Sup y’all. So after my Etnies post, my man Mike hit me up with a very similar blog post by Emerica outlining their vegan shoes new for Spring 2010, and I thought I’d share them with you here. Looks like a very fine selection of skate shoes, from the low low Spanky to the more padded green Hsu shoe . There should be something here for everyone, and I hope you like them. Click down for more pics!
B. Herman 2 (pictured above) available at Zappos
These Nike SB Dunk Lows are named after Larry Perkins, a fictitious, “most under-rated skateboarder of all time” who used to make prank phone calls on behalf of Big Brother Magazine (my favorite back in the day!). They feature black and grey/brown denim upper, and it’s reported that the swoosh is made of patent leather. But upon closer inspection, we here at Vegan Kicks think it’s reasonable to assume that they’re actually vinyl or some other synthetic. Depending on how hardcore you are, you might be willing to take a chance. Other interesting stuff: a “furry” inner lining, and a tongue that gives a telephone ring when you squeeze it.
They will be released on March 20. Check Premier for updates, they seem to be in the know. Also, don’t forget they are quickstrikes so if you really want them you better get em fast!
I’ve never been a fan of Supra and their ultra high tops, but I am pretty impressed by the models they chose to feature as vegan. Of course, I am excited that they Supra even decided to release an entire pack explicitly vegan. This one features the Dixon, Diablo 1.5 and the Thunder High and Low in canvas uppers and in various colorways. My favorite is the Thunder Low with the white sole. Since I was late on the bandwagon, these should all be available at Supra retailers by now. I will try and update with some links when I find them.
Supra Diablo 1.5 - Navy Canvas / Gum Sole
Dixon – Black Canvas / Gum Sole
Thunder – Black Canvas / Black Sole
Thunder Lo – Black Canvas / Black Sole
Vans keeps churning out more and more packs. These new non-leather, vegan Vans utilize herringbone weave (canvas, I’m guessing) and black denim for their uppers. The herringbone pack comes in the Chukka and Era models, while the black denim is rocked by the slip-on and Era. Looks like they all come with white laces.
Nothing spectacular here. Maybe it’s the picture, but the colors and materials don’t really jump out at me. Out of the bunch, I would say the Chukka in herringbone is the sweetest.
All of these in the Vans Herringbone/Black Denim Pack can be bought at Kicks/Hi.
Also, the Era Herringbone can be got at Zappos.
Very Late in December Stefan Janoski tweet-leaked a grey canvas (ahem, vegan) colorway of his signature shoe.
Excellent. I was disappointed that there didn’t seem to be a canvas model available after checking out his new SB site (go there for better pictures). Looks like there is nothing really special about this one though. It’s a plain grey upper with an embroidered swoosh in same grey, white round laces, and white stitching on the toe. As with all the Janoskis, the sole is vulcanized rubber. I don’t know how I personally feel about these models, and why there is so much hype about them, but I guess people are all about the simplicity and the clean silhouette.
Sorry for the pic, this is just a leaked photo (see below for a better pic of a different model). More updates to come!
black/anthracite - not vegan?
First Blood
The Christmas hits keep coming! Looks like eS (sorry I don’t know how to put the little mark over the e) is looking out for their small (but inevitably growing) market of vegans. I remember when I was a kid (now very long ago) and I had my first pair of Eric Kostons. But I got the worst color way, the soles weren’t grippy at all. Totally unskateable! Those were the days. They sorta still make them, I think – see Lakai Koston 1.
Anyway, according to their site, it looks like they are offering a total of five vegan shoes, 100% synthetic. My personal favorite is the First Blood in B/W (pictured above). But I have to say, I kinda like them all. Props to Rick McCrank, another skater vegan, and his pro model, the Avers. It looks really comfy and built to last. Also, the Square One is nice, I loved the Accel. The two non-standouts I would say are the Breeze, which looks like a tank of a shoe, and Cessner, which looks like your typical griptape fodder. See pics below, and click for more colorways.
This collabo was released in November, but when I came upon it I had to post. If there was a pair of kicks I would describe as the ideal, it would be these. Why? Because 1) They are classic basketball sneakers which will never go out of style; 2) They’re also a skate shoe designed by the guys at Huf, a great skateboard shop in SF and who’ve had their hands in numerous dope collaborations; 3) They are bare- stripped down to its essential elements – the fabric, the two colors, and minimal branding; 4) THEY’RE VEGAN!
What else could you ask for? Get some. The best price I found was the black colorway on Premier for $80, and the white at Pure for $85. They are also widely available on Ebay for around the same price.
Oh, and complementing the pack are two tees, snap-back caps and tailored 50′s inspired work jackets. See pictures at Sneaker Freaker.
Hawaiian skate and surf brand In4mation and Vans comes correct with a clean and bold red and demin low version of the Chukka. I am a huge fan of the Chukka Boot, and I hope they come out with this in that model. Anyway, this one uses a royal blue canvas for the upper, and features some striking red laces and sole stripe. It also has a gum sole and houndstooth inner lining!
For more info, check out Nice Kicks.
The shoe drops on Dec. 12 at In4mation retailers for a reasonable $85. Quantities will be limited so don’t wait!
Also, if you’re interested in some denim slip-ons, check out the Sperry Top-Sider Striper.
NOTE: I am waiting on Vans to confirm that their canvas/denim shoes are in fact vegan. Please comment or email me if you have any information on this matter.
Hawaiian skate and surf brand In4mation and Vans comes correct with a clean and bold red and demin low version of the Chukka. I am a huge fan of the Chukka Boot, and I hope they come out with this in that model. Anyway, this one uses a royal blue canvas for the upper, and features some striking red laces and sole stripe. It also has a gum sole and houndstooth inner lining!
The shoe drops on Dec. 12 at In4mation retailers for a reasonable $85. Quantities will be limited so don’t wait!
Also, if you’re interested in some denim slip-ons, check out the Sperry Top-Sider Striper.
NOTE: I am waiting on Vans to confirm that their canvas/denim shoes are in fact vegan. Please comment or email me if you have any information on this matter.
Fellow vegans Ed Templeton and experimental rock band No Age have er, collaborated to design this sweet skate shoe the Collaboration, which dropped in October. This hi-top is a subtle grey, with the band tag on the tongue, inner lining, and outsole sporting some green, yellow, and red highlights. Of course, it wouldn’t be on this blog if it weren’t made out of all synthetic (plu organic) materials!
I know that Ed Templeton has been a longtime outspoken vegan, and probably has had multiple signature models that were vegan. But an indie band coming out with a shoe? The only musicians I know in the sneaker game have been the likes of 50 Cent and G-Unit (and various other entrepreneurial rappers). Is this a good thing? Absolutely. Any time a non-leather shoe drops is definitely a great thing for those of us looking for compassionate alternatives.
Also, check out the Laced (pictured below), which is another vegan low top (which looks just like the Vans Old Skool) but rocks a crazy green spray painted outsole design, and a paint splattered sole. Not really my bag, but that’s just me. Check it…
Both sneakers are available at Millenium Shoes.
For more pictures of both, check out Sneakerfiles.
For more info about No Age’s veganism, check out this article.
