Forsake finally drops the Halden model for men after so much success with the women’s Patch style. Very similar to Danner’s Mountain 600, the Wilson is a waterproof hybrid type of boot that works not only on the trail but slides effortlessly into city slicking as well.
We got the chance to test these boots in Vail back in August on some trails and just walking around the village with some great results. One of the key upsides about the Halden, aside from the great styling, is the immediate comfort factor. The boot slides on like it’s already broken in and feels like a sneaker on both the dirt and the pavement. The sole manages semi-technical stuff well and kept us comfortable on hard surfaces with ease. Forsake’s full waterproof treatment helps take the boot all the way into winter and into spring, making it a true three-season beast.
MSRP $149.00 | Forsake Halden
Keen’s Venture WP Mid was one of our favorite boots of the summer and the Explore Vent is right up there as well. This low top sneaker style hiker brings technical stability with great support and traction for a lightweight shoe. Its subtle styling blends in easily with just about any casual situation and the mesh uppers are great for those remaining hot days of summer. Be warned though, this shoe does require a little breaking in and you definitely want to wear some sturdy socks or you might get some heel blisters. The Keen Konnectfit heel-capture system is great once you get some miles on the shoe, so our recommendation is to just start slow before trying any epic hikes or weekend-long festivals. You don’t get the waterproof feature here, but what you get in warm weather comfort more than makes up for it.
MSRP $110 | Keen Explore Vent
Ok, so these are a bit bold and definitely not for everyone, but you have to give it to Chaco for being unique and even taking some notes from adidas. So the Z Ronin is exactly what you think they are, sandals with a sock type of liner, fused together as a sandal-sneaker. If you are looking for a super comfortable alternative to traditional sneaks, the Z Ronin might be right up your alley. The footbed is lined with a super soft material and contoured to give you arch support for all-day wear. If you fancy the futuristic-looking athleisure style that is so popular in Berlin amongst the techno Illuminati, you might as well just pull the trigger and join the club. Hecklers be damned.
MSRP $130 | Chaco Z Ronin
Ever since I was a little kid, I have been obsessed with media. It sounds strange, I know. When I was just 9-years-old, I created a newspaper and offered my mother the job of editor, which she happily accepted. Distribution was small but that didn’t deter me—I had the Citizen Kane virus. And then at age 23, I started another publication called BPM CULTURE Magazine (eventually dropping the word "Culture"), which evolved into a media company called Overamerica Media Group. I found myself in the media business because I love sharing information—telling great stories, sharing ideas and most importantly, informing people about great music! Like most ‘creative types,’ I dabbled in just about everything—from DJing, to producing, and even to creating a record label. And my list of other interests (hobbies) goes on and on; I will leave that for my autobiography. After Overamerica, I spent some time on the client side in fashion, then consulting for various start-ups, only to lead me back to where I started—a start-up media company. It all happened over dinner one night, a friend said why don’t you start up another magazine about EDM—Magnetic was born.
