#shoes

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Vans and Haro

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Vans and Haro

Oh man, this new project from Vans looks RAD!

“Vans joins forces with renowned BMX brand Haro to commemorate a history of classic BMX design and originality. The fated partnership between the two brands brings forth a memorable collection of Vans x Haro footwear, apparel and accessories influenced by the early days of BMX style and the birth of the first freestyle BMX frame, the Haro Freestyler.

With more than 30 years of innovation, Haro Bikes champions an iconic heritage in BMX product design. With the introduction of its first top-of-the-line Freestyle BMX bike in early 1984, Haro ignited a revolution in the growing sport of Freestyle, paving the way for radical tricks and inventive style. The partnership between Vans and Haro celebrates a strong dedication to BMX.

The original Haro Freestyler Master informs the Vans capsule with vintage Haro accents and signature color schemes straight from the bike frame. Once worn by freestyle BMX riders in the 80s, the original Vans Era and Sk8-Hi Reissue boasts Vans’ classic checkerboard print popular among BMX athletes, along with Haro’s signature green and blue colors taken directly from theFreestyler Master.The collection also includes a retro long sleeve t-shirt and racing pant emblazoned with the unforgettable blue, green, and white racing stripes. Two custom Vans x Haro logo tees and a poison green snapback finish off the collection.

To celebrate this master collaboration, Vans and Haro teamed up to recreate the Freestyler Master in a limited run that will only be available in Vans.com, Vans Facebook and Vans retail store giveaways. Visit vans.com and facebook.com/vans through the month of July for more information.

The entire Vans x Haro collection hits stores July 1, 2013 and will be available at vans.com/haro.”

See more photos below!

What Shoes are Those?

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What Shoes are Those?

I know I’ve plugged the Giro Privateer shoes numerous times on the site before and yet I continue to get emails from people asking what shoes I wear on my cross and mountain bike. These days, I travel exclusively with my Mudville cross bike. For road rides, I bring Jack Brown tires, for dirt, I bring Grifos. Spending serious saddle time in shoes will either make or break your relationship with them but spending a lot of time on the road in MTB shoes is sure to test their comfort.

In dirt, you tend to move around a lot more, stop, hike and the time you spend actually sitting and climbing is limited. At least in my experience anyway. Especially when I come to California, I find myself climbing mountains on my cross bike, in these shoes. People often comment on how they hate riding road in mountain shoes and I used to hate it as well but then I got the Giro Privateers. I’ve been amazed at how comfortable they are, at such an affordable pricepoint. They also come in HV, or “high volume” for wider feet.

This isn’t a “paid advert”, this is just me sharing with you something that I use a lot more than I anticipated…

Chrome Introduces the Spring Riding Kit

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Chrome Introduces the Spring Riding Kit

This just in from Chrome as they introduce their Spring Riding Kit

“Just in time for sunny skies and Spring biking season, Chrome Industries introduces Spring City Riding Kit, featuring the De Haro Windbreaker, Men’s Mason Riding Jersey, Union Short, Merino Wool Ankle Socks and the Truk Pro.  Chrome Industries makes apparel and accessories that are simple, durable and built for utility.  The Spring City Riding Kit gives riders a classic look with bike-specific functionality made for urban riding. ”

Check out more below.

Giro: Republic Shoes

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Giro: Republic Shoes

I’ve been pumped on what Giro is putting out over the past few years and I was very stoked on their new Republic Shoe when I got a sneak peek at Interbike this year. Here’s a few words from Giro on their new urban / commuter / touring shoe, that fits right in alongside their New Road line:

“The Republic is really unlike other cycling shoes,” said Eric Richter, Giro Senior Brand Manager. “At heart, it’s a modern cycling shoe with a sleek profile and all of the essential performance elements that you need to pedal efficiently. But in spirit and style, it’s a new kind of shoe made for the streets, with a look and feel that’s great on the bike or walking into an office, whether you’re wearing street clothes or cycling apparel.”

The Republic Shoe retails at $150, comes in sizes 6 1⁄2 to 13 1/2 and three colors. Pick them up at Giro retailers this month.

See more product photos below!

Giro: The Empire is Now Available

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Giro: The Empire is Now Available

Giro’s popular new lace up road shoe, the Empire is now available in both colors, online and at your local Giro dealer. I can’t wait to get my hands on a pair. The quality, as with any Giro shoe is superb. Check out more details and sizing information here, at Giro.

Review: White Leather Specialized 74 Road Shoes

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Review: White Leather Specialized 74 Road Shoes

I have a problem. I can’t seem to turn down a pair of road shoes. Especially the 74 road from Specialized. These shoes have all the bells and whistles of a modern road shoe but are clad in a supple kangaroo leather. Complete with Specialized’s Boa technology, the only thing that’s throwback about the 74s is their material.

Right off the bat though, you’ll notice that the silhouette is lower than other shoes. By comparison, the heel is a centimeter lower than others I own. I thought it would be an issue with rubbing but all it took was putting the shoes on, tightening the two Boa lace systems and immediately, you can feel how different these shoes are.

It doesn’t end there. The Full Body Geometry system features in the outsole and High Performance Footbed change your alignment while pedaling, while reducing hot spots. Without going too far into this fit theory, it essentially straightens your legs as you pedal. Basically it feels like your cleats are wedged towards the outside of your shoe. A sensation that disappeared after a few miles.

The Boa system is easy to adjust on the fly, after you’ve done 30 miles or so (my feet swell during riding). While some have complained about the heel cup and ankle rub, I will say that like a good work boot, fit is essential. You’ve really got to nail down your size, so buy from a local dealer, or be prepared to send a pair back if you ordered online. At $400 a pop, you’ll want to make sure you have the proper fit. A shoe that’s properly fit will not rub.

For instance, I normally wear a 47 but ended up sticking with a 46. They’re were a bit tight on the sides of the shoe but have already begun to form around my foot. There is no fore and aft movement when I pedal: they’re snug but comfortable. Since I have only ridden these a few times, I’ll have to leave this Initial Reaction where it stands, with a follow up to come. Until then, check out some more photos in the Gallery.

Vittoria 1976 Classic Carbon Road Shoes

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Vittoria 1976 Classic Carbon Road Shoes

So here’s a factoid you might not have been aware of: Vittoria shoes, the brand, are in fact older than Vittoria tires. Don’t ask me why Vittoria tires decided to take their name but the main point to take away from this is that Vittoria shoes have been around a very long time.

When they re-issued their classic cycling shoes a few years back, people applauded them. The 1976 line was before any other company went for that “vintage look” and Vittoria is one of the few manufacturers that have said experience under their laces. Naturally, when they reached out to me to try out a pair of the 1976 Classic Carbon Road Shoes with a carbon sole, I did and have been riding them for a little longer than a month.

Right out of the box, they’ve proven to be just as comfortable and durable as any modern road shoe and I have yet to critique anything in their design. People complain about the laces but if you’ve been riding long enough, you know how tight or loose you need to have your shoes. I have yet to adjust them on a ride. The leather is incredibly durable and the vented perforations keep your feet cool, even in the Texas summer heat. To boot, they’re made by hand in Italy. In one word: perfetto!

Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.

Chrome Truk

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Chrome Truk

Since their first models dropped two years ago, Chrome has been working on improving them. Introducing the Truk, as modeled here by Massan.

Giro: High Viz Models for Fall 2012

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Giro: High Viz Models for Fall 2012

Now that’s what I’m talking about. If you’re going to do high visibility, go with a product(s) people will wear. For Fall 2012, Giro announced new high visibility models in their popular road and dirt shoes, along with the classic cycling shoe, the Empire. See all the models at Giro.

Shadow Conspiracy 10th Anniversary Vans

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Shadow Conspiracy 10th Anniversary Vans

Over the past few years, Vans’ presence in the BMX industry has grown and here on PiNP, I’ve done my best to bring you the recent collaborations. From Cult to Empire BMX and as a continuation of Van’s offerings, these new Shadow Conspiracy SK8-mids.

Unlike the previous releases, these shoes come as a pack and are celebrating a decade of Shadow Conspiracy. With a trucker, a t-shirt accompanying the box, alongside these SK8-mid, 106 vulc gum sole, denim and suede sneakers. There are so many solid details here, right down to the waxed laces. Ten years in the cycling industry is no easy task. So pick up a pair now, exclusively at Dans Comp. It’s a shame these aren’t available at local shops…

Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.

Van Winkle and the Rapha Grand Tour Shoes

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Van Winkle and the Rapha Grand Tour Shoes

Look, I’m going to be honest. Rapha gave me these shoes and sure, doing a write up was part of the “deal”. I’m a journalist in many ways and part of that is promoting products. But I’ll never pump up the hype on something I’m not into. Like nice cycling shoes, a nice bottle of bourbon needs no hype. While, going for a cheap bottle can result in a great night, you’re better off going for the good stuff if you’re into enjoying the evening. That doesn’t mean you can’t buy cheap bourbon and not have fun.

Hell, Fighting Cock is a great $15 bottle and Bookers or Basil Hayden’s is a good mid-range, coming in at $30-$40. Jim Beam is out of the picture, leave that shit to the sports bars. Makers is perfect for a bourbon and ginger, as is Buffalo Trace but Van Winkle Special Reserve, like the Rapha Grand Tour Shoes are just a step up from the rest. Giro‘s line of cycling shoes are like bourbon: there’s something for everyone. It just so happens that the Grand Tour shoes are the Van Winkle of the line. The bourbon’s good to go but how have the shoes been holding up?

Check out more below

The Vans and Empire BMX Ruark Shoes

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The Vans and Empire BMX Ruark Shoes

Vans has historically been tied to BMX and skateboarding, so it only makes sense that they would support one of the biggest companies in the industy. There’s no comp when it comes to Empire BMX. This is Texas after all. To commemorate general badassery, the guys designed the Empire BMX Ruark shoes to smoke bowls, dirt, street and parks alike.

Featuring a canvas upper, Vans BLC cupsole, Vanslite midsole for fewer bruised heels, the WaffleGrip outsole,  and a vegan-friendly construction, the Ruarks are a large improvement from the standard, off-the-shelf Vans. I went up to see these in person yesterday and photographed them at the newly constructed Empire BMX bowl.

Pick these up at Empire BMX for $59.95

Check out more photos by clicking the photo above or here to open in a new tab.

Introducing the 2012 Fred Perry X Cycling Blank Canvas Collection

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Introducing the 2012 Fred Perry X Cycling Blank Canvas Collection

For 2012, Fred Perry has continued their popular cycling line:

“Following on from the success of the ‘Fred Perry X Cycling Blank Canvas’ celebrating the link between sport and subculture Fred Perry brings you the second drop of cycling product this Spring / Summer ‘12. The classic cycling shirt has been standard Mod attire since the early 1960’s, today the cycling range resonates with Fred Perry aficionados and cycling enthusiasts alike.”

Check out more below, including a discount code for UK readers of this site!

Introducing the Rapha Grand Tour Shoes

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Introducing the Rapha Grand Tour Shoes

When I was in Portland, before my tour, the guys at Rapha North America told me about this collaboration with Giro that they had been working on. Their idea was simple: make a cycling shoe that boasts the performance of a modern race shoe, influenced by the classic models from the 70’s. If anyone has nailed that ideology down, it’s Rapha. The Grand Tour Shoes embody the same stylistic approach as their apparel line and by style, I mean simplicity. These minimally-branded, perforated white leather shoes utilize the same technology as Giro’s professional racing shoes and look damn good.

I’ve broken this review down into a gallery, with the captions describing each photo, so take note. See for yourself by clicking the image above or here to open in a new tab.