Finding Waterproof Hokas Are Irritating
I remembered that I had posted this in late December, and it must have been a portent of what’s in store for 2025 .
shoes
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 GTX
Truthfully, the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 GTX was a late addition to my list of waterproof shoes to test. Why? Because I found pairs available at Marshalls for a discounted price of $59.99!
These are GTX aka Gore-Tex and essentially look very similar to the Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Gore-Tex but in a low top form. The Vibram Megagrip outsole is there along with the odd outsole outcropping in the rear.
The “no can help” factors are the color way and size. Marshalls only had half sizes of this Hierro model, all in the blacktop/neon dragonfly color way. I actually don’t mind the color way, but it does present that hiking shoe vibe.
Since no size 10 was available, I went with a size 10.5, and that may not have been a bad choice. Yes, the shoe feels slightly long with space in the toe box, but I also don’t feel the side-to-side squeeze as with the size 10 Hierro Mid. I still would replace the insole, and if still too long, I think a pair of Merino wool socks might make up any difference.
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- New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 GTX
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- Gore-Tex
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- GORE-TEX
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- I like the tongue tag
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- Same Vibram Megagrip
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- Only $59.99
The Hierro v7 GTX has a lot in common with the Hierro Mid.
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- Same Vibram Megagrip?
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- Same extra outsole
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- Low versus mid
The verdict: a very strong contender offering the features and look that I’m going for and at a very affordable price. The fit could be better.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Gore-Tex
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.
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.
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- Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Gore-Tex
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- Gore-Tex
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- I like the laces
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- I like the tongue tag
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- Black with magnet and hot marigold
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- Vibram Megagrip outsole
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- Weird outsole extensions
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- 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
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:
- Salomon X Ultra 4
- New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 Gore-Tex
- New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 Gore-Tex
- New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Gore-Tex
- Hoka Transport Chukka GTX
- Hoka Elite Terrain System Tor Ultra Lo
- 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.
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.
Aloha Kicks Fit: Would This Work?
Would have to wait until 2024 for this combination but would this pairing work?
Guardians of the Galaxy Reyn Spooner shirt (available now).
Nike Foamposites “Galaxy” supposedly coming back in 2024.
Waiting for the Wie Waves
As Michelle Wie West winds down her competitive days with the LPGA, she’s wearing personalized Air Jordan 1 High “Waves” golf shoes in her last US Open. The design is kinda out there, but there are a lot of ties to Michelle’s life represented.
According to Michelle’s Instagram post, these shoes should have released on “Wednesday,” but no specific Wednesday was specified. Will have to keep watching for them.
Aloha Kicks Fit: Up Next…
Not even two weeks since I picked up the South Park aloha shirt from Reyn Spooner did they release another banger. This time, it’s small kid time memories with Ultraman. While I was more of a Kamen Rider and Kikaida fan, Ultraman as a design for an aloha shirt? It’s a must have.
But what shoes would I pair with this sagebrush reverse print? In some ways, the chutney colorway of the KITH x New Balance 998 Frank Lloyd Wright shares similar hues of red, greens, and tan.
But since I already have the apricot colorway, I don’t have this chutney variation. Based on color name similiarity alone, there’s the Joe Fresh Goods and New Balance 993 Performance Art.
But this sage color way is more green than blue/teal of the aloha shirt design. The Arctic Blue colorway is a closer match but still not quite right. The search for matching kicks continues…
Maybe the Salehe Bembury Water Be Thy Guide NB2002R?
Aloha Kicks Fit: South Park x KITH NB
My most recent aloha shirt and kicks outfit is this South Park design from Reyn Spooner paired with a KITH New Balance Frank Lloyd Wright collab. The New Balance is in the orange/apricot colorway.
Here’s the unfiltered view in bad lighting, followed by an IG filtered version.
I think the orange and green hues of the shoes pair nicely with the South Park crew.
Back to the Beginning
Nike and Jordan Brand are taking us back to the beginning where it all fatefully began with the release of the Air Jordan 1 Chicago colorway.
This shoe is the one that birthed a new genre of sneakerheads with a young MJ redefining the shoe game on the hardcourt.
I’m pretty sure I picked up my unexpected pair at Arakawas in the heart of Waipahu. Yes, Arakawas by the sugar mill smokestack.
I don’t remember much about the store anymore except that it had lots of odds and ends and a weird store layout (I remember stairs to the second floor??), and amongst the oddities, I found the white pair of Air Jordan 1s. I’m pretty sure the cost was $60 or $65 which at time was a lot to pay for shoes. Fortunately, I got a pair though it might have been too big with not all sizes available.
So fast forward to November 19, 2022 with Nike timewarpping us back to 1985 with a re-imagined Air Jordan 1 that’s supposed to mimic the original shoe found in the depths of a storeroom, forgotten all these decades. And if Arakawas were still here today, I have no doubt this situation could actually happen.
While generally available to the public on November 19, Nike is giving long time members a chance at an early purchase:
Exclusive Access will provide some of our most dedicated SNKRS Members the opportunity to purchase the Air Jordan 1 ‘Chicago’. The offers will go out to a selection of Members who have entered and lost at least 20 different Air Jordan 1 High releases on SNKRS.
While nothing is guaranteed, I’m hoping my Nike membership since 2001 offers a slight advantage.
Nike x CNCPTS x Reyns x Godzilla
Totally unplanned but totally meant to be – collaboration with Nike, CNCPTS, Reyn Spooner, and Godzilla!
Nike and Concepts Air Max 1 in the “Heavy” colorway paired with the Reyn Spooner Godzilla aloha shirt from the Japan Series. Both limited editions, and both sold out.
While I didn’t plan for this pairing, obviously it was meant to be.
Posted in @reynspooner IG story.
I Am Drawn to This #6
This is the Yeezy 350v2 MX Rock.
This colorway released a few days ago on December 22, 2021 and was heavily overshadowed by the restock of the Belugas (though reflective). This black-based Yeezy features a mixture of organic-looking swirls of colors which freshens up this overplayed silhouette. I was not able to get my size unfortunately but can admire this shoe from afar thanks to Elliot Page’s YT review.
Travis Be Trolling
Travis Scott is just playing mind games at this point. Around 7am HST, his site launched clothing and merchanise. One hour later, I’m still in queue to checkout.
I know all those items are out of stock, but that checkout queue is/was seriously busted.
But…
If you try to buy other pre-order items, Hawaii residents will most likely get this warning.
In that particular cart, I had shorts. But if you buy a single tee (or a cap), it does ship to Hawaii using USPS at $5.90. However, if you only want these lighter-weight items, then buy them individual up to $40 in total shipping because if you have two tees in cart (for example), shipping changes to UPS at $40.
So you could buy six individual light items can still be below the multicart checkout shipping rate.
Now the big question is – if a Hawaii resident wins the Travis Fragment AJ1 Low, will these heavy items ship to Hawaii?
Please stop trolling Hawaii residents, Mr. Scott.