Initial Impressions

Yeezy 450 “Cloud White”: A Tasty Dumpling?

I think we all thought the same thing when we saw the Yeezy 450. We were getting further and further away from the golden era of Yeezy sneakers. There was no boost. There were the dumpling memes. My guess was that this was going to be another model that was a swing and a miss, and would fade into obscurity.

Nike Dunk High Aluminum: Nike Quality

The Nike Dunk High Aluminum is definitely being launched at the right time to be a success. While not quite as hyped up as they were in 2020, the Nike Dunk is still selling out with every release, and this not-quite-Carolina blue colorway is still close enough to a classic Nike colorway that it has every chance to be a smash hit.

Alden 975 Longwing “Gunboat”: Classic 75 Years Later?

As someone who has had more than a reasonable number of shoes pass through his hands, I’ve started to really appreciate having “classic” design. By a classic, I mean a pair of shoes that you know will work. You’ve worn it. Your dad wore it. And, in the case of this pair here, your grandad wore it. When it comes to classic, there is nothing that fits that bill more than the Alden 975, also known as the Alden Longwing or Alden Gunboat.

Viberg Service Boots in Workshoe Butt: All Hype?

Viberg Service Boots almost need no introduction. After breaking onto the scene during the Americana/workwear craze around 10 years ago, they have been the yardstick that many others are graded on. Since that time, countless others from the pacific northwest have followed suit – White’s, Nick’s, and others owe much of their recent success to Viberg.

Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece Captoes: Out of the Box

When Brooks Brothers ended their contracts with Alden, Crockett & Jones, and Alfred Sargent, there was a bit of an uproar. Including from your author. For many men in the United States who prefer to not shop for shoes online, Brooks was the only place to get these brands. Their Golden Fleece Captoes, and others in the line, had the unenviable task of trying to replace these giants of the shoe industry on the Mahogany shelves of Brooks Brothers stores.

Adidas Ultraboost 21 “Parley”: Out of the Box

Creating a classic sneaker is hard. Every year, a dozen models or more come out of the big sneaker brands only to fade into obscurity once the next Jordan collab comes out. Even harder than that is trying to improve and build on a classic sneaker. This is the loop that Adidas has been in with their Ultraboost line. While the Ultraboost 19 and 20 were not the commercial success Adidas wanted, they have another try with the Adidas Ultraboost 21. Is this another classic, or is this more Jordan 33 than Jordan 3?

TB Phelps Weekender: Out of the Box

If you’re not familiar with the brand, TB Phelps has been around since 1938. Originally starting off making leather bags, they expanded into other leather products over time. You can really tell that the leather choices are at the heart of what they do. Offering a variety of products in sheepskin, deerskin, elk and more, they offer a way to take traditional designs and give them a slightly different style. It’s a look that I feel works best with shoes that lean into that rustic design – and may be best exemplified in the T.B. Phelps Weekender.