Pumped Up Kicks….

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!

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

The Grotto