Here’s how I judge shoes: First, I look at their style and overall look. Second, I try them on and take them for a spin. I’ve found that some of the most amazingly beautiful shoes also are the most uncomfortable. In fact, I bought a pair of the cutest shoes in New York City last month. I’ve worn them all of once and now they are sitting untouched in my closet. While they were adorable, I literally couldn’t walk in them because they rubbed my heels raw. What a shame for those shoes and for my pocketbook!

For the past month I have been trying a pair of Cascades from Jambu Footwear and they passed both of my shoe tests with flying colors. They are both stylish and comfortable. I wore the Cascades on a business trip immediately after I received them and didn’t feel the slightly pinch or pang of discomfort. They are wonderfully comfortable. There is literally nothing I would change about these shoes.

I love Jambu’s Cascade because they have a slight heel on them which helps me stand taller. At 5’3″ I need all the help I can get! I can feel taller without having to wear full-fledged heels that I’ll be happy to flip off at the end of the day. The Cascades are just right for casual outings and are perfect if you are looking for a shoe to run errands in.

I am a shoe nut. There – I said it. I love all types of shoes, from boots to pumps to sandals. I love a good sturdy shoe, as I have been known to be a little rough with them. In the summer I do quite a bit of gardening, so I really do need a shoe that holds up well, and is still attractive.

Lucky me – I received some wonderful shoes to review from Jambu. If you haven’t heard of them before, you really are missing out.

The shoe I received and reviewed from Jambu was the “Scorpio” design from the Terra Fusion line. This shoe is made of a tumble leather material and has a Velcro strap around the back. It has superior traction and excellent durability. Near the toe of the shoe are thick criss-cross straps. The shoe allows maximum protection and comfort for the foot. Did I mention how much I love comfort –  especially for my feet?  These shoes are incredibly comfortable.  What I also love about the Scorpio shoes I received is that they will go with so many outfits. I generally dress casually, especially around the house, but I know I will be wearing these pretty much daily during the Spring and Summer months.  Bring on the sun!  The Scorpio shoe is also available in Black, Red and Cream.

I have to say I had a really hard to time deciding which pair I wanted to review – there are so many to choose from and each one is as appealing as the next.  If you want to mix it up, or are going out on the town, you might choose one of the three styles of the Metro Design line from Jambu.  This collection features shoes with heels, and are quite stylish!  My favorite is the Luxe.  They are available in several colors to match any outfit.  Jambu also has a huge selection of sporty wedge shoes.  Again, these are available in a nice variety of colors to choose from.

I hope you will take a look around the Jambu website – there is so much to see, and so much to want!

Inspired by the beauty and mystique of the rainforest, Jambu™ Footwear is designed to guide you in style and comfort on your next personal journey – at home or across the globe. Let Jambu™ join you as you zip line through the rainforest, stroll the beach, navigate the city, or travel the world. Be you with Jambu™.

JAMBU™ uses only 100% recycled, recyclable and re-usable packaging. Jambu™ outsoles are made with partially recycled and re-usable compressed rubber. In this small way we hope to preserve our great outdoors for future generations.Renew with Jambu™.

Versatile: Unlike other outdoor brands, Jambu™ shoes are designed by women for women, therefore, details such as floral motifs, contrast stitching and materials keep Jambu a step ahead creating an outdoor fashion feel.

As chance would have it we were having a mini family reunion when my Jambu Colorado Vegan high boots arrived and let me tell you it was fun seeing everyone’s reaction. The over-all consensus amid the oohs and ahhs over the unique look was a general agreement that these Jambu vegan high bootswere something different.

When I think about high boots I think heavy, clunky and uncomfortable. We put up with them for fashions sake and not because they are very functional. The Jambu Colorado Vegan high boots are a break from that assumption.

I noticed right away how comfy and flexible they were – not something that needs to be broken in. The Memory Foam footbed feels like a soft pillow for your feet and the unique back mesh ventilation kept me from getting hot and sweaty even on hot days or all day shopping at the Mall of America.

Knee high boots are all the rage this season. Keen, Merrell. Teva they all have a line of ladies knee high boots and if you are familiar with these brands known for their high quality I bet you’ll love Jambu Colorado-Vegan high boots. Imagine the rugged outdoorsy feel you get with brands like those and mix in a dash of feminine style with a unique creative sole (or should I say soul) and a touch of color here and there – Jambu boots stand out from the rest.

Walking through the forest of high boots at a trip to the Mall of America I felt one step ahead of the high boot trend seeing all the swarms of people checking them out. Since last spring when I fell in love with my first pair of Jambu Planet Vegan shoesat Nordstroms I have really become a Jambu fan and I look forward to all the creative new designs they will come up with.

If you are looking for a stylish comfortable pair of high boots this season take a look at the Jambu Colorado Vegan boots, you’ll feel like you have a secret that is just burning to get out. You’ll know in your heart that you are staying true to your vegan lifestyle but no one else will – they look and feel like real leather.

You can find Jambu Colorado Vegan boots for sale at a number of specialty retailers including Amazon, Endless.com, and PlanetShoes.com

Have you gotten your hands on some great high boots this season? Share with us some of your favorite things to wear with them in the comments below. (I could use some new ideas too)

My new Jambu Beacon boots are a perfect example.  For Chicago winters, warm, comfyb boots are a daily necessity, so I have a feeling these will become my go-to winter errand-running and outdoor fun boots.   From a practical point of view, they are surprisingly lightweight, and the memory foam foot bed and faux fur lining add extra coziness.   Winter is gray enough, why make it worse with boring boots?  Thanks, Jambu, for knowing that cute + warm = winter happiness:)  

By Barking Dog Shoes contributor, Beth B.

The Jambu Beacon runs true to size and width. Available atShoemall.com for $149.95 with free shipping. Although Zappos doesn't carry the Beacon style yet, they have over 100 Jambu styles available with free shipping both ways.

I was sitting at the computer gazing longingly at a pair of high boots on sale when I caught a flash of hot pink from the corner of my eye – a runaway pink flamingo from the zoo? No couldn’t be. I heard the tell tale scrape of the kitchen step stool followed by the brief clatter of the snack jar – I dash into the kitchen (the mission impossible soundtrack echoing in my mind) but too late all I see is that dazzling pink flash. But there is more – a shoe print. Not just any shoe print but a highly decorative artistic print like no other – I’d recognize it anywhere – Jambu!

Last spring I fell in love with my own Jambu Planet Vegan shoes with their artsy stylish embellishments, a designer shoe with a rugged outdoor hiker chick durability yet a classy feminine style. But I digress – back to the culprit at hand.

I peek out the door to find an innocent 5 year old smile an outstretched hand, and a full cheeked muffled “I got these for you mommy.”

How can you not love being a mom especially when you know your kids feet are so well protected by a moisture absorbing memory foam foot bed, and protective partially recycled toe and heel bumpers.

I love the new Montana Jambu shoes for kids just as much as she because I know they will last (not only for her but for her younger sister as well) and she loves them because they are easy to slip on, run in and well just be a kid. Plus you can see the sparkle in her eyes when she gets to match mommy. We make a stunning picture – 2 gorgeous babes (says daddy) strutting their cute Jambu shoes around town.

Currently available at Amazon and other specialty retailers The Montana line from Jambu footwear is a velcro strap girls shoe available in four fun colors. A partially vegan kids shoe with the signature Jambu style including floral design insole and cute flowery elements in the partially recycled rubber bottoms all packaged up nice and secure in 100% Recycled and recyclable packaging.

Not planning a trip to Nepal, I still figured that my beautifully funky Jambu Himalaya’s would be just the ticket for exploring the SS Red Oak Victory docked in the WWII Historical Region of Richmond, California.

Built by Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond, and commissioned by the US Navy in 1944, the Red Oak Victory ship was converted to a floating museum in 1996. I wanted to test the walkability of my Jambu’s over the decks and through the tight passageways of this WWII ammunition carrier.

The first challenge is to ascend the bouncy gangway to board the ship. The Jambu’s had no problem gripping the less than stable metal walkway that leads to the deck. And although the Red Oak is securely tied down, it was a typical cold and windy summer day and I was grateful that I had shoes that were up to the task of keeping me from blowing overboard.

Outside decks of a ship are no problem for most types of footwear, but those narrow, steep stairways are a different story. The real test was descending on a metal ladder at nearly a 45° angle into the bowels of the ship. True, I was gripping onto the railings for dear life, but my feet tread confidently and without catching on the uneven surface. I really could have been scaling narrow mountain trails in the Himalayas.

There are lots of places to stub ones toes on a naval vessel, particularly going through those doorways which have a raised portion at the bottom. I was cautious enough to avoid that hazard but even if I had slipped up, I knew the sturdy construction of my Jambu’s would have come to my rescue.

Meandering in and out of narrow crew quarters, the communications office, mess hall, and a labyrinth of steel corridors, my feet felt cozy and happy. It seemed fitting to be wearing shoes made partially of recycled materials on a ship that was built at a time when nothing was tossed out and everything was reused. I didn’t even notice my feet, which allowed me to reflect on all the men and women who had built this ship and of those who had served on it. And that is what shoes should be; a complete afterthought.

A walk through history was absolutely the best way to try out my new Jambu’s.