Nike, oh boy, what do you say? Well they are big, and big sometimes creates something good, good fun. It really doesn't matter how you feel about Nike shoes, the NikeID website is a lot of fun. You can completely personalize and customize a pile of different Nike items, shoes of course but some clothing and bags as well. This is my NikeID homage to Bob Marley in honor of Bob Marley week Feb. 6-12th. Enjoy, and feel free to email your designs to me at josh@shoebum.com.
January 2007
January 31, 2007
A Sheep's Clothing
Don't get any weird ideas on this, my love of sheep isn't even skin deep, completely superficial. It's all about the wool, the long, soft fibered merino wool that can be found in better socks today. However, all wool, especially merino wool, is not created equally. There is no standard for what is considered true merino wool. It can mean anything from where the wool is from, from which type of sheep it is shorn or even can refer to an item simply made of 100% wool using specially worsted yarn.
Although I would take a wool sock over any other fiber year round, I do have my favorite sock manufacturers. Just as merino varies so do the socks made from said wool. Finding the best socks around has been a pet quest of mine for about 15 years now. In the beginning a good friend talked me into wearing this goofy
little wool running sock from Wigwam. I was hooked, although the
elastic wore out quick and the socks yellowed, I loved those
things to death. A few years and a few dozen pair
later, Wigwam dropped
that sock from their lineup. I was crushed. Not long after I made my
first buying trip to the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City and
found this great little booth, outside in a tent, for a company that only made merino wool socks.
At the time this company made maybe 6 different socks. They were
different though, the socks were soft, resilient, and unique. No longer
did one have to resort to crappy, itchy, poor fitting rag wool socks. Smartwool had arrived!
At first they were a hard sell, having to take socks out of the package turn them inside out and have people really feel the socks and then guarantee that they wouldn't itch. Nowadays it's merino for the masses. Heck, you can get "merino" wool socks at Costco.
Back to my earlier point. There are big differences in merino socks out there. While Smartwool remains our top seller, continuing to offer up an endless collection of great merino wool socks, there are a few others that bear mentioning. Dahlgren socks add the ultra softness of Alpaca wool, although I have never been pleased with their durability, having pairs that have lasted as few as 3 wearings.
There are also many "me-toos" out there, that have simply knocked off Smartwool's original hiking design. I won't waste your time with those. My very favorite, on many levels, is Teko. Teko socks have the best wear, the best fit (although a few styles are a hair tight on my stumpy calves), and the best ethos of anyone in the business. Like many of it's competitors, Teko doesn't just go where the wool is priced best, they actually contract with one and one only fully sustainable organic farm in Tasmania to produce their top notch merino wool. In the growing world of premium wool socks, in my book Teko is tops.
There are, somewhere out there, true lanolin allergies which can prevent one from wearing wool. For the rest of us though, it's time to get our feet into a sheep's clothing, merino wool!
January 30, 2007
IS + VB = LOVE!
Hunting boots are a tough segment in my store. The last few years our selection has been tough to nail down. Danner, our mainstay has just not had any real winners lately. They're barking up the right tree though. Finally taking what they have known for years about making a decent hiking boot and putting that technology into their hunting line. Unfortunately for Danner, they have been a few years behind the times, possibly due to their large commitment to military footwear or too busy undercutting their dealers with free shipping but that's another post (although I have yet to see the new Danner fall 2007 product). Just yesterday I saw
Irish Setter's latest collection for fall 2007. One shoe looked familiar, yet out of place. Upon further inspection I realized that this hunting boot from Irish Setter shares the same solid! platform that Vasque uses in their Breeze hikers (the Gore-Tex XCR version which the most breathable membrane based waterproof boot I've worn). This isn't earth shattering news since Vasque and Irish Setter are owned by Red Wing but still a great collaboration that has spawned a fantastic new boot, light enough for the weight weenies, tough enough to use for work, the Aerotracker.
January 29, 2007
Outta my league...
John Fluevog Shoes, gotta love 'em. Not my style, however I have a super soft spot in my heart for just about everything they do. Maybe it's my growing up in Seattle during the grunge years, who knows? Fluevog shoes have completely their own thing going.
Everything from a Goth girls dream shoe to some great classic revivals. Fluevog even offers their soles for sale to repair some of their styles. When you have a niche that doubles as a lifestyle there is something to be said for that! So kudos to the man himself and the great (and never boring) shoes and folks at John Fluevog Shoes. Mr. F also has a pretty cool ride.
January 26, 2007
Necessity vs Accessory
Faster and cheaper seems to be the theme in retail today. It's unfortunate, but today's society has become accustomed to instant gratification. As the saying goes: Good, Cheap, Fast, only two of those can occur together. Good and cheap will never be fast. Fast and cheap will never be good. Good and fast will NEVER be cheap.
Even as recent as 10 years ago the majority of footwear available in my store was in some way able to be repaired to prolong it's usable life. Since then, each year a greater percentage, nearly nil, have fallen victim to planned obsolescence. The shoe will be out of style in a year or so so why build it to last? When styles change drastically in a matter of months, fashion has become a factor in determining a shoes "usable" life. When will the trend finally buck towards sustainability in footwear again? I see such rhetoric these days about sustainability. Even the largest corporations claim it as their goal. Some of the biggest "greenies" I know still drive throw away cars and wear throw away shoes to the local recycling center.
Maybe I am a little biased watching our shoe repair income drop each year. I am in my mid 30s and don't consider myself old-fashioned but something deep down just tells me that there has to be a balance here. So really the argument comes down to how you view your shoes, as a necessity or an accessory.
January 25, 2007
Solid!
The Vasque Breeze Low is my "Kick of the Week". For men and women this sucker is a SOLID performer. At about $90 (non-Gore version), it's
about as much shoe as you can get for the money. Nice stiff thermoplastic midsole plate, durable Vibram outsole, breathable leather and nylon mesh uppers, all come together in a solid package that is incredible lightweight. Perfect for day trips, travelling, walking, or anyone who needs a shoe that is an obvious step up from your everyday tenny.
An homage to Chuck
You may get the wrong impression from me on this one but I just have to pay a quick homage to good ol'
Chuck Taylor, the Converse Chuck Taylor to be precise. This shoe goes against nearly all of my "ideals" when it comes to shoes (i.e. no support, flat as a pancake, etc.). Yet despite the shortcomings, these are one of the worlds most recognizable shoes and have been made in as many colors and patterns imaginable LINK. As well, a pair of multicolored Chuck Taylors were the very first shoe I can ever remember yearning for. Converse has a long and storied history LINK , were truly the first of their kind and have even survived a major corporate buyout (Nike). Therefore in my book I consider these an obvious icon. Thanks Converse, thanks Chuck Taylor.
January 24, 2007
Walk of shame
The world is full of hate-able shoes. Here's my short list (not in any order, they all suck):
MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology)- If anyone actually took the time to follow the "exercise program" these might work, but evolution suggests that we are walking more upright every generation and don't need a shoe to do it for us. LINK
Z-Coils- Boing----Boing----Boing! Need I say more? LINK 
CROCS- What would a list of shameful, hate-able shoes be without the WORST shoes in the world.....ta da: Crocs and their endless clones and Croc wannabees. Besides, only an IDIOT would wear them, right? LINK
The perfect sandal
Chaco Sandals, from the nethers of Colorado, have arisen as the epitome of perfect footwear. They have it all: simple unique design, attention to fit, durability and the ethos to back it all up. I originally found Chaco at a small booth at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City over 10 years ago. We have carried Birkenstocks at our store since 1984 and always loved their design and fit but were consistently disappointed in their outdoor and active performance. When I saw the universally adjustable Chaco Z1, Elan and Tokay sandals it was love at first sight. With it's high arch and rear flanges, the Z footbed was a clear stand out. Chaco Sandals became the perfect compliment to our sandal selection and in recent years far outsell even the tried and true Birkenstock in our store. Chaco has gone from it's humble start as a well conceived rough river sandal that wouldn't sell out like it's familiar neighbor on many shelves to a universal sandal for those who want comfort, support and both durability and sustainability in their travel, leisure and active footwear. Just ask any river monkey and they'll tell you, Chaco can't be beat!
