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Tecnica Overland Low : Rugged, Lightweight, Magnifico
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You know the saying: When in Rome wear footwear from ... Montebelluna!
At the beginning of the 20th century one family in eight made shoes in this picturesque mountain town tucked away in the northeast corner of Italy. Today there are 400 shoe companies in Montebelluna (pop. 26,000), ranging from multinational corporations to small family-owned shops. The town also churns out 75 percent of the world's ski boots. Tecnica, which produces plastic ski boots under the Nordica label, as well as hiking footwear, has been at it for over 50 years.
I've been wearing Tecnica's Overland Low shoes for weeks, and am sold on their craftsmanship. Classified as outdoor hikers built for light backpacking, fast hiking, or rugged trail running, these two-toned dogs have waterproof suede uppers with a Gore-Tex lining and a protective rubber toe. The Vibram sole offers terrific support in the forefoot and heel and still bends easily in the middle, giving me the option of breaking into a trot on the trail or hustling to catch a bus.
I've played soccer in mine and appreciates the dimpled tread, perfect for quick cuts on grass. On a hike they're grippy as a goats' hooves on crumbling rocky traills. Hiking in the Gunks near New Paltz, New York, I moved easily across some boulders as big as a one-bedroom Manhattan apartment.
The shoe features something called the 360-degree wrap system, which is a high-tech way of saying that when you cinch the laces you can make it as snug or loose as you see fit. It's a clever feature. If I ever make it to the mellifluous Montebelluna, these will be the shoes I wear as I head off into the Dolomites, confident that I will be both hip and happy.
Bottom Line: A light, comfortable, extremely well-made waterproof hiker with Tecni-dry waterproof tecnology that's perfect for a day on the trail or pick up game of soccer.--J.G. (August 07)
Price: $ see manufactuerer's website
Buy Online:
Daily Special at Onlineshoes.com SAVE at least 10% on select brands everyday!
Manufacturer's Site: www.tecnicausa.com
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Worldwide there are more than 12,000 species of ferns. In New Zealand, the silver fern is the national symbol. According to Maori culture,the unfurling tip of the fern, called a "koru," represents the cycle of life and death. This image is often used in art and jewelry. Source: 100% New Zealand, The Official Site for New Zealand Travel |
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