Vans Transit Line Iso 1.5 Shoes
When you hear the words ‘Transit’ and ‘Vans’ what probably comes to mind is a lane-swerving, tabloid-reading, wolf-whistling tradesman. But flip the words around and what you actually get is a rather sleek and stylish line-up of sneakers from everyone’s favourite Californian skate brand. The Vans Transit collection, which has been designed with commuters in mind, contains four classic silhouettes including the Iso 1.5. The murdered-out low top lace-ups feature pig suede and textile uppers with tonal Vans sidestripe that sits on top of a lightweight UltraCush foam footbed. Available at Vans, priced £80.
Karhu Aria Villapaita
Without little-known Finnish label Karhu, it’s likely Adidas wouldn’t look the same as it does today. The brand, which means ‘bear’, had dibs on putting three stripes on the side of its sneakers before Adidas ever existed, but eventually sold the rights to Adi Dassler for about 1,600 euros and two bottles of whiskey (not a bad deal). Karhu is no worse off for it today, however. Proof of that comes in the form of its ‘Villapaita’ (the Finnish term for sweater) sneaker pack, which takes inspiration from the vibrantly coloured knits of the Nordic region, reproduced in vivid pigskin suede. Available from 2 September at Hanon, priced £105.
Asics X Monkey Time Gel-Sight Olive Crown
Ever had nightmares of a monkey/tiger/pig hybrid? Us too. But it turns out the result is actually quite cool. The crew at Japanese fashion brand Monkey Time has partnered with Asics Tiger on an Olympic-inspired retro reissue of the GEL-Sight runner. The mix of olive pigskin nubuck uppers, tonal suede overlays and black and white speckled midsole is designed to represent the olive wreath crown given to the winners of ancient games. Available from 3 September at End, priced £130.
New Balance x Reigning Champ M530 Gym Pack
Failing at New Year’s resolutions is a tradition as old as making them, so we’re going to assume you’ve stopped hitting the gym as much as you did eight months ago. But that shouldn’t stop you buying into the Gym Pack collaboration from New Balance and Reigning Champ. We’re particularly fond of the pair’s suede-clad 530 runners, which have been finished off with perforated panelling on the vamp and collar and a contrasting white midsole. Actual membership optional. Available from 3 September at Foot Patrol, priced £119.
Adidas Consortium X Livestock Samba
Despite all the futuristic releases, this year has shown us there’s still room for the classics. The Samba was developed by a fledgling Adidas in the late 1940s and introduced as a football trainer in 1950. More than 65 years on, and now a fashion sneaker, the style continues to kill it. The latest iteration is the result of a tie-up between Adidas Consortium and Canadian boutique Livestock. In addition to black hairy suede uppers, a translucent outsole and tonal details including screen-printed stripes and gel-print lettering add up to a modern trainer with retro appeal. Available from 3 September at End, priced £89.
Reebok Rapide OG
“Some sneakers transcend time, place and style,” wrote Neal Heard, author of the definitive athletic shoe history, Trainers. Which probably explains why Reebok has made a habit of digging into the vault to bring back some of its most popular old school models. The latest, the Rapide, has re-emerged for the first time since the 1990s. Just like the OG version, the 2016 release is constructed out of mesh and microsuede in a green and black colourway and finished with vintage branding. Available at Sneakersnstuff, priced £65.
Le Coq Sportif LCS R1000 Fete Nationale
Since most of us can’t spend Bastille Day partying around the revolutionary stomping grounds of Paris, we suggest you do the next best thing and embrace l’esprit Français with a pair of…how do you say “cool trainers” in French? Commemorating the day an angry Parisian crowd kickstarted a revolution, Le Coq Sportif has draped tricolore red, blue and white over its famed R1000 model in premium leather. Available at Slam Jam Socialism, priced £97.50.
Nike saw sense and dropped the title, the plush feel stuck around thanks to fully redesigned uppers featuring an even more sock-like, neoprene construction and fit, paired with a dual-density foam outsole with added flexibility. Available at Nike, priced £80.
Diadora N.9000 x UBIQ
Despite slipping from its titan status of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, many diehard sneakerheads still turn to Diadora for their footwear fix. And while the legendary Italian firm continues to manufacture on home soil, its iconic N.9000 model hasn’t been short on international collaborations in recent seasons. The latest, with Philadelphia sneaker store UBIQ, treats the classic Nineties runner to fiery red uppers made from high-quality suede and soft cow grain leather, flanked by navy and gold embroidered details and dual-branded heels. Available at Hanon, priced £159.
