Email this article
Family Fitness: Happy Feet, Healthy Family
Cheap footwear is everywhere these days, and fashion all too often dictates what people wear. Unfortunately, the wrong shoes can inhibit physical output. Heels and flip flops have their place, but as any athlete can attest, footwear is the foundation of performance. Things to look for include sturdy rubber soles and lightweight, breathable uppers. If you're feet are happy, you'll be happy and, even more importantly, if your feet are healthy, chances are your body and mind will follow.
Salomon XT Whisper
Salomon has dialed in fit, and its women's specific designs are pretty much a guarantee of no heel slippage, great arch support, and a low-volume forefoot. The XT Whisper is built on a women's specific last (the men's version is called the XT Hawk and uses the Whisper's ultra-comfortable ACS lite chassis system). The shoe is designed to provide a softer ride, and the shoe's lighter and less rigid than most trail-compatible models. It's built around a chassis support system (AC lite skeleton), and sports a soft-density midsole that really absorbs shock. Minor medial posting makes for a very stable footbase for trail and road running. A pair of the XT Whisper's weighs in at just more than 8 ounces, making for a supportive and protective shoe that won't weigh you down. $115, salomonsports.com
Cape Clogs
Clogs are hot fashion tickets this season - there's a reason they are the staple of Swedish footwear. It is a good idea to mix up your footwear (i.e. don't wear your running shoes 24/7. It is a better idea to save sport-specific footwear for sports, and wear complimentary footwear for home and work). Cape Clogs is the leading privately held maker of Swedish clogs. They are made with leather uppers and Alder wood bases. The best part is that the footbeds are orthopedic, comfortable, and good for your posture. The leather uppers are breathable, and a wide toe box allows your feet to spread naturally, with no pinched feeling in the metatarsal area. I was hesitant when I took them out of the box, as new clogs are inevitably a bit stiff. But they break in quickly, and the sturdy, supportive platform is a nice place to be for any type of walking. It is a great way to sneak in that extra 1.5 inches of height while improving posture and back position. (And, no cougar jokes, but the big-cat print draws attention daily.) Sizes range from 5-11. $85, capeclogs.com
Columbia Tagory Youth
Don't scrimp on kids shoes for school, play or sport. Encouraging youth to stay active is a parental responsibility, and one easy way to keep kids active is to make sure they have well-fitting, comfortable performance footwear. Columbia can be depended on for great product at a great price, and the Tagori Youth shoe is a perfect example. The very lightweight shoe weighs only 9.35 ounces a pair (size 1.5). The upper is a suede leather and mesh, with a bungee lace system that's quick and secure. Footbeds are a cushy EVA, with an internal nylon shank for torstional rigidity and support. Outside is a grippy rubber sole with an aggressive trail design. $40; columbiasports.com
Saucony ProGrid Xodus
A trail running shoe is the core of many athletes shoe collection. For an after-work walk with the dog to a grueling all-day hike to a long trail run, a rugged running shoe offers the ultimate in versatility. Due to state-of-the art materials and advance manufacturing techniques, trail shoes offer the support and stability formerly only obtained via clunky leather hiking boots. The ProGrid Xodus is Saucony's most aggressive trail running shoe. The Vibram rubber outsole provides excellent traction on dirt and pavement, while the quick-drying synthetic upper has a breathable sock liner and comfortable gusseted tongue. The ProGrid Xodus comes in men's and women's specific models, with the women's model fitting lower-volume feet with narrower heels. $100; saucony.com
Merrell Jungle Mocs
The kid's Jungle Mocs are a great value. The supportive soles have grippy rubber on the bottom, and the uppers are a water-and-stain resistant pigskin leather. Alice and Coco, my 6-year-old testers, wear them as play wear, school wear, and apres' ski wear. The Jungle Mocs have hiked around Smith Rock and paddled on the Columbia River. Buy the shoes at least a half-size large and have your child wear it with puffy sport socks. A child should get a full year's wear out of one size. They weigh in at a respectable 13 ounces a pair, and have air-cushion EVA midsoles and a removable footbed. $35 - $45, kids' sizes 3.5 ? 7, youth 10 ? 3; merrell.com
Woolrich Ridley Creek Sport Clog
Men's casual footwear is a tough category, especially in the summer. Flip flops aren't appropriate for business, and even sports-sandals are often too informal for most offices. Athletic men will appreciate the convenience of Woolrich's Ridley Creek sport clog. The upper is a breathable washed canvas, and footbeds are anatomically shaped for all-day comfort. Weighing in at 1 pound a pair, these are my husband's favorite travel shoes - they add nothing to the weight of a suitcase. He wears them to work (teaching at an alternative high school) and his kid's think he's hip because his shoes are too cool for school. $44.99, woolrich.comPost a comment
www.insideoutsidemag.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Read our full policy.