IF THE SHOE FITS
When it comes to shoes, one size never fits all.
And neither does one style. We’ve narrowed
it down to the most chic and comfortable,
whether you’re looking for a lithe shoe that’ll
take you across the finish line or a sturdy pair
for your next weeklong camping trip. Go
ahead and walk — even run, hike, or jump —
this way.
FOR PAVEMENT POUNDING
Like the Energizer bunny, you’ll keep going and going
with Asics Gel Cumulus VIII. These
shoes feature a snug fit and cushioned platform for
a soft and smooth ride. The open mesh upper lets plenty
of air in and moisture out so you’ll be as comfortable
on your first mile as on your twentieth ($85, asics.com).
FOR BOUNDING THROUGH SAND, OVER ROCKS,
AND IN PUDDLES
Stay dry and protected with the Adidas Supernova
Trail. This footwear has a wide platform for
support on irregular terrain and enhanced cushioning
under the heel for protection at impact. This high-traction
performer is both light and airy ($90, adidas.com).
FOR THE TENNIS COURT
For quickness and agility on the court, the New
Balance CT1002 is both lightweight and comfortable.
This shoe provides lots of flexibility, shock absorbency
for the heel, and extreme midfoot support. A durable
sole and drag tip will outlast your McEnroe-style court
antics and shots ($100, newbalance.com).
FOR TEE TIME
It’s time to match your chic anoraks and cable V-neck
sweaters with a golf shoe that isn’t embarrassingly
clunky. The Puma PG GTX features waterproof,
full-grain leather and replaceable spikes with ultra
support and stability. It’s versatile and modish enough
to take you from the course to the clubhouse and to
dinner. This ain’t your grandpa’s golf shoe ($160, puma.com).
FOR THE UPWARDLY MOBILE
The Scarpa Thunder shoe is perfect
for bouldering a 5.10c challenge or scaling the indoor
wall at the neighborhood gym. This flexible shoe will
contour to the shape of your feet and, thanks to a perforated
suede upper, keep them dry even when the climbing gets
tough. Perfect for a crag-master in the making ($90,
scarpa.com).
FOR LIMITED PACKING SPACE
Extremely light and flexible, Adidas’ ClimaCool
Daroga offers comfort and high traction as well
as a molded sock liner that keeps moisture and bacteria
at bay. Perfect for a walk in the park or a dash through
the airport ($65, adidas.com).
— by CELESTE MOURE
COOL RUNNING
Tired of being tethered to your running technology? Check
out the latest iPod application, the Nike + iPod
Sport Kit. It turns your iPod Nano into a combination
pedometer and stopwatch while keeping the music grooving.
The application comes in two
parts. The first is a receiver, which
connects to the dock of your iPod
Nano. The second is a sensor that
fits into an insole pocket in the
Nike + shoe. The sensor measures
pace, distance traveled, and calories
burned, and stats show up on the
iPod’s screen and are announced
through your headphones, all while
you — and your music — keep
running.
The Nike + iPod Sport Kit is $29. To check out a detailed
description of how to use this unique synthesis of sports
and music, go to apple.com.
WEIGHTY MATTERS
The last thing you want is to weigh down your suitcase
while traveling, so packing your favorite set of dumbbells
is out of the question. If you want to stay fit without
relying on the hotel gym, pick up AquaBell
weights.
AquaBells pack flat, weigh a scant
24 ounces unfilled, and include fillable
water chambers and soft cushion
grips. When you’re ready to work out,
fill up the chambers to the resistance
you want. Each dumbbell can hold up
to 16 pounds of water, for an intense
on-the-road workout. The weight is
adjustable, depending on how much
water you use.
AquaBells come in dumbbell or ankle weight form. Purchase
dumbbells for $60 or ankle weights for $30, or buy the
entire set for $80, and get a complete travel-friendly,
strengthtraining workout. AquaBells can be found at
fitnesszone.com.
JUICED UP
Here’s a reason to snag that window seat: With Reware’s
Juice Bag, you can charge your cell phone, iPod,
GPS, or PDA by simply using the sunlight slanting through
the window. The bag harnesses the sun’s rays via the flexible thin-film solar panel on its exterior — a deceptively
powerful tool that can generate up to 7 watts of electricity,
sans bulky cords, for all your on-the-go charging needs.
In full sun, the solar panel will
charge any 12-volt electronic device
(like those mentioned above) as
quickly as a wall outlet, but indirect
sunlight works, too. To capture this
free power, just attach a car lighter
adapter to your device and plug it
into the bag’s universal socket (like you’d fi nd in a car), then go
get some sun.
Advanced technology aside,
renewable energy never looked so
good. The new ES Series comes
in six colors and three styles. It
features a laptop compartment, a
media pocket, and adjustable
shoulder straps. The Earth-friendly
ES Series also uses material made
from recycled soda bottles.
Juice Bags start at $210. Find them along with cool
accessories at rewarestore.com.
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