Fall casual roundup: Boots take on green themes

Timberland and Nike ACG (All Conditions Gear) lead the pack of casual footwear heading down the trail this autumn.
 

By Striperpedia staff

The combination of fashion and function make for an interesting fall 2012. While boots can be particularly functional this time of year, they also can be fashionable. The conscious effort to lessen the carbon footprint can be seen with this fall’s boots.

Boots bring a new spin on a traditional footwear category for fall. New green themes arise, as well as features to battle the elements.

Timberland

Timberland is a recognizable classic and gets updates and benefits for the fall.

The Timberland 6" Waterproof Boot, long available on Footlocker.com, sees an upgrade with anti-fatigue technology. The footbed, found inside the shoe, is completely lined with soft, breathable leather.  The boot is seam-sealed, and waterproof leather and nubuck keep feet dry.

Timberland 6" Premium Boot, also available on Footlocker.com, is dynamic enough for work and play. These boots are made with Timberland's Ever-Guard leather, an extra-durable and tough-as-nails leather, that provided 10 times more abrasion resistance than traditional leather. These boots also are heat-resistant, up to 346º F for extra protection

Both boots house a double-barreled padding system, promising all-season comfort.  While the padded collars lend a comfortable fit around the ankle, they also keep out debris. Moisture-wicking, breathable fabric was added to prevent sweat and odor. These rugged, updated, outdoor boots promise comfort with every step.

With the Timberland Roll Top F/F AF, athletes and adventurers can wear them tall or roll them down. The multiple-style option makes footwear fashion relevant. The boot is constructed with a premium leather upper, which houses seam-sealed waterproof protection.

The inspiration behind the Timberland Earthkeepers was born out of a desire and passion to create a greener, outdoor-tested shoe with a small environmental footprint. These boots are made with one or more major components containing at least 50% recycled material like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the plastic used to make soda bottles. Similarly, the shoe lining is 100% recycled PET, and the laces are 100% organic cotton. Housed in the outsole is Green Rubber (42% recycled rubber).

Timberland Earth Keepers City Chukka, available on Footlocker.com, feel good on one’s feet, and can be good for the environment as well. This chukka style – ankle-high with two to three eyelets – featured a premium leather upper.

The upper of the Timberland Earthkeepers 6" Boot is made with premium, waterproof leather, and offers comfort, durability and resistance to abrasion. It also has a zoned force-distribution footbed, which spreads impact shock, creating a pressure-free zone. The Anti-Fatigue Technology footbed provides all-day comfort. It features a 100% recycled lining for breathability and 100% recycled laces. It also has a comfortable padded collar and a Green Rubber outsole for durable traction.

Timberland Earthkeepers Original 6" Leather Boot can see new colorways starting in September.

Nike

Nike’s ACG (All Conditions Gear) collection consists of versatile boots made for hiking, winter walking and any other outdoor activity you decide to enjoy.

Rugged and refined, the Nike ACG Air Max Goadome, available on Footlocker.com, brings high-end style to an outdoor boot. A waterproof, full-grain leather boot was created, and Air-Sole technology in the midsole lent superior cushioning.  Along with a rugged and durable rubber sole, a lugged tread meant maximum traction and durability.

The Nike ACG Air Max Goadome TT can take on all the trails and mountainside. The boot is an abrasion-resistant hiking boot that lends high-performance style.

It utilizes a TecTuff finish over a leather upper for abrasion resistance, water resistance and durability. TecTuff keeps the environment in mind because the finishing process uses water-based chemicals and less energy than normal finishes. This tough and rugged boot also features a full-length Vis-Air unit for cushioning and solid rubber outsole.

More of a weather-tested boot, the Nike ACG Woodside II, available on Footlocker.com, has a sticky rubber sole with lug tread to prevent slippage. The synthetic leather and rubber upper protects feet from the elements. However this year the boot design has been updated from its predecessor, the ACG Woodside.  The newer model incorporates WaterShield, an inner membrane housed inside a full-grain waterproof leather upper. This provides the necessary protection from the elements.

A work-inspired boot, the Nike ACG Manoa has a full-grain leather upper with nylon mesh. The boot allows wearers to put their best foot forward. The Phylon lightweight-foam midsole, a lightweight cushioning system, means a soft landing with durable features. For the outsole, which was trail-inspired, it has rubber lugs for traction.