1.  Opt for Cute Comfort. Cori by Tsubo (shown at left) is a great picnic shoe, since it’s sporty enough for basic hikes and cute enough to attract your picnic partners’ attention.  (FYI, romantic picnic encounters also burn extra calories.)  Choose comfortable, supportive shoes that you have worn before to avoid creating blisters.  Remember, nothing ruins a picnic like aching feet–or a whiny companion.

2.  Strappy is Good. The company picnic may be the one time of the year when sandals are actually encouraged.  To keep your feet happy regardless of your picnic activities, choose strappy sandals that will provide enough support for your ankles and feet.  Velcro straps are ideal.  The ON1201 by One of Two (at right) has a slightly professional air about it, but it looks ready for summertime fun.  It could be your best bet for your next company outing.

3. Prepare for Your Adventure. Do you plan to pick berries at your destination?  Or will you participate in a raucous, energetic game of freeze tag? Consider your picnic activities as you choose your footwear.  Perforated or mesh shoes will help keep your feet dry and cool as you play.  Lace-up shoes usually offer better support for popular picnic spot sports.  Maia by Tsubo (at left) has you covered, with air channels to increase circulation and a flexible rubber sole to increase mobility.

Top photo by Mykl Roventine.

I have seen quite a few cute bikers here in Portland, but I must admit that my own cycle style is rather pitiful.  I usually wear grungy, comfy clothes during my ride, especially since I don’t want to stink up the office upon my arrival.  Writing this post, however, has me revved up to turn my biking commute into a daily moving fashion plate.  With a little planning, I could certainly wear more chic clothes– and just cycle at a more leisurely pace, so as to avoid the sweat factor.  Still, I don’t think I’ll attempt to bike in heels anytime soon, given my innate clumsiness.

Here are three adorable, sporty Shoefly shoes that any bike would be happy to have on its pedals.

1.  ON1212 by One of Two–Whoosh!  Whoosh!  That’s the sound of air refreshing your tootsies as you ride.  Those perforations are perfect for breezy bike rides.

2.  Rouched by Zigi NY– These hippie-chic sandals speak for themselves.  They say, “I’m irresistible.”

3. Audrey Ballet by 80/20– That metallic shine is more than just hip– it’s also reflective.  Look good and feel safe as your shoes catch drivers’ attention.

Top photo by Swift Benjamin.

No, it’s not an oxymoron.  And the people that are wearing these new strange toe-shoes aren’t morons, either.  More and more barefoot runners have been spotted in marathons across the globe.  Cross-sport enthusiasts, biomechanic experts, and doctors agree with these shoe-free runners, arguing that the human foot is engineered to work well without any shoes at all.

As Tim Ferriss highlights at the Huffington Post, human feet look very different when they haven’t been constantly strapped into shoes.  Ferris includes photos contrasting modern feet with natural feet, which have never been “adulterated by footwear.”  The natural feet are flatter, with widely spread toes.  In contrast, modern feet tend to be shaped like the shoes we wear.  They are pointy and squished, and don’t provide as much support and balance as natural feet. As a yoga teacher, I can vouch that strong, well-balanced feet have wide-spread toes.  In fact, several companies sell products designed to help yoginis stretch their toes–in essence, training the feet to go back to their natural state.

These new Vibram FiveFingers, as shown at top, are designed to allow people to move more naturally, while strengthening feet, improving posture, and providing protection.  I’m hoping to take a pair of FiveFingers for a test run sometime soon.  Portlander that I am, I already have my first question in mind for the salesperson:  are these babies waterproof?  If so, sign me up.