Shoes Of The Day

Keen Shoes Review
Before I share my candid shoe review, first let me say that I am pretty keen on Keen shoes.  In fact I currently own 3 pair.  Late last year, I purchased the Keen Shellrock WP for winter trail running.  The WP – it stands for waterproof, “KEEN.DRY” style.   The Keen “right-out-of-the-box” comfort was there, but the promised Keen performance was missing.

Pros:  The water-proof works and I put the KEEN.DRY to the test.  I ran until the snow got too deep, then strapped on snow shoes and kept running.  My feet remained dry.  I would be remiss if I didn’t give a little credit to my wool socks.  These are great everyday shoes during the rainy season or when you want to keep your feet dry.  The ubiquitous keen toe protection really does what it says.

Cons: They are extremely heavy.  They have zero traction for trail running and  I like meaty traction.  The S3 heel support structure is alright, but the low cut heel leaves your heel slipping and sliding on every ascent.  Also, if you suffer from the “my-second-toe-is-longer-than-my-big-toe-coolness” like I do, then you will want to find another shoe too.

Buy them if: they are on sale, they are not worth $120.
Forget about them if: you want real trail running shoes.

New England Footwear recently sent me a pair of GoLite “Fire” shoes to test and review.  Today I completed my final trail test-run with the recently released shoes.   This shoe review will contain mostly pictures and some commentary, in an effort to show you how these shoes performed in each circumstance; from packed trails, to slick sandstone and hard mountain rock.  We reviewed several other pairs of trail running shoes, but only one pair was chosen for an all-expenses paid road trip trail shoe review.

Let’s begin the review at Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.  Ranger Bill at Arches told us that you must stay on the marked trails, otherwise you are “busting the crust.”  We assure you and Ranger Bill that there was no busted crust while at the park.  The GoLite Fires handled the slick rock, dirt and red sand without any slips.

Next we go to Goblin Valley, Utah.  This State Park is an incredible scene to behold.  The entire park is covered with small sandstone structures that look like thousands of aliens who set up shop in the middle of Utah for a family reunion.  You can’t help but run from structure to structure, scaling the dusty sandstone just to see if you can identify any of your relatives.

Next we go to the Manti LaSal National Forrest.  Three pictures show the topography that was thrown at the shoes this time.  The shoe proved to have incredible stability on the uneven surfaces, and yes, they handled the plain old packed trail just fine.

Next, Rock Canyon.  This canyon is well, rocky.  The shoes handled the uneven, rocky terrain with ease.

The final trail run was Grove Creek Canyon.  Every kind of terrain imaginable is on this trail: gravel, dirt, rocks and shale.  Of all the trail runs, this had the steepest terrain and the most rugged off-road conditions.  The shoes exceeded our expectations here, too.

Miles driven for this review: 880 miles.

National Parks: Three. (Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef.)

State Parks: Two.  (Dead Horse Point and Goblin Valley)

Shoe Test Miles: 29 total miles running, walking, scrambling and just looking good.

Now for the shoe highlights for all the non-visual people:

• We loved the customizable antimicrobial footbed, it provided the precise fit for my narrow foot.  The insole design allows for perfect customization for narrow, medium and wide feet.
• The all new “glove fit” integrated with the tongue and laces made my foot feel secure and snug.  At first, there’s a feeling to adjust your socks when you slide your foot in the shoe, but when you tie the laces, you’re glad it’s there.
• The shoe offers optimal balance of cushion and torsion.  GoLite’s trademark “NeoFoam” wraps around the entire shoe and offers protection and support.  It also cleans up nicely.
• The best “Trail Claws” and “Paw Pads” provide more surface contact with the ground.
• Gripstick™ rubber is an exclusive high-grip compound that offers extra traction on slick surfaces.
• The heel cradle keeps your heel right where it belongs.
• Ample toe protection – see the pictures!
• It has incredible light-weight performance: the shoe is true to the brand, weighing in at only 14.00 oz.

Shoes of the day: GoLite’s Fire.  We think even Smokey the Bear would like these Fires!  But don’t Go-lite any fires without his permission.

It’s time for another trail running shoe review.

Meet Keith.

See Keith at at 11,722 feet.

Meet Keith’s shoes that got him to the top.

Keith’s shoes of choice, Montrail Vitesse Trail Running Shoe.

He likes Montrail shoes and here’s why: “since purchasing my Montrails in July I’ve run the Bair Gutsman trail race, numerous trail training runs, and a 6-mile off-road section of the Red Rock Relay in them.  This past weekend he had the opportunity to pace a friend over the final 25 miles of the Wasatch 100-mile Race in Utah’s Wasatch Mountain Range from Layton to the Homestead Resort.”
Here are some specifics from Kieth about his Montrails:

• Thick and stiff outsole protects my foot against rocks
• Gusseted tongue helps keep dirt and debris out
• An outrigger feature on the outside of the sole helps prevent ankle rolling on uneven trails
• Light weight means I get all the protective features with minimal fatigue

Thanks Keith and happy running!

You don’t need a new diet, you need new shoes.

January is the beloved month for resolutions.  This year I made three simple resolutions and yes, I have already completed them.  Done, short and sweet.  Now I am on to my next set of resolutions.  Most people start with a monster list of things that they want to accomplish – which is great.  However, what I would recommend is starting with a short list of things you would like to accomplish and then…..drum-roll please…… actually do them!  If you miss a day, make it up!  Success is mini victories – small things consistently repeated that equal great results and make the biggest difference.  By now you are probably thinking, “Good GRIEF – I thought this was a shoe review site!”  It is, just hold tight, and continue reading; I am getting to the shoes!

Most people want to lose weight and not pay the price – we all want a quick fix.  Well my beloved readers, here is the secret: if you want to lose weight here are three simple things that you can do:  1. Eat less.  Whoa, novel idea I know.  But, it actually works.   2. Exercise more.  3. Buy a new pair of shoes.  Yep, that’s right buy a new pair of shoes!  Every time you stare at those new runners it will remind you to GET ACTIVE and remember the small commitment that you made, especially when you’re looking at the double-decker-fudge-chocolate-marshmallow-triple-dipped-pleasure-ice-cream-delight.  If you’re not sure what exercise shoe is best for you – I recommend a new shoe gem that I just found.   Click on the shoe for additional views.  Buy yourself a new pair and have them shipped for free right to your front door.  The Shoe to review: The Ecco Mudslinger II.
Ecco Mudslinger Running Shoe:

Ecco is a trusted brand and comfort echoes when you say the name.  This upper is highly breathable and 100% waterproof thanks to the GORE-TEX® material.  Ecco has constructed this shoe with their RECEPTOR® technology.  What is RECEPTOR® technology? It mirrors human motion and the foot’s sensory nerve-ending cells, or receptors.  Yes, receptors similar to what your taste buds do when you look at ice cream.

This shoe is ideal for running on or off road.  Enjoy the shoes of the day to start your New Year and 2009 resolutions off right, the Ecco Mudslinger II.  By the way, I have already lost 5 lbs.

Twas  the night after shoe Christmas, by shoesoftheday.com.

Twas the night after shoe Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a person was standing, not even a mouse.
The stinky stockings were hung by the heater with care,
Because a soggy foot and a smelly shoe were filled there.

The children were all passed out from the ghastly smell,
While success stories of Dr. Scholls odor eaters some did tell.
And mamma with her mask, and me clasping my nose,
Had spotted the shoes from whence the smell arose.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The spotlights on our house really made it glow,
outlined each shadow of the people below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But all from inside, with febreze and seeking fresh air.

With a serious shoe problem, I needed help quick,
I knew in a moment, shoes of the day would do the trick.
More rapid and rigorous reviews on shoes they came,
And typed in my browser, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Nike! now, DC! now, Ugg, New Balance and Kashi!
On, Converse! On, Keen! on, Cole-Hann and Salomon!
To the top of the search results they did fall!
Now shoes away! Shoes away! Shoes of the day away all!”

He spoke not a word, but went straight to the reviews,
Bookmarking this website, finding his new pair of shoes.
Now peeling his fingers off of his nose,
And giving a nod, up from the computer he rose!

He sprang to the porch, to his family gave a loud yelp,
And they came wondering how he received such rapid shoe help.
But I heard him exclaim, a new pair of shoes is in sight,
“Happy Shoe Christmas to all, and to all a ‘shoes of the day’ night!”

Next year save your family from smelly feet – find your
next pair of shoes at shoes of the day DOT com!

Excerpts  from ‘Twas the Night before Christmas Poem
By Clement Moore

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true shoe love said to me, no more Uggs just give me…..12 drummers drumming!  Drummers will love this for Christmas:
Playstation – PS3 Rock Revolution Bundle w/ Drum Kit (One Color) – Electronics
Eleven pipers piping,  the real pipers shop at piperlime.com and will enjoy: Fantastic Finds Under $75 at Piperlime, Ten lords a-leaping, Get Max Air when you leap with this pair of basketball shoes:Nike – Air Max Elite II TB (White/Deep Forest-Metallic Silver) – Footwear
Nine ladies dancing, Dancing ladies’ tired feet need shoes that provide long-lasting comfort and relief like these: Salomon Women’s XT Wings WP Running Shoes
Eight maids a-milking, These are the optimal milking shoes: Women’s shoes: Vince Camuto Emala – Butterscotch
Seven swans a-swimming,  Seven out of ten people prefer these shoes while swimming: Rubber Duck – Snow Joggers (Gold Patent) – Footwear
Then there’s six geese a-Ugg-ing, 5 Gold-Ugg Pearles!  4 golfing Uggs,  3 Uggs – Coquettes, 72 degree uggs and a pair of Uggs with a Cedar shoe tree.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you shoe lovers out there!

Saturdays give me the opportunity to wear of multiple pairs of shoes. Today I had four different pairs on. The day began on my road bike up a beautiful local canyon. Shoes: Specialized Roadies. (Glad I had my booties too) Next I found myself outside doing some yard work. Shoes: Reef flip-flops. Then it was back up the canyon for a late afternoon hike and pic-nic with friends and family. Shoes: New Balance “Off Road” 872′s. These are the best off-road shoes that I have ever owned: light, breathable and sturdy for the uneven and changing mountain terrain. These are the shoes of the day today: New Balance Off Road 872′s

The day ended by attending a friend’s wedding reception in a pair of brown Banana Republic loafers – extra comfy leather, although the sole is a little hard. Congrats to the New’s.

What did you wear today?

These New Balance shoes are pretty cool: