Foot support

Feet have the power to stop your vacation in its tracks; best to show them a little appreciation. These items treat your tootsies right, whether they support, pamper or make pretty.

GIRO FOOTWEAR º

(XEN, $110)

You may know Giro as maker of helmets protecting the craniums of Olympian and Tour de France cyclists. Now Giro has footwear, too. The company debuted seven styles for this spring, designed for snowboarder and biker types to use when not snowboarding and biking. The ActiveLife line, in particular, is sturdy enough to weather long stretches on the road and light hiking. They employ a whole list of special technologies with names like N-Flexion and Twin Airfoil, but basically, they're designed to be light (very light), comfortable and durable. I tested the Xen, pictured here, which uses a sporty plastic-ratchet closure, a la bike shoes and snowboarding boots. Nice, once you get used to it. See the full catalog at www.giro.com. Available at Trailmark in Edina, Nicollet South Bike Shop in Nicollet, Minn., and online at sites such as www.planetshoes.com.

LEXEES INTERCHANGABLE SHOES

$60

Made with the indecisive shoe maven in mind. The strip of fabric that runs across the top of your foot connects to the shoe base via heavy-duty snaps, three on each side, making it easy to change your look without packing a bunch of shoes. The solid, yet lightweight polyurethane base has a plush, padded sole and comes in black or brown, as a 1½-inch flat or a 2½-inch wedge. The tops, a k a Flexees, are made of neoprene, which comfortably holds foot to shoe base. The shoes come with a plain black Flexee, plus one of your choice. There are more than 100 styles: plain, patterned and rhinestone-studded. Singly, the flexees run $20 and up. Available at Twin Cities Bibelot shops and online at www.shoplexees.com. Coming soon to gift shops at Kowalski's Markets throughout the Twin Cities area.

Berit Thorkelson is a freelance writer based in St. Paul.

PEPPERMINT COOLING FOOT SPRAY º BY BODY SHOP

$8

It's like a mint for your feet. After a long day of sightseeing or sitting on a plane, a spritz on the sole instantly cools and rejuvenates. Essential oils deodorize, too. The spray evaporates quickly (no sitting around with wet feet) and comes in a 3.3-oz. bottle (no carry-on hassles). Available at Body Shop stores in the Twin Cities or online at www.thebodyshop.com.

A-WAY TRAVEL TREADS Ø

$23

For slipper people, these are nice on-the-road options to shield your tootsies from airport, plane and hotel floors. They're made of a stretchy and durable spandex-nylon blend, with a slightly cushioned sole and a thin rubber bottom for traction and to protect against moisture. They also roll up, neatly, into a tiny ball. Available online at www.a-waytravelgear.com.

GEOX SHOES

(MEN'S SNAKE PICTURED HERE, $105)

Hot, sweaty feet are the traveler's bane. It's hard to find something that breathes, yet is waterproof, and doesn't shout "tourist." Italian-made Geox shoes use tiny holes to release heat and sweat while locking water out. It's a patented technology, born over a decade ago when an Italian winemaker cut holes in his shoes to relieve his feet during an industry conference. His idea worked so well that he switched professions. Geox, which offers a range of shoes from sporty to dress, made its way to America in 2004. Available in the Twin Cities at stores including the Walking Company and at several online websites, including www.shoes.com.

FARM FRESH FOOT SCRUB GIFT SET º

ON SALE FOR $46

These decadent foot scrubs are made of sea salt and rice-bran oil, which means they're not greasy and they don't leave a mess behind. They come in little plastic screw-top jars with yummy spring smells of Whipped Honey, Early Apple and Sweet Cream (my favorite). Pack one for quick end-of-the-day pampering or all three for a girlfriend getaway. Toss it in a zip-top bag with the little wooden scoop, since stirring is a must (it becomes the consistency of ice cream). Note that the small version is 6 ounces, relegating it to road trips or checked baggage. Available online at www.summersoles.com.