Skip to main content

Love your merino wool sweaters and socks? What about merino wool sneakers?

GIESSWEIN Merino Runners
Merino wool isn’t just for your sweaters — it’s now for your sneakers, too. A new Kickstarter project is taking a revolutionary approach to your running habits and introducing wool to your feet. No, it’s not for your socks. It’s literally for your shoes. Promising that the small air chambers in merino wool regulate the temperature in this new-fangled runner, the team behind Giesswein says that its shoe will cool your feet in the heat of the summer, and keep them warm in the dead of winter.

And because they’re basically just socks you can run in, the team says you can wear them barefooted without worrying about sweaty feet or a bad smell — we’ll probably have to put that claim to the test.

Recommended Videos

Giesswein, a company based in the Austrian Alps, is certainly familiar with the conditions that necessitate lots of merino wool. But whereas most folks are putting this material on their backs, this innovative team is putting it on our soles. The Merino Runners are made of something called Merino Wool 3D stretch, and feature a lightweight EVA sole and an interchangeable footbed that you can apparently swap out per your preferences.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

In fact, the footbed is constructed with an organic eco ortholite formula, which is said to include natural, plant-based castor bean oil. These super green additions promise to make the footbed soft and comfortable, and because it’s entirely biodegradable, you can rest assured that your footprint isn’t contributing to the carbon footprint.

“Whether you use the Merino Runners for work, travel, shopping, or your daily outdoor adventures, we guarantee a stylish no-sweat feeling all day long and an extra comfortable and lightweight experience,” Giesswein says on its Kickstarter page.

With more than two weeks left in its campaign, the Merino Runners have already surpassed their funding goal, and you can pre-order a pair of your own for just under $100.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Juiced Bikes sold at auction for $1.2 million, report says
The Juiced Bikes Scorpion X2 adds more power, upgraded tires, and an improved battery to the popular moped style e-bike.

Juiced Bikes, the San Diego-based maker of e-bikes, has been sold on an auction website for $1,225,000, according to a report from Electrek.Digital Trends recently reported how the company was showing signs of being on the brink of bankruptcy. The company and its executives had remained silent, while customer inquiries went unanswered and its website showed all products were out of stock. In addition, there were numerous reports of layoffs at the company.Yet, the most convincing sign was that the company’s assets appeared as listed for sale on an auction website used by companies that go out of business.Now, it appears that Juiced Bikes’ assets, including a dozen patents, multiple URLs, and the company’s inventory in both the U.S. and China, have been sold at auction, according to the report. It is likely that the buyer, who remains unknown, can capitalize on the brand and the overall value of the 15-year old company. Founded in 2009 by Tora Harris, a U.S. high-jump Olympian, Juiced Bikes was one of the early pioneers of the direct-to-consumer e-bike brands in the U.S. market.
The company had quickly built a reputation for the versatility of its e-bikes and the durability of their batteries. Over the years, the popularity of models such as the CrossCurrent, HyperScrambler, and RipCurrent only bolstered the brand’s status.Last year, Digital Trends named the Juiced Bikes Scorpion X2 as the best moped-style e-bike for 2023, citing its versatility, rich feature set, and performance.Juiced Bikes’ getting sold quickly might be a sign of what consulting firm Houlihan Lokey says is a recovery in the North American e-bike market.
The industry has had a roller-coaster ride during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: A huge spike in demand for e-bikes had combined with disrupted supply chains to create a supply/demand mismatch of “historic proportions," Houlihan Lokey said.

Read more
Adventure time: SUPCASE has the ultimate gear for outdoor enthusiasts
A variety of outdoor gear options for the ultimate wilderness enthusiast.
Scenic view from inside a tent while camping.

You might know SUPCASE for its excellent collection of durable and rugged phone cases. But as it's in the industry of making tough gear for the adventurous sorts, it should come as no surprise that the brand also has a valuable collection of outdoor gear. Just to provide some examples, a multi-functional pocket tool, a rugged and water-resistant equipment case, a durable yet spacious backpack, or even a sleek yet reliable bottle opener.

In fact, there are quite a few options, so many that it could be tough to nail down just one tool or outdoor item you'd need. Naturally, we put together this guide to explore some of the ultimate gear, but you can always peep at them yourself, as well.

Read more
Aventon Abound SR combines thoughtful design, enhanced security, and smart connectivity
Aventon Abound SR hero image with couple on the e-bike

Electric bikes are nothing new at this point, and while there are many styles, few purportedly do-it-all, and even fewer actually offer smart or more advanced features. They tend to do one thing particularly well, like cruising, carrying cargo, or sightseeing -- like city riding -- but the biggest way they push the envelope is by offering that long-range electric power. The Aventon Abound SR, a new do-it-all bike, goes far and beyond anything that's come before it.

For starters, it's the first bike equipped with Aventon's electronic control unit (ACU) which empowers intelligent safety features. That gives you 4G and GPS tracking built-in, plus remote locking, an alarm system, and much more. But also, this top-of-its-class bike is incredibly versatile and is suitable for everything from commutes to tough exercise rides and daily routines. It features a top speed of 20 miles per hour, has a range of up to 60 miles per charge, and can carry a payload of up to 440 pounds. Impressive, indeed. Let's take a closer look and get a little more friendly with it, shall we?

Read more