2007 - BEST OF THE BEST SNEAKERS

JASON RODMAN / COMMONWEALTH STORE / VIRGINIA / CLAE RUSSELL

There came a point in time when I just got tired of rockin’ the Swoosh, Trefoil, Jumpman and whatever fu*#kin corporate logo you can plaster on the sidewall of a sneaker. Don’t get me wrong; I’ll always love the classic silhouette of the Jordan I, New Balance 999 and Gazelle, but in all honesty, I think I got tired of being awarded too many compliments from what seems to be mostly guys. C’mon dude-bros! My girl rarely hands out praise like that – man up! In all fairness though, I still get geeked on an ill pair of sneakers till this day, it’s just now that I’m a little older my tastes have changed.

When I saw the Clae Russell for the first time it immediately warranted my attention. Nothing crazy immediately jumps out at you, no Willy Wonka colorway or extreme overuse of assorted materials – just a straight leather mid-top in premium leather, soft leather inner lining and a custom molded footbed. I rarely buy two pairs of the same shoe nowadays, but for the Russell I had to cop it twice, so once I beat the dog-shit out of the first pair, I’d have one waiting in the wings. To sum it up, the Clae Russell (for me at least) is the new standard. I may pick up one or two pairs of Nikes or some other BS within the year, but for the most part I’m going to be wearing the Claes till the soles fall off!