The ExOfficio Notus Rugged Mary Jane Shoe

Comfort Shoes, feature 2 - By Kerry Miller on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - 18:24

The award for the perfect active Mary Jane may have a winner – ExOfficio’s Notus Rugged Mary Jane. Just one look at it and you want to start running up mountain trails. The thick and heavily treaded sole is meant to give good traction on all surfaces, including wet ones. It has an elasticized strap that will move with you without squeezing your foot and the odor-resistant footbed is cushioned for a smooth and sweet smelling ride. The leather upper is water resistant and stain resistant so you don’t have to worry about side-stepping that mud puddle. And its moisture-wicking bamboo fabric lining keeps you dry and is very eco-friendly.

But how do they feel? Like they were made for just for you. Really. They are light and cushy and absolutely adorable (in a rough and tumble kind of way). And they pack like a dream – in a backpack or suitcase – they are so lightweight you almost don’t know they’re there.

The Notus Rugged Mary Jane comes in true to size whole and half sizes from 6 to 11. The colors are few (very few), but who needs more than black and coffee?

The reviews are without complaint:

• “As a nature girl I am impressed with the technical factors that these shoes serve up.”
• “wowed by the subtle design details that set these apart from other lifestyle shoes”
• “durable, easy to clean”
• “really cute and so comfortable”
• “great for travelling”

And the story of the guys who came up with the ExOfficio line makes these shoes even more interesting. In 1987, Rick Hemmerling and Joe Boldan attended a fishing trade show where they listened to fly-fishermen who couldn’t find a shirt made to fit their needs. They went back to their garage and engineered a shirt with the functions of a fly-fishing vest: ventilated and the construction of a men's dress shirt. The company grew and has created apparel known for innovative technical features and performance benefits ever since. And they are innovators with the first: comfortable 100% nylon pant, high performance convertible clothing, built in brief in a non-elastic waist pant, and Buzz Off™ insect repellent clothing to the country. And then they tackled shoes.
   
Who’d have thought that two guys in a garage could create such a great woman’s shoe? The perfect combination of cute, comfortable, and hard-wearing. Thanks garage guys.

Buy them at ExOfficio Shoes.