Anyone who spends more than 2 minutes on this blog (and I know you are few.  I know, I check these things) will come to the realization that I love me my Vans.  I guess it’s because I grew up skateboarding, but I really think their sneaks are very stylish and simple, yet standouts, without looking like they’re trying too hard.  The Chukka Del Barco, the latest rendition of the boat shoe is case in point.  The Zapato Del Barco is already in my mind a classic.  The boat shoe, as a style,  is now a summer staple, and a lot of them are made out of canvas uppers, but most brands insist on still using leather laces to wrap around the sides.  Fortunately, Vans did away with that, simply using regular round cotton laces.  The style is unaffected, and the shoe is happily leather-free.

Now Vans has gone and taken the Zapato boat shoe mold and turned it into a Chukka.  What a move.  It works perfectly.  Maybe I’m biased because I love Chukka boots, but this one really stands out in my mind. Hope you guys like these as much as I do!

Now available in the colors shown above and below at Zappos for $65.

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I know this is something a little different, but I couldn’t give up a chance to lend a hand to a new company that’s getting into the vegan shoe game.  While I have my own biased reasons for wanting to see more brands like Brave Gentleman and like Keep, I gotta give props to the ladies too.  Emanuelle Francesca is dropping an all vegan shoe line for fall of 2011.  It’s a pretty extensive collection that covers a lot of ground.  They’re offering everything from boots to heels, to heel boots, to work pumps.  Everything but sneakers!

Not only the shoes classy, they’re made responsibly.  Emanuelle Francesca based their first lineup on organic hemp grown by Hmong villagers in northern Thailand!  A portion of all sales go to development projects within their community.  This point greatly excites me because I’ve actually been to the hill tribe areas of Thailand, and anything to support their traditional lifestyle, I think, is a huge benefit to the future of Thailand and the world at large.

Pictured above is just a samplin.  Check out the entire collection here.  If you like what you see, email info@emanuellefrancesca.com and get a 25% off voucher!

Hello everyone!  Sorry I was AWOL for so long.  I took a little time off, and escaped to the great state of Vermont.  I love Vermont.  If you haven’t gone, you should go.  It’s beautiful in the summertime.  I’ve only gone up there during winter, and it can feel a little desolate.  But it’s absolutely gorgeous when it’s warm.  And I’d also highly recommend making a stop in Burlington.  For such a small city, it packs a significant punch in the culture and food department.  Plus, they have some good shops there too, most of them locally and independently owned.  They even have an all hemp store called The Hempest.  I know some of you would get a kick out of that.

But onto today’s topic.  Every now and then I remember that I need to give a shout to Keep.  They’re easy to forget sometimes, they like to maintain a low profile.  They don’t seem to be on the radar of many a sneaker head, but why I have no clue.  They continually put out dope product.  Case in point, The Homer.  This classic plimsoll is made with Japanese milled fabrics, and also features a French terry lining and insole.  As with all Keep sneaks, the Homer comes in a variety of colors and patterns.  My favorite has to be the Southwest/American Indian influenced brown black and red combo.  Props for keeping it simple as well, with the plain red and blue colors.

The Homer, available at Keep.  More pics after the jump!

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