Native Shoes, a relatively new (founded in 2009, but I just heard about them) footwear company out of Vancouver, BC, but made in China of all places, has got some of the coolest shoes I have seen recently. Their shoes are made from injection-molded EVA and are all one piece, making them extremely light and flexible. It also makes them very easy to clean and supposedly comfortable. They look like Crocs, if Crocs were at all stylish. My favorites, their
Fitzsimmons hiking boots [pictured above] look like they would be very useful for the upcoming cold winter months. The
Millers are reminiscent of the classic Vans Authentic kicks, the
Corrados are nice, mid-top chukkas, and the
Jeffersons are rips of low-top Chuck Taylor All Stars. All of them, except the Fitzsimmons, are slip-ons, which would be nice in the spring and summer months. Because the shoes are made in China and are one-piece injection-molded, they are relatively inexpensive. Check out their
stockist list for where you can get them in your area. Or you can just get them online at
Zappos.
Update: I got a pair of Fitzsimmons in Academy Blue for myself and a pair of Millers in Torch Red for Anne and they are both great shoes! They are so light and comfortable. They are really good looking and eye-catching and they seem to be very easy to clean. I am interested to see how they will wear over time, but right now they look great. And I am amazed by how light they are. Going from my Vasque Sundowners, which are about the heaviest boots I have ever worn, to the Fitzsimmons is like a revelation! I feel like I am floating, which is helped along by the soft, bouncy soles. I am quite happy with these boots and will probably get myself a pair of Millers to rock when it gets warm out again.
Native Shoes Miller
Native Shoes Corrado
Native Shoes Jefferson
Hanukkah is fast approaching, with its early appearance this year (December 1-9), and I am already getting excited! Being a Jew, I don't have to wait until the end of December to receive (and give, of course) presents. So I am already making my wish list. At the top of it is an 11-inch MacBook Air, but since that is a dream that will most likely have to be deferred, I have a few other choices. The Native Shoes Fitzsimmons, size 12 in Academy Blue or Bottle Cap Gray, for example. Or the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Digital Micro Four Thirds Camera in either black or red (which won't actually be available in the good ol' US of A until January, but I will take a rain check). Or an Alpha Industries N-2B Shortwaist Parka [pictured above], XL in Replica Blue. Or a Republic Bike Aristotle CRMO custom fixie bike. Or a Tokidoki x Marvel Comics skateboard deck [pictured below]. Or maybe just a hug! That's all I really need. Happy Hanukkah everybody!
