Category Archives: footwear

footwear, game, sneakers, walking

Why Basketball Sneakers are Hot for Walking

Leave a comment

Not for long arduous walks across the citytown — for that we’d opt for some leather and cork trekreadies — but for a nice most-of-everyday cross-trainer/errand runner (pick your favorite exercise) — you can do far worse than the modern basketball sneaker. Pick your favorite sneak company, better yet buy one you haven’t tried before. The heavy padding, the pull-tab tongue/heel, the rounded outsole (which we like to imagine are amalgamations of our human sole <analytics> they often are); they’ve come a long way baby. We don’t even play (unless you count NBA Jam), but love to watch and listen. Pro ballers have to sprint, stop-on-dimes, and leap — putting amounts of abuse of the knees — that means for an average Android10-using Jane or Joe that likes to do the walk-thing and perhaps a little dancercise — hoops shoes are better than running shoes. Mainly because they feature flatter toe spring , but also you get superior jumpability in lateral directions while runners primarily favor forwardness. De-fense. Mine sure helped me a couple times bounce over puddles and hop out of the way of myriad various micro mobility vehicles that infest the city streets and sidewalks nowadays. Baseball players wear B-ball kicks sometimes in spring training, and they’d certainly be suitable for something like kickboxing practice or weightlifting.

To all my #over40 sneaker enthusiasts whose interest in B-ball kicks may have peaked some time last millennium — new designs flat out have potential to leave last century’s decade’s stompers in the dust. They used to hoop in Chucks ya know. New offerings of the past 2 to 4 years have evolved in design and no category is more on the come-up than womens’.  Companies like UA, Puma and others are showing data that proves simply shrinking a ‘male’ shoe is not good enough. There’s more variation in the average shape of a female foot. WNBA players are getting fresher deals and signature models. If you haven’t been to a specialty shoe store since forever, no matter your age or sex, go on then (only so many pictures you can zoom in on online). High-top, low-top (love us a good mid-top), imagine Harrison Ford’s voice as Han or Indy — trust me — if you don’t already know. Try some new school basketball sneakers. For walking. You can show a shoe dog new kicks. Dreams may come true. Congratulations to the Celtics on the Atlantic conference win. It was a fun season. Walk well all. Have a potato chip. Be on-guard for the 3 (wheelers on the sidewalk).

footwear, game, humor, repair, Shoes, sole, walking

Shoe Game Mess: Stepped In Tar

Leave a comment

Whenever you get a scratch or a gash on your sneaker remember it could have been worse. It could’ve been my sneaker. This time it was. My fault. I was zooming around on foot the other day (not the video app). They’ve been doing lots of road repair on the real streets here. I was rushing — I stepped in undried tar unknowingly (or some similar sealant who cares). Shoulda woulda coulda. We hit it with some brushes and fluids later and the foul debris with additional pebbleage from the short walk back was permanent. It’s been about a decade since I’ve stepped in poo. Maybe I was due for one of my soles being turned-to-stone.

In my Shoe Game Chess piece, these court trainers were some knightly exemplars who’d given years’ good wear and justly protected my lead foot from a road hazard. Over at hospital (the experts at East Village Shoe Repair) they were able to get most of the gunk out using proper tools and a bombardment of Moneysworth and Best cleaner. Alas, these are now long over the fresh n’ clean horizon but can trudge on as pawns continuing lower-key use in the rain, doing chores, cleaning or painting.

Whenever you get a ding or a nick on your favorite kick remeber it could have been worse. Could have been your bare ass foot. Thanks shoe.

footwear, game, humor

How To Style The Giuseppe Cobras

Leave a comment

There’s a new Giuseppe Zanotti ad with Young Thug for these sneakers whose outsoles form Cobras. Even immune from feeling some-type-of-way types can’t deny that these are statement-type kicks (to say the least). And while maybe not to the extent of a >1000 price, they are from a respected shoemaker and we’d guess aren’t plasticky, flakey or breaky-prone. Instead of asking WHY there is a shoe like this, why aren’t your sneakers incorporating nature-based sculpture for their outsole designs? No actual cobras were harmed in the making of these. The uppers are (cow) leather with snake-shaped polymer-based “rubber” on the lowers.

Giuseppe Zanotti “Cobra” shoe

I haven’t seen these in real life yet, but what better way to solidify the aesthetic by preemptively accessorizing a genuine cobra belt with a head-buckle. The more proof they need, the harder the dunk. In their face! Though you should never let a doubter get that close. There are a lot of lame looking faux skins on shoes these days. GZ isn’t trying to lie to us about materials (unlike other snakeskin shoefakers). It’s on us to raise our fangs to that reality-level.

Cobra Head Belt by Yoder Leather

There is something G.I. Joe about these Cobra shoes—talking Cobra Commander, Destro, Baroness, Serpentor-type somethings. New Era had, at times, a run of Cobra hats. That would cap off a snake-look something nice. Especially if you know your Joe (Cobra were too cool to fully root against). Wearing the Cobra with the Cobra would convey a sense of humor and serve as a reverse conversation ice-breaker to begin all conversation ice-breakers. Please refer to the Marvel comics for true canon.

New Era Cobra hat

Movie fans. Raiders of the Lost Ark had a playset for the Well Of Souls (the snake protected chamber of the Ark). Those were asps and not cobras, but the reminder reminded. Who’s looking forward to the new Indiana Jones movie btw?

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark Well of the Souls playset by Kenner (image from Toymania.com)

In the Well of Souls (soles?) there were snakes.

Image from ebay

The GZ Cobra shoes are sized for men but gals can certainly apply the minus 1.5 rule. What would Medusa wear to the prom after all? My mom said they seemed like something for 5—16 year-olds. Doubtless the fantastical cosplay potential is huge. Check out the Giuseppe ad here:

Where were YOU when you first saw the cobra shoe?

footwear, History

Off the Shelf: Authentic by Paul Van Doren

Leave a comment

” After twenty years, I had learned every aspect of the sneaker business. I could make them in my sleep and suggested starting a small sneaker factory in Southern California.”

This memoir by the founder of Vans is my bittersweet summer memory for 2021 and forever on. Mostly sweet. Premillennial Vans-heads will find Authentic extra nice because it covers just about every event along the company’s timeline from the days of being a Californian specialty to the gigantic global present. Sadly, Paul’s Van Doren’s death in May left an indelible legacy in the American shoe story, and as these chapters tell, an irreplaceable family presence of which the history of Vans includes the many dedicated members of—Paul’s sisters and brothers who helped make the operation possible in the analog days. Motivational as well as informational—anyone who’s ever enjoyed their shoes, or daydreams about canvas tongues and metal eyelets—would find this a great gift. From Braintree Massachusetts to southern California, thoughts on unions, efficient systems, some sad parts but lots of happy ones, a horse race or two—It’s all here. And There’s a picture gallery! For just under 300 pages you get to hang out with the man who started something huge. I was positively obsessed with Sk8 His and Old Skools in the 1990s and couldn’t put this down. The original California Vans hand-vulcanized with the super-sticky rubber soles are a special step in the evolution of an enduring style and we couldn’t think of a radder way to honor Van Doren than having had the pleasure to read Authentic.

footwear, humor, Pop-Off

The Double F-Word: Puss in Flip Flops

Leave a comment

I own a very majestic pair of flip-flops worthy of writing an ode to some day.  We don’t walk far using them, and we certainly don’t ride on the plane, train or bus with them.  Whether you want to capitalize the F or do a dash, we could really give a flying fork about this particular category of footwear, and can barely contain disgust with inappropriate use of what we consider beach/shower shoes. Situationally if you aren’t near water, your couch or a hammock, heck you doing wearing flip-flops out and about as if they were real shoes?? Open-back thong FFs are not real shoes! Love ’em for stationary activities, but walking, they make a sound like flip , flop — like fingernails on the whiteboard of the mind, yet more wretched. Public flip-flop wearers become ineffectual wusses if an everyday emergency presents itself. Worse if it’s a multi-emergency, you’re reliant on someone else to help you, or at least risk cutting short a fun excursion (no fun) or worse having to waste rescue-workers’ time. Have some bloody respect for your feet.

Consider this a love note. If something berserk goes down — you’re a pussy for letting something so simple — not having solid shoes — ruin your day, screw it summer. We don’t care which sex you are. You can carry a pair of decent slides in a pack to use as needed while trooping in your propers. We’ll even raise you a backup pair if you’re by the water. It’s hoping for the best & expecting the worst as an mRNA shot for having all the clues when it comes to shoes. You can’t be anything but an embarrassment if you show up to certain social situations with flips. Flops suck for walking stairs, driving automobiles, earthquake evacuations and strolling in the trashy rain.  Flip flops, slides, slippers, sandals and that whole family of footwear works greater by the beach, pool or beanbag chair. Buy a fresh pair. Make it count. Don’t be a puss in flops when life pulls up and steps on your toe.

https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/its-sandal-season-the-dos-and-donts-of-flip-flops/

footwear, game, humor, Shoes, sneakers

Shoe Game Chess

Leave a comment

Welcome players. The game of Chess starts you with sixteen pieces of six different types. Here we break down the six in terms of shoe-game. With nothing but love: Shoe Game Chess.

King

This is your best pair of shoes, your favorite, your top kicks. Hard to kill. You keep them protected. If your place is on fire, there you are climbing down an emergency rope ladder with these in your teeth. It’s game over if you lose the king. We don’t make the rules but this one is obvious.

Queen

Your most powerful pair. Think versatility. Footwear you can travel in, go places, do things, just as royally as the king but with more mobility. Someone that never saw your best shoes should assume these are. Queen can be your everything, certainly your almost-anything, embodying the best of the other pieces and able to offend and defend the whole shebang.

Rooks

Boots. Dress boots, thigh-highs, chukkas, wellies, some damn boots. No matter where you are, a pair of boots remain handy in your corner, deployed strategically, and for dual uses — sometimes even three. Life tells you what kind you’ll need. Spend more on less. Be ready to castle-up and keep the royal couple chambered on snowy hikes and woody worksites.

Bishops

Church shoes, job shoes. wedding shoes, court shoes, funeral shoes:  Hope mainly for one out of those five. Throw on some Bishops to slide in or out of social situations diagonally and be on guard for sharks in nice-pairs that may be scheming on your pieces from afar. Bishop and Knight are of the same material value. How one uses each depends chiefly on play-style.

Knights

Athletic footwear, sneakers, trainers. Sneaks enable you to take part in activities that regular hard-bottomed clunkers can prohibit. We don’t need a closet full of 16+ pairs (remember this isn’t checkers), but everyone deserves some well-fitting, ready-to-jump-around-in pair of sneakers to make L-shaped hops, capture the day’s goals and work that body.

Pawns

Check the breezeway. Could be old vet versions of your higher value pieces, could be slippers, flip flops or crap shoes — could be first responders. Pawns doesn’t mean you can’t make meaningful moves — even change the game. When they reach the end of the board (life) it’s an opportunity to upgrade on another one of the aboves.

###

footwear, ingenuity, running, Shoes, sneakers, travel

Whenever We May Roam (Again): Koya Rove Packable Trail Shoes

Leave a comment

It may seem hard to imagine, especially if you’re in the United States with COVID-19 rates steadily rising as we stumble into the (happier) new year, but we will be travelling again. We will be— like David Bronkie, founder of Koya got tired of doing— awkwardly packing dirty runners into carry-on luggage, stuffed in plastic bags or wrapped in something weird. Bronkie came up with the Koya system of trail running sneakers (the Rove) that can be folded relatively flat and packed neatly into a carrying case (the Roam) that resembles a CD envelope. Check out the video:

Koya is presently in the crowdfunding stage, which appears to be running far past its goal. The presentation is comprehensive and impressive so it’s no surprise other trail-running light-packing travel bugs seem to agree. We look forward to following the journey of this innovative offering into 2021 and beyond.

boots, comfort, footwear, humor, laces, pop, Shoes, Socks, travel, walking

Toughening Up Your Shoe Game

Leave a comment
Are you running things, or slipping up?

Ideally our roads are never rocky, but to be unprepared for life’s gravel and pebbles due to making poor footwear choices is indefensible. Just in case you’re the type to bring a flip-flop to a boot fight, read on. 

Standing in a long line (such as to vote), going on a march, preparing for a wildfire or earthquake-related evacuation, running for what you think could be your life after several manhole covers erupt sending flames over the street— these are a few situations where you want to be wearing solid shoes. Did you hear about the Global Citizen music fest in Central Park a couple years ago— where thousands of revelers ran every which way after a falling fence was thought to be a gunshot? We’ve been seeing what people have been wearing at some of these protests. In 2020, whenever you leave home you should think about roadblocks and emergency situations where your shoe game should be much stronger than it looks from our stoop. 

When going to a conference, activist march, or something geo-political in nature where there could be crowds and unfamiliar territory, you should choose footwear carefully. Even if you don’t expect hostile environments— parades, nature hikes, music fests (we really miss those), plain old long days can turn into nightmares if you’re walking around in pathetic shoes. At minimum you’re risking daily comfort which can slow drip into a bad mood. You’ll be one of those I-need-to-go-back-to-the-hotel whiners on vacay. At maximum you’re failing to plan in case of emergency — sacrificing the mission whatever yours may be. No one writes “walk through kilometers of wet grass and gravel” on their daily planner. 

BOOTS UP, SANDALS DOWN

Keep sandals, flip-flops, slides — things that expose a majority of your feet — as house shoes. If you’re going to a march, conference or show and may be bus/train-traveling to another city or town— don’t be the sap wearing the aforementioned shower shoes.
By now, every workplace (sadly) has active-shooter instructions which explicitly have “fight back” as a final option. If you can’t stomp a mudhole in somebody’s ass with them, you are an ass for wearing them! I once had a good footwear discussion with a woman who just got off the subway after witnessing a sociopathic bullying incident. We agreed there’s no sense in walking around ANY city street or stepping onto public transportation with something like flip-flops. Violence is bad yes, but you need to be ready at all times to run for your life if violence occurs or kick a criminal in the crotch if you’re an unwitting first responder. Flip-flops say ‘mess with me’, boots say ‘don’t‘. 

TIE SHOE CLUB

Keep your shoes tied when you’re on the move or you risk getting sicker, easier, quicker— entirely possibly—it’s important that they don’t touch the ground while walking. Through trace amounts of animal feces and bird dung on the ground “in the world” the diarrhea causing bacteria C. difficile “C-Diff” can travel from the bottoms of our shoes into the human body. It’s a safeguard against joining the feeling-sick club. If you must do the effortless swag thing— make sure the laces don’t touch the ground— especially walking around densely populated areas. There are plenty of stylish ways to lace your shoes. You can even buy a pair of shorter length laces than what came stock on your kicks. If the ship hits the fan and you have to run and your shoe falls off — you are a loser in the true sense of the word.

FLATS ARE NOT SHOES

Unless you’re doing ballet or sauntering indoors — duck those flats. They offer little-to-no support or shielding. Even the name is weak. “Flats”. That they’re an alternative to heels does not mean they’re good for rocky roads or sketchy streets. There are plenty of what your mother would call feminine shoes that are suitable for work and formal situations despite what weakling fashion sites tell you.  Get some footwear with laces and an anatomical footbed to support your dual anacondas. When I see women trucking the streets of Manhattan in what are essentially slippers, I can almost hear her pinky toes crying out. There can be contractual stipulations on what type of footwear is acceptable for women in the workplace, but in 2020 we bet you can find a happy medium. Tell your boss Popdiatry gave you permission to wear shoes with laces or another suitable enclosure system. Nothing says “I fought the power, and the power won” like wearing flats in a revolutionary atmosphere. You’re not a cheap plastic doll. Get some real shoes.

WEAR SOCKS

StanceChewieSock

Socks absorb moisture from your sweaty-ass feet, aid your footwears’ lifespan, and offer a courtesy layer if you’re asked to remove your shoes at a friend’s place. Darn Tough hikers, Wrightsock runners, bodega cheapos, “no-shows”, tube socks- get some freaking socks sis/bro or you don’t belong in this disco. In times of chill barefoot is great for sand and grass, but out of respect and common sense, if you’re going to be trooping to unknown territory — see what’s out there and invest in stockings. The friend referenced in the first sentence might be savvy enough to choose friends wiser and sockless birdbrains might never get a chance to make a first impression.  

footwear, Shoes

Shoe Game Classic Doctor Who Style

Leave a comment

The original run of BBC’s time-traveling alien serial from 1963 to 1989 contained some memorable shoe moments: The first doctor offering to fix Susan’s shoe at the culmination of The Dalek Invasion of Earth, the third doctor hiding the TARDIS key in his shoe before escaping from the hospital in Spearhead from Space —  the fourth doctor humorously admonished companion Romana for putting on stilettos in The Stones of Blood (later she almost falls off a cliff). As a superfan of the show when it ran on US public television in the 80s I was excited to pick up the Costume Design special edition of Doctor Who Magazine (no affiliation) that came out (in America) a few months back and glean.

The hand of Eldrad and Sarah Jane Smith (Hand of Fear 1976 BBC)
The hand of Eldrad and Sarah (Hand of Fear, 1976)

Sarah wore Kickers in “The Hand of Fear” (1976)

Fan favorite companion Sarah Jane Smith (played by Elisabeth Sladen) rocked one of her most iconic outfits in The Hand of Fear (costume designer: Barbara Lane). Most of the garments were from trendy Kensington boutique Bus Stop*. But what were the sporty red trainers? Kickers! A UK-based brand you don’t often see in the United States. For fun I hit the Kickers website, clicked WOMEN, clicked RED to see if they had anything like the ones from the 70s (no). These Kick Hi Classics turned out to be the closest match:


They look like something the seventh doctor’s companion Ace (1980s) could have worn.

Ace (Sophie Aldred) was patterned after a street-smart punk-rocker and started off wearing Dr. Martens though they switched to a softer leather boot by women’s brand Hobbs (London). Out of a time-traveler-like curiosity, I went to the Hobbs site to see what they had for black boots in 2019 and the closest match to Docs would be these Nicole Chelseas:

The costume design special is full of wardrobe trivia and anecdotes from the classic and modern versions of the show. I wanted to add about Bus Stop (*)— that there is a wonderful shoe shop called Bus Stop Boutique in Philadelphia Pennsylvania that I’m guessing is a deliberate ode to.