GPS Footwear: Program your shoes and start walking?

by Jamie Rhein on

Perhaps one of the worst travel experiences is being lost and on foot in a city without a decent map or a sense of direction. This is particularly horrendous when one has walked and walked and walked only to discover the same buildings and streets that one saw hours ago. A shoe GPS system might be the answer to such foot torture and travel woes.

This shoe + GPS is an idea that has a design already. If these shoes are ever made, Footwear with GPS will be shoes equipped with a GPS unit and transponder.

After reading the description and looking at the diagram of this shoe at Funny Patents and Inventions, I’m not exactly sure how this system works, but it does seem that even if you don’t know where you’re going, this shoe could be helpful for determining where you are.

I wonder how the system fares in rain? Could you get shocked if you happen to slog through a puddle? Also, I wonder if you could have a bit of fun with someone and program one shoe to point a person in one direction and the other to point the opposite way?

This Footwear with GPS system idea reminds me of the saying, “Wherever you go, there you are.” Perhaps that could be a slogan for an ad campaign.

Travel footwear review: Terrasoles Logans

by Tom Johansmeyer on

From the moment I donned the Terrasoles Logans, I knew they were designed for comfort. They slipped on easily and felt, quite simply, cozy. When I stepped out of my apartment, I delighted in thinking I was wearing slippers, despite visible evidence to the contrary.

The design straddles outdoor and office – you can get away with either. With a pair of cargo shorts or the khaki uniform of a cubicle dweller, the Terrasoles Logans won’t look out of place. Yet, the flexibility of style does not compare to the comfort these shoes provide. Among the softest and lightest shoes I’ve slipped on my feet (aside from flip-flops or running shoes), they were an absolute joy to wear.

The Logans basically wrap right around your feet, snugly supporting your dogs while you put them through their proverbial (and literal) paces. The softness is what struck me, even more than with the Tukermans, but for this reason, I do have some concerns about their endurance. I’ve pushed the Logans a bit, and they have held up well. For normal use, they’ll probably have a fairly long life, but consistent urban use will be tough on these shoes. I’ve already noticed some rapid wear on the outer soles.

For streets, sand and trails, the Terrasoles Logans are a good choice – a pair of shoes you can wear anyplace. I’ve been happy every time I’ve put them on.

Gadling Gear Review: Teva Riva eVent

by Mike Barish on

Before I left for my trip to the Northern Territory and Western Australia, I knew I’d be doing a fair amount of hiking. In anticipation of the plethora of outdoor activities that rural Australia offers, I decided to get a fresh pair of hiking shoes to keep me safe and comfortable during long days of Outback exploration. So, for my first trip to the bush, I packed a pair of Teva’s Riva eVent.

When it comes to hiking boots, I want three things: comfort, durability and water resistance. How did the Riva eVent stack up against the harsh landscape of the Outback? I found out firsthand (or foot) after two weeks putting them to the test.

I’m no mountain climber or adventure hiker. I’m what one would call your typical casual outdoor traveler. As such, I like my gear to be reasonably priced while ensuring my safety. The Riva eVent’s sole provided excellent traction on wet and dry rocks, as well as loose gravel. It did this while maintaining a light weight, which provided beneficial both for packing and for extending hikes under a relentless Australian sun. Your legs can feel like jelly after hours in the heat, so having hiking shoes that don’t feel like cement blocks is always a plus.

In order to determine just how waterproof the Riva eVent truly is, I aimed for every creek and submerged stepping stone that I could. Not once did my socks feel wet. In fact, the shoes would appear dry seemingly minutes after being completely underwater. More importantly, they never felt waterlogged or heavy after near complete submersion.

The comfort of the shoe was compromised only by its overly snug fit. I own another pair of Teva shoes that fit almost perfectly in a men’s size 11. Yet, the Riva eVent felt small and constrictive in the same size. This resulted in some uncomfortable rubbing in the toes and at least two blisters, which is never pleasant when you have several days of activities ahead.

As for durability, I wore the Teva Riva’s virtually everyday for two weeks in Australia. I got them drenched in rivers and walked through red dirt and gravel that often stained my clothing. I’m staring at the shoes in my apartment as I write this and they look as new as the day I packed them for my trip Down Under. In other words, these shoes are not falling apart anytime soon.

Let’s break it down simply with some pros and cons:

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Waterproof and maintained weight even after submersion
  • Incredibly durable

Cons

  • Inconsistent with the sizing of other Teva products

Overall, the Teva Riva eVent is a fantastic hiking shoe that I recommend for anyone looking to do a fair amount of outdoor activity. The tread is sturdy and the shoe is ruggedly constructed and waterproof. They are available on Teva’s website for $130, but I would recommend that you have your foot sized properly at an outdoor gear supplier and try them on before making your purchase to ensure that you have a comfortable and safe fit.

Travel footwear review: Terrasoles Tuckerman Canvas

by Tom Johansmeyer on

It’s pretty obvious that a pair of shoes can make or break your trip. You rarely notice the impact that great shoes can have, but a bad decision will haunt you every time you take a step. If you walk a lot, as I do, the effects are magnified. So, I put the Terrasoles Tuckerman Canvas through hell. My five mile daily commute (roundtrip) is just the start of what I did to these shoes, as I put more than 500 miles on them in searing heat and pouring rain. And yes, as the Proclaimers would say, I’d walk 500 more. It’s rare that I find a pair of shoes that I like – and that can withstand what I do to them – and the Tuckermans are among the best I’ve worn.

A bit of context: a pair of shoes tends to last me only three or four months. By then, they are torn, frayed and sporting holes in the soles. I’ll try to squeeze an extra month, at which point it’s time to throw them out. I abuse footwear, and I was suspicious of the lightweight outdoor-oriented shoes from Terrasoles. Anything designed for heavy outdoor use – for the adventure travel guys – rarely holds up against the conditions of the urban jungle. Climbing and hiking are nothing compared to the effects of Manhattan pavement pounding. A pair of standard issue combat boots, the most enduring and reliable shoes I’ve ever owned, didn’t last half a year … and they were designed for war!

The Terrasoles Tuckermans performed as well as my other favorites – the product used by the U.S. Army – and at half a year, it’s time for a new pair. But, that comes with plenty of normal use on top of more than 500 miles of “commute” walking. With every step, they were light and comfortable, like a second pair of socks but with much more support. Initially concerned that I’d feel every pebble and crack in the sidewalk, I was pleasantly surprised by what turned out to be a pain-free experience. The soles provided a sufficient barrier between my feet and the ground.

The design is as flexible as the use of these shoes. They can be worn in any number of conditions – from urban to outdoor – and social settings. Simple and elegant, I routinely wore them to work and even with a suit (though I doubt normal people would do this).

The canvas Terrasoles Tuckermans are versatile and comfortable – and they will last. It doesn’t take long to break them in, so you’ll be comfortable from the start, wherever your travels take you.

These boots were made for … airplanes …

by Annie Scott on

Palladium Boots are back. And they rock.

Hitting stores (and PalladiumBoots.com) November 1st will be this hardy pair of Pampa boots, available in regular hi-tops or baggy roll-down styles in black and camel (lined with chocolate) suede. These boots are attractive and comfortable with 100 percent cotton canvas lining — ideal for travel adventures like hiking, climbing, and trudging through museums and sight-seeing all over the world.

So, what’s this about them being “back?” Well, Palladium was founded back in 1920 as a airplane tire-making company. “Tires were made by layering canvas bands underneath vulcanized rubber. Palladium’s expertise was so advanced that soon the majority of Europe’s aircraft were using Palladium tires,” boasts their release.

Then, after World War II, when airplane manufacturing slowed way, way down, Palladium opened a plant in Pont De Cheruy, France to make footwear that would be as durable as their tires. The first Pampa boot was made in 1947 — and was quickly adopted by the French Foreign Legion, who wore the boots in the deserts of North Africa and all over the rugged Atlas Mountains.

Palladium Boots just relaunched their line this year — with the same ol’ design but new and improved materials — and these new boots are gonna be a big hit with travelers of all genders and travel persuasions. Check out the gallery for more views of the legendary boots! Don’t want to wait for November? Check out some of the styles they released earlier this year on their website.
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