The New Balance 992 Seersucker, also known as the 992NT or Blue Teal Rose, is one of the flagship shoes in the brand’s Made-in-America line. This line is one of the things that really sets New Balance apart. Sure, there are Nikes or Adidas that we all appreciate, but New Balance is the only brand making sneakers that are both making sneakers in countries with high labor standards, and making sneakers that carry some hype.
We first took a look at the Rancourt Read Boat Shoe back in November of 2020. Back then, we noted that this shoe was a classic design, but there were a few flaws that kept them from being perfect. Since then, these shoes have been worn 100 times and more than 100 miles. Let’s see if those concerns grew, or if they were blown out of proportion.
Highlights: Price: $149 [Sold out; on sale on Amazon] Pros: Knit upper offers great balance, Accommodating fit Cons: Poor durability, Too soft Specs: Color Grey
When you think of the early 1990’s, there are a few things that stand out. For me, examples include the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Ecto Cooler, and the Jordan 5. While you’re probably never going to get that Ecto Cooler you’ve been wishing for, the Jordan 5 Bel Air Alternate aims to combine the other two and give you that nostalgia hit that you’ve been looking for.
Just about every shoe that costs more than a few dollars looks great when it comes out of the box. However, no shoe stays pristine forever. We like to take a look at how a shoe looks once it’s actually been used. These Jay Butler Cromwell loafers have really seen it all. Despite their suede upper and leather soles, they’ve been worn in rain, snow, salt and more. How did they hold up? Let’s find out.
Highlights Price: $160 MSRP Pros: Extremely Comfortable, Affordable Cons: Outdated Looks Content: History Looks Fit & Comfort Materials Ease of Care Pricing Value Wrap-up History:
The Jordan 1 mid has become something of a joke to a lot of sneakerheads. Jordan Brand today positions the shoe as a more affordable option for those who can’t afford a Jordan 1 high. To reach that price point, they use lower quality materials and less of them. They also will take classic color combos and change them just enough to make it not satisfy the urge for a classic.
Sperry as a company has a collaboration catalog that puts everyone apart from Nike to shame. Sperry has partnered with everyone from movie studios, both Quoddy and Rancourt, Patta (before New Balance), Rains, Barneys, J. Crew, and more. However, one of the most sought-after collections was the Sperry x Band of Outsiders Topsider collabs.
LL Bean’s Bean Boots are as ubiquitous as falling leaves or pumpkin-spice everything during Fall in many parts of the United States. However, while they have been knocked off countless times, many people don’t know that the Bean Boot itself is a copy. Leon Leonwood Bean first came out with these, the Maine Hunting Shoe.
The Quoddy Blucher is really a combination of two styles of shoes – the boat shoe and a ranger moc. Taking style ques from each, and sometimes splitting the differences down the middle, the shoe acts as a bridge between the two styles and can have a very different impact based on the color choices the consumer selects.