Review: Fila Skeletoes 2.0

After Vibrams had shelled their own "foot glove" in the market with the five fingers, several other companies have tried to make their own version of a minimalist shoe. One of those brands is Italian shoemaker fila with it's own barefoot shoe, the skeletoes.  Today we review the second iteration of the Fila Skeletoes.

Performance Review: Converse Auckland Racer Remix

Today, we take a look at Converse's newest entry into the training/ running line with the Auckland Racer Remix

Part I: The Aesthetics

The Look

Over the past years, Converse had been trying to update and modernize its previous lines and styles to make it not only wearable in the fashion world,  but have a clear and functional use  in sports, training and fitness applications. Such attempts were mildly successful with the release of the Weapon Evo (2009), Star Player Evo (2010) and Pro Leather 2k11(2011). Over the more recent releases, it has enjoyed collaborating with the R&D of its more famous sister company, Nike. While the technology transfer in the previous years may not be as prevalent as the other competitor's sister companies (Adidas Climaride/ Reebok Zigtech technologies), it is nice to see that Nike and Converse are finally working hand and hand.

Being an update of the Auckland Racer, a popular training/ ruining shoe made by Converse a few decades back, the designers at the star chevron brand figured out some ways to update the shoe, particularly with the help from its sister company.

And what an update it has been. Gone are is the heavy canvas/ leather combination as it was replaced by a suede/ mesh upper skin.This results in reduction of weight and addition. Take note that there are 3 colorways for the Auckland Racer Remix. Each colorway features a different lightweight material. Although among the 3, the Navy/ Orange variant looks the most modernized.

 

The Sole on the other hand, had the major upgrade as it has been infused with a sole that is quite similar to Nike free. The pre cut soles and the soft midsole provides a near minimalist feel when running.

The heel area provides a rubber strap support similar to the weapon evo basketball shoe models.

The breathable mesh and rubber star chevron logo.

Part II: The Test Run

I did a test run after acquiring the said shoe, but the real test begins when I started using it for an actual run. Last May, I joined Medicard's Medirun event in the 10 kilometer category. The route was a simple run around for 1-2 kilometers in BGC, followed by a trek to buendia flyover and take a U turn and run back to the starting line.

The Start

The Nike free technology invested in the sole made the shoe light and spongy. It did have some initial pain running around the first few kilometers around BGC.

Running up the Buendia flyover

This is where the shoe impressed me.  I have tried a lot of shoes through my 1 1/2 years of running and some of them quite fail when handling the stress of a steep uphill, particularly the Buendia flyover. The Auckland Racer Remix's Nike free  influenced cushioning system was effective in coping up with the stress of the incline as we did cross the dreaded flyover twice in the race. After the end of the race there were no blisters present.

Overall, while the Auckland Racer Remix isn't one of the most advanced trainers around, it is still an all around training/ running shoe. The problem for most runners or those who travel and work out is that they have to pack a training shoe as well as a casual shoe hence minimizing space in luggage and compartment. This running shoe does both of that.


The shoe retails for 3,990 also comes in 2 other colorways

Converse Asia Crown

 

Images from Converse Asia crown last March 30, 2012 

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star : Year of the Rabbit

Like most shoes from it's line (and it's sister company, the swoosh) Converse did a limited release to celebrate the lunar new year with the Year of the Rabbit Chuck Taylor All Stars.



Today, we take a look at this offering from Cons. full feature after the jump.

Converse Eastwood Launch

Last September 17,2011 Converse Eastwood branch launched their newly renovated store. Some of the activities include a party at blue onion, an exhibit by wewilldoodle and a sale. Here are some of the Pics in case you missed it.

Review: Converse Sicks

Debuting at the 2010 World Basketball festival, The Sicks is Converse's 2010-11 entry to the performance line of basketball sneakers after the Weapon Evo last 2009-10 season. The past season, Cons ballers alternated between this and the other performance shoe, the Converse Star player evo.

Converse Star Tech

Before the weapon, the Star tech was Converse's flagship basketball shoe brand in the 80s. Dubbed as one of the 4 greatest stars in Basketball alongside Julius Erving, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, it was one of the most anticipated shoes back then. Approximately 18 years later, Converse is bringing back these classics from the 80s. with the 2011 release of the star tech 2011.


The Converse Star Tech TV AD




The Star Tech is for Converse is like what the Air force 1 is for their sister company, Nike. Like the latter, It is one of those shoes which is relegated to both  performance and fashion footwear. And like it's sister company's counterpart shoe, It still has what it takes to take on the full 48 minutes of action of the hardwood game, How does it work out? Read after the Jump. .

Review: Converse Weapon Evo

1984, After the NBA Finals where the Celtics Beat the Lakers, Larry Bird finally got his revenge from then bitter rival Magic Johnson. Flashback 5 Years Earlier, Magic's Michigan State Spartans Defeated the then perfect Indiana State Sycamores. The 2 obviously did not like each other and were anointed as the most bitter of Rivals since day one. But somewhere along the way, something changed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJEa2c_939o

During The Taping of this Converse weapon commercial, the 2 finally got together at Larry's home. Bird, who refused to film the commercial anywhere but his hometown of French Lick, Indiana. Bird's Mom who was a Magic fan Invited him for a meal and that's when the 2 legendary rivals learned that they are more of the same. The intensity and dislike of the 2 heated rivals became mutual respect and eventually Friendship.




Fast forward 25 years Later, The Weapon, Now being one of the most Iconic shoes of the brand next to the chucks, Now being popular as a Lifestyle and Skateboading Shoe. The team at Converse has decided to do a modern version of the weapon, keeping the classic feel but upping the performance for today's game.

Converse You're It

Last July 3, 2010 Cubao's Time street turned into a bizarre fusion of Fashion, Music, Art, Culture and Individuality when the World's leading shoe brand, Converse brought to the filipino youth You're It: Create Spark or Spark Creativity.

"Converse's Connection to the art world has been around for ages, and to this day, Converse remains an unending source of inspiration, and this in its true fashion, the brand launched the you're it campaign to celebrate artistry in all its form and glory"

"Art is not simply a painting or sculpture featured on the walls and pedestals of museums, it can be anything and everything that expresses oneself".



Converse's You're It Campaign



Several High School and College students from different educational institutions around the Metro showcased their creativity by using parts of old Converse Shoes.


Aside From that, the Philippine team for the you're it showcased their own masterpiece entitled "Speacies" A play between the word "Species" and "Peace". Their art was placed in a truck, With the old Cons, Tar react and weapons as soil as well as insects on the globe, creating a unique harmony of surreal wildlife.


The Chuck Taylor man Greets guests a like

Some of the Entries include:


The Pegashoe


This Rollercoaster with Comic Book Heroes.


Converse Bags, Shoes and Apparel are also being sold. The Fall collection was also previewed.



After customers purchase or brought original pairs of chucks, they can have their shoes painted.

More Pics After the Jump




Several bands also Played that night like Sugarfree


Converse CEO Checking out the freedom wall


Illuminated chucks and Collage chucks.

KG ditches Adidas for Anta

KG has reportedly signed a contract with chinese shoe company Anta.

Though it is still not officially announced, This will be the fourth shoe brand for KG after Nike, And1 and Adidas.

After what happened to Anta endorsers Danny Seigle and Steve Francis, I hope would not be the same for KG.

Converse Mega Sale 2009

Dec 3-6 at SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 2

Come in Early to avoid long lines.

KG 4 Sportspick's Fail Shoe

The Garnett 4 figure is one groundbreaking mold for the mcfarlane nba sportspicks series. This is the first time that a player is depicted on his warmups rather than the usual jerseys.



However, upon checking the KG 4 there is something wrong with the foot. Since Adidas has never made a shoe like that. It turns out to be one of LBJ's Shoes. Which means obviously, the mold was originilly intended for LBJ. Here is to hoping that mcfarlane will change the shoes into the TS Commanders before it gets released on feb 2010.

Nike Hyperize Philippines

As Part of Nike's Hyperize Asian City PAck (Along with china, Olympic Gold, Taiwan and Hongkong)

I hope nike would make this available for the Filipino People and not another limited edition thing. They have been making bad Decisions over the years...

Remember the Philippine Air Force 1? That was the first nike filipino inspired nike shoe and they sold it everywhere except one country where the shoe mattered the most.... The Philippines!

Not that much of a "terno" with Powerade or smart gilas' Jerseys. But I think the RP Players will be wearing this one in the Jones Cup and Fiba Wars.

Nike X Transformers ROTF

Last week in NYC, while looking for kicks, I came across several tf inspired nike products.

Nike and Transformers had always been in collab since the first film with the nikefree Prime and Megatron as well as the G1 Inspired shoe designs of soundwave, bumblebee etc. This time, they released the ROTF line.

Here is the Nike Dunk X Optimus Prime I saw displayed in various footlocker and footaction stores, One of the 3 Rotf Collaboration shoes (with Bumblebee Air Max 95 and Megatron CB34). The designs are of acquired taste, however the sizes are for kids/ women only. Sad but that's how Nike has been even in their p2 designs.


The Shoes are not the only ones with the transformers collab, There are also accompaniying shirts. Pics here taken from Niketown Trump Tower. Sadly, like the shoes, they also come in Kids sizes.

Bumblebee

Optimus Prime

Megatron (But the design looks a lot made for starscream)

Overall, its nice to see nike is doing crossover products and this time at a non limited edition price. Too bad its only kids sizes, but its good for collectors and sneakerheads alike.