Outdoor & Foul Weather FOOTWEAR Washington DC

Maybe more so than in clothing for outdoor or foul-weather use, one size does not fit all in footwear for these applications. This is not only because the conditions for using the footwear an individual matter (as are the customer's sizing and support requirements), but also because the footwear itself has gotten increasingly specialized.

Years ago, there were sneakers and there were hiking boots. Then the two styles began to merge, into lightweight hikers fit for both the trail and for around-town casual use, and into trail running shoes. Now, even trail running shoes have become more specific: Vasque, for example, makes the Blur, designed for shorter distances, as well as the Velocity, intended for "rugged trail runs." Merrell's Overdrive is designed to help trail runners maintain speed over variable terrain. In the area of specialized uses, Hi-Tec Sports USA's Magma Run is designed to support the feet of high-mileage runners who suffer from mild to moderate over-pronation (flat feet, in other words).

With "fastpacking"—a combination of backpacking and trail running over a period of days, carrying minimal gear to lighten the load—catching on among some outdoor enthusiasts, it's no surprise that footwear manufacturers should cater to their needs. A current example is Hi-Tec's Sierra V-Lite Fastpack. According to Hi-Tec, "Sierra V-Lite Fastpack employs proven V-Lite construction, which results in an extremely fast, agile product."

Then there are "multi-sport" shoes that may cross over among a couple of related sports. Here again, however, the manufacturers differentiate the footwear with designs geared toward specific conditions. While both the Siren Sport and Siren Ventilator from Merrell are women's shoes intended for light hiking or biking, the latter is indicated for warmer weather, thanks to its breathable mesh upper.

Particularly in the realm of footwear meant for water sports, "convertible" shoes are a new wrinkle. These may do double duty as, say, a pair of sandals and, with the removal of a backstrap, a pair of slides. Sport sandals may be geared toward dry (e.g., hiking and "scrambling" along steep trails) or wet (e.g., kayaking or sailing) conditions.

Wrapping straps

One reason that sporting footwear of 2007 makes so many more claims for support, versatility and durability is the technology, some of it proprietary. For instance, Teva deploys its Wraptor Fit System on a number of its sport shoes and sandals. According to Teva, it's a patented "360-degree continuous strapping system [that] wraps completely around the foot through an innovative and unique channel in the midsole. Wraptor integrates the upper with the outsole by securing your foot directly over the cushioning platform to provide unparalleled support and stability."

Or consider the array of features that go into Timberland's Hydroclimb performance sandals. They include the following:

• "Hydrophobic synthetic materials combined with breathable, lightweight open air mesh for quick drying comfort, durability and abrasion resistance.
• "Three-quarter length clefted Timberland Agile IQ stability plate allows forefoot to flex independently and a starburst keeps the heel in place for superior control and responsiveness.
• "EVA midsole both above and below the Timberland Agile IQ stability plate for extra cushioning.
• "Built in drainage ports for maximum drainability.
• "Seatbelt locks your heel in place for better control
• "The daisy chain webbing lace system in the leather seatbelt allows you to lace for a secure locked-in heel.
• "A flap on the outside of the tongue allows you to keep the laces tucked away safely and the textured laces stay tied even when wet.
• "A large, opening heel loop allows you to clip them around a line to hang dry
• "Minimal seams on the interior will not chafe bare feet.
• "Buckle for on the heel area allows for an adjustable fit
• "Removable tri-zoned, dual density EVA footbed constructed with anti-microbial mesh for a secure barefoot fit and perforated for enhanced drainage
• "Built in drainage ports for maximum drainability.
• "The exclusive Vibram non-marking outsole provides exceptional traction on the smooth surfaces or uneven terrain."

However, even the most complete array of design elements in the shoe itself don't guarantee comfort. "Variations in lasts—the forms around which shoes are shaped—make it hard to always achieve perfect fit," the consumer magazine Outside reported last year. "But hiking-shoe manufacturers have taken a page from snowboard boots, which use thin steel cables—called the Boa Lacing System—that snake through the guts of the shoe and wrap your foot for an otherworldly snug fit."

Boa Technology, makers of this lacing system, describes its product accordingly: "Tightness can be fine tuned by dialing in perfect closure force. The Elongated Lace Guides provide perfectly distributed closure force across the eyestays. Low friction and the Elongated Lace Guides combine to eliminate pressure points and provide a unique glove-like fit. Closure is solid. It can't loosen up or come untied." The Boa Lacing System has also turned up in hunting, cycling, fitness, and equestrian footwear.

There's a small, but committed group of outdoor enthusiasts who go out on the trail barefoot, claiming a number of health benefits from this practice.

It's not a hopeless case, however, as some might be persuaded to try the next best thing: footwear which conveys the biomechanical properties of no footwear. One such manufacturer is U.K.-based Terra Plana, which manufactures the VivoBarefoot line, essentially a Kevlar-soled moccasin, although it is difficult to obtain domestically.

Vibram USA produces Vibramfivefingers: footwear that "mirrors the flex points and silhouette" of the feet and toes. It's even shaped like a human foot.

For footwear customers with somewhat more conventional requirements, pass along a few pieces of advice that will help them find a shoe that fits as comfortably as it would in the outdoors. The most obvious of these is to wear hiking socks when trying on shoes, but in addition, if your store hours permit it, suggest they try on shoes at day's end, when their feet are more apt to be a little swollen.

"Good stores will have an incline board that you can stand and jump on to ensure that your feet won't slide forward on descents," according to Outside. See to it that your store is one of them.