K-SWISS IRONMAN K-ONA II

We aren't seeing a whole lot of new tech sneakers these days, but here's a project from K-Swiss that caught our eye. The shoe itself is called the K-Ona II, and it's definitely a departure from most people's perceptions of the four stripes. Designed for racers first and foremost, it has a swag of tech credentials including SUPERFOAM, FLOW COOL and an Si-18(r) crash footpad, which sounds impressive when you say it really fast. K-Swiss are certainly talking it up as a serious contender...

This particular pack will only be sold at the 2009 Ironman Championships in Hawaii. There's five models decked out in national team colours, and you'd have to say, as these things go, it's a well executed pack with nice variety of graphics and materials. If you like wearing flags on your feet, you wont find anything better this year! It's seemingly impossible these days to straddle the chasm between performance and leisure when it comes to footwear, (and the K-Ona II isn't being marketed as such) but this shoe does have some raw casual potential for an open minded soul - more so than most of the 'spiderweb' monstrosities that abound in performance running these days.

FROM THE PRESS RELEASE
The iconic footwear and sportswear brand K-Swiss has done it again. This time K*Swiss will be introducing a limited edition collection of
K-Ona(tm) II commemorative flag shoes for both men and women at the 2009 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. The five different countries represented include Canada, Brazil, Japan, Germany and the U.S.A and will be sold exclusively at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii October 10, 2009 for USD $130.
These limited-edition flag shoes will serve as a sneak preview for K*Swiss' second generation ultra-lightweight K-Ona II running shoe hitting shelves in Spring 2009. Designed specifically for fast days, race days and triathlons, the K-Ona II provides optimum comfort, breathability, stability, drainage and cushioning with its proprietary SUPERFOAM technology, FLOW COOL airflow system, industry leading water drainage, an Si-18(r) crash footpad, and a k-EVA midsole support, the K-Ona II is the ultimate shoe for Ironman World-class competitors.
Look for K-Swiss sponsored athletes Chris Lieto, Tim O'Donnell, Luke McKenzie, Leanda Cave, Katya Meyers and more to be wearing their K-Ona's as they cross the Ironman World Championship finish line!