FitSugar

Gear Review: Nike ACG Wildedge GTX Shoe

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:00:23 -0700

I'm a big fan of Nike's All Condition Gear (ACG) line. If you're into climbing, hiking, or trail running, this shoe line has something for you. When at the Nike store recently, I noticed that my Wildedge approach shoes are now on sale. This shoe, a mixture of a hiking boot and climbing shoe, is now $65, marked down from $110.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Nike's ACG line and to celebrate it, Nike rolled out some pretty cool versions of the Wildedge shoe - a modern twist on the vintage Wildwood shoe that was popular in the '90s. I was immediately drawn to the line because of all the cool colors offered. Most hiking and approach shoes are pretty boring and come in two colors - all-over brown or green. Although I did settle on the ones that have brown and green in them, I think the colors are a lot brighter and flashier than any other hiking shoe I've seen. I also love the fluorescent pink swoosh on the side.

To see how these shoes perform, read more.

Along with being aesthetically pleasing, the Wildedge shoes perform well, and after trekking in them for over six months, I have to say I am a happy customer. The shoes are really lightweight and waterproof, two things that are important to me when backpacking. What I'm most impressed with is the sticky sole, which provides major traction with its .44 sticky rubber, creating a surface that grips onto whatever I'm hiking up. They're also super comfortable - I've hiked in these shoes for hours with no complaints, and even did an hour on the treadmill with them when I accidentally brought the wrong shoes to the gym.

Gear Review: Kuru Shoes

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:30:00 -0700

It's important to be kind to your feet. If you don't treat them right then you can end up with foot, knee, or back pain. One way you can take care of your tootsies is with supportive footwear. You buy sturdy and cushioned sneakers for running, so why not treat your feet to the same love when you're not at the gym? I've just discovered Kuru shoes, the only footwear with ergonomic midsoles. Their philosophy is that your foot isn't flat, so why should your shoe be? The inside is curved, mirroring the shape of your heel, and when you walk, the supportive feeling is like nothing I've ever experienced.

To hear more about these shoes, find out how much a pair costs, and see some more pics read more.

My husband and I both have a pair of the Chicanes ($90), and instantly noticed the difference the first moment we slipped them on. These shoes are lightweight, water resistant, and have a rugged sole, so they were perfect for hiking and walking the hills around the city (that's why they're a little dirty in the photos). The best way to describe how they feel is comfortable yet supportive, and it was amazing that both our feet felt great after walking the trails for a couple hours. These shoes look less sporty than other trail shoes I've had, so that's also a plus. They come in many styles to fit your taste, and the price is pretty reasonable for a shoe that feels molded to your foot. If you have issues with foot pain or finding the right shoe, definitely check out Kuru shoes.

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Looking for more advice on fitness gear? Then check out the Good Gear/Bad Gear group.

Review: FitFlops – Functional Fashion?

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:45:00 -0700

The fitness fashion fad of muscle sculpting footwear continues. Last Spring, FitFlops ($49.99) were all the rage, but due to unforeseen popularity they were hard to find since many stores couldn't keep them in stock.

This thong styled sandal from the UK is designed to make the muscles of your legs and bum work more than usual with each and every step. Essentially, as the makers say, they turn your average afternoon of running errands into something a little more akin to actual running. The shoes themselves are comfy, but unlike MBTs, I didn't really feel them working my legs or my bum; I couldn't sense the "wobble board" in the FitFlops that is supposed to increase muscle activity. If a body doesn't feel the work, does that mean the muscles aren't doing anything? Anyway, I haven't noticed any improvement on the backside either, although studies found increased muscle activity in the glutes and thighs in people wearing FitFlops.

The engineered FitFlops are considerably more foot friendly than regular flip flops. FitFlops have a much harder heel than most thongs and offer a lot more support. Wearing regular flip flops, with their lack of arch support, can make my feet and back ache, but I experienced no foot or back discomfort after running around in my FitFlops for a couple of hours on an unseasonably warm day.

If you are interested in experimenting with FitFlops you can find a store that sells them near you with this handy store locator, which will also help you find online retailers.

If you have a pair let me know what you think about them in the comments section below.

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Nike Specialized Shoe: Nike Air Native N7

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Nike has its name on just about every type of shoe out there, even high heels. Since it's got all shoe genres covered, it seems like Nike are now making sure everyone on this planet can wear the brand comfortably.

The latest shoe? The Nike Air Native N7. What's so different about this shoe? Well, it is supposed to be the first-of-its-kind performance shoe is built on a new and unique last - a rounded oblong block used to approximate the form of the human foot - created to address the specific fit and width requirements for the Native American foot. The main purpose of the shoe is to help promote and sustain physical activity and address health issues prevalent within the Native American community. Nike didn't stop there though; profits from the sale of the Nike Air Native N7 will support "Let Me Play" programs on Native American lands that leverage sport to promote an active and healthy lifestyle.

What's more? The Nike Air Native N7 also embraces Nike’s Considered design ethos, where details in the development and design of the shoe are geared to deliver sustainable innovation and reduce waste, without compromising product performance.

Wow. That's one good shoe. No word where or when it's available but I'll keep you updated.

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5 Things: Choosing New Running Sneaks

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Finding the right sneaker is kind of like finding a good boyfriend. Running shoes should be comfortable, practical, and not too flashy. Here are some tips on finding the right shoe for you.

Figure out what type of foot you have (narrow, wide, low arches, no arches, etc.) and choose a sneaker to fit your foot. Don't look at color, brand, style, or price to gauge quality or superiority. You should base your decision on how they feel (chances are you'll find a few to choose from, not just the $175 pair). Also remember not to skimp on new sneakers either. There's a reason crappy sneakers are so cheap.
Think about where you'll be running and check out the material the shoe is made with. Many shoes are made with this airy mesh material so your feet don't overheat, but if you are going to be running near water, you'll want a waterproof sneak instead. Also, you may like the look of trail runners, but if you are strictly a pavement girl, you'll need a shoe that offers more cushion and support, and not such a rubbery sole.
Wear your old running shoes to the store. You'll probably be buying them at an athletic shop that's staffed with fellow runners, so have them look at your old kicks so they can gain some insight into what type of shoe may suit you best. Also wear the socks you'll be running in when trying on new sneakers.

Want to hear the rest? Then read more

Pick out shoes at the end of the day. Your feet are slightly larger then, since we spend so much time on our feet. If you pick out shoes at the end of the day, you'll ensure a more comfortable fit. It's better that they feel slightly loose than way too tight.
Break them in. Just because your new sneakers feel great in the store after wearing them for 5 minutes, doesn't mean they'll feel great after a 5 mile run. If the store has a treadmill or track you can run on, take them up on their offer. If they still feel good after a test run, buy them, and go on some shorter runs before zooming right into a 10k race.

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Get in Gear: Keen Roatan Shoe

FitSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Summer means you may (hopefully) be spending a little more time near the water. I tend to move around a lot while I am at the beach, though most of the time I am chasing after my kids in tide pools. Regular flip flops just weren't cutting it...

Keen's Roatan ($35.00) shoe was the perfect match for my active waterside lifestyle. The stretch Neoprene along with the carbon rubber non-marking outsoles make this shoe super comfortable and versatile. If you're on a boat a lot in the summer, these shoes would be great because they won't slip or mark up the boat like a lot of rubber bottomed shoes. Like to Kayak across the lake for a little stroll on the opposite shore? Can't do that barefoot, now can you? The Roatans will take you from kayak to shore easily. They remind me of AquaSocks (ah, remember those), but are way cuter. Buy them online from TrackandTrail.com.

Get in Gear: Nike Running Wallet

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Recently I've been running outside in my cute gym style shorts, but the problem is that pocket space is limited or nonexistent. Running without any form of ID, house key and a little cash are totally out of the question for me so I went on a hunt for a small wallet to use while working out.

Nike's Running Wallet ($8.00) is a great option. The wallet simply clips onto the tongue of your sneakers and if you're worried about it being secure enough, you can tie your laces over the wallet. This little wallet is small enough for cash and keys and while an ID would not fit inside (nor would bank cards), there is a space on the clip to write your contact information. For only eight bucks, it's worth a try for anything you may be doing where you won't be able to carry important (small) items. Buy it from REI.com.

Lose Pounds and Gain Shoes: The Shoe Diet

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:00:00 -0700

Do you love shoes? I sure do. It's a strange phenom really, women and their shoes. What else do women love (well love to hate, really)? Dieting. So, isn't it then a great idea to combine dieting and shoes?

This is just what Isabelle Shaw, author of The Shoe Diet ($12.95) has done. Unfortunately this diet is not about a special pair of shoes that curb your hunger (though I am sure we'll be seeing that in the future), it is based on the power of reward. What's a better reward than shoes? The diet is built upon a series of steps that you must take in order to earn your rewards, shoes. The first one being that you must start a food journal and begin your shoe rating system. For example, think of everything you eat just like a hotel star system, with one shoe corresponding to "not really worth it" and five shoes meaning "it was so worth it!" Soon you'll be eliminating your one shoe foods from your diet, all while keeping your eye on the ball: Your first new pair of kicks for a job well done.

I love that Dr. Shaw has realized that while we may not be willing to finally step up and eat right for our health, we will do it for a pair of hot shoes. Kind of reminds me of click it or ticket, we won't buckle up for our safety, but we'll do it to save 50 bucks. This is a diet that I think FabSugar (not that she needs to go on a diet) will enjoy. Buy the book on Amazon.com.

Sneakers: How Do I Choose?

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 13:30:00 -0700

When buying sneakers, it can be overwhelming because there are so many different kinds to choose from.

At your favorite athletic store, you'll find sneakers for:

Walking: These sneakers have a good amount of cushioning and are great for people who power walk, or who walk to get to work. They are lightweight and offer excellent arch support.

Running: These are lighter than other sneakers, and provide more cushion and support for you since you'll be pounding on them pretty hard with each step you take. They also offer shock absorbers, so it puts less pressure on your joints. You can find ones that are higher in the ankles to offer even more stability. You can walk, jog, run, or do aerobics in these.

Cross-training: These offer a good amount of support for low-impact exercise. You can lift weights, walk, and take a cardio class with these, but I wouldn't buy them if you're planning on doing a lot of running.

Casual: These are usually adorable, colorful, and stylish, but unfortunately not very supportive. Wear these to do some shopping, for a casual walk in the park, for lifting weights, or just to hang out in. These won't offer much support for high-impact exercise.

Basketball Shoes: These have special soles that won't mark up the court floor.

Tennis Shoes: While you could wear running sneaks or cross-trainers, tennis shoes provide more support for the contact side-to-side movements required to play racket-based sports.

Fit's Tips: Different brands of sneakers are suited for different feet. Whether you have high or low arches, narrow or wide feet, you MUST try out the sneaker before you buy it. Most stores have treadmills you can use so if you're buying running sneakers, you've got to RUN in them. I always run 1/4 mile in a sneaker to make sure it's not rubbing too high on my ankle, or squishing my toes.

How Do You Feel About: Green Toe Shoes?

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Green Toe Shoes are the newest line made by Simple. They're made from all-natural, sustainable materials such as jute, cork, crepe (a natural rubber), cotton, recycled car tires, wool, bamboo, and recycled plastic bottles.

We know they're good for the environment, but what do you really think about them?