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Erem Xerocole Desert Trekking Boots Are a Sustainable Stalwart

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Erem Xerocole Desert Trekking Boots Are a Sustainable Stalwart


The gear and apparel market is saturated with brands offering premium products. So how do you prioritize companies you want to support? We like to hone in on ones that boast premium goods and a sustainable model. One such company is Erem, a new desert performance boot brand founded by fourth-generation shoemaker Noah Swartz and his dad, Timberland’s former owner and CEO.

Erem’s founding principle is simple: Gear made for the outdoors shouldn’t harm the planet. So they built the Xerocole boot with the lowest-impact materials available. Most footwear is made by thermofusing plastics, according to Erem. So the company opts out of plastics and makes its boots re-solable with bio-circular materials and construction. The boot comprises vegetable-tanned leathers, wood-based Tencel, cotton, cork, and eco-rubber made from 70 percent recycled materials and a biodegradability accelerator. The upper and footbed use latex foam; water-based, degradable adhesives; and linen thread.

Erem starts with certified sustainable raw materials, and voluntarily audits through its partnership with Toxnot to make sure it’s walking the walk. The company further minimizes its footprint by incentivizing customers to return boots for repairs. When boots are too far gone, Erem re-streams reclaimable components into new boots.

Sustainable Specs

The Xerocole boots are made from durable full-grain leather with an integrated toe bumper, and a stitched-on sole. Rugged brass hardware guides the flat laces. Inside, breathable wood-derived lyocell lining wicks moisture to prevent blisters. The boots have a padded collar and a ¾ gusset tongue to keep out debris.

At face value, the boots look a little heavy and hot. During the initial wear test, some of the seams were noticeable. But after a couple days of breaking in, they relaxed, becoming all-day comfortable, even in sweltering heat.

While the upper is leather, they lack a membrane and have a fabric tongue so they don’t trap moisture. Sweat gets chimneyed out through the cuff, evaporating through the tongue.

We love the oversized webbing heel loop for pulling them on. The boot might be taller than what you’d normally wear backpacking, but we appreciated the extra support, as well as the flex in the Achilles and toe, which made walking nice and comfy. We were also impressed with the soles. They were grippy on rock and weren’t as prone to slipping on sand, rock, or other hazardous desert conditions.

Finding Inspiration in Nature

If you’ve spent time in the desert and felt like it was a magical place, the founders of Erem are right there with you. The desert is the landscape that inspired the founders to build a brand committed to continuously raising the bar for “environmentally reverent” outdoor performance products.

“To solve the biggest challenges facing an increasingly warming and resource-scarce planet, Erem is turning to the desert for wisdom and innovation” said co-founder Noah Swartz.

Erem plans to plant 1 million prickly pear cacti with proceeds from boot sales. The prickly pear is a plant valued by desert-based indigenous cultures for the fruit it produces. It’s also a plant that has the potential to capture billions of pounds of carbon dioxide.

Erem is also the official boot of the Arizona Trail and it’s committed 1 percent of profits to the Arizona Trail Association.

The name “Erem” is an acronym adapted from the ancient Greek word for desert. It stands for Exceptional, Responsible, Enduring, and Motivated—the company’s product promise and brand philosophy.

Erem is launching with two models, the canvas and leather Xerocole ($169.99; eremlife.com), and the full leather Xerocole Expedition ($199.99; eremlife.com). The Expedition is taller with a shank board for extra support and protection for when you’re carrying heavy loads. The canvas and leather Xerocole is lighter and more breathable.


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10 Best Porters to Drink Right Now

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A bottle of Deschutes Black Butte Porter




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Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength

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Barbell Back Squat


The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.

“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.

If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.

Directions

Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.

Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength

Circuit 1

Marius Bugge

A. Barbell Back Squat

Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts renegade row
Marius Bugge

B. Renegade Row

Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side

Circuit 2

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing renegade row Dumbbell Bentover Row in gym
Marius Bugge

A. Dumbbell Bentover Row

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised 
Marius Bugge

B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised 

Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps

Circuit 3

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Marius Bugge

A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat

Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Marius Bugge

B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift

Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side

Circuit 4

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing pullup
Marius Bugge

A. Pullup

Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Marius Bugge

B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press

Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps

Circuit 5

A. Dumbbell Pushup

Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps

B. Biceps Curl

Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps


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The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout

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The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout




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