Footwear
ArchiveLast 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…
You won't have to worry about stinky flip flops this summer if you order yourself some Oka-Bs and have a dishwasher. Oka-B flips and slides are made from Microplast, a kind of anti-microbial PVC that you can hose clean or toss in the dishwasher for a low labor scrub…
Winter is waning, but summer is not here yet. Keep mud season muck at bay without cooking your feet with new weather resistant shoes and boots from manufacturers you already know and love. Blundstone Stout: Blundstone has been making sturdy and unique boots since 1870. This season, the brand…
Photo of Vibram Sprint FiveFingers via stevendamron/Flickr A Florida woman has filed a lawsuit against Vibram USA alleging misleading advertising in promotional materials for the company's FiveFingers line of shoes. The plaintiff, Valerie Bezdek, accuses Vibram of inflating…
Sticky approach shoes will get you to and from your projects, but they're not just for cragging. Approach shoes can have urban appeal—like when you want to impress your friends after a few beers by bouldering up the nearest sculpture/rock/tree. We don't necesarrily recommend this, we're just saying, we know…
Even if you dad chucked his old wafflestompers and canvas backpack before you were born, you can still have legit heritage gear that's as functional as it is cool looking. Here are four of our favorite old-is-new pieces: LL Bean Maine Snowshoe: To celebrate its 100th birthday, LL Bean is…
Have you ever left your snowshoes home because they were too bulky to carry, only to regret it mid hike when you were postholing to your thighs in deep snow? Stories of stranded snowmobilers mired in the woods after they ran out of gas inspired Alaskan oil field worker Rick…
Rollerblade Fusion 84 GM: Rollerblading was a 1990s phenomenon that is safely in the grave—except in France. Right? Apparently, for some, the verdict is still out. This month, the company is releasing a new urban skate, and marketing…
A barefoot running shoe for winter. Ali Carr talks footwear at 2012’s Outdoor Retail Show. Read more here.
Outside picks the style essentials for February, including the Timberland Earthkeepers 2.0 Cupsole Moc Toe boots.
In a week, all of the outdoor gear companies will convene in Salt Lake City to introduce their new skis and boots, jackets and baselayers, beacons and solar powered iPhone devices, sleeping bags and packs, trekking poles and tents, and all sorts of other outdoor gear and gadgets. We’ll be…
Afraid to open a bottle with your teeth or the flesh of your forearm? You can still impress your friends by using the outdoor gear/bottle openers below. We definitely don't recommend using the sandles on a first date if you've worn them around town. Opena iPhone 4 Case: This…
What are the best adventure gifts for a shopper on a budget?
Struggling to find a gift for the guy who has everything? Or perhaps you've been an exceptionally good boy this year, and you'd like to reward yourself. Either way, we rounded up a few of our favorite things, price be damned. A word of caution: while the list starts out…
My winter boots are showing their age and are no longer waterproof. I would like my new pair to be versatile, but the most important thing is keeping my toes warm. Any recommendations?
Wondering what to get the favorite women in your life for the holidays? We’ve honed in on the best holiday gifts for your better half, whether she's a shredder, cyclist, or simply likes to stay warm. Nobis Farrah hat: If you're going to get her a warm hat, get her…
Outside picks the essentials for January, including the Patagonia Reversible Flannel jacket.
Bear with us, here. We don't cover golf shoes—or any golf apparel or gear for that matter—very often. But we just had to share these. Adidas's new Golf Samba, which will be available this spring, looks exactly like the iconic soccer cleat we all grew up wearing, and…
Columbia, which has spent the better part of the past few years focusing on new technologies and products,just announced that it will aslo be getting back to its roots. Next Fall (2012), Columbia will reissue its famous Bugaboot, one of its most popular styles. Normally, we wouldn’t…
Versatile outfits, shoes, and other gear made with world travelers in mind.
So you're shopping for someone who shuns modern technology? This rugged, timeless gear is sure to be a hit.
It's starting to snow, and I'm anxious to get out and do some winter hiking. What's a good combination of snowshoes and winter boots?
The best holiday gifts for climbers, from peak baggers to Himalayan mountaineers.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Merrell Wilderness Canyon boot.
Salomon-sponsored Jennifer Pharr Davis broke the Appalachian Trail speed record on July 31, 2011 when she hiked and ran the 2181-mile trail in 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes—26 hours and 11 minutes faster than the previous record holder, Andrew…
Ok, maybe that's a bit overblown. But if you love your Chacos as much as we do, we're pretty sure you're going to think this is pretty cool. Today, Chaco announced a new initiative, MyChacos. It's a custom order service that lets you pick your Chaco sandal style, choose your…
There are plenty of great footwear companies out there. But over the past few years, we often find ourselves lacing up the ones that were made by the little company based in Bozeman—Oboz is shorthand for “Out of Bozeman.” The reason is pretty simple: they make burly…
Tonight, Patagonia and eBay announced a new partnership, the Common Threads Initiative. Together, they asked owners of fleece and Gore-Tex everywhere to pledge to reduce consumption, reuse old gear, recycle, repair what's broken, and reimagine a world where people don't stress the earth with…
Barefoot running is all the rage. Enter the counterpoint. Hoka One One says that fat, squishy soles are the true path to success. We've tested an ultramarathon of running shoes, and we've gotta admit that Hoka One One has some cushy merits. Though the marshmellow-soled shoes look…
We've heard of sport specific footwear, but this shoe takes the cake. As you can see in the video below, the testing sessions for the Five Ten Atlas Pamplona resulted in more than just blisters. The company sent 150 runners out with red kicks at this year's…
Slipping into the frigid drink when you're trying to land a steelhead is akin to sliding off an icy precipice when you're reaching for the summit. It can leave you somewhere between wet and uncomfortable and hypothermic and hurt. That's what inspired one of the leading equipment innovators of this…
The Salt Lake City trade show isn't a venue for the big bicycle manufacturers, but if you know where to look there's plenty of new swag for the two-wheel crowd. Here are a few of the most exciting bike bits and parts announced at OR.
Casual-but-sharp button-downs and lace-ups for the summer season, including the Merrell Primed Moc.
Sticky rubber keeps these lightweight trail runners glued to the dirt, especially excelling on mellow, rolling trails. $100…
Overpronate? This stability shoe is all about controlling your motion, without compromising a springy feel. $140…
Our Gear of the Year winning road shoe delivers on comfort.
The Gear of the Year winning Saucony ProGrid Triumph 5.
Columbia's new heated electric boot was built to keep your toes toasty in winter. $250…
This year's Killer Value, the Asics Gel-Trail Attack 4 WR.
This year's Gear of the Year winner, the Vasque Aether Tech.
A firm running shoe built with lots of cushioning for heavier runners.
A durable approach shoe built for scrambling over rough terrain.
A lightweight and water-resistant shoe for running on non-technical trails.
These new shoes are toeing the line between trail and road runner. One reason the North Face Double Track won our 2011 Gear of the Year award.
It’s sticky sole and lightweight helped, but it was the perfect fit that won the Garmont Zenith Mid our Gear of the Year award.
This year's Gear of the Year winner is light, waterproof, and supportive.
This year's versatile Killer Value can handle trails, travel, and town.
A traditional stability shoe that rails against the minimalist craze.
The Gear of the Year winner can take on any trail.
A review of the New Balance 768, a good shoe for neutral runners.
Our Gear-of-the-Year-winning hiker stomps technical terrain with a toothy Vibram sole and breathes like the best of them. $110…
A tough new shoe developed with input from Appalacian Trail hikers.
An airy, mesh version of the waterproof Moraga OXT, this shoe is the perfect summertime day hiker. $110…
The Nike Air Structure Triax+ 11, this year's Killer Value.
Masked in a proprietary waterproofing nano-technology, the multi-sport V-Lite Thunder can handle any weather condition. $90…
A brand new company delivers a shoe fit for the gnarliest trails.
Casual-but-sharp button-downs and lace-ups for the summer season, including the Keen P-Town casual men's shoes.
Casual-but-sharp button-downs and lace-ups for the summer season, including the Gravis Slymz Mid-Leather men's casual shoe.
Casual-but-sharp button-downs and lace-ups for the summer season, including the Vans Del Norte men's casual shoe.
Casual-but-sharp button-downs and lace-ups for the summer season, including the Tretorn Rodlera Mid Mesh men's casual shoes.
Design and Technology Special: The world's most streamlined and innovative new gear, gadgets, tools and toys, including DZR's Concubine shoe.