We live in an ever-changing footwear landscape where styles come and go. Brands have to reinvent themselves whilst simultaneously breathing new life into their classic silhouettes. So if you’re looking to build an outfit from the feet up or add the finishing touches to an ensemble you have lined up for the start of the new school year, you may be interested to look beyond the Big Three. So if you’re thinking of saying “no” to Nike, jumping over the Jumpman, or indifferent to adi, check out our list of the best kicks from some brands that may not be on your radar (yet).
Asics x Dime GT-2160
When looking for the perfect skate shoe you need to cross off a few points on the following list:
Does it have a flat sole? Are the uppers made of durable suede? Is there lace protection?
Well, Montreal-based skate brand Dime have thrown the guidelines out the window and offered up something completely different with their latest collaboration with ASICS. Pivoting hard into the running game, the GT-2160 is far more attuned for hiking than heelflips. That’s not to say it won’t look great in the classroom, but bonus points if your school is up a mountain.
New Balance x Action Bronson – 990v6 “Baklava”
Chef-turned-rapper Action Bronson finally gets his own shoe and it’s a certified sizzler. Bronson had been cooking up colourways with adidas as far back as 2018 and, though the Ultraboosts never saw a general release, it left fans of the Queens-native hungry for a footwear collab. Working directly with New Balance’s Creative Director, Teddy Santis, the ‘Baklava’ 990v6 delivers earthy suede tones accented with eye-popping Pixel Green mesh, finished off with a vibrant blue midsole. OK, it doesn’t instantly scream gooey, honey-covered pastry like the name suggests, but they’ll definitely hit if you’re rocking these in the canteen at lunch.
Salomon x End XT6 “Dark Truffle”
The thirst for knowledge is a lot like a pig snuffling for truffles in a forest. Well, not a lot, but it’s worth carrying that desire over into your studies. Be at one with the subject, serene, in the zone to get what you need. Be the pig. We can only assume that was the design brief behind the XT6 from UK retailer End Clothing. Truffles add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any dish, so why not continue that theme with footwear. The midsole colour palette is described as kelp and moss which, whilst being smooth, really pops against the dark black uppers of the shoe. The innersoles also feature a bold graphic of a truffle’s interior to cement these as the fungi connoisseur’s choice. Actually, don’t they use dogs to hunt for truffles these days?
Bape x JJJJound Bapesta
Not every collaboration has to be outlandish and eccentric. If the core product is good then simple elevation is all that’s required for a product to become timeless. Take the Bapesta, for example. A Bathing Ape loved the Air Force 1 so much they made a shoe just like it. Good core product. Throw collab specialists JJJJound into the mix and things really start to get interesting. Sticking to simple hues of white and grey, the real innovation comes from the choice of materials, using soft and supple leathers to wrap the upper of the shoe. Quality shines through, and this shoe will look as good at the end of the year as it does on the first day of term. The final subtle touch can be found on the heel tab with JJJJound applying their logo just in case you need to educate any philistines about your quiet luxury.
O/W Vulc Low
OFF-WHITE’s Vulc Low is the culmination of the brand’s entire design history. Think picking up your exam results at the end of the year. By combining key themes from the O/W archive, the sneaker is both bold and highly wearable, utilising the signature arrow insignia and trademark black and white stripes. Bursting onto the scene in 2020, this silhouette is having a major moment right now for shoe lovers looking beyond brands we traditionally associate with footwear. No OFF-WHITE crep would be complete without the iconic zip tag, with this iteration featuring a monochromatic marble effect. Classy.
Vans Knu Skool
He was a shoe. She was a girl. Can I make it any more obvious? OK, that’s not quite the lyric to Avril Lavigne’s seminal song ‘Sk8er Boi’, but the Vans Knu Skool definitely delivers that accentuated and oversized sneaker aesthetic synonymous with the time. If puffy-all-over is your aim then this shoe has parts sticking out like an overfilled sausage. Vans listened to fans of this 90’s cult classic and brought back the Knu Skool with all the original features, from its gargantuan tongue to its exaggerated ankle collar. If you’re not looking to take any half measures this term then this is the shoe for you. Complete the look with an iPod Mini and Nirvana hoodie so you can really feel like you went to school in 2004.
