GoLite Sol Lite Shoe : Slip-On Style and Comfort

The online description for GoLite’s Sol Lite Travel shoe sounded promising, so when I was given the opportunity to test a pair I jumped at it.

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from a “travel shoe," but I imagined that they were somewhere between an athletic shoe and a casual shoe. In my mind, straddling that divide could lead to a real improvement in travel footwear...or a disappointment. Turns out that GoLite hit the nail on the head, and has made a shoe that is very appropriate for my active lifestyle--even if my travels these days rarely take me beyond the next area code.

My primary modes of transportation are walking and bicycling, so my Sol Lite travel shoes are definitely not new after a month plus of daily wear. The longer I wear them and the more I break them in, the more I like them.

Perhaps the thing I’ve grown to appreciate most about GoLite's Sol Lite Shoes is that they don’t have a tongue. The shoes fit like neoprene booties or slippers, hugging the tops of my feet. I can adjust the fit by cinching the laces tighter. It's a comfortable and stylish design that makes a lot of sense. With no tongue, the shoes are easy to put on and take off (and lighter). Also, there’s no tongue to migrate around the top of my foot and get bunched up in uncomfortable places. I can wear them with or without socks.

Another unique and thoughtful feature that I'm sure to appreciate more when these shoes get a bit older is the adjustable insole. The forefoot of the insoles has two layers. One of the layers can be swapped out with pieces of various thickness (there are three thickness options). I did a little fiddling right out of the box and determined that the middle thickness worked best for my foot. I think after several months of use when the insole starts to break down, I can replace that piece with the slightly thicker piece for renewed forefoot padding. The insole arch support is relatively generous and might be too much for folks with anything flatter than a moderate arch.

I really like the appearance of my GoLite Sol Lite travel shoes. They’re not flashy so I can wear them with normal clothes. At the same time they’re kind of sporty so they don’t look out of place with shorts when I’m pedaling down the bike path.

Available in Black, Chocolate, and Fossil (khaki). Men’s sizes 7-14. (Golite makes a similarly st lye shoe for women called the Slide Lite Soft Travel Shoe .)

Bottom Line: A simple and unassuming daily slip-on shoe that’s comfortable, practical, and well suited for active folks. --A.S. (Mar ‘11)

BUY ONLINE : $110, click to shop.

Manufacturer's Site : www.golite-footwear.com

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