Flojos Heavenly Boots

www.flojos.com
Flojos, a 30-year-old California-based beach and lifestyle company, is already known for its fashionable, functional lightweight flip flops. Their designs are known for being fashion forward, but well-thought out for comfort. Recently, the company has expanded into flat shoes (think Tom’s) and incredibly comfortable, warm, cozy boots for women. The Heavenly may be the pinnacle of this foray into cold-climate femme footwear. The 11-inch-high suede leather boots boasts a fluffy synthetic fur interior along with a fun stretches of furry insulation on the outside, and after two months of testing in Oregon’s all-mountain conditions (powder, sleet, hail, rain, and low single digit temps) these boots never failed. While the upper is soft, with no rand, zips or laces, the fit is snug, with no heel slippage or foot spin. You’ll pull on these boots and not want to take them off until you’re ready for your summer sandals. For little girls, who want to be just as stylish and warm as their mother (or favorite aunt), we also recommend the Aurora ($55). You’ll find the same relaxed fit as the shorter (seven-inch cuff) boots, along with a medial side zipper to make them easier to pull on and off. Both boots are incredibly light, with soft foam soles that don’t offer a ton of grip or support, but plenty of cushion—especially when you’re carrying your skis to the lodge through a foot of powder (should we be so lucky!).

$89

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Kaenon Polarized Burny Sunglasses

www.kaenon.com
The problem with the binary fashion versus function is that, in order to satisfy one side of the equation, sacrifices must be made on the other. Not so with Burny sunglasses from Kaenon, a company founded by two elite-level sailing brothers in Southern California a decade ago. The Burny provides maximum performance with real style. The frame shape is evocative of a über-popular sunglass model from the mid-1950s, but Kaenon has matched the retro look with good functional design and cutting-edge technology. The Burny improves on a classic profile by molding the super lightweight, flexible, and heat-resistant TR-90 frame to more closely follow the contours of the human face to eliminate light leak over the brow and around the sides. Peripheral vision is not compromised. The effect is like, well, not wearing glasses at all. With lenses measuring 42mm by 62mm set in a large frame (135mm arm length, 141mm frame width) the Burnys provide maximum coverage, even for this reviewer, who literally has a big head. And the lenses! The Burny, like all of Kaenon’s glasses, features impact-resistant, ultra-lightweight, and durable SR-91 polarized lenses. Incorporating Glare 86 polarized film, the lenses reduce glare and offer unparalleled clarity, a claim reinforced by unsurpassed clarity scores awarded by an independent laboratory. Available in a range of tints, I found the G12 lens, the darkest grey tint (filtering all but 12% of visible light) to be perfect in bright conditions in a variety of scenarios—sailing, driving, playing tennis, hiking, and lounging by the pool.

Just as Murphy’s Law dictates that toast lands buttered-side down, so too will sunglasses inevitably fall, lens-down, especially on rocky terrain or concrete. Amazingly, given the number of trials I have (accidentally) conducted over the past 18 months, I have managed only to inflict a single tiny scratch on one of the lenses. It is an injury I don’t have to live with forever, happily, as the super friendly and helpful folks at Kaenon will set up a lens replacement (for a reasonable fee). In an era of multinational conglomerates that churn out hundreds of indistinguishable and mediocre products under a plethora of brand names, it’s a real pleasure to encounter an independent, family-run company dedicated to innovation, integrity, quality, and aesthetics. Sunglasses, in truth, function not only to keep the sun out of our eyes. They also operate as a statement about who we think we are and what we think we stand for. For this large-headed reviewer, the Burnys are a statement—about fashion and function—I’m very comfortable wearing on my face.
-Adam Greenhalgh

$229

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Patagonia’s Advocate Program Raises Funds for Local Conservation Efforts

Gear obsession has its ugly side—as much as we always want a new jacket, bag, or an unscuffed pair of shoes, we often don’t really need them. That, of course, seldom stops us. But it does lead to clutter—and more than our fair share of recycled cardboard boxes. But happily Patagonia is helping assuage our guilt. Partnering with 1% for the Planet, Patagonia Shoes is hosting a variety of events this fall with both online and brick-and-mortar retailers (as well as at the online Patagonia store) in an effort to raise awareness and funds for conservation efforts. All participating vendors will donate $10 to local initiatives for every pair of Patagonia shoes purchased. The first online event is currently live with Online Shoes, with proceeds benefiting The Conservation Alliance, and ends on October 22^nd, 2012 The second runs on Zappos.com from October 23 to November 24, with proceeds to the Friends of Nevada Wilderness. A state-by-state list of brick-and-mortar retailers who are also participating (along with the specific dates and the local conservation effort that’ll benefit) can be found at Patagonia’s Advocate Weeks website.

As for which pair of shoes to buy? We’ve already expressed our enthusiasm for the Patagonia women’s Fore Runner and the Naked Maui Mock. But we also really like their aptly-named Advocate line. These minimalist shoes boast a 20-percent recycled EVA footbed, a 15-percent recycled insole, and a durable, 20-percent recycled rubber tread. The microfiber uppers are durable, yet soft-to-the-touch. The minimalist shoes weigh around 5.5 ounces (depending on the model) and collapse down to next to nothing for simplistic, pack-and-go travels. Of the eight models (four for men, four for women), we’re particularly drawn to the sly styling of the Lace Plaid ($75, pictured above) as well as the new Advocate Chukka ($80), a winter-friendly version with a recycled fleece collar and lining to keep your feet toasty.

Start at $60

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Mountain Khaki Teton Twill Shirt

www.mountainkhakis.com
As its name implies, the Teton Twill seems to have been culled from mind of Jackon Hole itself, which isn’t surprising since Mountain Khaki is based in that iconic Wyoming outdoor hotspot. But the shirt does naturally perform in almost any setting. The heavy, 4.8-ounce cotton twill has some serious heft and durability, but a proprietary wash has imbued the fabric with a buttery-soft touch and a slightly distressed look (likely matching your equally-worn shoes). Two chest drop pockets make it travel-friendly and the drop-tail hem lets you dress it up or let it all hang out. One tester has taken to wearing it whenever he flies (with a t-shirt underneath) because it adds just the right measure of warmth and style. It doesn’t flaunt a lot particularly graphic detailing, save from an embroidered logo on the back right shoulder and line of white fabric at the button hem, and for some that subdued sensibility is perfect.

$70

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Sole Casual Flips

www.yoursole.com
No shoes, no shirt, no service. But what about when you’re where flip flops and a Lei are considered acceptable attire? We admit to spending more time than our mothers would like balancing a fruity concoction in one hand and a shot glass in the other. What led us on the path of destruction? Flip flops, those care-free, devil-may-care sandals that are as at home on the beaches as, well as, the beach. Fortunately for all of us misguided fools who haven’t fled to the islands of our minds, flip flops are now de rigor wear for casual Fridays. And our pair of choice? Sole Casual Flips. The orthopedic shape mimics the natural, barefoot stride. The footbed is cork, which molds to your foot after wear. Plus it’s sustainable. In contrast to many flip flops, the Sole Casual’s have a textured rubber sole that provides grip on trails, sidewalks, and everything in between; the tread is big enough to rebuff sand and dirt. The upper is a durable, washable cotton canvas, backed by a thin foam and synthetic liner. Like all the gear in Gearzilla, you’ll thank us for our stamp of casual approval. We also like to leave a pair in the car for a comfortable drive back home after days stomping through the backcountry.

$79

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