Men's Minimal Running/Walking Shoes

As with every new year, we here at Pie have once again resolved to be more active. We want to get out and move more, whether running or walking or just goofing around in nature. Sometimes the best way to motivate yourself is with some new gear.  Here are images of our Men's active shoe options. All of our  "active" shoes fall into the minimal movement category. They have wide toe boxes are either a 4mm heel to toe drop or a zero drop (heel and toe on same plain) and are flat, flexible & lightweight.

Men's Athletic Shoes Available In Store Now

Left to Right: LEMS Primal (zero drop) & Patagonia Evermore (4mm drop)
Both styles are all terrain shoes for city & off road use.

New Balance Minimus collection. Left to Right: MT10 (4mm) for trail & city
use the black color combo is water resistant the grey is ventilated. MR00 for
Road running (zero drop) & the highly ventilated MX20 Cross trainer.

Merrell Barefoot: Trail Glove. This style is on clearance, so sizes are limited
This style is for all terrain use, great for trails & zero drop.
Sale $79.00, Orig $114.00

Vivobarefoot trail series, right to left: Neo Trail (water-resistant) &
Breatho Trail (ventilated). These styles are designed for off road use
trail running and hiking. 

Vivobarefoot, left to right: Neo, Aqua lite & EVO II. All styles are
water resistant. The EVO II and Neo are all terrain and the Aqua Lite is for
city/gym use. All Vivobarefoot styles are zero drop.

Vivobarefoot Sale Shoes: Neo $84, Breatho $76 and Evo II $108.
Sizes are limited

Vibram Fivefingers: Bikila, Komodosport, Trek Sport, & Speed.
We also carry the Trek in Brown Suede and the KSO.

Sale Vibram Fivefingers! Bikila $75, Trek Sport Leather $112 & Trek Sport $80

Women's Boots

Alright, now that we have covered our men's boots (previous post), it's all about the women. So let's get to it.  Below are images of boots available in store now for winter. We also have warm wool socks and tights that would be a great addition to any of these boots. 

Women's Winter Boots

OTZ Shearling Troop Boot & PUR Content

TOMS Suede Wedge Bootie & Botas Sneaker Boot

Vivobarefoot waterproof Off Road Hi hiking boot
& street casual Boxing Boot

Patagonia Better Clog Boot

Palladium Pampa Hi & Baggy Canvas (Vegan), Slim Snaps & Pampa Leather

Groundhog Lisa Boot & El Naturalista  Ella Boot

Dr. Martens 8-eyelet Vegan Boot in Black & Purple

NeuAura Saige Boot, Portlandia Broodmour & NeuAura Logan Boot.
All these styles are Vegan

NeuAura Parker & Patagonia Kula Boot - Both Styles are Vegan

Keen Ferno High Boot & Teva Afton waterproof boot

Keen Akita Lace & Timberland Apley Waterproof Mid boot

Men's Winter Boots

Looking out the shop window today and seeing snow made me realize that winter is here! So inspired by the freezing temperatures outside, we are flashing you some images of winter boots for HIM and for HER.  Being non-traditional, we are going to start with the men this afternoon. Without further to do, here are some fun and functional men's boot options available in store now. We also have a nice selection of warm wool socks that would pair nicely with any of these choices.

Men's Boots: Winter Selection 

Left to Right: TOMS Botas Boots, Dr. Marten's 8-eyelet (vegan),
Keen Timmons Chukka, & Vivobarefoot Gobi

Left to Right: Timberland EK City Lite Boot (w/side zip),
Patagonia Tin Shed Chelsea, & Timberland EK Original

Left to Right: Palladium Pamp Hi Canvas, Baggy Canvas,
Pampa Hi Lite & Baggy Leather

Okay these aren't boots, but they are super rugged and weather resistant:
Keen NoPo Lace & Ontario. Both Built on Swan Island here in Portland.

Holiday Gift Guide #4 - Where we're shopping

In our final installment of our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide, we are throwing some love to the places that we like to shop for our friends and family. Though as you may suspect a lot of people on our list request shoes, but that gets boring for us so we like to mix it up. Here are 5 of our the top places to shop this holiday season. All local of course!


1. Hand Made Pots: Amy Fields - 13Fields on Etsy

We're like everyone else, we like to do a little online convenience shopping, but we like to keep it local. Which makes Etsy a great place to find beautifully crafted sophisticated gifts that are made here in town. Our favorite Etsy site is 13Fields (http://www.etsy.com/shop/13fields). Amy is a ceramicist who hand makes all her pots and other creations with translucent porcelain and her own hand mixed glazes that are food safe. Amy is part of Start Street Studios in SE Portland, where you can stop by and see her work anytime. She also has her work at Dirty Dishes in NE Portland (5709 NE Fremont). So there are lots of opportunities to pick up a last minute gift from her whether you grab a piece off of Etsy or swing by Dirty Dishes. We personally own several items from Amy, we love the simplicity of her designs. Our favorite being a custom "Pie" mug she made for us.

Etsy 13Fields
http://www.etsy.com/shop/13fields

2. Handmade Ornaments - Thomas Malcolm Cook Studios
It has been a tradition in my household to buy a new ornament for the family Christmas tree every year. Being already a huge fan of Thomas Malcolm Cook's "Burned Bridge" series, I must confess we own a few,  I was super excited to see that he had turned this series into the most unique Christmas ornaments.  It truly amazes me the detail captured in the 2"x2.5" pieces of art. Each ornament created by hand in a style called pyrography, a technique where the artist burns a image into a selected medium. These ornaments are pyrography on birch. My fingers are not even coordinated enough to tie a proper knot, let alone burn anything on wood that would resemble more than a blob.  These extraordinary pieces of art would make a perfect addition to your holiday tree and also could be displayed year around.

Thomas Malcom Cook Studios
http://www.thomasmalcolmcook.com/apps/webstore/

3. Art/Photography Books - Ampersand Gallery & Fine Books

Though I may read a novel on my ipod now and again, the one book that I still want to hold in my hand is an art book. The smell of the paper and the crisp images inspire in away new technology does not. Lucky for me whenever I need a little inspiration, I just pop in next door to Ampersand Gallery & Fine Books (2916 NE Alberta St, STE B). They have a great selection of art and photography books along with vintage ephemera and monthly art installations. Ampersand is a excellent place to grab something for the art buff or photographer on your list. They also have gift certificates!

Ampersand Gallery & Fine Books

2916 NE Alberta St. STE B - Right next door to us

http://www.ampersandvintage.com/

4. Art - Guardino Gallery

Over the last few years we have come to have a strong appreciation for art, in particular local art that is one of a kind. Art can be an investment at times, which is why we love Guardino Gallery's "Little Things" show every December. It is a great opportunity to pick up a small piece of unique art without breaking the budget. I have received art and given art as gifts in the past and they have always been the gifts that I remember though out the years and keep. Guardino Gallery is also just across the street from Pie, how convenient for me!  Guardino's rotates its art shows every Last Thursday and also has a wonderful collection of artisan jewelry. The "Little Things" show will be up though December 25th.

Guardino Gallery

2939 NE Alberta St.

http://www.guardinogallery.com/

5. Portland Couture - Garnish Apparel

This is the place where I buy gifts for myself.  My husband bought be a dress from Garnish about 3 years ago and a love match was made. I love shopping there not only for the locally designed and beautiful Portland made clothing, but for the lovely staff, they make it so fun and easy to shop. If you have a a lady on your list this is the place to go. If you're not sure about picking out a skirt or dress for her, they also have fun items like tights, scarfs, bags, jewelry and gift certificates.

Garnish Apparel

Alberta Location: 1524 NE Alberta St.

Pearl Location: 404 NW 12th

https://www.garnishapparel.com/

Happy Shopping!

Holiday Gift Guide #3 - Men's Footwear

For our third installment of our Holiday Gift Guide we are focusing on men's footwear. To start off here are a few tips to help make giving the gift of shoes easy.

1. Know the his size. The best way to make sure you know what size he wears is to check his favorite shoes. Since different brands size differently, check a couple shoes, this will help us get the best size for him for the style you pick.

2. Know his taste.  Check out what he already has in his closet. What colors and styles does he wear a lot. Take a few pictures, this way when we help you find him the perfect pair we have some references to go off of.

3. Be Bold. Sometimes our favorite men need a little help, buying him something he normally wouldn't wear might encourage him to try something different. If you love it, but he doesn't, he can always exchange it.

Okay, now that you know his size and his style, here are a few fun footwear giving suggestions from Pie.


1. Boots

With winter comes the cold, the wet and the wearing your hiking boots for everything. Let's up his game this winter and get him out of those hiking boots and into some street chic boots that not only look good but are functional too. We have a couple great options from Timberland, Palladium and an old favorite, Dr. Martens. These boots will feel as comfortable as his hiking boots, while taking his urban style up a notch. Win/Win.

Timberland Earthkeepers City Lite Boot - $125 (Color: Black Leather, water resistant)

Palladium Pampa Hi Lite Lea - $95 (Color: Sunrise, water resistant)

Dr.Marten's Vegan 8-Eyelet Boot - $130 (Color: Black, water proof)

Timberland EK City Lite, Palladium Pampa  Hi Lite & Dr.Martens vegan boot

2. Sneakers

Portland is the perfect place to be a guy that loves his sneakers. We all love our canvas and hemp kicks for biking and hanging out in the summer, but come winter are favorite sneakers are usually shelved due to weather related issues. Fear not, we have sneakers in stock that not only keep his laid back style in check, but will also keep his feet warm and dry for the next 8 months.  Our favorites styles are from Teva & Unstitched Utilities.

Un. Utilities Umbria & Next Day Low - $75-$70 (These are made from Tyvek & waterproof/vegan)

Teva Roller Leather - $85 (Colors: Bungee Cord & Black - water resistant)

Uns. Utilities Umbria & Next Day Low,  Teva Roller

4. Made in the USA

Do you have a guy on your list that would like to have everything he owned made in the USA?  Well I think we can do one better, how about made in Portland? We have two Keen styles that are actually built here in North Portland at Keen's new assembly plant on Swan Island. Keen employees 50 people at this factory, so not only are you supporting USA manufacturing when you purchase a pair of these shoes, you are also supporting Portland jobs. Another Win/Win.

Keen Ontario - $140 (Color: Black Oiled Leather, water resistant, oil/slip resistant)

Keen NOPO Lace - $162 (Color: Black, waterproof, oil/slip resistant)

Keen Ontario & NOPO Lace

5. Barefoot/Minimal

If you haven't heard, here at Pie we like barefoot/minimal shoes. So if your guy is a barefoot enthusiast like us, Pie is the place to shop for all your holiday barefoot needs. We have styles for running, walking, crossfit as well as styles that are work appropriate. Brands include, Vivobarefoot, New Balance Minimus, Merrell Barefoot, Leming & Vibram Fivingers. 

Vivobarefoot Evo II - $135 (15% off until 12/31 $114.75 - Colors: Blue/Yellow & Black/Yellow, Vegan, water resistant)

New Balance Minimus - $120 (Color: Black/Red, this style is water & odor resistant, vegan)

Vibram FiveFingers Komodosport - $110 (Color: Black/Burgundy, this style is for crossfit, vegan)

Vivobarefoot EVO 11, NB Minimus & Vibram Fivingers

Vivobarefoot Gobi Boot - $155 (Colors: Brown Suede & Black Leather, water resistant)

Vivobarefoot Ra - $135 (Colors: Black & Brown Leather, water resistant)

Merrell Barefoot Radius Glove - $115 (Color: Boulder, water resistant)

Leming Primal Origins - $90 (Colors: All Black & Earth Brown, Vegan)

Vivobarefoot Gobi & Ra, Merrell Radius Glove & Leming Primal Origins

6. Slippers

Slippers are on my husbands list this year. Requirements are easy to get on and off and he could remodel the house in them if he chooses.  Lucky for me we have a few option at Pie that could handle these requirements and just warm his feet too.

Keen Trillium Slipper - $74 (Colors: Forest & Navy, wool upper)

Patagonia Maui Moc - $95 (Colors: Boulder, leather upper, water resistant)

Barefooters Slip On - $99 (Colors: Blue & Black, material cork & silicone, with cork foot bed)

Keen Trillium Slipper, Patagonia Maui Moc & Barefooters slip on

At the end of the day if it seems a little daunting to pick out a pair of shoes that he's going to like or will fit just so, remember a gift certificate is never the wrong size! You can pick-up a gift certificate in store or give us a call and we can mail one out to you or to your special guy. (503.288.1999)

Check back next week for our final installment of this year's gift guides. We will be covering all of our favorite local places to shop for gifts, with some great non-shoe last minute gift ideas.

Happy Shopping!