Trick or Sweet?  Newton’s Gravitas: The Running Shoe that Will Keep You Going!

If you ask me, running shoes often get a bad rap. They’re seen as one-hit wonders, as specialty shoes, and certainly not shoes you’ll want to take to formal occasions. But these are the shoes that we wear out the most often, provided we actually stick to those New Year’s resolutions, and they will certainly take the greatest beating. So why is a great pair of running shoes so low on the list of stylish or important clothing options?

Well, because they look like Newton’s Gravitas, a pair of running shoes that offers high-level functionality for the 2011-2020 decade but look like they’ve been plucked out of the 1980’s. Not that there’s anything wrong with a little retro-style, especially when it comes to the timeless exercise classics that came with the rise of brands like Nike.

If you’re a runner, of course, you couldn’t care less. Shoes like the gravitas are why you run – you want to customize your own level of endurance, and you need a shoe that can take you ten miles a day just as easily as it can take you a mile. That’s what the Gravitas provides with extended heel durability, excellent fit and plenty of flexibility. There are some shoes that would seek to change you with all that they do to your foot – the Gravitas is not one of those shoes.

At $175, these shoes do come down on the pricy side, which can be especially tricky if you’re a college student and need the exercise but also need the money. Die-hard runners might – forgive the pun – gravitate to a shoe like the Gravitas more readily, especially if those runners are the ones who have been around a while, have some money, and need a shoe that reduces stress on their feet and legs.  Looking to build your calf muscles?  These are the shoes.  These shoes will keep you on your toes – literally.  I asked a triathlon expert “what do you think about the newton shoe experience?  He responded, “I wont run in anything thing else.”  Take it from us and a tri-expert and try a pair for yourself.  No trick, they’re sweet!

Should you get a pair? It’s certainly worth a look if you want a quality running shoe. And, heck, if you were looking for stylish shoes in the first place, you wouldn’t have finished this article because you’d already be reading GQ.  Or, you’re still staring and the shorts and not the shoes.

The What:
This trail running shoe is called: Newton’s Gravitas.
Color tested: Blue. Orange. White. Sliver.

The Why:
Buy them if: your calves need some serious toning, and your running form needs honing.
Forget them if: you already have perfect running form.
Tested on: asphalt of the blackest pigment.
Highest and best use: for the shoes?  Running.  For the Shorts?  Halloween.

Tip: If this is your first pair of Newtons, work them in slowly to you run.  These shoes will keep you on your toes!  (The shorts probably will too.)

newtonrunning.com

(Model and shorts not included with the purchase!  However, both the shoes and model were used with permission)

*Disclosure: shoes provided by Newton Running MSRP $175).  If you have a pair of shoes that need to be featured on shoesoftheday.com, contact us at reviews (at) shoesoftheday.com

Air Jordan, the man and the 23 shoes that changed footwear forever.

Nike 23Air Jordan Shoes

March madness is right around the corner, and you are sure to find a pair of Nike Air Jordan’s on many college athletes.  Before we start with Michael and his shoes, let’s rewind a few years, talk about Nike and how it all came about.  The year was 1959 and Phil Knight had just written a paper, not just any paper but one which became the blue-print for Nike.  Nike’s mission is to make great shoes for remarkable athletes.  Who would have thought it all started with a boring kitchen appliance – a waffle iron.  For the founders, no shoes were good enough or light enough.  Guess it was time to pass the syrup.

In Greek the word “Nike” means victory.  Carolyn Davidson designed the logo.  35 dollars is all that was paid for the now infamous Nike logo.  In English, I think that means “good deal.”

Michael Jordan never wore a pair of Nike’s until he signed with them and scary to think that he almost signed with Adidas.   On this the 23rd of February, we wanted to feature the first 23 pairs of Air Jordan shoes in the number 23.  Most of these shoes entered the market in February and we thought it was only fitting.  From the beginning of the “2” to the bottom of the “3” are some of the most incredible shoes on the planet.  We will highlight a few of our personal favorites, and the rest are for you to enjoy.

Air Jordan I.   The first pair of Jordan’s made their debut in March of 1985.  The first and last shoe to bear the Nike Swoosh.  Black, red and awesome.

Air Jordan II.  Released in November, 1986, designer Bruce Kilgore ditched the logo and Michael flew from the foul line winning the dunk contest!

Air Jordan III. Released in February, 1988.  Tinker Hatfield was the designer for the 1988 Jordan III.  Tinker, if you are reading, thank you.  Thanks for designing this shoe and the iconic logo figure we all know as the “jumpman.”

Air Jordan IV. Released in February, 1989 (My personal favorites) I remember the occasion well.  I had to convince my mom that I needed these shoes.  Somehow after much persuading, begging and promising, we walked out of the store with my new pair.  Although they are worn, tattered and barely intact I still have them today.

Air Jordan V. Released February 1990.  I remember first seeing these shoes featured on a full-page ad in Sports Illustrated.  They couldn’t come soon enough.  Tinker, thanks again.  His design inspiration came from the P-51 Mustang fighter Air plane.  I thought I could fly like one too.

Air Jordan XI.  In November, 1995 came the Air Jordan #11,  This was Jordan’s tribute to formal dress.  With Patent leather on the front, not only was this the shiniest shoe on the court, but became the most iconic of all the Nike Air Jordan’s.  It even became fashion appropriate to wear a tuxedo.  While Jordan was dominating the court, “boys to men” were dominating something else as the first to wear the shoe with a tux.

Air Jordan XX3.  February, 2008 Michael Jordan’s Air 23 arrive.  These Jordan’s featured Michael’s thumb print, slightly modified, so no one could copy it – phew, those guys at Nike think of everything.   Some people waited in line for FIVE days when these shoes were released.  Us?  Well, we just waited long enough for them to be listed on eBay.  The Air Jordan 23’s are most successful shoes in all of sports.  Mr. Hatfield said that the 23’s are the most beautiful shoes of all of the Jordan shoes.  Remember, he’s a designer, so we better take his word for it!

Here is to you Mr. Jordan the 23, Jumpman, shoes of the day!

Is it the shoes?

New Balance MR993 Review

Chronologically advanced people – this shoe is for you!   Younger (or those of you who think you aren’t very old) these shoes are not just for grandma either.  Try a pair on yourself and you will know why you should own a pair.  Why hasn’t New Balance changed the look in, well forever?  Like the finer things in life, good things get better with age.  This is one of THE most comfortable running shoes on the market, ever.  Yes, we just said the four letter word – EVER.  New Balance did it right with the 993, when they were created  in 19-whenever.   In fact, one of my favorite pairs of New Balance shoes were worn completely out and I went searching for another pair.  I was unsuccessful.  Not the 993 by New Balance, they aren’t going anywhere.  If you have shoe attachment problems, this is your shoe.

These shoes naturally keep you on the ball of your foot and almost propel you forward without a thought.  So you aren’t a runner, you the walker type?  Not a problem, we understand.  These shoes feel great below the speed limit too.  The words you need to know associated with this shoe are: comfort, ABZORB®, comfort and comfort.  The shoes of the day, the new/old New Balance MR993:

Image courtesy Zappos

Buy them if: you’re old-school but need some new-school.  Cool?

Forget about them if: you just can’t be seen in public with your “Gramps” running the same sneakers down-low.

Best use: 1. Running.  2. Walking. 3. Both 1 &2 – we call that a “jog-trot”.

Find more New Balance reviews here.

Happy 1.11.11!

Twas  the night after shoe Christmas, by shoesoftheday.com.

Twas the night after shoe Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a person was standing, not even a mouse.
The stinky stockings were hung by the heater with care,
Because a soggy foot and a smelly shoe were filled there.

The children were all passed out from the ghastly smell,
While success stories of Dr. Scholls odor eaters some did tell.
And mamma with her mask, and me clasping my nose,
Had spotted the shoes from whence the smell arose.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The spotlights on our house really made it glow,
outlined each shadow of the people below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But all from inside, with febreze and seeking fresh air.

With a serious shoe problem, I needed help quick,
I knew in a moment, shoes of the day would do the trick.
More rapid and rigorous reviews on shoes they came,
And typed in my browser, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Nike! now, DC! now, Ugg, New Balance and Kashi!
On, Converse! On, Keen! on, Cole-Hann and Salomon!
To the top of the search results they did fall!
Now shoes away! Shoes away! Shoes of the day away all!”

He spoke not a word, but went straight to the reviews,
Bookmarking this website, finding his new pair of shoes.
Now peeling his fingers off of his nose,
And giving a nod, up from the computer he rose!

He sprang to the porch, to his family gave a loud yelp,
And they came wondering how he received such rapid shoe help.
But I heard him exclaim, a new pair of shoes is in sight,
“Happy Shoe Christmas to all, and to all a ‘shoes of the day’ night!”

Next year save your family from smelly feet – find your
next pair of shoes at shoes of the day DOT com!

Excerpts  from ‘Twas the Night before Christmas Poem
By Clement Moore

Vans first came “off the wall” in March of 1966. The first Vans shoes didn’t even have names – they had numbers! The Vans number 44 was their first authentic deck shoe. Vans were the pioneers in the mass production of custom shoes. This is the reason I thought they should be the first review! It all started when one of their customers came into their factory, office and store and said “that’s a nice pink, but I really want a brighter pink.” All it took was that comment from a customer and custom vans were born!

Custom isn’t the most affordable route – be prepared to pay extra for your customizing your shoes. The cool thing is, no one else will have a pair like them – unless you make some killer custom shoes like my friend Lee! Enjoy the shoes of the day: Lee’s custom Vans.

You can build your custom Vans here.

Guten Tag!  It’s Monday, time for a unique shoe review.  Nat-2 is the new convertible 2 in 1 shoe.  Engineered in Munich Germany, these shoes come in 20 different styles with endless possibilities to mix and match.  Buy two pairs, create four different variations.  Buy six….and well, you get the point.  These shoes resemble the original Chuck Taylors, why not copy the king of shoes?

Enjoy the Unique shoes of the day: The Nat-2 convertibles.

*Image Courtesy clevelandleader.com

The Nat-2 Features:

• 2 in 1 function (similar to an El Camino)
• Interchangeable tops, or as we like to call them, “Uppers”
• Stainless and sturdy zipper.
• Flexible abrasion resistant outsole.
•  Shock-absorbing and cushioned footbed.
• Handmade – no sweatshop here.

I took my son to an athletic sporting event tonight, and after the first half of play he wanted to go home. I thought, “when I was a kid,” put some sugar in my mouth and I was good for at least another shot-clock violation or two. So, off we went to the concession stands in search of something loaded with the white substance that makes us all (legally) feel good. Perfect, right outside our portal we located the cotton candy stand! “Dad, let’s buy those treats” pointing at the air and sugar inflated bags of cotton candy. We exchanged way too much money and then whipped open the plastic.  He cautiously reached his hand inside the bag, touched the fiberglass feeling swirls of baby-blue sugar, and hesitantly lifted it towards his mouth — “eeew! Dad, we don’t eat this!” So, being the brave dad, I said, “Look Son, mmmm….sugar!” and put some in my mouth. He still wasn’t convinced, and after a couple of attempts he was adamant, “I don’t like this stuff.”

Well, today I felt like a kid again. Not only did I get all-i-could-eat cotton candy, but tonight when I was looking online, all the shoes that were hot when I was a kid are hot again.  Here is a list of shoes that were hot in the mid 80′s and are back with a vengeance! The shoes of the day:

Sperry Topsiders

Vans Authentic

Converse All-Star Ox

Clarks Wallabee

I am going to find a penny for my new loafers and then put in the video tape of ‘Back to the Future‘ See ya in about 30 years Marty.

Attention people of New Jersey: Steve Madden wants to talk with you in person! This is your chance to have a “proper conversation” with him. He was quoted as saying “The art of conversation is dying,” he explained. “All those things that force you not to go meet with other people is killing conversation.” Between designing shoes and cruising through his stores, he likes to sit and watch and talk with his customers. “The customers think I’m strange,” he said. “They’re thinking, ‘What is this 50-year-old man doing asking me about my shoes?’ ”

Here are the fast facts for meeting Mr. Madden, the 49 year old shoe-guru.

WHAT: Personal appearance by Steve Madden.

WHERE: BP Shoes at Nordstrom, Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus North Jersey. 201-843-1122 for more information.

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday November 17, 2007

HOW MUCH: Free.

WHAT’S MORE : Autographs and shoe raffle!

MADDENS IDEAL CUSTOMER: The “millennials” — women born after 1980.

MADDENS TOP SHOE STORE: The internet.

You are encouraged to bring questions, comments and things to be signed. If I were you, I would take a pair of crocs and see if he would sign the soles.

Shoes of the day: sole-signed shoes from Steve Madden. We dont have a picture yet. But, if you get his Herby Hancock on a pair of your shoes, send us a picture and your story may even appear here!

The Chuck Taylor All-Stars were first produced by Converse in 1917, that is 5 years after the sinking of the Titanic for all you DiCaprio lovers. “I’m the King of the World!” Chuck thought the same thing, when he made the canvas and rubber-soled shoes his preferred shoe of choice by putting his stamp of approval on its ankle patch and in the history books as the most successful shoe of all time.

Think of the demographic that has enjoyed these shoes through the years: The basketball players, the skaters, the punk-rockers, sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies – they all adore them. They think these are righteous shoes.

The perfect shoe for all…no, for fall! They even come in “Harvest Pumpkin.” Go ahead Bettys, I’ll say it with you; “Oh, cute.”

Enjoy the shoes of the day: Converse Men’s, Betty’s and Chillin’s All-Star Ox, I mean Oxen. These Converse are Oxen!

Can you name a pair of shoes that is over 90 years old, that you can still buy new?  Buy them here!

How many pairs have you had? Me? Thanks for asking, I have personally owned 5 pairs, including Pink.

I’m not taking the day off today! I laboriously climbed a massive mountain on my pedal bike, cooled off while wake boarding at the local the lake, and then feed my face at the highly controversial burger joint. (Yeah, I felt okay about it – after all, I exercised!) No, I didnt wear any white shoes today. Really, who made up the rule that you can only wear white shoes between Memorial Day and Labor Daybor — I read something about a Canadian delivering…. a….budget, or something…speaking of Canadians, if you want to find some classic, classy Canadian shoes – I know one Canadian who wears these ReeBoks. Yes, I really do. Reebok, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right? I think thats the reason why this shoe has been in circulation for 35 years – or on the shelves for that long.

The shoes of the day, especially for you Foozitao.

By the way — this rule is only for the Betty’s – “White tennis shoes and off-white boots seem exempt”

What do you think? No white shoes until May, could you do it?