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New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Gore-Tex

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Ordered from NewBalance.com, these Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Gore-Tex were the first to arrive. These are currently marked down 20% to $143.99, and I went true to size with a size 10 in standard width (these are available in different widths).

These shoes look decent, leaning towards a hiking boot appearance. Using Fresh Foam X, I have to assume the shoe is comfortable underfoot. There’s a Gore-Tex label reminding you of the waterproofness while the outsole features a Vibram Megatrip pattern with grippy lugs. 

Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Gore-Tex

I did a quick wear test around the house and found some issues after a few minutes. The toe box feels a little narrow and doesn’t give, possibly due to the added Toe Protect protection. While the mid cut seems like a good idea for extra water protection, getting a good fit was challenging. The open lace closures are convenient, but when simply walking around, one of the laces escaped the open lace loop. I probably needed to do a better job with my lacing but the (minimal) bulk of the mid top was tough to cinch for a secure fit.

Also, I started to feel some chaffing of the lace closure on my ankle bone. It could just be the shape of my foot, but I think with prolonged wear, that chaffing would become very noticeable.

I would probably replace the stock insole with a third party one like the Move All Day or possibly, the new Baseline. I think the arch support from the All Day is what I’d need. But… that replacement insole might steal a little bit of space in an already cramped toe box. For this Hierro Mid to work for me, I would probably need a wide version or maybe go up half a size to hoping to alter the lace closure placement against my ankle.

Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Gore-Tex
Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex
I like the laces
I like the laces
I like the tongue tag
I like the tongue tag
Black with magnet and hot marigold
Black with magnet and hot marigold
Vibram Megagrip outsole
Vibram Megagrip outsole
Weird outsole extensions
Weird outsole extensions
The ankle biter lace loops
The ankle biter lace loops

The verdict: I’m thinking these Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Gore-Tex from New Balance will be a pass/return even though currently discounted. The fit just isn’t the best.

Researching Waterproof Hiking Shoes

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My hunt begins to find a workable pair of waterproof hiking shoes (or boots) for a future trip. The main criteria are waterproofness and comfort for shorter walks and hikes. I don’t imagine walking for miles while hauling gear, mainly a camera and water in a backpack. Of course, like my other shoes, these will have to have some visual appeal to them, but that’s not the primary focus.

Not knowing any better and after reading a few reviews along with doing a little bit of research, here’s my starting list to test:

  1. Salomon X Ultra 4
  2. New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 Gore-Tex
  3. New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 Gore-Tex
  4. New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Gore-Tex
  5. Hoka Transport Chukka GTX
  6. Hoka Elite Terrain System Tor Ultra Lo
  7. Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX

The Salomon X Ultra 4 has received many positive reviews across the Internet as the best all around waterproof hiking shoe, but I’ve never owned a Salomon so would like to try out the fit foremost. Another consideration for the shoes are possible wearability in the Hawaii weather. While these are hiking shoes, I don’t need them to necessarily look like hiking shoes while wearing them out and about.

New Balance has been my recent go to brand of late because of its comfort and looks, especially unique collaborations. Currently, NB’s outdoor offerings consist mainly of the Hierro line, in low, mid, and high top form factors. The high top version seems to make the most sense to keep water out but then again, the high top looks more like a hiking shoe.

nb-hierro8-gtx

And then we have Hokas… I’ve had a single pair of Hokas in the past, and I still pause when seeing the massive cushioned outsoles of most Hokas. But despite my poor experience looking for waterproof Hokas at the new-ish Ala Moana location, they do have Gore-Tex protected shoes that could fit my needs.

I’ll continue to research other options and find reviews of (and ideally try on) the above mentioned shoes.

 

Bagel & Cream Cheese and Coffee

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I didn’t know I needed this. While this combination of bagel and cream cheese with your coffee sounds odd, I know I’ve had a breakfast of a bagel and cream cheese with my morning coffee. So yeah, not so odd after all.

Unfortunately, this coffee creamer isn’t (and won’t be) widely available and is only available via limited, timed releases.

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How Deep Can It Go?

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I thought this image encapsulated all that needed to be said.

elmo-burning-background

I was so very wrong. There are even depths that the Elmo image cannot come close to conveying.

Where is the Aloha, Oreo?

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Okay, I was anticipating this early release because just who knows when these Coke Oreos would be available in Hawaii. To my disappointment, Oreo seemingly has no love of Hawaii, getting this error upon checkout.

oreo-no-shipping

Now, I have to watch Target and Walmart in-store and online to get the Oreos and the Coke drinks.

Pieology Kailua Needs to Get It Together

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Sadly, if you look at Yelp reviews for the Pieology location in Kailua, it’s not good. And yes, I can validate these poor reviews, waiting such a long time for pre-ordered pizzas. Yet, walk-in customers get their orders ahead of pre-placed orders. 

When asking the staff about our orders, the responses are false promises of “soon” and “almost.” Just be truthful.

Many reviews say the same and the business owner tries to bring cheer into responses, promising to do better, and usually ending with “We hope we can make it up to you in the future.”

At this rate, there is no future for this location for this hungry and frustrated family.

I’m Loading Up on Oreo Coke/Coke Oreos

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When this foodie collab launches in early September, I’m going to have to load up on both the Coke-flavored Oreos and the Oreo-flavored Coke. Okay, okay, the colors are a little scary, but you have to admit that combining the flavor profiles of both are intriguing.

This article is a great summary covering all the details about the products, the release, the flavors, and more.

And really, will Sasquatch try these in Hawaii?

OREO24IMC_COKE_NA_PACK_FOP_RGB_6.png

Hawaii Drivers License on Your iPhone

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So it seems that Hawaii residents will soon have a way to add digital versions of their Hawaii Drivers License or State ID to their iPhone wallet. When needed, instead of busting out your physical ID, you can bust out your iPhone, unlock it, pull up your Apple Wallet, and then tap your phone to verify your identity, credentials, and age.

I just want to know if I can now buy alcohol at Target self checkout without having to wait for a clerk to verify my old age. While I’m waiting, I stare into the high quality cameras at checkout, holding my license next to my face, hoping, just hoping there’s a person on the other side of the camera who can approve my purchase. Even if the camera isn’t good enough to pick out my birthdate on my license, the camera definitely highlights my wrinkles and bags under my eyes as I get older.

More details about this program at:

Mobile Driver License

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