Last week at SIA we saw a number of skis, snowboards, accessories and boots that aren’t quite in production. One thing we liked was the new X-Spin boot from Lizard Footwear. The boot was incredibly light, yet durable enough for some rugged winter adventures.
Shoe maker Nike isn’t headed to the moon, but rather has ascended to the lunar surface in another way, as in on the fairway. Nike Golf has announced its new innovative rich lightweight summer golf shoe, the Nike Lunar Ascend, which builds on the success of the Nike Lunar Control. This new summer footwear features Nike’s Hyperfuse construction and Integrated Traction. Additional images after the jump
Numerous companies do socks, and throughout the year we see a lot of socks, but Teko Socks, which was founded in Boulder, Colorado in 2004, works to make a leave a smaller footprint of sorts. The company, which showed its latest line at the Outdoor Retailer Show, uses proprietary fiber combinations mixing traditional organic wool inter-weaved with polyester. The result says the company is a sock that is comfortable and functional, while also being sustainable and have a low ecological impact. Sounds like a step in the right direction!
There are boots that can be good for walking in deep wet snow, but these aren’t exactly good as hiking boots. Fortunately Hi-Tec Sports will bring out the new Pará Boot, a new pair of boots that offers “the best of standard rubber boot with the flexibility, comfort and performance of a hiker.” It features a Vibram sole and removable footbeds, along with a waterproof rubber upper, neoprene lining and a “toggle closure” to make them watertight. These weigh just a pound and a half on each foot, and at $105 they might be more than other pairs, but it is like two boots in one!
Sounds like a great boot that won’t let your feet slip or get wet!
Hi-Tec Sports
[Via Gearjunkie: Coming in 2012: Amorphous Rubber Boots!]
Expecting a Nike shoe to be able to dunk is… well, like expecting Michael Jordon to dunk. Of course it can happen and more importantly will happen. But we’re not talking about basketball this time, we’re talking about golf! The Nike Dunk, which is available now, has been weatherized and spiked. Thus it can handle a very different kind of dunk as the video above proves! Press Release after the jump
A long walk will get you where you need to go, and at the same time allow you to burn a few calories. But the rest of the process is just wasted energy that could be harnessed for something else. At least that’s the idea of the electrowetting process, where a liquid that is normally hydrophobic will be forced to move by applying an electric current.
This is now a concept being used in a pair of shoes but in reverse. By walking with special shoes that contain the special substance you could force the mixture over several electrodes and create a current while walking. This energy in turn could be stored on a battery for future use. Currently a team of engineers at the University of Wisconsin are looking into how to actually bring this from concept to an actual product – but in the future you could juice up your mobile phone simply by walking. Think of this as a way of walking and talking!
[Via Ubergizmo: Electrowetting process helps you generate power while you walk]
While the new Carbon Pro Team cycling shoes from Louis Garneau will be available in red and black when they hit stores in January we think they could help riders such as Thomas Voeckler, who will be wearing these next season, get in yellow!
These offer the latest in shoe technology innovative for optimized performance, and feature a lightweight outsole that still provides added ventilation without compromising stiffness. Designed for racers, these further offer a thin design that achieves a position that closer to the pedal to offer increased power, while the rear heal features HRS-300 technology, an internal polymer system that secures the foot in place, optimizes fit meaning less power loss through slippage. Read the rest of this entry »
Converse DEFCON
While the lockout may be keeping the pros off the court, Converse is still in the game with a new line of basketball shoes. The Converse DEFCON and Pro Leather 2K11 shoes feature ConTain Fit Technology in the upper, unique to Converse, which first appeared in the Star Player Evo shoe. These form a lightweight brace around the foot and providing breathable structural support and cushioning. ConTain Fit further contours the foot and transfers all physical force directly to the traction system for increased on-court mobility.
The Converse DEFCON shoe, which is named after the military term identifying defense readiness, was built for players to quickly transition from offense to defense. The DEFCON shoes further integrate the upper and midsole with direct-inject EVA foam for lightness, breathability and containment, and also comes with an OrthoLite sockliner providing long-lasting comfort during extended wear. Read the rest of this entry »
There seems to be specific shoes for just about every sport under the sun, for use on the field, on a bike and of course on the greens – the latter being golf shoes. Now not to bemoan those who like the Carrier Bradshaw approach to shoe shopping/collecting, but are all these shoes all really necessary? For those who like to play golf on occasion but don’t see the need for another pair of shoes, there is a solution, the Quick Spikes, which are being billed as “the temporary golf spike solution.”
These are designed as an alternative to golf shoes, and fit over any pair of regular shoes, yet provide the same snug and secure feel for the golf course. These will ensure that feet don’t slip, even on wet grass conditions. In fairness, these probably aren’t a replacement for true golf shoes for the hardcore players, but for those who only get into the swing of thing now and again, we say go for the Quick Spikes! Video after the jump
While we hope not to see a bear market on Wall Street, the barefoot training shoe market is off and running. Adidas announced this week the launch of its new adipure Trainer, the first barefoot training shoe designed specifically for the gym. This shoe promotes pure and natural movement that can help strengthen muscles, build balance and promote dexterity.
“A lot of engineering went into making your foot a high performance machine,” said Mark Verstegen, founder of Athletes’ Performance. “To achieve your full potential during a workout, focus on how your foot interacts with the ground in the same way you think about how your hand interacts with a ball or a bat. Using your foot’s natural power and movement will help you strengthen muscles you never knew you had in your feet, lower legs and throughout your core.” Video after the jump
In the old days “track and field” use to mean the sport, but today data tracking allows for better training and conditioning on-field and on-court. Adidas has unveiled its new miCoach SPEED_CELL, the first device to capture information from motion in every direction and measures key performance metrics including speed, distance and time during practice and competition.
The device, which sits inside a specially designed cavity in the outsole of the shoe, can work with a range of sports including soccer, football, basketball, tennis and running, allowing users to monitor, evaluate and increase their performance.
“Understanding individual performance data is one of the best ways to improve your game,” said Mark Verstegen, founder and president of Athletes’ Performance. “For the first time, amateur athletes can have access to the performance tracking and analysis technology available to professional athletes.” Read the rest of this entry »
While many video games these days are getting gamers off the couch, one game will likely get gamers dashing to get a pair of athletic fashion shoes. The upcoming racing game Need for Speed The Run, which will arrive this November for the Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, PC, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo 3DS will feature the iconic adidas Superstar shoes. Additionally the adidas branded apparel which will be available at all adidas Originals stores across the United States. Read the rest of this entry »
Kick off your Sunday shoes, it’s time to get footloose… but loose shoes or those with poor support and cushioning might make many an athlete feel like sitting it out rather than getting loose and active. However, Footbalance, an innovator in custom footbed technology is introducing its Performance model footbed at this week’s Interbike show in Las Vegas.
The device offers a thin support with a minimalistic feel for activities where speed and performance are crucial. The footbed is an insert that is ideal for tight, low volume or performance footwear such as cycling shoes, racing flats, soccer cleats and running spikes. It is made of D-200 silver ion, high abrasion, moisture wicking and anti-microbial material that also offers 100 percent custom-molded arch support, heel cup and cushioning. Read the rest of this entry »
