Sneakers for Highflyers

By Desa Philadelphia Sunday, Dec. 15, 2002
    • GEAR
    Reebok Travel Trainers are the sporting-goods company's contribution to lighter, security-conscious packing. The unisex shoes are made from the same stretchy mesh, leather and rubber materials as conventional sneakers. What sets them apart is that they roll up into neat, space-saving balls that can be tossed into any carryon or briefcase. The footwear does have drawbacks. The soles are too thin to jog on, so Reebok is touting its Travel Trainers as good for walking on the beach or treadmill and doing yoga. The brightly colored shoes, which retail for $75, have won fans in Britain, France and Japan, where Reebok sells them from vending machines at airports and train stations. In the U.S. the shoes are being marketed as high fashion and are available only at trendy stores like Barneys in New York City and Fred Segal in Los Angeles. But Reebok says it expects knock-off versions of the shoes to soon show up in discount chains. Watch out, Keds.