From: dbucklin@sdf.org
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.