Kuru is a Salt Lake City-based shoe company that makes footwear for active people. They specialize in focusing on quality, including the midsole and foot bed (which most shoe companies cheap out on.) Kuru uses new technology in their foot beds, which makes the shoes better for the overall health of the foot.
I got to try out a pair of the Kuru Rapid shoes, which are comfortable looking slip-ons that I thought would be perfect post-skiing, which they were. The Rapid shoes are for the feet what a hot tub is for the body after a long day on the slopes. Although the Rapid is a slip-on, it’s still rugged and has lots of traction on the sole. These shoes also breathe surprisingly well (unlike its fully leather counterparts) thanks to the soft shell uppers that also shed water.
But about those midsoles. The true comfort of the Rapid, along with the rest of Kuru’s shoes, is due in large part to what’s going on under the foot. Kuru has come up with a patent-pending system that combines an anatomical KuruSole™ Midsole Chassis with an orthotic HeelKradl™.
In basic terms, Kuru shoes are better for your feet because they cradle the foot, which keeps the fatty pad in the heel from flattening out. The foot bed also has high arches and performance EVA foam for added cushioning. In addition to all that, the Rapid features leather toe and heel caps, antimicrobial treated shoe liner, and a moisture-controlling, breathable shoe lining.
After I got my Kuru Rapid shoes, I thought I’d wear them after skiing and that would be it. But after discovering how comfortable they are, I ended up using them for everything. As walking shoes, they were great for taking the dog around the neighborhood, running errands, and doing yard work. Even in the snow or on wet sidewalks, the Rapids kept my feet warm and dry. Plus, even though they’re slip-ons, after breaking them in they now act more like low-top hiking shoes.
The Kuru Rapid runs ½ size too small, and even with that in mind, they felt snug at first. But a week’s worth of wear broke them in nicely and now they fit perfect. On the whole, the Kuru Rapid are extremely comfortable shoes that are great to wear for anything you need to do around town. Plus, if you’re looking to purchase a new pair of shoes, you can feel good about supporting a local company after buying from Kuru.
To see the entire line of mens and womens shoes, or to purchase your own pair of Kuru shoes, visit their website at www.kurufootwear.com.