Crocodile Hunter

Well for those of whom were there, thankyou. For those of whom weren't there you missed a great night. A good turn-out rate, 85% of the invitees turned up, those who didn't sent their apologies and the people that did turn up brought guests and new friends, so we had 40+ people. Now, how to get rid of the massive stain under the air-conditioner... :)

Why is my housewarming featuring on a blog about shoes? Well - it's my blog damnit. That's why.

Oh, and because Riley and Mikey were wearing some cool shoes that I am now trying to find a pair of. They're more clogs than shoes and made out of silicone rubber. I tried Mike's pair on and they were soooooo comfortable. Screw the thongs and the backpacker sandals that I always get blisters from!

Go check out www.crocs.com.au

They come in heaps of colours and styles (R&M were wearing the 'beach'), all of which are insanly soft and cooshy under your feet. If you ever see a pair on someones feet ask politly if you can try them on. When you try them on be careful not to think of them as shoes, they're meant to have a fair amount of space around your foot - which is why they are more like clogs than shoes. :)

I haven't decided what colour I want yet - I'm probably going to get the more utilitarian black or better yet the chocolate pair (pictured) so I can wear them out and people won't always notice I'm not wearing shoes - or a pair of the brighter coloured ones to wear during summer. Heck - I'll probably get two pairs. They're only $50.

Salomon Options

So I love Salomon shoes... I've got two pairs already, one the same as the options below but a bright blue instead of the navy blue and a pair of light-hikers (low rise hiking boots). These shoes are perfect for form, function and durability. I've had each pair for years and they're still going strong. So here I am looking out for more. I did a quick search on eBay for some new ones and these three are the contenders.


The XA Pro 2 is the first shoe in this selection - As I said above I have a pair of XA Pro 1's at the moment, they're being used as gym shoes and for going out occasinaly. They're light and comfortable for long use with great ventilation (hence why I use them at the gym). I wouldn't mind another pair and the different colour is good too.

The second is a pair of light-hikers, again similar to the pair I already own. I use these for walking around (obviously) and general day to day wear. The pair I hav now aren't leather like these are and are grey with orange highlights. I don't have a white pair of shoes at the moment so this gives these an extra point in my book.

The third are another pair of light-hikers as above - just a different colour and style and would probably go better with my wardrobe than the white pair. Hence why I don't own white shoes now but it does mean I have several pairs of shoes in this colour range.

Which do you think I should go for?

Prada Hi-tops - Very 80's, Very ugly

I normally like Prada sneakers, particularly the America's Cup sneakers they've got a bit of sleek class to them. They're well made and well designed (plus they're all over eBay and not too expensive, if you hunt for cheap ones), but I really don't like the new hi-top version they've just released in the US. They look way too 80's and with that horrible velcro tab at the top they've lost all the elegance.
Now I'm re-thinking if I would even buy the nice pair knowing the others are butt-ugly. If your trying to build a brand around good design it kinda helps to design well don't you think? There were ways that Prada could have made some hi-tops that kept their original style, like integrating the velcro tab better, or not using velcro! I don't know but every time I see velcro on a shoe I get flashbacks from the bargain basement shoes my mother got me as a kid because I'd destroy them or grow out of them within a week. Further, since Prada is all about the brand why did they cover the trademark red Prada stripe with the tab?

Although on the interesting marketing side they're adding a level of exclusivity by limiting the number of these shoes that a person can buy. Your only allowed to buy 3 pairs in 30 days... Not all that exclusive, who the hell is going to buy thee pairs of these ugly shoes in the first place, let alone in 30 days?

If you really do want to spend US$370(!) for these you can order them from Neiman Marcus in the US.

Via Luxist

Skinhead Ranger Boots - Lick 'em while you can

For Emma:

These boots came up on eBay today, they caught my eye and the description made me chuckle. "You can't lick these boots... but others will when you wear them..." Then I realised what was going on in the background of the picture :)


They're a UK mens 9 and are currently going for GBP£57, or AU$132 + postage. Ouch that exchange rate kills. Check them out

Fluro Vans

Bored at work and searching for shoes on eBay I came across these... I think I know someone who'd love to spin around in a club under black-lights showing off his fancy footwork :)

Check them out on eBay The current bid is AU$36

Bio-degradable cardboard sandals

Just a tad different from the offal and deer skin hiking boots from yesterday, here are some really nice (in their "I don't beleive in showering" hippy-esq style).

The only cost 50c each so if your on a budget they're alright but I wouldn't get them wet. They've got something going for them - they must to to win a broze medal in the Industrial Design Exellence Awards (IDEA).


via MetaEfficient

Now that's retro

Just found an article about some hiking shoes found attached to a frozen body from 5300 years ago, yes, 5300 years ago.

We might have come a long way from from the cow, bear and deer leather, boiled liver, pigs brains and straw that went into makeing these shoes but it seems everything that was old is new again.

Researches from a Czech university re-created the shoes and handed them out to climbers who reported back they loved them and wanted to keep their pair because they were the most comfortable shoes they've ever worn...

They are planning to see if they can get them into mass-production (sans the bear leather but keeping the offal) so watch out little asian children, you might be sewing swooshes onto deer skin and hay up to your elbows in pigs innards.

Will you be pre-ordering?

via SMH.com.au

My Puma Beisser's

I figure I should start off whith the favourite from my collection, their still sitting in their display case in my living room and have only been worn a hand full of times (I intend to keep it that way).

Puma Beisser, which translates into "Bites" are modeld on fangs, and are designed to give good tracktion in the wet (think a goth tractor for your foot and you're almost there). They're kinda funky to walk in, kind of like wearing cleated shoes but are still pretty comfortable - with the usual toe pinching you get with the low profile toe caps that Puma has (I've got wide feet so I notice it more I guess). Watch out climbing or decending stairs though, you need to pay attention or the edge of the step slips into a groove and before you know it the paramedics have landed themselves a nice pair of new shoes.

Two little disapointments with them though - the sole wasn't as shiny as I expected. That was easily fixed with a bit of silicone rubber polish and now they shine and stand out alot more. Someone has stopped me each time I've worn them out after they were polished. Secondly, for a pair of shoes that are limited edition I'd expect a certificate of authenticity and a run number, even if they did only cost me $AU230!

Oh, and they come in white as well - they're groovy too but more femenine (goth chick chic?) I'll snap a picture of the white pair next time I'm in Hype DC

sneakersneaker

I was inspired by Tony's new "bling trainers" to create a blog and call it sneakersneaker as I love looking for cool shoes.

Sneaker (n):
1. A shoe often made with canvas and a rubber sole
2. One whom sneaks

How perfect?