Recent purchases - Part II

[WBaker]

@Benesyed Will do! I had the chance to try this jacket on in store way back, wanted it but the $2500 price tag scared me off. Excited to get a second chance at this piece!

 

[Callusing]

I've got quite a few recent purchases but these are my fave:

Reebok x Nepenthes

I've been fuckin up by not wearing Reeboks all this time. Super comfy, looks fantastic (they're seriously some of my best-looking sneakers) and cheap enough that I can rough em up and not have to worry about it. I'm buying some other Workouts immediately.

I've got absolutely no reason these days to spend more than $100 on a pair of casual sneakers. I've been consistently happier with my Chucks, Reeboks, Spalwarts and the like than any high-end stuff I've bought in the past several years.

 

[Coldsnap]

Yea spending over $150 on sneakers is just redic. I sorta like the way those look too.

 

[bry2000]

Retail on Spalwarts is a lot higher. I assume you got yours on sale.

 

[Callusing]

When I say "Spalwarts" I mean one model only, the Special Low. I always forget their Marathons are so much more popular, because I think they're totally overpriced and generally unremarkable.

But Special Lows are fantastic. I've tried a LOT of Chuck Taylor-esque shoes and they're my favorite so far. And you can frequently get em on sale (like all non-Marathon Spalwarts) because they seem to always be around at end-of-season.

I was thinking about how just a few months ago I was going back and forth on getting Vor sneakers, which are basically gorgeous, high-end Reeboks. As a pro, the Vors look and feel a little bit nicer. As a con, they're way more expensive, less comfortable both off the bat and broken in, more precious, and most importantly every person I'm friends with or otherwise care about would think I'm a tool if they knew I wore $300 sneakers. So, you know, it's a pretty easy decision for me all considered.

Unfortunately, I have not come to the same revelation with boots.


EDIT: I should hedge a bit because my most-worn sneakers for the past year were $130:

But those are totally worth it, too.

 

[jet]

I dunno man i feel the opposite, love my cps, rafs, etc and can't justify sweat shop sneaks made with pleather or recycled materials that cost over 75 bucks. Copping vors as soon as i figure out my size.

 

[Callusing]

I did for years. I get it.

I think it's just been a lifestyle change. I spend most of my time around people that don't own any piece of clothing worth more than $200 (not counting a wetsuit, natch), and the beach life is just different. I still like my leather jackets, still like my nice boots...but I don't want any sneakers I wouldn't want to move a couch or play soccer in.

Heck, these days even when I'm out I'm either in jeans & leather or shorts and sneakers, with not a lot in between. So I guess when I want nice shoes I'm just gonna wear boots.

But after years of wearing higher-end sneakers exclusively, I definitely thought cheaper sneakers were worse in my head than they actually are.

I've got a pair from Stepney Workers Club on the way, too. We'll see how they do me.

 

[jet]

my buddy has a pair of achilles that he literally wears every other day because he owns no other sneakers

they're are ******* thrashed and look so good i'm jelly

beat up nikes on the other hand...and chucks? i have a few pairs but they just look gross unless you're a grunge du

none of my friends have expensive clothes and the concerns you have do not or have ever cross my mind, everyone has their vices and there are people i know that spend more on weed than i spend on clothes these days

 

[steveoffice]

in our defense jawnz last much longer

 

[Callusing]

Well then I guess I'm still at the point where I still care too much about messing up my expensive sneakers. And I don't think that'll ever change, because I've got the means to not care but I still do. I live more in cheap **** than I do in expensive ****. But that's definitely just me being a neurotic idiot.

But only for shoes. Everything else is still overpriced, overbuilt, over-designed jawnz.

 

[Benesyed]

I did for years. I get it.

I think it's just been a lifestyle change. I spend most of my time around people that don't own any piece of clothing worth more than $200 (not counting a wetsuit, natch), and the beach life is just different. I still like my leather jackets, still like my nice boots...but I don't want any sneakers I wouldn't want to move a couch or play soccer in.

Heck, these days even when I'm out I'm either in jeans & leather or shorts and sneakers, with not a lot in between. So I guess when I want nice shoes I'm just gonna wear boots.

But after years of wearing higher-end sneakers exclusively, I definitely thought cheaper sneakers were worse in my head than they actually are.

I've got a pair from Stepney Workers Club on the way, too. We'll see how they do me.

 

[Callusing]

^ Those are breaking in great.

I lost my own plot. I didn't sell my leather sneakers for any of the reasons I said. I sold em because none of em were comfortable and all my cheap sneakers are. Working 3 jobs is starting to wear my brain down, maybe. Anyway, thanks for the feedback.

 

[shopcanoeclub]

@Callusing those nepenthes collabs seems enticing. Never worn a Reebok - comfy you say? Looks so sick. Also those Lil Baby Reebok’s caught my eye, haha

 

[Coldsnap]

@jet I do hear ya and I think your point is valid for sure. I'm just takin a lil break and rocking some vans and whatnot.

Damn son I like these too! They are like a classic Tretorn with a chunkier sole.

 

[Snoopy]

The problem with those Reeboks is that they are so old it screams Senior Citizen. Old people that can't afford orthopedic shoes mostly buy those.

Personally I would rather buy an Adidas Ultraboost under $100 than a grandpa shoe.