Shoeflyer | Shoes, Trends & Reviews

Happy National Picnic Month!  Picnics are more than just an opportunity to breathe fresh air and enjoy good times with friends and/or coworkers.  With Americans weighing more than ever, I propose that picnics are a naturally enjoyable way to slim down.  First, the fact that you’ll pack your lunch beforehand improves the chances that you’ll get a well-balanced meal.  (Also:  it’s hard to find a drive-through on the trail.)  Second, you’ll have to walk or hike  somewhere before you eat– meaning you’ll burn off at least a few calories.  Finally, if you’re like me, you’ll be more motivated to get in shape if your picnic companions notice a wheezing sound emanating from your cherry red face as you stumble up the trail.  Still, even if your body isn’t exactly your ideal shape, there’s no reason you can’t look good on the picnic path.  To encourage all Shoefly readers to get out there and dine al fresco, I’m featuring shoes that are great choices for any picnic, along with a few footgear tips to make your next picnic the best ever.

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Although die-hard cyclists usually wear special bike shoes with clips, casual bike-riders will vouch that nearly any shoe may be worn on a bike.  Sure, if you’re training for a race, you’ll want clip-ons.  But if you’re just biking into the office, why not look cute?  Canadians are already advocating a more European approach to biking fashion, as the Montreal Gazette recently highlighted in an article titled, “Cyclistas Spin Into Style.” Apparently, on the other side of the Atlantic, it’s considered normal– or even hip– to wear chic clothes and shoes while biking. In fact, over in Europe, entire blogs are devoted to watching bicycle fashion.

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Our hometown of Portland is obsessed with running. It’s nearly impossible to go anywhere in this city without seeing at least one jogger, even in our drizzle-icious winter months. Given how many Portlanders are passionate about running, it never takes long to see the latest running footwear trend pounding the PDX pavement.  I can’t wait to see some brave Portlander running around in the newest development in running technology:  barefoot running shoes.

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