Sneaker Top 5 by Erik
Continuing our staff top 5’s is a well known face: Erik. What else to ask him about than sneakers? We have a serious amount of different ones in stock, so time for him to spell out his top 5.
1. adidas Rivalry Hi
I don’t like high sneakers, I’ll be blunt. I don’t see the appeal of hiding 50% of a sneaker under your pants. What’s the point of the sneaker then? So I generally stay away from them. The Rivalry Hi has started to change my opinion. The chunky nature of the Patrick Ewing-worn basketball shoe means it works well with our emphasis on an oversized style of clothing. Comfy, wide fits and basketball shoes go hand in hand. These Rivalry’s put an emphasis on vintage, with crème coloured outsoles and laces. And we all know I love me some vintage looks.
2. Mizuno Wave Rider BETA
A style which practically always works is the combining of tradition and innovation. My general rule is that the silhouettes from yesteryear are better than the newly designed. And we all know outsole technology has become infinitely better during the years. So pairing a classic upper with a modern outsole: match made in heaven? That’s what the Mizuno Wave Rider ß is, the outsole of the Wave Rider 26, Mizuno’s latest running shoe and an upper inspired by the Wave Rider 8, 9, 10 and 11. The end result is one of the comfiest sneakers I have ever walked on and a winner in the looks department. I opted for the green and yellow colourway, but the blue and red’s are also bangers. Releasing this Friday, 24th of March!
3. New Balance M990GL5
The cultural importance of the 990 series of New Balance can and should not be understated. Every few years a different sneaker trend arises, but there are a few rock solids who manage to stay relevant year in, year out. One of those is the 990, arguably the best of what the Bostonian brand has to offer. The 990 started out as a performance shoe but has since walked the line of performance and style. Most all-time classics never get updated, or their OG version remains the one to have. That is not the case with the 990, where the designers have a newer version ready when they feel the market gets saturated. The newest version is the V6, released in 2022 under the watchful eye of new creative director Teddy Santis. My favourite however is the V5. The most simplified and sleek version of all, I see this as the gentleman version. An effortless way to show the world you definitely know what’s up, but don’t need to be flashy about it.
4. adidas Gazelle Indoor
Our love affair with terrace styled adidas’ is a story which has been told time and time again. That was not always the case for me though. Way back when I used to be encapsulated by the NIKE marketing machine. There was hardly a spot on the wall for anything else. Working extensively with other brands has shown me the grass can be greener on the other side. I’ve always been a sucker for a story and by god adidas has a lot of those. Just look at the subtle differences in the ‘City Series’ line, where the same model could be different depending on which factory produced it. And then we haven’t even scratched the surface of all the classic football moments these shoes have seen. The Orange Peel not-yellow, not-orange colourway of the Gazelle Indoor immediately stood out for me. Paired with a see-through gumsole, it manages to stand out where most terrace-styled sneakers might look the same. Winter, spring, summer, a slice of colour in your wardrobe is always a good thing. Even if it’s not-yellow, not-orange.
5. New Balance OU576ANN
Another staple in New Balance’s lineup is the 576. Introduced in 1988 (an excellent year I must say), it’s time for the 576’s (and my) 35th anniversary. In recent years the 576 has never been in the limelight with the public. I can remember a slew of collaborations in the early 2000’s, but the 576 has never been able to stay relevant when the market saw more modern designs catch the public’s eye. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily in my opinion. I figure the 576 has earned its place and has a loyal following loving the understated look. Anniversary editions: recapturing what New Balance envisioned all those years ago are right up my alley, so the OU576ANN is an instant winner in my book.
