Asgi Shoes: Stepping In The Right Direction

I'm a bona fide walker. I walk to clear my head, to revel in the Indian summer of the Mid-South and to maintain my New York mode of commuting. Surrounded by the locals who are baffled - the same folks who drive to get to a store two blocks away - I also don't have to stress over the draining at the gas pump.

Last month, I was contacted by Asgi Shoes to "test-strut" a pair from their Fall '08 Collection. Needless to say, I was interested in upgrading my insole-accessorized ballet flats. Asgi is a three-year-old footwear company whose aim is to provide comfort with their innovative Soleplex; a patent-pending, three-system comfort technology. The footbed & stabilizer are the cushioning (most of us equate with the store-bought insoles), which conforms to your individual foot. The chassis supports the footbed and the pods are the polyurethane "wheels". Found on the outside of the shoe, the pods provide impact absorption through ergonomic placement at the heel and sole.

My Iris Loafer in black suede arrived yesterday. Accented with patent buckle detailing, they are classic enough to wear with tights and a sheath dress, yet casually chic enough for running errands. What I love most about them is the fit. They are true to size, which alleviates the need for inserts. For my "walking tours", comfort is key!

My analysis on Asgi is positive; they are right in step when it comes to merging comfort (often reserved for the athletic industry) with fashion. No, you won't find stilettos or platforms (that would be an oxymoron, wouldn't it?). Instead, the new styles in the Signature Collection consists of a Mary Jane pump and Carina bootie, and the Casual Collection consists of the Iris loafer and quilted Daisy ballerina. Priced from $134-$250, and with finishes in full-grain Italian and Brazilian leathers, they qualify as the perfect shoes for well-heeled mavens who walk the walk.