Hey, hope you had a great summer. Hope that you got to enjoy the greatness of the summer. The beach, the lake, the hiking and biking etc. It’s a great time of year that is getting ready to draw to a close. But its ushered in with the Fall a wonderful time of color a beautiful time of year.

BUT Wait. Don’t let Summer go out without a BANG. Enjoy the programs and the sales that are available to you as Labor day approaches. Fall is on the way…so is the snow and soon we will be skiing.

Good morning to all my fellow friends who love the outside, the outdoors, hiking, camping, fishing, photography whatever your outside thing is.

Spring has sprung….ok so maybe the official day isn’t exactly today but is sure is showing signs all across the country. Jackson, Wyo has snow melt from a mild Winter. All my iPhone apps showing snow fall at my favorite resorts show no snow - not an inch.

Now I know it isn’t all gone but the resorts are closed. So only the dyed in the wool skiers are still putting forth the effort in those mountain towns we love.

I don’t know what you are planning to do for your big adventure today or tomorrow or this Spring - but make sure you get outside. Check out some of the great gear from Altrec for your big day(s).

As a side note I logged onto the Cloudveil site and they now are using Altrec as one of their online vendors. So if you are looking for great gear - check them out.

Ben

So your a Teva fan - they were first right? They must be best. I don’t know but that’s what we are going to talk about for a few minutes here. Are we talking water, street, climbing, running? All good questions, for tonite let’s talk water shoes - say the Sunkosi and its cousins vs the Newport and its cousins.

I have worn both shoes, I think I have even owned both shoes. So which is my favorite? Well I prefer the Keen because I have really high arches. They both have wide footbeds and are comfortable until we get to the high arches.

When most people talk about that they are talking about the way the Keen or the Teva support the arches….not me. I am talking about the uncomfortable feeling that I have on the top of my foot when I wear them because of the high arches.

The Teva’s I wore with the straps all the way out and they were too tight for my liking. The Keen btw I am on my second or third pair of completely worn out bison Newports, have a larger throat and accommodate my foot well.

They both score high marks for grip and traction. They both score high marks on comfort inside the shoe itself. They are both great shoes. How about styling.

Well, in my humble opinion the Teva folks are whooping up on the Keen people for sure. The Keen had great style and rocked the world - but now they are a little behind the styling curve. So point scored for Teva.

The bottom line - where the rubber meets the road. If the shoe fits wear it. Either shoe will serve you well. Its going to come down to your comfort and desire or lack of desire for styling.

Until next time ….. this is the Big Kid signing off

Ok so do you really think that a right and a left sock are all that important? I do! Just try wearing your keens with only one sock. Which one do you choose? The right….it leads the way right? Ok so your in your right mind and you choose left ….right (correct)? Well the good people at Keen really look at it differently….they think that a sock for each foot is critical.

They think that its part of the way life should be….so what did they do? Create the right and the left sock. That’s right true sock independence.

NOTE!!!! Please don’t loose one of your Keen Socks in the laundry because you can’t just match it up with any old blue or grey sock in your drawer and call it good.

The Keen Sock revolution is all about a right and a left sock that are independent and yet interdependent. They need each other…like peas and carrots, boys and girls, well you get the idea. Each one is clearly and easily marked with a little L for left or a little R for right so you can make sure they get on the right foot.

Here is the logic….you have a right and a left shoe…each a little different just like your feet right. So why not have a sock that treats the feet with the respect that they deserve. After all you are a rugged individual and your shoes and socks should be too.

Choose the Keen sock for your gift giving this Christmas season, or maybe think of something to be Thankful for and buy yourself a pair early…or take some home to Mom or Grandma for the big bird day….aka Thanksgiving. They will love them and you will be a really hit in the foot loving department.

Hey - just in case your wondering…yes I have them in my drawer too. Many pair and they are a top choice beating out the other socks in my drawer daily….even my Smart Wool socks aren’t this smart…I mean really a left and a right sock only Keen could think of that. The folks at Injinji well there socks are cool and all but try jamming your big toe into the little toe slot because they aren’t clearly marked. It seams to me that the clear winner in comfort smart socks is Keen socks.

check out this video it will give you some awesome views of the Women’s Boot Wintrop from Keen.

Womens Winthrop Boots - $ 120.00 Classic design meets fresh inspiration in the Winthrop Boot from KEEN. Wool-lined for interior softness, the rich leather upper flaunts your outdoor style. The rugged rubber outsole will have you looking forward to wintry weather.