Ode to Oboz

If you think that hiking boot technology has plateaued over the years, you don't know Oboz. Owned by a former freelance shoe designer who has designed for the most popular names in footwear, John Connely, these shoes are astray from the norm. Oboz makes high tech boots and offers them at low prices. Instead of doing what most shoe companies do--try and produce the cheapest shoes for the most expensive price--they just care about offering the best shoes possible. That's what they're doing and people are starting to catch on.

Every spec of these shoes is designed with a purpose. All parts of the shoe work integrally, from the laces to the sole, forming an outstanding synergy. For instance, the shoe is grounded with an incredibly sticky rubber sole that features flexion points which correspond directly with the kinetics of your foot. And the stitching that holds the laces in place goes all the way down to those flexion points, which effectively wraps the shoe around your foot as you tighten the laces. They also are equipped with a 3-D molded heel counter which keeps your heel correctly aligned to the ergonomics of your feet. When I put them on I immediately noticed that my posture was exponentially improved because of the heel counter.

From Oboz' hiking boots to their backpacking boots, you'll find shoes that are high tech, low weight, and low priced. Stop by our Route 2 location at the twin silos in Waterbury and see for yourself what makes Oboz hiking boots different.

Better boots. Lowa Boots.

For adventurers, we don't know of a better boot brand than LOWA BOOTS. From quality light duty hikers to backpacking boots and to expedition grade mountaineering boots, Lowa provides one of the most comprehensive selections. With new boots arriving from Europe almost every week this month, this is the time of year when your selection is the greatest. Many Lowa boots come in narrow, medium and wide sizes to allow for a custom fit. Plus popular styles offer a range of colors to choose from. You can even choose from Gore Tex and leather lined options, like the Renegade and the Baltoro pictured above.

To make sure you step off this season with the right footwear, we're holding our annual spring Lowa Sale. So take 20% off now through 4/18 and know you're getting the best boots for your feet...lowa boots. What's your favorite brand of boots?

Vasque Backpacking Boots

Call us old school but we believe kids and adults need solid footwear with good traction when on the trail. Hiking and backpacking boots like the Vasque Bitterroot or Vasque Sundowner are essential gear for anyone heading up into the mountains. Increasingly you'll see minimalist footwear out on the trails, but you're not going to have much fun hiking if your feet hurt or you sustain an injury from slipping or twisting an ankle or knee. We're guilty of the same flawed thinking that's prevalent on the trails today, "how can we justify spending that much money on a new pair of boots when I can still wear my old ones". But if you really think about it, paying $180 for one trip to the chiropractor or buying customized orthotics is far more expensive than if you take better care of your body before it's injured.

This logic is just as sound when we're talking about kids. Kid's muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments are still developing. Street footwear will not provide them with steady traction on the trail, and used hiking boots aren't much better. Your kids (or grand kids) deserve proper footwear for hiking. That's why we're proud dealers of (and users of) Vasque hiking shoes for kids. We also highly recommend Darn Tough hiking boot socks for kids. Enjoy your next hike more...take advantage of our SALE on Vasque hiking and backpacking boots now through 8/25/11!

Backpacking Boots Trade-in Time

So yesterday a member of the Stowe Mountain Rescue team came in to our store looking for a new pair of backpacking boots to replace his old ones. He is someone who puts in a lot of trail miles, often with heavy loads. He paid the highest tribute to the investment he made years ago in his high quality backpacking boots...he refuses to stop wearing them even though the sole has been falling off for almost two years!

Midsummer is often the time of year many people realize the same thing after a few trips on the trail...it's time to replace my old hiking boots. Reluctant to spend the money when one's old boots can still be put on, you may fit this category. Remember our customer...more money spent wisely now leads to years of comfortable performance. Cost tends to equal quality: better leather, more durable soles, bombproof hardware, etc. If you buy the right boots now, you won't be sorry in 5 years that you spent a few extra dollars today.

We're proud to carry three top-notch backpacking boot brands: Zamberlan, Lowa, and Vasque. And with our new member promotion there's no better time than the present to find the boots that are right for your feet. Take a look and we'll help you get fit in just the right boots and you'll save 20%.

END OF SPRING SALE!

SAVE UP TO 20% ON MANY OF OUR MOST POPULAR OUTDOOR BRANDS THIS WEEKEND. In our biggest weekend sale event of the year, 70% of our inventory is now on sale for 4 DAYS ONLY! Due to an overlap in our sales schedule, brands that were on sale the first two weeks of June are on sale at the same time as brands going on sale. Don't wait to take advantage of the bargains; prices are only in effect while supplies last!

Three categories where you'll find terrific deals and great selection are:

BACKPACKING BOOTS: Our most popular boots from Lowa and Vasque are on SALE thru 6/14.

TREKKING POLES: Black Diamond, Komperdell, and Leki Hiking Poles are now all on Sale.

BACKPACKING STOVES: Our selection of Jetboil & Primus stoves just went on sale. This sale ends 6/24.