Sneaker Conspiracy

Open Road

2012-01-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, nothing feels better, than the open road. Roll down the window, push the pedal a bit faster and turn up the volume. Add a smile and life seems to stand still for a second.

Drifter, Bali, Indonesia. I would rather be there right now.

2012-01-21T16:43:00.000-08:00

Cold Winter Waves

2012-01-18T19:04:00.001-08:00

Require Fresh Sleds.

Puma Faas 250

2011-05-09T20:27:00.000-07:00

The Puma Faas is cool. That’s all I have to say about this shoe. Puma has some pretty out of bounds shoes that makes them look like they are just trying to hard. Then they have a few kicks that are simple old school with new school color ways like Silver and Tangerine Orange color. Hot Right? I believe so…. But recently they have tried to get back into the running category and make some true running trainers. Often a bit off course, but not too far from hitting the mark and making their shoes to far from being on par. Every now and then they hit the mark. And, now they did it with the FAAS, especially the 250, the shoe is a clean upper simple mesh and of course the Puma Stripe. The shoes are then doted on by the Jamaican dream. That’s right; it’s all about 3 little birds and some Yam!

And even hotter with a hot chick and add!

One Love!

Peace and Chicken Grease!

PF Flyers

2011-05-08T21:24:00.000-07:00

Clean and ready for summer. Notice the convertible heel, that is the new thing on casual mens footwear. Beware not to go convertible unless your on the beach of the Mediterranean with a cocktail.

My thing with shoes likes this is that you need to add a after market footbed to these things otherwise your foot is toast. Birkenstock Blue Footbeds are the best. If not those then try out Superfeet.

Rubber Shoes

2011-04-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

A few years back, a Boulder, CO footwear company emerged on the scenes and set a new trend in footwear. That's right a new trend that might have been one of the worst trends in footwear ever. If you are still trying to figure out what company I am speaking of, well it's http://www.crocs.com/home/homepage,default,pg.html. The footwear is great for kids but horrible for adults. And to top it off some quirky person who bought a pair of crocs came up with the idea of decorating these shoes with something called a jibit. Grown men and women are wearing these shoes and committing crimes by doing so. Guys were putting their college logos on the shoes and were touting their cool factor. Vomit!

One of the coolest and most respected actors of all times sports a aqua blue pair. Do these shoes fit his reputation as bad ass, can I ever look at him the same? Or do they really define him as the joker? I guess if they are going to fit someone's personality, the shoes fit well on the other guy in this photo.

Check out great Chef Mario Batali. Mario you are better than this!

Well I never wanted to see another pair of crocs again. Then my wife got my son a pair and I was like ok, they are kind of conventional for a 3 year old with a spiderman jibit, so I guess ok for now. But a grown man or women in these shoes should re think who they are as a person.

Ok, so obviously I bashed the brand and I am obvouisly not a big fan. Until this past week when my wife came home with a pretty hot pair of rubber flats. Totally, hip and totally sexy. These Crocs have a clean contemporary line. They Cover and wrap the foot while also exposing some of the toes. The thing she loves about them as they are super comfortable and she can't wait to do some pool time in these little devils.

So moral of the story is the second you count a brand out they can totally re build their image and boom you have something new and innovative! So keep it up, keep burning the midnight oil and you will stay relative.

Can they keep it up???...............

Thick Kicks

2011-03-31T20:22:00.000-07:00

So I have mentioned before that I work for a Running Footwear company which continues to help fuel my fire for sneakers and other footwear. Well we have something extraordinary coming out to the market place fairly soon. It’s a completely innovative running system. It called the Wave Prophecy, a full length wave plate on a shoe minimizing foam and maximizing ride. The shoe will be out in May. You will be stoked to get it but beware you will not be able to find it anywhere. It will only be at a few fine dealers across the globe! Here are a few quick sneak peaks.

I personally feel that this should be the soundtrack for this shoe. If shoes had soundtracks!

Pray for Japan! Mizuno.

Pumped Up Kicks….

2011-01-31T21:10:00.000-08:00

There is this new song out by Foster the People called Pumped up Kicks. It comes on pretty frequently on Alt Nation on Sirius Satellite. I personally love the song. I can’t get enough of it and it stays in my head all the time. Well obviously it has inspired this week’s entry.

Here is what the song has done for me, Im back in the 1990’s and Im rolling down the high school hall and there is Mike Bitner kicking it in a pair of the Reebok Pump High Tops.

I never had a pair of the hightops but I did have a pair of the running shoes.

They were some of the best shoes ever. Why, you might ask? First of all you never had to deal with a shoe lace. Just a few pumps on the inflation mechanism and it was the perfect fit.

Secondly, they were aesthetically super cool and Third they were way ahead of their time.

I personally still think there is a place for these shoes in the market today, especially for athletics. They make perfect sense with the whole pump action. Maybe people will come back around and Reebok will once again be a hit. Forget the ZigZag's and the Toning shoes and make the pumps!

Either way check out the song, enjoy it and try to remember where you were in the 90's....

Cardigans and Flavor!

2011-01-23T19:59:00.000-08:00

I’m not really sure what’s going on with the style in the Afro American Culture, but I like it! Its no longer thug and bones it’s now sophisticated and stylish. It’s a clash of multiple cultures and brings a true hip vibe to the scene. It’s quite smart and has room to continue to grow. It keeps some of its roots while it continues to evolve. Not every homeboy is sporting Airforce 1’s any more. But now you are starting to see some new things hit the streets. Again from Billionaire Boys Club some of the sweetest kicks that take a classic like the Converse Chuck All Star and update it with their own flair.

Pick a sweet caridgan, not a Mr. Rogers old man creepy pediphile sweater.

Thank You B.O.B and Kanye for what you have done. Please continue to evolve us brothers! Peace.

My New Vans

2011-01-20T10:33:00.000-08:00

Just picked up a pair of new Vans last week from my local retailer K5 in Encinitnas. First of all this retailer keeps the beat with a well merchandised store and continues to change as the environment changes. check em out at http://www.k5.com/.

So Im always on the look out for something simple. As my last blog points out that is kind of my style right now and I think my new vans fit right in. This time Vans has updated the chukka with super soft suede and replaced the canvas sidewall with really meatty denier nylon. Classic taping and a gum outsole makes this shoe a new favorite. One word is RaD.

Also, Vans has updated their footbed with a comfortable thick sockliner. Im not sure what type of rubber it is made out of but its 1000 x's better than the old foam sock liner that the shoe had. No longer will your feet be screaming after wearing them.

New Year New Posts.

2011-01-09T15:20:00.000-08:00

What have I been into lately? This seems to be the on going question. Casualy footwear is finally coming back to a place where I actually like to participate. Typically you can find me in a pair of Vans Grey/ Black Suede. Simple clean and timeless. I think that is how I like to define my on style. Timeless. I have 6 pairs of the same Levi's, 31x32 Slim Straight 514's. I wear a V neck every single day and I often wear a simple shirt over top. Im not sure I landed to this simple style, but I do know in highschool back in the early 90's Tommy Hilfiger, just came out with his brand and he decided that every thing he made had to be logo'd like crazy with either his name or his brand flag. Well style then followed and it might have been the worest thing for men, in my history. Everything goes around, so clean simple is back and Im happy, I now have shopping options and can find pieces that I like and wear for the next 10 years. Which is not the goal but if things go full circle I will be prepared.

Here are some kicks that I like right now. I would suggest you go buy some today!

JLew Out!

Nike 6.0

2010-10-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

Yp P.Rod can skate and Nike is representing. They have done a phenomenal job of bringing together fashion, function and Ice. Check out these Jordan Throwbacks. Boom!

P.Rod in action

Nike 6.0

Vans

2010-09-30T10:18:00.000-07:00

Vans are some of the cooler shoes made. I have worn them multiple times over my 30 plus years of life. The thing about vans is that they are clean and classic. They always have my favorite outsole, Gum Rubber. If you take it easy on them they will last forever or if you are like me and like to party they might not be around for to long. I was just messing around on their website and found a place where you can make your own and maybe just maybe learn a bit about shoe anatomy if you are really paying attention. Check out my customs I just put together.

The low chukka.

Long Time No Post

2010-09-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

Gotta put some new content up here or the few viewers I do have are going to disappear. I was in Portland a few weeks ago for a work event. I was speaking with a coworker who just got back from Japan. He brought a few pair of Mizuno children shoes back for gifts. I was lucky enough to haggle these from him for my child. They may be hook and loop but they are fresh and classic. Check it out gum rubber out sole, tan color with tan camo. Kai will look tough in these on the playground at daycare.

Asics is getting it done.

2010-07-17T14:57:00.000-07:00

Asics has some super dope Onitsuka High Tops that will be ready for the fall. Not a bad photo shoot either. Check out this photo that I borrowed from Highsnobiety.

The question is does asics make a shoe than can translate into a everyday hipster shoe?? Being a mainline running brand do they have the power that Nike does to cross and blur the lines? They've been producing the Onitsuka line for sometime now. Even made a splash in Kill Bill Voume II as a ninja boot.

Like I often say, Things that make you say hmmm???

Later for the day! Enjoy the sunshine.

Garbstore 2011

2010-06-28T21:35:00.000-07:00

These things are hot. I mean super hot. Narrow toebox, suede leather. White midsole and two eyelets. Hmmm, what color do you get or do you just skip the chukka boot and go with the loaf for late summer and some white pants? Either way i'm in.

RIP Dennis Hopper

2010-06-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

A Great interview of a Great Man on NPR. Take the time and listen to this one to appreciate how smart and creative this guy was.

http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=127307586&m=127346456

Los Angeles

2010-05-31T20:40:00.000-07:00

Ive been doing some networking lately. Lets get the bird out there....

The Grotto

2010-05-15T22:09:00.000-07:00

The Mystery Runner

2010-05-14T15:23:00.001-07:00

Sunday Night

2010-05-02T20:31:00.000-07:00

I sat outside for the majority of the day and I got fried. Im feeling super pink like a lobster right now. But that is life, so next time I will put on my sunblock on. Anyway I will be ready for the week after a few more cocktails!

Lance

2010-04-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

Some of my favourite things

2010-04-13T21:01:00.000-07:00

Man I love shoes. Its crazy how many shoes I have. Im like a chick in the fact that I have a ton of shoes in my closet. I have a certain affinity towards certain shoes too. I love anything with gum rubber. I love sipping on shoes, and I love clean simple lines without a ton of logos. If you look at me I will typically always have a simple V-neck on and pair of jeans. I don't know why but I can't stand logos. But I love a high fashion name brand. Am I name whore? Who knows?

Here are my sneaks of the day.

I would get me a pair if I lived on the east coast.

Welcome Back

2010-03-26T18:31:00.000-07:00

Hey, It's been a while since I posted up but I have a lot of shit on the plate. So now i've got some free seconds to send you some new looks at some conspiracies that have been sneaking around.

Just landed straight out of twins. APL Athletic Propulsion Labs.

They are devoloping Basketball Shoes that are promising up to 3 inches of additional vertical height by wearing these new kicks. There pretty clean with some hot colors.

Check em out and read the news on Counter Kicks.

Photo courtesy of Counter Kicks:

Boom Goes the Dynamite!

Air Jordan Fridays

2009-11-27T08:24:00.000-08:00

I know I have been out of the works for a few weeks. I still have a few things bouncing around my head. Someone a few weeks back said I was a nike lover. Totally weird comment right. But it's been in my head for weeks. What does that mean? Why can't I admire Nike? They do so many things in so many different categories and everything they do they do so well. Anyway, why can't you admire the giant?

Who are these guys?

Tinker Hatfield has worked with Michael Jordan and led design teams that created thirteen different versions of the Air Jordan basketball shoe. Nike's headquarters looks like a college campus. The buildings, clustered around a lake, are named after famous athletes. We met Tinker on the ground floor of the Mia Hamm building, where he works in a place aptly called the "innovation kitchen." This is where special products, like Air Jordans, are cooked up. Tinker's road was a great example of how different parts of one's life can come together in unanticipated ways. In his case, a childhood love of sports meshed with architecture.

Courtesy of USA Today.

Air Jordan IV's

2009-11-13T15:43:00.000-08:00

Air Jordan Friday's

Jordan IV.

Air Jordan 4 (IV)

The Air Jordan IV (4) was released in 1989. Michael kept on playing in a confident and dominating way and won numerous honors and awards.

The design, by Mr. Hatfield, wasn’t as revolutionary as the previous designs and kept a lot of the feeling from the third model. The Air Jordan shoes had started to get major popularity by now and sold out every here and there.

BooYah!

Timbo's

2009-11-09T17:16:00.000-08:00

So Dope. Every Hip Hop star has dropped the name of these boots into their beats atleast one time.

Word. JLew Out!

Dr.Martens Airwair Shoes

2009-11-06T09:15:00.000-08:00

Since we are finishing the week up of Authentic Original I figured I would finish off with a great. Dr. Martens. I had my first pair in high school. They were 10 eyes and brown. Those shoes went through thick and thin with me and many o’ night’s clod hopping through the town of Damascus where I grew up. At that time in my life they seemed indestructible but they made me who I was. They were part of my identity that gave me character and stability. I think this is when I first began my love of shoes. How crazy that a pair of boots would do that. Up until that point of my life I had always worn a pair of vans. Either Navy or Black every day of the week, I probably went through 100’s of pairs. This time I stepped out on a limb and decided to make a fashion statement with a pair of boots and my mom’s money. Dr. Martens.

Here is a photo of a classic. Typically in the boot world with laces they talk about the height of a boot by the number of eyelets that the laces go through. These boots in the photo are 10 eyes in one of the original colors. If you also notice the made in England tag. In recent years Dr.Martens took their production from England to China. It was sad to see that happen but companies have to make good margins to stay in business. However, there are still a few style made in England.

Here is a quick history on the brand. Courtesy of the brand.

When the Dr. Martens boot first catapulted from a working-class essential to a counter-cultural icon back in the 1960s, the world was pre-internet, pre-MTV, pre-CD, pre-mp3s, pre-mobile phones… hey, they’d only just invented the teenager. In the years before the boot’s birthday, 1st April, 1960, kids just looked like tribute acts to their parents, younger but the same. Rebellion was only just on the agenda for some - for most kids of the day, starved of music, fashion, art and choice, it was not even an option.

But then an unlikely union of two kindred spirits in distinctly different countries ignited a phenomenon.

In Munich, Germany, Dr Klaus Maertens had a garage full of inventions, including a shoe sole almost literally made of air; in Northampton, England, the Griggs family had a history of making quality footwear and their heads were full of ideas. They met, like a classic band audition, through an advert in the classified pages of a magazine. A marriage was born, an icon conceived of innovation and self-expression.

Together they took risks.

They jointly created a boot that defined comfort but was practical, hard-wearing and a design classic. At first, like some viral infection, the so-called 1460 stooped near to the ground, kept a low profile, a quiet revolution.

But then something incredible started to happen.

The postmen, factory workers and transport unions who had initially bought the boot by the thousand, were joined by rejects, outcasts and rebels from the fringes of society.

At first, it was the working-classes; before long it was the masses.

Skinheads were the first subculture to adopt the boot in the early 1960s, spilling out of the East End of London, then across Britain and the world; initially non-racist and obsessive about their fashion, by the time the skinhead movement was corrupted with elements of right-wing extremism, Dr Martens had already morphed into a torchbearer for a brave new world.

The late 1960s and 1970s saw the boot adopted by - not thrust upon - nearly all the 'tribes': Mods, glam, punks, ska, psychobillies, grebos, Goths, industrialists, nu-metal, hardcore, straight-edge, grunge, Britpop…

Then pop started to eat itself.

The internet spread like an epidemic, reaching fifty million users in eighteen months - a feat that took radio forty years. The first mobile phone text was sent in 1992; within three years, email was like oxygen. Everything had changed.

There were no tribes anymore. At least, "not like they used to make 'em."

You don’t see one tribe fighting another anymore, a haircut does not define a person to four albums by three bands.

The tribe is down to one person.

You. A one-man army.

The personal revolution manifests itself in a million ways. So-called ‘indie’ and ‘punk’ record labels of the 1970s and 1980s were created to cut out the suits. They were called ‘labels’ because of the round adhesive label smack bang in the middle of the vinyl.

Vinyl? CDs?

Now, you don’t even need a label.

Record, mix, master and post on the web from your own empire.

Hit the charts from downloads alone.

There is no one left to cut out. It’s all down to you.

Of course, just because we can all now ‘create’, doesn’t mean we are all actually any good. But the cream floats to the top, whatever the mode of transport.

Same with Dr. Martens.

Decades have come and gone, brands have exploded and then imploded, but the 1460 is still there, unique, individual, original. Anti-fashion defined in eight holes.

What’s seen as information overload to the older generation is just everyday surfing to the new generation. In one weekend edition of The New York Times, there is more information than a seventeenth century man was exposed to in his entire life. Dr. Martens haven’t been around since the 1600s, but in terms of ‚’brands’ that mean something, that last, that reinvent and evolve, they pre-date pretty much everything.

By the mid-1990s, Dr. Martens had festered in the minds of youth without a single penny of ‘marketing spend’, longer than the majority of global brands had even existed. There is no comparison. This is not a brand, it is a way of thinking, a mode of expression.

The problem with ‘brands’ is that they dictate. They might offer the must-have item of the season, but they design it, shape it, form it and sell it. You have no say, other than handing over your money. Look at the word: ‘brand’. That’s what they do to cattle.

Rebel.

Create your own brand.

Dr. Martens have always been different. No other brand has been mutated, customised, fucked up and freaked out like DM’s. Without asking or being able to stop it. It happened to them. They were just fascinated bystanders on a journey that has raced through every crevice of subculture, every twist and turn of youthful creativity and now, here, with a generation who have always had email, mp3s and downloads, it is as relevant and vibrant as ever.

Because although the tribes no longer stride through London or New York, although individuality is the music for the masses, although fashion is just another way of defining yourself, the Dr. Martens ‘brand’ has come full circle, it is a blank canvas on which a generation can paint their personality. You can wear your grunge shorts, your emo hair, your punk tatts, your metal piercings and your pride on your sleeve, all at the same time, there are no limits, no boundaries, no pigeon-holes to fit into.

To be creative sometimes you have to rebel.
To rebel you have to have something to rebel against.
Driving fast, drinking cheap beer and smashing windows isn’t rebellion. The best form of rebellion is individualism. Thinking for yourself.
Information overload is the most fantastic element of modern life. You can have it all. You don’t need to align yourself with one band, one tribe, one venue, one gig; you can share your console with a complete stranger twenty thousand miles away; you can post your demo on a site that has a greater population than most countries.
But you need anchors in this sea of creativity.
You need things you can rely on.
Things you can recruit to your army.
Friends, whether they add you or not.
Tunes loaded, down.
Ideas loaded, up.
Fashions that express.
Possessions that matter.
Things that inspire self-expression, not commodities that spoon-feed an identity.
Dr. Martens anchor you, liberate your creativity, inspire and fuel your identity. Our heritage fits your future; your future is our future.

MaDness.

JLew Out!

Vans Slip On

2009-11-02T19:14:00.000-08:00

Classic Vans. I can't remember when I started wearing Van's and I have no clue how many pairs I have had in my life. I currently have a pair in a box in the garage on deck waiting to be worn this winter. They are the original skate and bmx shoe. They started the entire era of skate shoes. Van's has probably been the company to perfect vulcanizing a skate shoe. I love slip on's and I love the lace up's. Here is a pair classics.

Vans began in 1966 as the Van Doren Rubber Company producing shoes for different sports such as basketball, baseball, and wrestling. These products did not sell very well, and in 1983, Vans was forced to file for bankruptcy. Three years later, Vans paid back all creditors and came out of bankruptcy, in part because, according to the company history, "Vans Slip-Ons gained international attention and appeal when they were worn by Sean Penn in the 1982, iconic youth film Fast Times at Ridgemont High.[1] "Penn's black and white checkered Vans ... [took the company] from like ... $20 million to ... $800 million ... after that film came out," Marketplace reported in 2009.[2]

In 1994, Vans began manufacturing overseas and sponsored the Inaugural Triple Crown series which developed into the Vans Triple Crown series. In 1998, Vans opened a 46,000 square-foot, indoor-outdoor Vans Skate park at the Block in Orange County and in 2002 an enclosed skatepark was opened in the Festival Bay Mall on International Drive in Orlando, Florida. In 2000 and 2001, Forbes recognized Vans as one of “America’s Best Small Companies." In 2004, Vans launched the Vans Customs on their website. This allowed customers to log onto the Vans website and design their own pair of Vans Slip-ons, mid-cuts, or high-tops.

Ummm...Need I say more?

Also one more photo b/c I feel that it is somewhat relevant.

JLew Out!

Sperry Top Siders

2009-10-28T07:22:00.000-07:00

The true Authentic Original Boat Shoe with a bit of flair. I’m not sure when this style came back but it has run ramped on the east coast and in the dirty south. I have never really ever sported a pair of these shoes so I cannot comment on the comfort of these classics but by the amount I see everywhere they gots to be comfortable. My cousins wear them and they are all pretty hip or at least they believe they are hip.

What I love about the shoes are the elements that make them. The classic hardware, the rich leathers, and the best are the sipped out soles. Non skid slip proof outsoles that are typically white. Hampton’s What Up?!?

A Brief piece of history provided by http://www.sperrytopsider.com/text/about/history.jsp

In 1935 Paul Sperry invented the world's first and most enduring boat shoe. Where all other footwear brands have laid claim to every inch of terra firma, from the highest snowcapped peaks to the lowest desert valley, from baseball diamonds to basketball courts, Sperry Top-Sider has flourished by helping all who love the water master the world's final frontier... the oceans, lakes and streams of Planet Earth.

Surprisingly, the Sperry Top-Sider story begins with a cocker spaniel named Prince. On a raw winter day in New England when avid sailor and hobbyist inventor Paul Sperry let out his dog for its daily exercise he noticed that Prince was remarkably stable, even at a full run on the snow covered, icy crust.

An idea was born.

Paul raced back to his laboratory to begin working. Soon, with pieces of rubber, a razor blade and an ordinary sneaker, Paul had pieced together the prototype of the world's first boat shoe. Subsequent designs yielded the original Sperry Top-Sider now known as the Authentic Original.

Today, that heritage and performance are hard at work for those who can't live without the water. Sure, our shoes are still standard issue for most sailors. In fact, the Authentic Original is part of the US Naval Academy casual uniform.

Clark Wallabee

2009-10-26T18:27:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long awaited post. I have been down and out. Unfortunatley, not in Beverly Hills. I hit two major cities in two weeks. Chicago first and then Denver. It's been 80 + degrees in San Diego and it was snowing in Denver. Talk about some dramatic change in temperature.

Anyway, I want to talk about a true classic. The Authentic Original Clark Wallabee. This thing has made so much impact on the footwear world. Everything from the butt stitching on the upper to the gum rubber out sole. I just can't say enough about these shoes. Complete Icons for every decade and age.

If you don't have a pair as of yet get a pair. They will not disappoint.

JLew

Osiris is the Dopest!

2009-10-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

Osiris is the dopest! I first heard those words in 1999. My roommate in San Diego at the time was Matt Manuel. Matt and I have been good friends since the late 80’s. I was a year ahead of him in school. Fast forward a bit, I went to school in the south and Matt stayed in Maryland and attended Maryland University as a Terp. Let’s hop forward a few more years and Matt moves out to California and becomes my roommate. The year that Matt moved to San Diego he had a job as a buyer at World Core which was a surf shop in La Jolla. So he and I headed to the ASR trade show that year for his work. Matt was on the quest for a new job and I was in tow as a friend as well as a spectator. I really went to check out the REEF Girls. Long story short Matt landed a Job with Osiris.

Osiris is a nitty gritty skate brand that stays true to its core customer. Each year they continue to bring product that is demanded and it never falls short of getting stale. They often push the bar on fashion, style and skate. Over the years I have seen some crazy shoes that they have done. One year they did a high top sneak covered with patent leather and graphics on it of a banana.

Back to my Long story which I’m trying to make short. Osiris was passing out a mix CD that some DJ made for free. I was pretty excited to get it into my car on the way home. I put it on and turned up the sound, for the first 5 minutes, the intro was OSIRIS IS THE DOPEST all scratched and mixed up with a crazy hip hop beat thumping in the back ground.

One final note I wanted to show how fashion transcends from brand to brand and from category to category. Yesterday I shared the Kanye/ Louis V. collaboration and today these Osiris are not to far off what we just saw. I took this photo on my blackberry at this year ASR Spring 2010 show. I stopped by the ASR trade show to see a friend who has just launched his own sunglass company (www.raenoptics.com) and walked around the expo. That place is crazy to say the least.

JLew

Louis Vuitton and Kanye West.

2009-10-13T19:54:00.000-07:00

The day is not over until you see the Sneak of the Day.

Everybody is getting in the game of partnerships even your boy Kanye West. He now has collaborated with Louis Vuitton to make a sneaker pack that is some what crazy but also incredibly cool. I personally am having a super hard time putting my head around the Louis/ Kanye collaboration. I could see Nike, adidas, Supra, Bape, etc, etc. Coming together for a package of shoes but when it comes to LV I think nothing but the best. You know the whole Dom Perignon thing. But anyway after taking a look at a few of these shoes they did a great job and they are super ill. So take a look and notice the price tags. Hefty price tag, huh, possibly a back to school option?

Kanye West for Louis Vuitton - Jasper’s - $1140

Kanye West for Louis Vuitton - Jasper's - White $960

DC Shoes

2009-10-12T14:34:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay on postings but I was at the 2009 Chicago Marathon. I always judge my trips on how I feel when I get home. Let's just say it's the second of day being home and I am still beat up. I'll get myself back together. I went out just a bit ago and slugged out a few miles and am now sitting at my desk.

Anyway back to Sneak of the day.

photo courtesy of Hypebeast.

DC Xander TX seen above will retail for $120 in November 2009.

DC shoes definitely top the charts on the skate footwear front. They have made cutting edge shoes for the skate industry for years. Kenny Block, and Damon Way of San Diego, California started the brand in 1993 and have been making some of the dopest shoes in history. These guys have not only turned the skate channel upside down, but they have expanded into other categories. You can now find DC Shoes in multitude of footwear categories: BMX, Surf, Snowboard, and some of the most rad lifestyle shoes on the market. My personal favorite is a pair of black vulcanized quilted leather kicks that I sport in the winter time.

As mentioned before DC has expanded into lifestyle, with that being said they now have a new category called DC Life. The above shoes were originally spotted during the tradeshow season. They are part of their new “High Visibility” pack which consists of the brand’s Xander TX and Admiral TX. I’m not to familiar with the shoes above since I have never laid a hand on them yet. But I would for sure kick it in them with a pair of dark denim jeans and a Black V Neck T-shirt. Original JLew style!

photos courtesy of DC Shoes

The DC Dress Sneaker in Black and Copper....

Check out the Ken Block DC Video.

Here is a crazy video you need to check out. Ken Block is not only the owner of DC Shoes but he also is a well respected Rally Car Racer sponsored by Monster Energy Drinks, Subaru and of course DC Shoes. He also is always experimenting with things in his car. Check out his Gymkhana video like Tokyo Drift on Steroids and Crack!

Of course this is what made them who they are today. The true DNA of the brand.

Zoot Sports

2009-10-05T12:46:00.000-07:00

I found a photo on my Buddy Dave Jewell’s facebook page of what I believe is a SS2010 lightweight/race trainer by Zoot. I’m not really sure what the name of this Zoot Beauty is or if they really are from the SS2010 season. As a tidbit of information when you’re head of product sometimes you get to preview stuff that is never even made. But these shoes look sweet. Here is my interpretation of the Zoot Bumble bee shoes that I found.

Like I mentioned earlier I’m guessing that these shoes are from there 2010 footwear collection. They have a simplistic minimal upper which is almost like a slipper. The shoes only seem to have one overlay right at the toe box of the shoe. I’m sure they feel pretty amazing walking around barefoot in the shoes. Zoot actually refers to the technology as Barefit (Bare-Fit - constructed for sockless wear, the lnings are a Dri-Lex fabric with anti-microbial Smart Silver to battle moisture, odor and to reduce hot spots; Tri-Dry technology limits water retention in the shoe; Patented Quick-Lace system for speed of entry with a single-handed pull; CarbonSpan+ provides smooth and powerful toe-off; Asymmetrical perforated neoprene panel ensures excellent fit and quick entry while maintaining breathability). Info courtesy: www.zootsports.com

The mid sole seem to be single density foam with some minor flex grooves in the outsole. All the flex grooves seem to be in the right place for a quick heel to toe transition. The outsole has a carbon rubber outsole in all the right places. With some with blown rubber to keep these shoes light and fast. The flex grooves look like they are going to allow the foot to flex and move with the upper. This Zoot beauty seems to be made for race day for that mid foot striker. Dave thank you for allowing me to share the photo and if you would like to make any comments we would love to hear from you. Also, congratulations on your new roll at Zoot and welcome back to sunny San Diego! http://www.zootsports.com/

Air Jordan Fridays! Air Jordan III

2009-10-02T19:54:00.000-07:00

Air Jordan III

1987-1988 was an outstanding year for Michael Jordan performance wise. Mj won the Slam Dunk contest, All Star MVP, All-Defensive First Team and Defensive Player of the Year. Through all this success, he was wearing the Air Jordan 3.

Peter Moore (which designed the Air Jordan I and helped on the II) was let go from Nike, as well as Bruce Kilgore. When they had left, Peter and Bruce were trying to convince Michael to leave Nike with them, good thing MJ said no. Now Nike needed a new designer to make the Air Jordan III. So they went to world famous Tinker Hatfield. His name is known mainly for designing Air Jordan III-XV, and also making a return on the AJ XXs, but Tinker also designed some really nice Nike’s as well. Tinker and Michael worked hard, talked to each other on what were good ideas, and what could “work”. Michael wanted a lightweight shoe, with a lot of durability. So with the Air Jordan 3 they both decided to make them a Mid top, the first mid top to be seen in the Air Jordan line. On the AJ III model Tinker placed the famous jumpman logo on the back of the shoe, and adding in a “elephant print” on the toe box. Also the IIIs were the first AJ to have a visible air-sole unit.

The inspirations for the AJ III are AJ I and II, the free throw dunk, an elephant, and last, but not least Michael Jordan. Nike’s selling strategy was simple, and great, they had MJ and Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee). After watching these funny commercials you had to go out and buy yourself a pair.

In 1987-1988 when the Air Jordan 3s just released they sold for $100.00. In 1994 when Nike re-released the AJ III they retailed at 105.00, but just like the AJ I and II models, they hit sales racks. In 2001 and 2003 when the Air Jordan III released one more time, the price tag was $100.00.

Michael Jordan and Spike Lee

Info courtesy of: Sneaker Files.

EB Lydiard Marathon Running Shoes 1970 9.2 oz

2009-10-01T08:55:00.000-07:00

The below photo was taken by my Blackberry and these shoes were spotted on the wall of Encinitas Movin Shoes. Karl Brandt and the older boys have a pretty cool collections of sneaks from their running days.

During a tour of Germany in the late 1960s, famed New Zealand runner and coach Arthur Lydiard met with craftsmen from the EB company who shared his vision of making a running shoe that wouldn't pinch and blacken a runner's toenails and would relieve stress on the Achilles tendon. Lydiard knew it was possible, as he was running 100-plus-mile weeks in shoes with an ample toe box while many of his compatriots had toes that were a greedy podiatrist's dream. The soft, one-piece kangaroo leather upper of the Marathon had plenty of wiggle room for the toes, and a built-in heel cup held the rear of the foot firmly in place. The shoes launched in 1970, and became available in the U. S. in 1974. They never caught on in a big way, partly because of the $32 price tag, more than twice the cost of other running shoes of the time. Lydiard also developed a 4-ounce racer in 1974 and in 1984 helped Converse develop a couple of very nice shoes.

Photo complitments of Joe Rubio of http://www.runningwarehouse.com/

Seriously the order form to order the EB Lydiard shoes in the back of the May 1977 Runners World Magazine. Fill out the information and send off and hope in a few months you get what you ordered. Crazy! That was the early days, now we do it all by internet, how did we live without it?

JLew

Nike Big Nike High Premium - ATL

2009-09-30T20:14:00.000-07:00

Nike's tribute to the ATL.

Jermaine Dupree once said.

Welcome to Atlanta where the players play
And we ride on dem thangs like ev-ery day
Big beats, hit streets, see gangsters roamin
And parties dont stop 'til eight in the mo'nin

As the second of a two-city pack of Nike Big Nikes, including the LBC edition, the Nike Big Nike has released to rep the ATL. The Nike Big Nike High Premium Atlanta features a clean black/white/red color way, perhaps to go along with the Atlanta Hawks colors. The shoe features a black leather upper with a cracked side panel design to subtly add some style to the shoe. It sits atop a white mid sole and red out sole to match the laces and tongue tag. The tongue tag sports a Nike logo fitted with a crown, and of course, the back heel panel rocks “ATL” in large gold print, with the A wearing another crown. Be sure to get your own pair to rep Atlanta as well as show some love for the LBC.

Air Jordan Fridays, AJII

2009-09-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

The Air Jordan 2 (II) Low 1995 - White - Red - Black retailed foe $105, and were very popular upon release. They were designed by Brue Kilgore, and the technical specs included Nike’s patented air sole unit, as well as faux lizard skin uppers. The sleek lines and overall look give these low tops a very futuristic look. They came in a very colorful box which featured special tissue paper and a post Card.? They feature mostly white leather upper with red and black accents, as well as a black midsole which definitely contrasts the white upper, thus making the shoe an attention grabber.

The Air Jordan 2 high tops and low tops were very stylish, making them as popular as the AJ I (according to sales). All Original Air Jordan IIs were made in Italy. Rumor is after the Original Air Jordan 2 model the mold was either destroyed or was stolen. (Fritz being the Nike man that you are can you divulge if this rumor is true?) So when the Air Jordan II re-released in 1994-95, Nike had to dissect the Original pair, and when Jordan Brand re-released the AJ 2 once again in 2004, they had to dissect a pair of the 1994-95 retros. Nike did not produce a black color way of the AJ II, even though sketches and prototypes were put together. One of the most sought out pair of shoes is the Air Jordan II K.O. Very little are in existence, and also very few pictures are floating around.

Air Jordan II's Low

Air Jordan II's High

Air Jordan II's High Open Box

Air Jordan II's Box

adidas ZX 6000, 8000, 9000

2009-09-24T08:26:00.000-07:00

adidas ZX 6000, 8000, 9000 series were originally released in 1989 all with different purposes. The 6000 was introduced to provide guidance for a light weight runner for middle distance training.

The adidas 8000 was also released in 1989 had top level cushioning in a light weight running model which also included the torsion system.

The adidas 9000 released in 1989 was a running shoe that provided great support.

The ZX collection initially began in the hundred series in 84 and the would extend to the thousands after the 1988 Olympics. This period also brought on a number of breakthrough devices for adidas such as the the torsion.

JLew

Nike DayBreak

2009-09-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

The Nike Daybreak is an early running shoe that first released in 1979. It is a low-profile, low-top sneaker with a very simple look and attitude. The upper is made with suede and nylon for a lightweight advantage. Technologically, the Nike Daybreak was ahead of its time. It featured a thick, flared EVA midsole and a cup innersole. A padded collar adds extra comfort to the runners foot.

Check out the following website. Pretty cool. http://www.nikevintage.com/.

Asics Spartan B

2009-09-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is a tribute to Dan. He mentioned to me yesterday that he used to race in this shoe. It is the Asics Spartan B and it was pretty much a basic spike. But obviously by the looks of the photo of Dan it looks like it ran well.

Here is a photo of the Tiger Spartan B.

Pretty basic but looks comfy.

Photo courtesy Running Warehouse Blog.

The above photos courtesy of Runningwarehouse.com blog. Tiger Spartan B from Runner's World Shoe Survey '77.

The following photo is our own Dan Shamiyeh wearing the Asics Spartan B.

New Balance 420

2009-09-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

Todays shoe is the New Balance 420. This is a re launched version of the shoe that is available today. I believe the originals were released some time in the 70's. (Dan Maybe you can insert some history here).

Here is a brief history of New Balance via. wiki.

In 1906, William J. Riley, a 33 year old English immigrant, founded the New Balance Arch Support Company, which manufactured arch supports and other accessories designed to improve shoe fit, in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1934, Riley took on as a partner his top salesman, Arthur Hall, who had found his niche by marketing his products to people whose jobs required them to spend much time standing. In 1956, Hall sold the business to his daughter Eleanor and her husband Paul Kidd.

Eleanor and Paul continued to sell mainly arch supports until 1961, when they designed and manufactured the "Trackster," the world's first running shoe made with a ripple sole. It was also the first running shoe to come in varying widths.

Marketing was mostly by word-of-mouth or local sports fairs, and sales languished, until 1972, when current Chairman Jim Davis bought the company on the day of the Boston Marathon. At the time, the company consisted of just six people making 30 pairs of shoes daily and selling products mostly through mail-order with a few U.S. retailers. Jim committed himself to uphold the company's traditional commitment to individual preferences, customer service, and quality products. His future wife Anne, who joined the company in 1978, focused on building a distinct culture for New Balance employees, and customers. Their timing was perfect, as the Boston area soon became a veritable hotbed of the running boom which struck the U.S. in the 1970s. Their product line expanded and sales skyrocketed. The homegrown company prospered, and the Davises looked to expand New Balance into a global company. The company is now run by California native Rob DeMartini. DeMartini's background includes Procter & Gamble and Gillette Shave Company. Today, 30% of the shoes sold in the European market are manufactured at the New Balance facility in England.

Air Jordan Friday's

2009-09-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

Ummm...need I say more?

Air Jordan 1 released March 1985 for $64.99.

Jack Purcell Ian G

2009-09-17T07:56:00.000-07:00

There are a few more warm days left and everyone should have a classic looking pair of sneaks. Here are a pair of Jack Purcell's made by converse. Just to let you know, I love velcro sneaks?!? I have no clue why but I think that they look sleak.

A little history on Jack Purcell. Which I had no clue, but maybe some of you guys did.

John Edward "Jack" Purcell (December 24, 1903 – June 10, 1991) was a Canadian world champion badminton player. Purcell was the Canadian National Badminton Champion in 1929 and 1930, and declared the world champion in 1933. He retired in 1945, and pursued a career as a stock broker. Purcell also designed an athletic shoe that bears his name, which is still popular today.

Purcell designed a canvas and rubber badminton sneaker for the B.F. Goodrich Company of Canada in 1935. He designed the shoe to provide more protection and support on badminton courts. In the 1970s, Converse purchased the trademark rights to Jack Purcell sneakers - which it still produces and sells today. Converse "Jack Purcells" are still popular - but more for their vintage fashion appeal than for athletic use

A bit on the collectable JP's featured below. The founder and creative mind behind famous sneaker spots Kicks/HI in Hawaii and St Alfred's in Chicago designed these lovely Purcell's. The use of the super rich Epi leather gives away that this is not your ordinary Jack P. Its the Ian G. Jack P. Part of the Converse 1HUND(RED) Collection.

If you don't know what Epi leather is we can tell you that its a very fine leather often used by exclusive bag maker Louis Vuitton. Here's the lowdown on Epi leather according to the Louis Vuitton Resource Center: The Epi Leather is inspired by the grained leather used by Louis Vuitton in the 1920s. The process of making a perfect Epi takes a very precise and controlled procedure. First, the leather is tanned with plant extracts, then deep-dyed. Its uniqueness comes from the two tones obtained from a shine and a special coloring on the top of the grain. The Epi leather is water repellent so the Ian G Jack P's are safe and are perfect to use during the rainy days.

Basquiat

2009-09-16T07:07:00.000-07:00

Reebok pays homage to a great artist. Jean-Michael Basquiat.

Basquiat first gained popularity in New York City as a graffiti artist in the early 80's and then later as a successful 1980s-era Neo-expressionist artist. He had firends with big names like Andy Warhol and habits that included some nasty drugs like heroine which eventually took his life. During his young days as a tag artist in NYC he and his buddy used the tag signature of SAMO which was short for same old sh*t.

Here he is in his setting.

Here are the shoes that pay tribute.

JLew....

2009-09-15T19:29:00.000-07:00

BAPE....A Bathing Ape. A Japanese company founded by Tomoaki Nagao in 1993. Nigo is the nickname that his friends call him. This literally means second version in Japanese. Anyway this dude and his company have been linked to some big names like Pharell, Jay Z, Teriyaki Boyz, Kanye West and Kid Kudi. They make some crazy pop culture clothes and footwear. They style allot of there footwear straight off of other brands. Nigo got big because he used to make 50 shirts a week with a different graphic. He would sell 25 and then give 25 to friends. Next thing you know you have this crazy viral pop culture growth and everybody has to have one.

Check out some of the sneaks below as well as listen to the tunes of the Teriyaki Boyz. You might have heard them and if not you are in for a serious treat…..

Airforce 1's? Bapes Fall 2009 Gingham Bapesta's

Here they are the famous Teriyaki Boyz. Zock On!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqJUCTVNbwM

Jason

Supra & Lil Wayne

2009-09-13T19:44:00.000-07:00

Ok Supra makes some serious funky lifestyle/skate shoes. They might be some of the hottest shoes on the market right now. Im not sure I would wear them but Maybe Cain Williams in some Black Skinny Jeans would.

Supra Footwear is a take on classic originals and has come out with some new funked out shoes. They have an all-star roster of athletes and musicians in their quiver who help influence the creation of some of the craziest shoes built for fashion and skate. These shoes not only have velcro they are also vulcanized high tops. Super Sick.

Here is Lil Wayne wearing a pair of customize blinged out Supra's at the 2009 BET Awards.

His shoes were created by a Berlin and Paris based store called CLVII. They were his 26th birthday gift. I wonder how long it took to bedazzle these freshies.

Back To School.

2009-09-11T16:09:00.000-07:00

All the teachers and kids are finally back to school. The streets are quite from 730 am to 3 pm. But the kids are using there crayon's in class on a little bit more than a piece of construction paper.
Here is the Nike Dunk Back To School circa 2008. Classic.

Mizuno Wave TSZ

2009-09-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

I have an affinity towards Mizuno sneakers. I work for the brand so of course I do. I have worked for the brand for 5 years now. I have seen some serious eveloution in running shoes over the past 5 years. Mizuno is a Japanesse brand with over 1oo years of history. The brand is based out of Osaka, Japan. The brand started with baseball and is now in over 60 sports across the globe. So sports performance is there thing. Since I have worked for them every now and then you see something crazy come across the desk. Here is the Mizuno Wave TSZ. Enjoy.

JLew