As a small business owner and entrepreneur, I love scheming up new start-up ideas—and by continuing to read this blog, you agree to an NDA for my next great venture. 😉
It all started over dinner with my “Frista” (friend like a sister). We were brainstorming businesses that might thrive in Asheville (and other hippie towns) but fall flat elsewhere. And we landed on the idea of a recharging service for… wait for it… crystals.
As an amateur rock hound, I have a personal collection at home and am a big fan of the local gem and mineral shops. While I don’t buy or mine stones for their supposed energetic properties, I know plenty of people who do.
But here’s the thing: if that “energy” comes from the natural environment where the rocks are extracted, wouldn’t those properties fade over time in an indoor setting? And if we need to recharge our cell phones to keep their energy up, shouldn’t we do the same for crystals?
“How do you recharge crystals?” you ask.
You take them hiking, of course! You rinse them under waterfalls and place them outside your tent to bask in the full moon. You babysit them outdoors until their energy has returned—then deliver them back to their owners, fully “charged.”
I hope by now you’re laughing and at least half as entertained as we were while cooking up this idea. The concept of recharging crystals is outlandish… and yet, I’m honestly 50/50 on whether it could work as a business.
That said, there is another well-loved personal item at home that I recently “recharged”—with results that will genuinely change the way I adventure. This one isn’t a gimmick or based on subjective vibes. It’s a recharge you can actually feel—and feel good about.
Let me introduce you to the Nosobo by Astral: a zero-drop, wide toe box thru-hiking shoe that I’ve completely fallen in love with—and one that might just change how we think about trail footwear.
Astral has been leading the charge in sustainable footwear for years. Environmental responsibility is their MO (don’t take my word for it—look them up). So it makes perfect sense that they’ve taken things a step further by designing a shoe that doesn’t have to be discarded after what’s essentially a single lifecycle.
I don’t think any shoe company has really done it like this before, and I’m thrilled to be along for the ride. One less upper and outsole in a landfill? Sign me up. An extra $130 in my bank account for adventuring? Yes, please.
Over the past 12 months, I’ve put my Nosobos through their paces in a wide range of conditions, including:
Night hiking through Great Smoky Mountains to watch synchronous fireflies
Walking soft sand and surf along the coasts of South Carolina and Florida
Exploring landslides and washed-out watersheds after Hurricane Helene
Tiptoeing across treacherous rock fields in PennsylvaniaSummiting peaks in northern New Mexico
Backpacking a section of the Appalachian Trail with my kids
Hitting trails and greenways in Chicago, Atlanta, Austin, Houston, and Philadelphia
You name it—I’ve worn my Nosobos there and loved them every step of the way.
They may take a few extra miles to break in compared to your typical trail runner. But unlike most trail runners, they last two to three times as long. Good things come to those who wait, and once the Nosobo insoles have molded to your feet, they truly “fit like a glove.”
Astral got its start (and still thrives) as a PFD company serving paddlers, surfers, and water sports enthusiasts. That heritage shows up in the incredible grip and breathability they’ve brought to the trail. Their rubber outsole provides the kind of traction and stability every hiker needs on slick surfaces—especially in the Eastern U.S., whether you’re on Vermont’s Long Trail, Alabama’s Pinhoti Trail, or anywhere in between.
So whether you’re heading northbound, southbound, east, or west this year, give the Nosobos a try and let them guide your next adventure. I don’t yet know which trails I’ll be hiking or where I’ll be headed—but I do know I’ll be excited to go wherever my durable, sustainable Nosobos take me.
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About the Author: Jennifer is an Adventurer, Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur and mom of two who has a Masters in Public Affairs and a husband that plays bluegrass. Her blog focuses on life as she experiences it with a focus on Outdoor Adventure, Business, Public Affairs, Family, and Faith. For information on booking Jennifer as a speaker for your next event, email brew@jenniferpharrdavis.com or call (615) 708-4301.
