Fuse-ion, TEVA

Fuse-ion TEVA water shoe is the part of the new S/S '12 range. This shoe joins the ranks of  the fast changing style within Teva's new design attitude such as the Churn. What I mean by that is they no longer seem to be designing shoes for 60 year old dorks. Although there is always a place for the Terra Fi sandal, i'm glad to see a company breaking free from tradition.

The Churn, which came out S/S '11 is a 'water shoe' as well, however it has totally different style to the Fuse-ion. The classic 'skate/pump' look really fits into my wardrobe, much more than something like the Churn and I'm happy to wear these shoes all the time. Actually, since I got them, that precisely what I have been doing.

My first thought when I got them was that I should have gone for half a size up, but after wearing them for 3 weeks now I have began to appreciate their snug fit and hold. The lace up is necessary as they are not an overly soft shoe, however the fold down section at the back makes the easy to slip on if you just popping to the shops or out in garden. For everyday use they are comfortable and looked nifty paired up with skinny jeans or chinos. The range of colours available are bang on trend, but I definitely think i got the best style in brown, grey and orange.

Tech-ness

Fuse-ION refers the Ion Mask which has been added across the shoe. For those of you not in the know, this I plasma technology developed by the British company P2i. Put simply this means instead of just coating the shoe in a water repellent finish which can wear off, the surface of the shoe is binded to water repellent chemical at a molecular level meaning the effectiveness of the Ion Mask lasts a lot, lot, lot longer. And its British.

So this means that the shoe is waterproof? Well, no. its got bits of mesh all over the shoe, but for the most part, moisture, mud and dirt comes away very easily and gives the added bonus of not only keeping your feet dry but also helps keep the shoes clean (always a plus living in the city). I've used the shoes in pouring rain and they stood up pretty well, besides the mesh, were obviously my feet got wet. The point of a water shoe is not to keep your feet totally dry but to allow them to dry out quickly, which these seem to do well.

The other Tech feature to these shoes is the sole. It has two sections, Spider Rubber round the edge and J-Step, both designed to add superior grip. The Spider Rubber is 'grippi-est' rubber TEVA have ever used (apparently) but what is most interesting about the sole is the J-Step. This is the orange bit in the middle of sole which can adapt to many different surfaces and contours. I've tested this out and about and it seems pretty decent, but the best test I had was running across a newly mopped floor at work. Total traction. I didnt slip at all, its a nice feature that sits in the product without being seen. Very O&A.

Drain Frame??

Pocket-Lint.com did a review of these shoes as well, and they said the the shoe contains the Drain Frame technology Teva include in the Churn, but i cant seem to find it anywhere on the shoe, unless they are referring to the two eyelets on each side of the shoes?? Bit lame if they are.

Stylish and Functional

I've used these shoes going for a walk along muddy paths, cycling around town (the reinforced toe fits in the cleats on my bike without being ruined) slack-lining in the park and i've even taken them down the climbing wall and used them for easy bouldering problems. They are an excellent 'all rounder' everyday shoe, perfect for hot conditions, even when it rains a bit and generally doing stuff usual trainers cant hack. If your the sort of person that likes to look stylish but at the same time be ready for action then these are you.

In short... dees Creps am Fresh, ye get me'