The Forum Mist Revisited “After”

Must Have Monday

I survived my first snowboard outing in my new Forum boots with a sore bum and some insights.

First and most important, my new Forum Mist boots performed beautifully. As a newbie to snowboarding, I expected the boots to feel stiff and awkward. I was barely aware of my boots! They fit great and they are incredibly light weight. At no point did they dig or pinch me, despite the fact I gave them every opportunity to do so as I had my legs and body heading in unfamiliar and sometimes unintended directions. They are easy to get in and out of with their speed lacing and locking system. I was able to get them in and out of my board bindings easily as well. I noticed that my feet stayed at an even comfortable temperature but I will give some of that credit to my awesome Thor-lo socks. Each time I was upright in my boots I felt supported and comfortable. The gal that rented out the snowboard even commented on how nice and light my boots were.

The only way that these Forum Mist boots wouldn't be the perfect boot for you is if you buy them in the wrong size or you have an extremely narrow foot. The speed lacing system is nifty but does not offer as much adjustment, most needed by narrow feet, as a boot with traditional lacing. When it comes to sizing, it turns out that it is imperative to have a snug fit within your boot. Your toes should not be cramped but should just touch the end of the boot. I do recommend this close fit for snowboard boots... but the moment you are out of your boots—give your toes lots of space! Do not become accustomed to this tight, short fit in your everyday shoes or you will suffer many foot woes. In my case, the boots fit perfect and I only have the sore bum woes of a newbie.

I landed on my butt quite a bit and bruised my lil' tail bone. I have been told this goes with the territory of a beginner. The funny thing is, I am looking forward to another shot at snowboarding. I love my boots and want to use them again. For now, I will focus on healing and look forward to a powder day...for better boarding and softer snow to land on;)

You can still get the Forum Mist Boot at your local board shop or at peterglenn.com and altrec.com--but do hurry--they won't last long!

Forum Mist "The Before Part" of Before and After

Forum Mist Snowboard Boot Review

Must Have Monday

As a shoe fanatic, I love learning about different niches in the footwear market and I am about to get schooled in the world of snowboarding. This is a sport that doesn't come cheap so I am willing to beg borrow-(not steal) and most likely rent most of the gear.

BUT...

The Pro's in my circle of friends all made it very clear that if I wanted to have a good first experience—it's imperative to have my own great fitting pair of snowboard boots. It is rare when folks spend time convincing me to wear great footwear. I just love it! Even better, I got spoiled and treated to a visit to the outdoor supply store and a new pair of Forum snowboard boots by a gem of a guy and snowboard aficionado (thank you WMK).

We gazed at the wall of boots and the informed and eager sales person pointed us to The Forum Mist Boot. I was more than happy to try on boots and revel in the fact that these guys knew what they were talking about. It was then clearly explained to me that the boots should fit snug and that the toes should grace the end of the boot.

WHAT!?!

This upset the “proper-fit police” inside of me and I exclaimed that this could not possibly be good for my feet. They explained that the toes should not be mashed against the end but still insisted my toes should touch a bit. I put my trust in these pro's as dubious as I was about their opinions on fit. Apparently, all will make sense once I have an actual snowboarding experience.

I will say that while the boots do give me a funny gait, I had to admit that these Forum Boots feel amazing. So light and minimally stiff compared to what I expected. I even got to strap into some bindings on a board and get a pseudo-feel of what I might feel out on the slopes. Let's hope I keep the shiny side up long enough to appreciate these nice quality boots with rockin' purple soles.

Even though I have zero experience in this arena I can still appreciate the groovy features the Forum Mist boot offers. I love the cool little lace-pull pockets. The inner lacing system called “Speed Zone Lacing” has a great pull and lock feature to secure my foot and ankle and makes for quick entry and exit. Also, the footbed is removable and I have been wearing the insoles in my running shoes to get them nicely molded to my feet before I shred some snow.

I decided to write this Must have Monday post before I have actually given the boots the good 'ol college try because the time is NOW if you want to buy this particular model from Forum. Our local guy is selling 'em like hotcakes and boarding season is here. I do promise to write “The After” review as a follow up to see if they prove themselves as a long term love or merely an infatuation. I will save the Fitting Notes until after riding in the boots to see if I can get over this whole tight fit business.

Pray for a perfect powder day for me:)

Down To Earth Rhapsody Bat Multi Review

Must Have Mondays

When it comes to picking out totally comfortable shoes you mustn’t ignore Earth Shoes. Inspired by a master yoga instructor, Earth shoes are aim to properly align the spine and offer excellent foot comfort. BUT!!! Just because Earth shoes are comfortable does NOT mean they are right for everyone. They are an absolute case of “it depends”.

What does it depend upon you ask?

The answer to that question is based entirely on my experience with owning and selling Earth shoes and have had tons of customer feedback. There are folks that will tell you that Earth shoes saved their life while others will tell you they can't stand wearing Earth shoes. I have found that from the “foot perspective” Earth shoes have awesome comfort features like fantastic arch support and delicious cushioning but there is that whole “negative heel bit” that throws the curve ball into whether you are likely to sing their praises or hate them. The negative heel is intended to promote improved posture by setting your heels lower than your toes thereby elongating and straightening your spine. This seems to be well and good for folks who have too much curve in their spine but spells disaster for those who do not have enough curve to their spine. Also, if you have a tendency to lock your knees when you stand straight you may find that the Earth shoes make this bad habit worse.

I found that my feet loved my Earth shoes but my spine lacks the optimum amount of curve and my back gave me grief whenever I wore my Earth sandals. Thus, I no longer wear them but gave them to a friend who adores them.,

There are also times when people make the transition into Earth shoes too quickly. It is wise to wear them a little bit at a time to allow your body to adjust as you will be engaging muscles you have likely not been using regularly. I find that the folks who take to the Earth shoes most quickly are those who already practice yoga regularly. These folks have been working their posture muscles thus making the Earth shoe feel “perfectly natural” to them.

As a side note I have had many happy reviews from pregnant gals who love the counter balance of the negative heel and have found relief from lower back pain. My friend Miss V—pictured here, got her Earth sandals during her first pregnancy and just wore them through her third and loves them.

If you happen to suffer from pain at the forefoot and/or have a Morton's Nueroma you may find that the Earth shoes really relieve pressure and pain since there is very little forward pressure. My co-worker, Miss E suffered from the pain of her neuroma often until she began wearing her beloved Earth shoes.

When trying Earth shoes on it is most important to notice how they feel to your back because most of the time they are going to feel good to your feet. Make sure that if you do get a pair--to ease into wearing them regularly by just wearing them a few hours a day at first. Also, I would recommend wearing them around on the carpet at home for a few hours before committing to them.

The current slide model from Earth is called the Rhapsody (also shown in this post) and has a comfy feel and carefree styling that beckons springtime sunshine. Cross your toes for an early spring!

Because of their unique negative heel, I strongly recommend that you try on several styles on at your favorite local shoe store for the best fit, knowledge and service.

If you do not live near an Earth shoe retailer—make sure you only buy them from online resources that have a clear and fair return policy including free shipping like zappos.com, planetshoes.com and onlineshoes.com.

Fitting Notes:

U.S. Sizing. More often then not they are offered in half sizes and fit fairly true though the closed-toe models seem to run a half size short and the sandals run generous in width. Most models do not have removable footbeds and only accommodate the mildest of orthotics. If you have severe foot or back problems it is wise to consult your health practitioner before wearing Earth shoes extensively.

UGG Classic Short-Still A Classic

Must Have Monday

Ugg boots have been around since I began working in the shoe industry. In fact, Ugg boots kicked off their sheepskin boot sensation in 1978 bringing a bit of the world down under to the world over. Sheepskin boots have been in production in Australia and New Zealand since the early 30's but it wasn't until '78 that one  Brian Smith “branded” them and brought them to the Southern California beach scene. Legend has it that the name was derived from the word ugly after one manufacturer's wife commented that she thought they were ugly—ironic, considering they have become a fashion must-have. The word ugg-ugh-ug has long been a common term used for sheepskin footwear in Australia and New Zealand and is the more likely story of how the brand came to be called Ugg. “Comfort” does not get paired with the word fashion often enough and I have to give ten toes up to Ugg for making it happen.

The recent holiday season had me in Orange County, CA visiting family and in Las Vegas for the Affiliate Summit conference and Uggs were everywhere! Paired with unapologetically short skirts and sequins to warm leggings plunging into sheepskin softness Uggs glided across the shoe-scape frequently. The re-sole-able Ugg Classic was clearly the signature style that everyone is wearing. The Classic is offered in a multitude of colors and textures to suit most any whim and the holiday season inspired pairs were covered in sequins.

Ugg's true beauty is in the sheepskin valued for its' ability to keep you comfortable no matter what the outside ambient temperature may be...which is why you will see Uggs on summertime sand and wintertime slopes. They really do keep your feet at constant body temperature and are not too warm in the summertime unless you live in climates where temperatures consistently exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The Classic Short model is offered in 16 color ways that include sequin and denim textures. I love the traditional chestnut and sand colors and admit I am a bit taken by them in black sequins.

Whether you are considering a pair of Ugg Classics for practicality or fashion be sure to buy them at your local Ugg Retailer...half the fun is trying them on and getting the best fit. Uggs are also offered at zappos.com and amazon.com

Fitting Notes:

U.S. Whole Sizing. In general, it is recommended that if you are between sizes that you should buy the size down as the fur lining will compact with wear creating more space inside the boot. I recommend using your best judgment here...your toes should not feel crowded and your heels should move up and down a bit when you have the proper fit. They tend to fit medium to wide feet best and are most comfortable worn barefoot so make sure you are not trying them on with heavy socks. One draw back to the Classic model is that the insoles are not removable or replaceable--on the other hand/foot they do have replaceable outsoles. Ugg sheepskin boots don't truly have any arch support but tend to be notably comfortable as knock-about footwear. If you have a foot that requires arch support you may find that you could add a slim ¾ length orthotic to help out or consider wearing your boots for short stints like a quick run to the market or relaxing around the house.

Dan Post Milwaukee DP2111R Antique Tan Review

Must Have Monday!

During my travels south I got to visit a wonderful family friend we call Neighbor Mike who was rockin' a pair of Dan Post boots that were as sharp as his personality. In no time at all I had photos of the boots with their shiny silver Montana toe tips and had asked to check out his boot more thoroughly. He was amused and compliant. The leather on these boots is rich in quality and color consistent with what one might expect from a boot company practicing their craft since the early 60's. This particular pair called the Milwaukee DP2111R came out of the Clarksville, Tennessee facility and dazzled me with their Antique Tan color but of course I had to know if these boots were just “lookers” or if they actually have all day comfort. According to Neighbor Mike, “...they are sooo comfortable right out of the box” which echos the reviews other gents have given this boot on various websites. The Milwaukee boasts the “Dan Post Comfort Insole” that is cushioned and has a moisture-wicking cover to keep your feet cool. The boot is also lined with smooth leather that makes pulling them on easy. The leather would clearly soften and shape to your foot making these boots feel like old friends.

I also appreciate that Mike treated these boots with the added touch of silver toe tips that he procured from MontanaSilverSmiths.com to the tune of $30 and attached them himself. My admiration of his boots caused him to beam with the pride and a million dollar smile that matches the boots million dollar look. I could see in his eyes that he cherished his boots the way I cherish many of my shoes and that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!

Click this link to find your local Dan Post retailer because I am a fan of supporting the shoe stores in your hometown.

If you happen to prefer shopping online...you can find these boots at the following sites:langston's.com, bootbay.com (offered in black only) and zappos.com (on sale! offered in black only)

Fitting Notes:

U.S. Sizing. Neighbor Mike says they fit true but since we were guests at my Uncle's Chrismakah party I didn't get to explore their particular fit qualities the way I usually do with shoes that I review. This boots' shaft measures 13 inches and is offered in three widths equivalent to narrow, medium and wide increasing your odds of an excellent fit. Remember that when fitting boots you should expect the heel to slip some when they fit properly.