Sole Classics dropped their latest Vans Vault collaboration “The Prequel” this past weekend, also known as the “SC Flyer”, an OG Style 36 LX paying tribute to the beginning of flight.  This shoe has a good amount of unique materials, and the color combination is something to be admired, designed by our friend James aka @mrkingjd, and pairs nicely with almost anything.  The gold 3M is something you don’t see used too often, and when used sparingly it adds a perfect accent, especially when the primary colors of the shoe are an off-white and gum brown combination.  The cracked leather is a nice texture that we haven’t seen used in a long time and the people are receiving it pretty well!  We’ve taken a few close up realistic photos, as we always try to do with our reviews, and we hope it helps you decide if you need to have these.  To us, it was a no brainer.  It’s the year of the OG Style 36 LX!  Overall the shoe came out extremely nice, and Sole Classics still has some sizes left up on their webstore, so cop them while you still can.

more pics after the jump Read More

It’s been awhile since I’ve written a review for a sneaker, and I have no excuse except that I’ve been lazy!  My attention has been elsewhere, but I’ve finally made an effort to sit down and put some thought and effort into a blog post.  With that out of the way, let’s get started.

Today we will be reviewing the Vans Vault x The Darkside Initiative “Armored Pack” Sk8-Hi Zip LX.  A Vans shoe, featuring more tech than you’ve ever seen on any pair, and an aesthetic that you probably haven’t seen since the Vans Syndicate 003 “Ballistic” Sk8-Hi.  When news first dropped of this pack, everyone was “hella” excited for this NorCal collaboration.  Then the photos came out, and even more people became excited.  Then the MSRP was announced, and that’s where a lot of people started to change their sentiment for the shoes.  I get it.  It’s totally understandable when very few Vans shoes have peaked above the $200 mark, mostly those that had Taka Hayashi’s name behind them, or the infamous “handmade in Italy” Vault x Diemme’s.  Partnering with world-renowned companies to give some authenticity to the shoes, like Vibram or Horween, is just one example of making an already awesome product, better.  Darkside did exactly this, by sourcing SuperFabric® material, which has quite a few benefits to it, which you can read about HERE.  They didn’t stop there.  They also added Outlast® material for the inside lining of the shoe, originally developed by Nasa, which utilizes phase change materials (PCM) that absorb, store and release heat for optimal thermal comfort.  Read more about it on the same link I just mentioned.

All of this tech doesn’t come cheap, and I truly believe you are getting your money’s worth with these.  Tech can cost just as much as Luxury in almost any industry, and sometimes we have to be reminded of that.  The Darkside Initiative has a pretty specific clientele, and the brands they curate, are a direct reflection of that.  Brands like WTAPS, Neighborhood, and Acronym, fill their store, and when your customers are dropping $100+ on a t-shirt, then what’s $180-$225 on a pair of shoes?  These shoes reflect their style, their taste, their budget, and their sentiment.  It’s a point of view that you either get, or you don’t, and Darkside is okay with that.

The shoes are limited to 100 pairs of each style, so that should also help add some value to them.  Whether you’re a sneaker collector, a shop supporter, or a fan of tech gear, these may be just for you.  Pairs can still be found on The Darkside Initiative webstore.  Buy yourself something nice for Christmas!

tons more pics after the jump Read More

The Vault by Vans x Off The Hook “Varsity Pack” release is just a few days away, and as we near the end of the year, I start to think back on all of the releases that stood out, and I’ve already made up my mind that these will be in my top 5.  That’s a bold statement, but I’m confident I won’t be changing my mind.  One close look at the craftsmanship on this pack, and you just might have to agree with me.  Both are equally exceptional, and when tasked with designing two totally opposite silhouettes, it can be difficult to give them both a unique identity, without having them look like some horrible set of twins.  Think of Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger!  Huh?  What?  Ok bad analogy.  What I mean to say, is that these are more like a pair of good looking siblings, featuring both the awesome wool and premium leather traits that their designers came up with, but in their own unique way.

The Authentic is known for having a lot of open space up in the toe area, a perfect place to showcase the fine wool material, in all it’s nappy gray glory.  The dark pebbled leather wraps the entire back half of the shoe, completing the varsity jacket aesthetic, and the brown leather accents contrast nicely.  They finish off with high-quality red waxed round laces.  Square leather laces are also included.

For the Sk8-Hi 46 LX, the premium brown leather steals the spotlight.  The Sk8-Hi 46 utilizes a unique two-piece toe box construction, which I assume was for a more durable, work-wear type of shoe.  We’ve seen it used before, particularly on the Vault Schaffer Pack, and the added panel and stitching helps add some depth to this shoe’s design, as well as draws more attention to the perfectly tanned leather.  The details don’t stop there.  For the back half of the shoe, the same wool and pebbled leather combination can be found on the outer panel, and is “flipped” on the inside panel of each shoe, which is dope and allows everyone to see all of the different materials chosen for this shoe, from just about any angle.  These are finished off nicely with squared leather laces, and comes with the red round waxed laces as well.

These are a thing of beauty, and I do hope you don’t hesitate to pick these up.  They won’t last long.  The Authentic ($95 CAD) and Sk8-Hi ($135 CAD) will be available in limited quantity on Saturday, October 25^th at 10AM in store and 12PM in the online store (Eastern time).

tons more pics after the jump Read More