I have to laugh when I think back to the times I packed my very heavy New Balance sneakers when I traveled. It was when I first started running and these were what I was running in at the time.
I’m far more practical (well, cheap) to go out and buy multiples of items just so I can have one for home and one for travel. I’m not one to hoard a lot of stuff either, and therefore I want the few items I own to be multi-purpose.
Those New Balance sneakers are now designated gardening shoes and live in the garage.
Enter the Ahnu Sugarpine Air Mesh Shoes.
The first thing you’ll noticed about these is the weight. Well, the lack of weight. Together, they weigh less than 1 lb. 4 oz. If you closed your eyes, held out your hands and someone placed these on your palms, you’d never guess they were a pair of walking/running/hiking/trail shoes.
The upper mesh is obviously not waterproof although the leather and suede are. The mesh provides some breathability though so if you’re traveling in a warm climate, your feet won’t get overly heated. The moisture-wicking inner lining also helps keep your feet dry and cool.
Every time I walk in these, I comment on how smooth my gait is. I think it’s the little lift in the toe area that makes me feel like I’m rocking forward – not in an off-balance kind of way but rather in a way that I feel propelled to walk a bit faster.
You all already know my mantra about only ever bringing two pairs of shoes on a trip. Though my preference would be for these to always be a pair of sandals and a pair of flip flops (because that means I’m going to a warm destination), sometimes I do need something a bit more solid, warm and good for day hikes.
Given the super light weight of the Sugarpines, these will be an excellent choice for future trips.
What I Love
- The light weight
- Slip-resistant outsole means I’ll be able to stay upright on wet pavement or trails
- I literally feel like I’m walking faster in these
Not So Much
- I’ve noticed that if I don’t double-not the laces, they’ll easily come undone
These will pack easily in a duffel for a weekend getaway or for a longer trip abroad. While they come in some fun colors, I might suggest to Ahnu that if they had something in black it might be even better for travelers.
Note that the Sugarpine style also comes in a waterproof version as well as a hiking boot.
Sugarpine Air Mesh shoes are available on Amazon for about $110.
Travel Well!
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