The Chicane was featured on The GearJunkie. Jill wore the shoes for over 2 months and these are her impressions:

Gear Junkie Field Test: Kuru Chicane shoes
By JILL ADLER

It’s not every day I wear “tennis shoes” in the winter. That’s like wearing white pants after Labor Day, right? But when you throw a softshell upper onto a wrap-around sole that has little rubber stumps on the bottom for grip and traction, you turn a tennis shoe into a kind of winter glove for your foot.

At least that’s what I conjure while wearing the Kuru Chicane shoe. It is a unique design — good-looking enough to wear around town but with the technical characteristics to handle the cold and snow.

The first time I slipped on the Chicanes ($115, www.kurufootwear.com), I thought they were a tight fit, especially over the instep. But as they wore in, I realized the stretchy softshell fabric was simply hugging my foot like a sock.

Marketed as a “light-duty trail shoe,” the Chicane has an asymmetrical lacing system meant to mimic the path your instep and ankle joint take down to your big toe. The shoe reminded me a bit of a Keen design. But in choosing to use a softshell fabric, the company has created a shoe with its own identity.

In my test, which included two months of use this winter, the shoe felt like one seamless entity on my foot: The insole cups the heel and supports your arch while the lacing system acts like a ribcage over the foot. Webbing stitched into the liner runs down the side of the shoe and is lasted between the midsole and outsole, preventing the softshell upper from over-stretching and creating a cocoon of support for the entire foot.

The softshell gives you not only a sleek look but provides a barrier against the cold with warmth and breathability. Despite poor circulation in my feet, shoveling snow in these shoes for 30 minutes didn’t numb my toes.

Hanging out inside the house, however, my feet were often warm and a tad sweaty in the Chicanes. I doubt I’d do any summer desert hiking in them.

Though the softshell is only water resistant — not waterproof — you can add a coating of NikWax (for softshells) and create a go-anywhere winter shoe that’s much lighter than a boot and still more stylish than a trail runner.

—Jill Adler is a freelance writer and a certified PSIA ski instructor living in Park City, Utah.

Damn, they like us. The DamnILikeThat blog had this to say about the Halcyon:

"The Halcyon Hiking Shoe is perfect for anyone who loves to enjoy the great outdoors. They feature great performance and comfort, as they work as a durable trail shoe OR an every day walking shoe. They are water and stain resistant (which is now very important to me!) and contain a moisture-control lining."

Chris Dehnel, a journalist with the Journal Inquirer in Connecticut wrote a great write-up about the Slipstreams. Here's the article:

Getting to the Slopes in Comfort and Style

By Chris Dehnel
Journal Inquirer

Published: Thursday, January 8, 2009 11:37 AM EST

I had these really good all-purpose boots.

Had these really good all-purpose boots.

They were quite functional — a durable rubber sole with nice grips for walking to and from the lodge on any surface. A neoprene bladder was attached to the suede upper that sealed out the wet stuff above the ankle. They were a little tough to get on and off quickly, however.

Yep, early one morning, while getting ready to head to the mountain, I went to slip them on.

Rrrrrrip.

“Holy ...”

Oh, they ripped. I said a bad word, threw them on anyway, and managed to get through the day. They ripped some more while I was taking them off.

Now what?

I decided to consult the good people at Blast Outdoors, a California-based PR firm that specializes in outdoor gear. Kathryn Zakskorn is a hip snowboarder and 49ers fan who once had Steve Young turn an autograph into a get-well card, so when she suggested I try a pair of all-purpose shoes made by Kuru, I just had to take her word for it.

The Slipstream model came in the mail. As soon as I slipped them on — easily — it was obvious these were the most comfortable before- and apres-ski shoes I had even put on.

Kuru shoes are designed for the “frontcountry” user, which means they are durable enough for the trail, yet aesthetically appropriate for in-town use. The shoes get their function from the patent-pending KuruSole mid-sole chassis that features Orthotic HeelKradl — a technology developed by a team of pedorthists, physical therapists, and footwear specialists.

Every layer of the KuruSole is anatomically shaped, offering a good support with a comfy fit. Kuru shoes feature water and stain resistant soft shell uppers, that really do repel moisture from the outside while wicking it on the inside. The Slipstream is a perfect before-and-after skiing and riding shoe. It has a reinforced front and back and the sole not only has a solid grip, but it rides up in strategic places so the snow doesn’t. The Slipstream is designed to fit with a loose fitting heel, like an open clog, so it goes on and off easily. It comes in three color combinations and retails for $99.95.

Several other models are available for men and women. Check out www.kurufootwear.com for details and pricing. A bigger size may have to be ordered because the shoes can run small.

A bad-fitting, under-performing shoe can make the walk to and from the lodge a pain — literally. Kuru takes care of that problem with a shoe that is dry, comfortable, and durable. And the Slipstream goes above and beyond what one expects in terms of comfort and functionality.

It can also double as a decent light-trail shoe when the weather gets warm because it is collapsible and perfect for stashing in the pack.

The Halcyon was featured on GearPatrol.com, a blog out of LA. Highlights:

"Often there comes a need for a shoe that maintains the style and class of a dress shoe, yet provides the comfort and functionality of a sneaker. Kuru bridges the gap perfectly with the Halcyon"

"I’ve spent a fair amount of time wearing the Halcyons around town, as well as a bit on light trails. Kuru has designed a fantastic product that has more than exceeded my expectations for both style and functionality."

"Halcyon combines a tough exterior with a water and stain resistant soft-shelled upper and a cool, comfortable, moisture controlled antibacterial lining."

The Chicane was featured on GearDiary.com. The review reads like a commercial it was so positive!! Only Kuru is worthy of such praise. Some highlights:

"The company was started by a group of young and passionate lovers of the outdoors who wanted to make “lustworthy” gear for your feat. I am happy to say that they definitely live up to their promises."

"[The Chicanes] are tagged as a light duty trail shoe, but I wouldn’t hesitate to wear these on a long hike in the woods."

"The shoe also has lots of built-in technology to help keep your feet from sweating, and I have to say it works! Normally I am dying to get my shoes off at the end of the day, but thanks to this technology I usually keep them on a bit longer because my feet don’t feel as sweaty as they did in my last pair of shoes."

"They fit my feet like a glove out of the box, and they didn’t require a break in period to feel good."

Kuru Footwear is featured in Ski Magazine's November 2008 Issue. Getting ready for the upcoming ski season? Get yourself a pair of the Kuru Draft clog or for that lovely après-sport comfort. Kick back, listen to live music, and enjoy the comfort!! Here's what Ski Magazine said:

"KURU like it's Finnish namesake-a city so environmentally pure you can drink straight from its rivers and lakes-Utah-based Kuru believes in clean, naturally inspired living. Its line of Nanosphere soft-shell footwear, including the Draft clog with anatomically correct midsole, is designed with that-and apres ski comfort-in mind. $90;kurufootwear.com"