Red Wing Boots

Sometimes the most simple, most timeless things are the best.

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?

Upper West Side Steez

A few weeks back, I went to a great party on the Upper West Side. There was a no-shoe policy at the party, so outside the elevator/front door, there were dozens of shoes laying all over the floor. I saw a wide variety of shoes, including an abundance of prepped out boat shoes. I was inspired. I had to have some. So in order to step up my Upper West Side Swag*, I went in with these, because I was mesmerized by the rich red sole. Almost like Louboutins for dudes. I go hard.

*Ironic use of word ‘Swag’

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 FBT

Click the image to enlarge.

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.

Eric Koston in NIKE

Say it is not so. Koston in Nike. Hopefully those are his ‘in-between’ shoes.

Road Tested: Common Projects BBall Low

Click to enlarge, huge.

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.

Louis Vuitton x Kanye West : The DON

Posting screen captures of a pair of sneakers from a shitty video may actually constitute the low point of my brief blogging career. But I am sure the kids will go crazy for it, so here they are… probably the first still pics of is new design for LV… This one is called the DON.

Now all the real sneakerheads can dissect the numerous influences. Have fun.

Vans Mountain Edition High LX

I am still tryna figure out what the hell these things are? Most Vans serve some sort of purpose, even if the purpose is for just plain maxin’ and relaxin’. But these look like they have some sort of purpose, and I am not sure if it is skateboarding. Does anyone know? I do have to say that they look a lot better sitting on the coffee table than they do on.

Click photo to enlarge.

Road Tested – Forever Relevant – Vans HalfCab

I cannot leave the Vans alone right now. Seriously… I know they are super popular, but they’ve really struck a nostalgic chord with me. In fourth grade, it was the black and white checkered slip-ons (with matching painters cap). The kids in the small town I grew up in made fun of me for days, but I still rocked them with pride. Fast forward 25 years, and I guess the kids from The Pack really made an impression on the world. Maybe there is something to all of this branded entertainment stuff. Regardless, I have to say that there is something incredibly rare about a brand that can maintain relevance in the most fickle, most trendy of markets and not be called Nike. Vans have remained largely unchanged for as long as they’ve been around, and in a world (and sport) completely obsessed with innovation, that is an amazing feat.

Not much to say about these as a ‘Road Test’. They the bomb.  I have five other variations of the Half Cab – all of which are rare in some respect.   Future Road tests for sure.