FOOTWEAR FOCUS ROAD TEST


Dawn Morgan road tests a pair of Hush Puppies® I


t was a dull morning in February – in this Welsh valley, definitely the most depressing month of the year – when my Hush Puppies®


Makenna lace-up sneakers and finds she has a new spring in her step. Before I took them for their first outdoor walking test, I read some


arrived. I was still


in my dressing gown waiting for the kettle to boil, hair standing up on one side due to pillow compression, when the doorbell rang. Grunting, I dragged my feet across the floor like a teenager disturbed from hating the world (which is pretty much what I was doing) and muttered ‘what now?’, before opening the door. ‘Hello!’ said the delivery driver, chirpily. Then he glanced at my face, took half a step backwards, and didn’t look


me in the eye again while I scribbled my signature, took the parcel and closed the door. After shuffling back to the kitchen, I forgot my great aunt’s advice about never putting new shoes on the table and set them down with a thump. ‘Oh great,’ I said, sounding more and more like Marvin the depressed


android from the Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. ‘That’s more bad luck.’ Two cups of tea later, I summoned the energy to rip open the box and draw


out the delicately pink-shaded, delightful footwear that goes by the wholly inadequate name of ‘sneakers’. ‘Hmm,’ I said, my eyebrows rising. Things were looking up. Hush Puppies®


information about these pink pleasure-pumps. The bouncing, it turns out, was not my fault. Makenna lace-ups are fitted with the brand’s new Bounce™ technology which is unique to Hush Puppies®


. All Bounce™ styles feature a


polyurethane energy return footbed that holds its shape and rebounds with every step. So, you see, I couldn’t help it. Outdoors, the shoes were wonderfully comfortable to walk in. The style is


designed to ‘support the natural movement of your body,’ says the manufacturer, with anatomical designed support and flexible grooves in the sole to move with your body. I also read, before that first outdoor foray, that the style features


BioDeWix™ dry mesh sock lining, which provides climate control. ‘That’ll be handy,’ I thought, as I bounced down to the river, thinking


ahead to the heat of the summer. Another advanced feature mentioned in the blurb is Nzym™ natural odour prevention. But of course, I won’t be needing that. Ahem. Now that I’ve completed a week with my new lace-ups, I can report that I


say that the brand exists to inspire people to live life on the


bright side. 'We believe that optimism is contagious and that by encouraging positivity we can help shape a better world,' they claim. On that grim Tuesday in February when, let's face it, my face looked like a February gas bill, Hush Puppies® was exactly what I needed.


Not only were the Makenna lace-ups a delicious shade of dusky pink


(called ‘Cordovan Heathered’), the uppers were incredibly neat looking, while the thick soles were pale pink and bang-on-trend. As I lay them on the floor and decided which colour laces to use – they came with a matching pair of dusky pink or a contrasting pale pink pair – my smile brightened and brightened. These trainers somehow managed to look dainty above their wedged base. Some thick-soled trainers look like inflatable boats or hovercraft, if you ask me, but these had been designed to flatter the feet. I had a moment of doubt. They were so slim and feminine that I wasn’t


sure my plates of meat were going to fit inside. ‘They’re bound to be too small,’ I muttered, reverting to Marvin mode. But they were not. They fit comfortably, my toes caressed by the knitted


textile uppers, the laces tucking my feet in neatly as I pulled them tight. Then I started walking around the kitchen. The soles were so soft and light that before long I was bouncing. I caught sight of my reflection in the glass door of the dresser. A middle-aged woman pogoing in her dressing gown is a disturbing sight, even for her. It was time to get dressed.


12 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • MARCH/APRIL 2020


am feeling more optimistic about the rest of the year, at least where my feet are concerned. These shoes have a super casual feel that makes them perfect under a pair of leggings, jeans, or workout gear. But I think they’re neat and pretty enough to be shown off with smarter casual trousers. There are a few skirts in my wardrobe that wouldn’t be scared to be seen out with them, either. I’m looking forward to dryer weather, bright spring days and summer


nights, when I can pair my pink pals with any manner of outfits. And I’m even sanguine about all the dull days that will come in between, knowing that my new Hush Puppies®


will give me a bit of extra bounce. Product details:


Makenna lace-ups in Cordovan Heathered Uppers: knitted textile Soles: 35mm wedge height, multi-density moulded EVA outsole Removable polyurethane Bounce™ footbed BioDeWix™ dry mesh lining with Nzym™ natural odour prevention UK sizes 3-9 | Trade: £27.10 - RRP: £65.00


Contact: Gardiners T: 01452 727300 E: enquiries@gardinerbros.co.uk W: www.gardinerbros.co.uk


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