Road Tested: Vans Akat LX x Taka Hayashi

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When I saw these first announced last January I called the shoe possibly perfect – one that seemingly combined the ingredients of two of my favorite sneaker brands: Vans and Visvim. These Vans have no distinguishable traits that were picked up from other Vans. Unlike most Vans x designer collaborations, they appear to have started completely from scratch with this one and of course, they killed it. The super thin white sole has almost no tread and is very low profile. Where it lacks in overall cushion on the outside, they make up for it with a nice soft heel pad on the inside. And needless to say, you probably need to keep these out of the rain.

Anyways… enough stating the obvious. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments.

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Road Tested: Visvim Logan Lattice

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Ya know, when these first came out, I was a bit disappointed with the resemblance to Vans SK8 Hi – which happen to be my least favorite Vans shoes. I thought, why would anyone drop that kind of dime on a pair of overpriced Vans? Then I saw these in person at Union NYC and then came to fully understand the difference. First, the resemblance to a pair of Vans in purely aesthetic. The quality of materials from top to bottom is pure Visvim and the details are NUTS. I never fully grasped the ‘lattice’ concept, but I suspect that it is inspired by traditional Japanese architecture or something. They literally sliced/scored every inch of the leather in this lattice pattern, which makes their already soft leather feel even softer in your hands. Unlike anything I have seen and of course, they are highly recommended. How could I not like something from this brand. Now if I could shed about 100 lbs, maybe I could squeeze into some of their apparel.

Road Tested: Visvim Mowat Moc Veggie

I am loving my latest Visvim pick-ups. These are the Mowat Moc Veggie with the super nice leather and typical killer construction from Visvim. I hope to be rocking these on boat someday. Even if it is on Lake Lewisville. How would these go over in Party Cove? I feel a little like Tom Cruise when I wear them, but not because I feel like the world’s biggest movie star. It’s beecause they seem to have a 2″ thick sole like the shoes he wears, right?

Visvans – But This is Not A Sneaker Blog

Another pair that I have wanted for a long, long time.  Finally found these in Australia.   Check the little skull.  I will never figure out how I end up with Native American-inspired shoes from Japan?

Road Tested: Visvim Folk

These were the perfect addition to my deep collection of 19th century clothing I have been collecting for a while. Aren’t you collecting it too? I don’t mess with the 80s and 90s influence. I take it back to the Davy Crockett, Remember-the-Alamo days (shout out to Texas history). 1880’s maybe. They don’t carry this shit at Fruition. Here, maybe, but not Fruition. My coonskin cap, all chamois leather pants and jackets are the flyest on the Q train.

I have put 1,000 miles on these shoes, and I am almost embarrassed at how much I wear them. They are like those Nike Free shoes that are supposed to feel like you are running barefoot. Except I don’t run in these. If you are considering Visvim, I promise you will fall in love with these. Good luck finding a pair over size 10. It took me almost a year to find these in 11.

Road Tested: Visvim FBT

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I have wanted these things forever, and finally I found a pair. This pair now represents one of three reasons I love this brand. And why I love Hiroki Nakamura. Like all brilliant guys, he was an ex-skater who now makes the perfect shoe for aging guys that still care about them. Not to mention, one of the few brands that I will even let adorn the pages of my carefully curated blog . I have a similar pair in suede which were my first pair of Visvim, but these are waaay nicer. Like all Visvim, the leather is super smooth, and I cannot find one place where quality was compromised. Despite the heavy volume of media coverage they get in certain circles, you will almost never see anyone with a pair. I guess most youngster would rather get a couple of pair of Yeezy’s instead.

Road Tested: Common Projects BBall Low

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Some people have nicknames for their car. Some have nicknames for their manhood. And the really pathetic even name their balls. I don’t really give anything nicknames, but I am turning over a new leaf and decided to call these all white Common Projects ‘Sarah’. It just seemed appropriate. I guess it is more of a dedication than a nickname.  If I am going to jump back into the all white shoe game – it has been since the 5th grade (double-lace Kaepa’s) - these BBall Lows are absolutely perfect. Yes, they are slim. And the toebox area is really low profile, but the extra long tongue make them a favorite with ladies.

The quality is absolutely top-notch as expected. Every bit of this shoe is buttery leather, with the exception of the sole and laces. The soles clean up nice and buttery ass leather has broken in very nicely. And just like the cougars you hunt on weekends, the wrinkles and creases actually make these look better. Wrinkles = Experience.

Road Tested: Common Projects Chukka

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I have long been a fan of Common Projects, and it took me a while to finally indulge because but I had some issues with their slim Euro widths and appearance.  I loved the simplicity, but they just reminded me too much of the Italian guys (the ones vacationing from Italy) that would walk up and down Broadway with arms full of expensive shopping bags in their form fitting Pumas or Diesel sneakers.   You cannot go from rocking a bulky pair of Clae Russells or even Visvims, to these super slender Italian jobs.  But finally, I gave in… after I saw they made one of my favorite cuts… a Chukka (see Vans).  This will be the first of a few different Common Projects Road Tests.

The simplicity is so refreshing, and works so well with my Refine in 09 personal strategy.   And although I had not owned an Italian pair of shoes in awhile, I was quickly reminded of what my Dad always told me… the Italians do it best.  Yes, even better than Nike   You would expect some sort of noticeable wear in the waxed suede, but it always looks brand new.  I mean… I would not wear in the rain or anything, but there is no doubt, these shoes are a great value.  They are slim.   Maybe they will inspire me to lose some weight.  I am trying to get down to my fighting weight of 120 lbs.

These are perfect for the office, for big city commutes and even for Sunday brunch if you are into that sort of thing.   I am not really that into brunch, but I think these would work out well at a brunch.   Go get a pair and let me know what you think.

Vans Chukka Boot LX – HUF

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HUF Chukkas. 3 Feet High. I would write more, but I am still staring at them. More to come, eventually.

Road Tested – Reebok Pump Omni Lite

The black/white shoe obsession continues. This time I had to pick up a classic from the past, but one that appealed to my new (or should I say ‘current’) sensibilities. This is the Reebok Pump Omni Lite. These bulky bitches are ultra-comfortable, wide as hell, look oh so nice, and have actually helped curb a bad habit or two – only to inspire a new one. Instead of popping my knuckles or twirling my pen obsessively, I now pump up my Reeboks, only to immediately release the air. Over and over again. How embarassing.

As soon as these showed up, I slid them on and have yet to even unlace the loose, sweatshop factory-tied knot they came with. I immediately noticed tiny gold details that I never noticed in pictures. The shiny black leather around the toe has a smokey gold haze all over it and the laces have metal gold tips (what is the funny name for those things). The exterior is a mix of different types of leather: soft patent, soft dull, and lots of gold accents. The interior is all leather and bright white and has held up very nicely.

I mean, who the hell wears Reebok these days? Over the last few years, I have simply considered them just another brand that comes with the ‘Complete Sneaker Store Start Up Kit’ that also includes Creative Recreation, Ice Cream, Greedy Genius, and some boring tier of New Balance. Basically any brand that makes bright colorways and will sell to anyone with a Tax ID number. But I have been eyeing Reebok hard lately. They have some heritage and for a small portion of their line, they are staying true to it. I’ll give them credit for that, but obviously they still have a long way to go. I am sure all the Dunk heads will think I am some yuppie nerd just wearing my bball shoes to work on casual Friday, and they’ll be right, for the most part. I don’t play bball.

From Karmaloop: