickstarter-esque projects that caught our eye this week
Finally the Teva Pivot gives us a shoe that climbs well and is also great for flats
Climbing is an intrinsically risky sport, so it's important to buy a little insurance wherever you can, especially where your kids are concerned.
Start by asking yourself why you want to run in a minimalist shoe. Scott Douglas, author of The Runner’s World Complete Guide to Minimalism and Barefoot Running, looks at why you should—or shouldn’t—take the plunge.
Christopher McDougall started it, throwing a brick at long-held theories about striding styles and shoe designs in Born to Run—and inspiring believers to wear minimalist shoes or no shoes at all. What followed was a war, pitting lightfoots against traditionalists and filling shoe stores with a mind-numbing array of choices. Who’s right? Andrew Tilin jogs
A percentage of the purchase price of your new Scamps, a collaboration with Cascade Designs, will go toward well-building projects in Kenya
Will toe shoes help links players with their swing?
Here are some options for setting yourself up for your best performance on snow this season
Nike claims to solve hygiene and slippage problems with its new Studio Wrap, but the slipper-like shoe could compromise your connection with the mat
Weight on your feet is more tiring than weight on your back by a factor of five. So lighter boots means you’re less tired when you reach the summit, you get more runs in on a day when you’re hiking for turns, and you get back to…
When Palladium was founded in 1920, the company didn’t make boots; it made rubber tires for the fledgling aviation industry, tires of layered canvas, and vulcanized rubber. By the late 1940s, the World Wars were over and the French company shifted from making tires to building boots…
Holiday gift guides abound this time of year. But they're mostly filled with gifts that you hope you'll get, not gifts you'll give. Stumped as to what to buy your lady this season? This guide is for you. 1. NAU DOWN LOOPNER SCARFShe'll wear it as a scarf, and…
When it comes to holiday giving, you should never have to choose. This year, our editors have pulled together 68 perfect ideas—priced from $4 to $50,000—guaranteed to make anyone on your list feel like a million bucks.
Minimalist running shoes aren’t for everyone, but Brooks' new PureDrift is a transitional shoe with a minimalist option that's great for the barefoot-curious as well as runners exploring a shoe with a little more road feel. The PureDrift's secret is adjustable drop. With the sockliner in, it's…
When world renowned alpinist/speed climber Ueli Steck has a new gear idea, his sponsors hit the drawing board to turn that idea into product. So when Steck told Scarpa he wanted the lightest insulated boot…
Great gear will only get you so far. Be kind to what you put in it. Here are some tips for taking care of your feet on the slopes.
Scaling rock and ice in the winter is serious business. Bring the right stuff.
Got Gaiters? Our favorites are still Outdoor Research's light, packable, breathable Verglas.
Rather sort your sock drawer than run on a treadmill? Us too. Here’s the gear you’ll need to keep running outdoors all winter long.
First things first: your pack will be heavier. You’ll be packing more food, fuel, and layers. As for shelter, if you’re not expecting high winds or heavy snowfall, you probably don’t need to upgrade to a four-season tent; a sturdy (read: not ultralight or mostly mesh) three-season model should see you through.
We found three fashionable boots ideal for snowshoeing and general winter tomfoolery.
Most flip-flops aren’t very high-tech. That's just the nature of this kind of footwear. Unless they’re being made by Olukai. That company's Kia'i II flip was researched and developed with the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association. A hand-picked group of elite guards—from Oahu, Maui,…
Unfortunately, you can’t just wear your sorels everywhere. Sooner or later you’re going to have to come down from the mountains and return to civilization. But fear not. Bring the spirit of the slopes with you everywhere with our favorite après shoes.
New Balance Winter 110 Trail Boots Like the Salomon Snowcross CS, the uninsulated Winter 110 is essentially a minimalist running shoe (9 ounces; 4-millimeter heel-to-toe drop) wrapped in a waterproof-breathable gaiter. The outsole lugs shed snow like a champ. Got Gaiters? Our favorites are still Outdoor Research's…
For years, runners have been told that technology—bags of air, gel, shock absorbing and overbuilt arch and heel support—is supposed to make running better. Still, there is no proof that overbuilt support systems reduce injury or make running better for you. In fact, there are many studies now that show…
Two Portland, Oregon-based companies—Danner Boots, an outfit that has been dedicated to quality craftsmanship for more than 80 years, and Tanner Goods, a group of young designers and craftspeople—have collaborated on a new boot as part of Danner Stumptown’s collection. Called the…
Steger Moosehide Mukluks are the ultimate winter boot. That’s why they’re routinely used on major expeditions in the Arctic, Antarctica, and for events like the Iditarod. Patti…
We’re still digging through our notes from Interbike. In addition to our Gear of the Show picks, a flurry of cool new bikes, and stacks of interesting-looking…
In Powderwhore's first ski trailer for its 2012 Choose Your ϳԹ, Chris Davenport is on a boat, one in Antarctica, skiing sick lines, singing and dancing and raising the roof. He’s probably crooning so contentedly because he is in one of the…
In an effort to assert their authenticity and iconic status, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and O’Neill are teaming up on a full line of clothing and accessories made by O’Neill and plastered with PBR logos. Board shorts, tees, coolers,…
ϳԹ reviews the the best gear of Outdoor Retailer, including the New Balance Minimus Hi-Rez.
In 2002, Philip Curry, the designer behind Patagonia's now-discontinued Lotus line of lifejackets, decided to get back into the PFD business. He founded Astral Buoyancy to create the highest-quality product possible with cutting-edge design…
A titanium bike with swooping lines and parallel triangles for added flex and greater shock absorption.
Races like the Tough Mudder and Warrior Dash are exploding in popularity. We asked two of the sport's top athletes about the gear that helps them get onto the podium.
Brought to you by Mark Thatcher, the guy who invented Teva's, Sazzis are sandals with individual toes cut into the sole. It's kind of like Vibram's Five Finger concept: Let your toes work independently and you get more traction, stability and agility on awkward…
Five ten makes shoes for all pursuits. It's latest and greatest are a new trail-building shoe, the Diddie, and a stunt riding shoe, the Danny. Diddie Schneider has built more than 300 bike tracks from Germany to Malaysia to Dubai, and has been a stunt rider in more than 700…
Several continents and many blisters later, we can tell you one thing: these were the six most versatile and adventure-ready kicks we wore this year, from the Sorel Derby LTR to Rockport Eastern Standard Casual Mid PT to the Clarks Originals Majorca, with a moccasin design that will conjure up our dad’s days as a scout.
Merrell just completed a new study on barefoot and minimalist running that inspired the company to redesign its barefoot runners, making them wider so that your foot has more connection with the ground. It also inspired Merrell to introduce two new minimalist collections: done-in-a-day Mixmaster shoes (below)…
Merrell Pace Glove for Kids. Photo: Katie Arnold Minimalist shoes are the hottest—most hotly contested—development in running these days. For every convert who swears that running “barefoot” (in zero-drop shoes with flexible soles and little or no arch support) has made them faster, more efficient, and…
Last fall, Gear Shed tester Andrew Forsthoefel set off on a momentous, sure-to-be-life-changing megatrip. He loaded up his backpack, laced his shoes, and walked out his back door in Chadd’s Ford, Pennslyvania, bound for the West Coast on foot. He’s not in it just to prove that he is…