Gear ReviewsGo HikeGo Outdoors

Cushe® Women’s Wildrun

posted by gumptiongear April 19, 2012 0 comments

 

“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same.  Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” – Don Williams Jr.

There’s no shortage of “gear” you may need when you’re planning your next journey.  But when it comes to travel/adventure shoes, it’s not worth the risk.  The problem with most travel shoes is they don’t offer the versatility and support needed for your adventure. Let alone the comfort needed to keep you going day in, day out for extended periods of time.

Casual and versatile, the Cushe® Women’s Wildrun shoe mixes a casual nylon and nubuck upper with an adventure ready Vibram outsole offering everyday comfort and performance in a stylish package.

Setting the Scene….
Cushe®, (pronounced ‘Cushy’) was born in the summer of 2004. A brand conceived by a group of footwear designers and enthusiasts, they are an independently thinking, design led footwear brand, based in the UK, offering “unique and exciting footwear choices for a dynamic, inspired and confident generation.”

The aim of Cushe is to make something a bit different, unique and set apart from the masses, challenging the boundaries of footwear design rather than following trends set by others.  That’s a brand philosophy that we can readily get behind, so when Cushe extended our review team the opportunity to put the Wildrun through the paces, we were eager to see if the shoe matched the ambitious goals of the company.

On Fit and Performance….
Imagine what it would be like to have the solid travel shoe that offers versatile styling to transition from the mountainside to the city streets. You’ve spent a lot of time and money planning your trip, don’t skimp on where it matters most—your body’s foundation.  The Wildrun from Cushe can handle every twist and turn on the road of life and still protect your foot from the road less traveled.

Research has shown that even 1 or 2 ounces of extra weight on your feet exponentially increases your oxygen use, taxing your cardiovascular system and wearing you out.  The Wildrun from Cushe is lighter, leaving you refreshed with extra energy to enjoy your trip.

As part of the Cushe “Universal Traveler” category the Wildrun’s sleek and classy nylon and nubuck upper fits any occasion from country club buffets to coastal campouts.  Meanwhile the Moulded Vibram® outsole isn’t afraid to wander into the wild lands so you can seamlessly transition from urban jungle to national forest without a second thought.

Slip-on design with elasticized bungee laces and spacious toe-box makes the Wildrun so easy to put on, it might mean the end of your love affair with those flips.  And lest you think your feet will miss the airy nature of those flips, know that the ventilated mesh lining ensures that your feet will stay comfy cool even on hot summer days.

But if the stylish design or tough vibram outsole doesn’t win you over, there’s one feature that stands out above the rest.  The design team at Cushe has implemented an in-sock memory foam foot cushioning system that helps absorb shock, cushion feet and provide gentle support.

The Critique…
The fact that the only critique our gumption gal had of the shoe was the $105 price tag in and of itself speaks volumes.  Admittedly $105 is a lot of money, but for a shoe that provides this level of versatility and comfort, it’s a small spending spree you won’t regret taking.

Bottom Line…
You strive to live a life that is dynamic, adventurous and unique, so why not wear a shoe built to the same standards?  The uniquely versatile Cushe Women’s Wildrun shoe treats your feet to lightweight comfort and style before, during and after city jaunts, mountainside hikes, or backyard BBQ’s.

MSRP: $105
MANUFACTURER: Cushe (www.Cushe.com/US)
AVAILABILITY: Various Online Retailers
SIZES/COLOR: Women’s 5-11 in Old Brown or Charcoal