Shoes Of The Day

Terra Plana EVO Review

EVO!  That’s the name of my phone.  No, this is not a cell phone review.  The EVO is also the name of a new minimalist barefoot shoe by Terra Plana.   I hefted a pair tonight.  Initial thoughts: incredibly lightweight, and your toes won’t feel any separation anxiety – at least mine didn’t.  The “Vivobarefoot” technology, launched in 2003 and claimed the original getting back-to-the-basics barefoot shoe.  You’re almost barefoot with an ultra thin puncture resistant sole, and you will feel free but with plenty of protection.

Terra Plana EVO *image courtesy of terraplana

• Lightweight? Check.  The EVO weighs about 8 oz.  (My phone is still lighter)
• Toe co-habitation in a barefoot world? Check.  No toe estrangement here.
• Expensive? Check.  These EVO’s will run you one Benjamin and three Jackson’s.  ($160)
• Vegan? Check.  I guess if you get really hungry….
• APPs? None here.  Check the Android Market.

What do you think about this whole barefoot minimalist “get- shoes-off-my-feet-but-don’t-make-it-hurt” movement?

Men’s Z7 Breathe footwear review

Shoes that help improve your health just by lacing them up? Then, who needs a gym when you have these shoes?  There is a ton of hype right now around shoes that get you in shape just by wearing them. MBT shoes were the first to market shoes that would subconsciously engage your muscles as they were made to mimic walking barefoot on a sandy beach. Sketchers entered the scene and have hired Joe Montana as their spokesperson, yawn. One of the companies who has recently entered the market and done their research is Z7Footwear.

Who is Z7Footwear?  The 26th letter in the alphabet is Z.  There are 26 bones in the feet.  Enter; letter Z.  There are 7 major muscle groups in your lower body that are used when you walk. Enter; number 7.  Add footwear and you get the name.  Their theory is simple, by wearing their shoes, you can burn more calories, create better muscle tone, and develop a greater sense of balance over time.  Below is an info-graphic that highlights this statement.

*image courtesy of Z7Footwear

I received a pair of shoes from Z7 this spring.  I have had a chance to wear test these new shoes and when I first laced them up, I was fully expecting to feel off-balance or uneven on my feet.  That didn’t happen at all, in fact on the first wear test they were surprisingly comfortable.  The theory behind the Z7 is mimicking the feel of walking on a cobblestone road.  Find your natural path to balance with a pair of Z7′s.

The shoes of the day: Z7Footwear’s Breathe.

*image courtesy of Z7Footwear

Some people think it is a gimmick, others think it is the latest and greatest.  If you are looking at purchasing a pair of these new toning shoes, we recommend z7Footwear.  Why?  Because they are the only “toning shoes” that look like they belong on your feet and not at the circus.  We like them.  What do you think?

Disclosure: I received these shoes complementary from Z7Footwear.  If I didn’t like them, I wouldn’t have written about them.

The last review was about a shoe with rich history.  Today’s shoe review is more about the future.  No, we’re not talking the Nike McFly, we’re talking TNF (The North Face) glue-less kicks.  Glue is not for shoes according to a press release issued today by The North Face.  You’ll have to wait until 2010 to slip your feet into a pair of these sweethearts.  So, how do they do it?  We’re glad you asked.  It’s a little secret TNF calls “snap-and-lock TPU connectors”.  What this means in shoe-English, they don’t use glue – they sew everything together.  The Shoes of the Day along with the Environment, want to congratulate TNF in doing their part to drive oil prices down by removing the need for petroleum-based shoes.

Now for the names of these glue-less shoes.  Women can choose two styles from The North Face Suzy Q-Zy collection.  Men, well you get a name that is more fitting and not so cute-z.  Men deserve a nice strong bruit name like “Kyoto”.  The Kyoto collection features two flavors in a lace-up and slip-on.  Enough with the everyday shoes, I am excited for the new release of their technical trail running shoes, multisport shoes and hiking shoes.

Do you think glue belongs in shoes or should it just stay in the classroom?  Personally, I like the glitter glue.  The Shoezy-Q-Zy’s of the day, TNF Suzy Q-Zy and Kyoto-Quasimodo.  You can read the press release here.  For more information on The North Face, check out thenorthface.com.

Now I really feel justified, I’m going to test drive that big sport utility vehicle.

On July 1, Nike announced a new limited edition transformer shoe line.  Don’t expect them to transform before your eyes, or turn into anything other than their current structure, but you can expect them to turn some heads.  There are three different styles that will transform any wardrobe: The Nike Sharkalaid – Soundwave (to view click on the below) , Nike Zoom FP – Bumblebee and finally, Nike Zoom Flight Club – Megatron.

Transformers Basketball Shoe Collection

We think they did a great job on the unique packaging.  The shoes (that will make you look and feel like a true action figure) of the day: the Limited Edition Transformers Basketball Shoe Collection.

What shoes do you wear when you play video games?  Meet the new “Nike-tendo” Wii Shoes. These shoes aren’t programed to interact with your Wii, but you sure will look great dancing in front of your TV in these new kicks.

These new Nike Nintendo Wii, Nike Blazer High Top’s are sure take your video game playing to a new level.

What is the Verb For Shoe? For four years Ron Demon, an MIT grad, has been working on the Verb For Shoe “smartshoe” and this month he is taking pre-orders. Each Verb For Shoe product is custom made to order and must pass a rigorous inspection. Expect your shipment in 10-14 days. But wait there’s more…this shoe also has an “engine.” It even comes with built-in airbags for your feet. The footwear features an insole computer which will adjust the level of support in your shoes depending on what you are doing – this feature is called “Auto Comfort” The shoes sense when you are walking, the bladders adjust and become softer. The shoes sense when you are running and the bladders will adjust and become firmer. The Verb for Shoes also come with a social networking component – you can share your personal information “wirelessly” with other Verb Shoe wearers. Shoes of the day: Verb For Shoe.

Technology: Yes.

Inventor: Ronald S. Demon

Sizes: 7-13

Price: $699.99 US

Site: verbforshoe.com

If I’m going to drop 7 Benjamin’s on a pair of shoes, they are going to go on their own.