From:
[email protected]
Date: 2018-03-17
Subject: Sneakers
I don't call myself a sneakerhead, but I like sneakers. The sneak-
ers-of-the-moment don't usually appeal to me. These wedge shapes,
shoes that look like misshapen loaves of bread, or socks on
steroids just don't excite me.
I like the running shoes from the 80s that look like a slipper
tacked onto a half inch of foam. Examples include the Adidas
ZX700, Saucony Shadow Original, and New Balance 574. I find some-
thing appealing in the concave angle near the heel where the upper
meets the midsole. The Saucony Shadow Originals are so chunky,
they look like orthopedic shoes. The outsole is slightly beveled
at the heel, suggestive of a rocker shoe. It's a bit much, but I
still like them.
I like Adidas because of the geometric stripes on their shoes. I
also like New Balance for a similar reason. It seems that many
sneakerheads fixate on a brand, a specific model of shoe, or, less
often, on a specific colorway. I also like some of Adidas' skate
shoes and indoor soccer shoes. I used to seek out shoes in black
or muted colors that would blend in with the rest of my wardrobe.
More recently, I've been looking for shoes in colors that will
'pop' or stand out.
In my experience, there's something of a shoe lifecycle. At first,
they are pristine. They live in their box when not being worn.
Over time, they pick up some dirt and move out of their box for
good. After a (hopefully) long period of regular wear, they start
to border on shabby. At this point, they are reserved for running
errands, running to the gym, and even actual running. Eventually,
they are 'retired' which, depending on their condition, can mean
one of two things.
