I recently headed back up to Manchester to document the Size? City Series adidas Manchester edition drop.
It was my first time trying to capture the event behind the camera, which was a fun change. I also captured via my old iPhone 4S, a phone that was hugely popular at the time of the 2011 Manchester release. You can expect a piece on that soon!
You can read about it here: https://thesolesupplier.co.uk/news/scarves-queues-spzl-clobber-manchester-sends-off-the-adidas-size-city-series/
Here I put together a quick video of the abandoned shoes I saw on my trip to the Dominican Republic. Spliced in are a few cows, ducks and shots of the sky because it was truly amazing at times.
I might end up uploading this to YouTube later down the line but for now you can enjoy it on the wearshoeswritepoems domain!
Also shoutout the track Jumping Frogs by Spleen United, a track I discovered during my time out there by complete coincidence. It’s bouncey backing track summed up how I felt about the the other worldly beauty I often found myself in.
This year, I chose to write about shoes from the Dominican Republic. The Caribbean was not a part of the world I had been to before, typically flying over the tropics to reach Peru.
After planning to spend my work month in Japan, the busy streets of Tokyo and language barrier soon became less appealing. Instead, I imagined myself taking island life, eating hearty food, swimming in the sea and enjoying the slower pace.
Considering I had come home after my trip to Italy feeling more fatigued than rested, I didn’t want to repeat that feeling. Although I think the fountains of espresso and cornetos I consumed were more to blame than anything else.
Mind you, I did come away acknowledging my great choice in footwear, the New Balance 475s. So this time, I was eager to ensure my decision was just as spot on.
Having enjoyed my time at Dominican eateries in both Camberwell Green, Brixton and Stockwell, the food and friendly restaurant owners assured me that I was making the right decision.
It also helped that the national language was Spanish, so getting into a series of gesticulations with confused locals was less likely than in Japan.
With it being my first time in the Caribbean, I needed my footwear to keep up with the changing climate. The blazing sun and heavy spells of rain meant a large part of my collection would not pass muster.
Whittling down my shoes to several off-road and GORE-TEX-laden uppers did make things easier, but it did render my stack of soft suede New Balances out for the count.
Luckily, I was recently sent the Footpatrol x Salomon XT-4s from a good friend (also known as ‘The Captain’), a pair that instantly floated to the top of the decision pile. Not only could the Footpatrol XT-4 keep up with the changing terrain, they also looked the part.
I did have two minor gripes with these Salomon XT-4s, the first being that they were half a size small.
I always go up by half a size with Salomons, a choice I recommend for anyone considering of picking up a pair, whether it be the XT-4, XT-6 or even XT-Quests (all with the exception of the XT-ALP).
While there was enough room in the toe box, which allowed for my toes to splay (“no splay, no lay” – custom T-shirts in bound btw), my big toe was a little constrained (for the foot-fetish-inclined, this is about as spicy as the article will get, so you can leave now).
The second gripe was that it was an obvious choice. As the Salomon XT-6 is usually a go-to for those UK and EU residents who venture to other parts of the world, they skirted the ‘played-out’ vendiagram (likely rendering them ‘uncool’ circa 2027, see below).
On the other hand, the XT-4 was the less handsome brother of the XT series, often skipped due to its bulky nature. The XT-4 is the slightly overweight brother at the dinner table who makes everyone laugh with his infrequent quips. For example, “expect nothing more, expect nothing less!”, in response to his mother bringing up how her work colleague who soiled herself (also not appropriate for the dinner table mum, do better).
If I’m being totally honest, I would be the youngest sibling archetype, a character who hasn’t even made it to the table yet, as he finds himself scaling the ceilings of the next-door bathroom.
I fear I may have strayed off into the demonic there, but you get the gist. And while we’re here, the slightly demonic younger sibling in this case would be akin to the Salomon Alpinway Advanced. Please do not ask me how or why.
Anyhow, walking down to the station with both Osprey bags on (roughly 20KG), I stood on the platform with my feet really feeling the squeeze. Regret over my decision started to sweep in as I considered heading back home and reaching instead for my Meindls. While the Caracas GTX allowed for more splay, it would have been harder to convince passersby that I wasn’t a geriatric German who had just aged well. A look I am not scared to adopt in the slightest but one that I will try to keep at bay for the next twenty years.
Opting for swag over the safety of technical German footwear, I loosened the Quicklacing system which fixed the issue at hand. No longer did I feel my feet swell, so from that point on, the Kevlar lacing system remained loose, which also allowed for great slip-on/slip-off access (a detail all the coolest of cats appreciate).
Landing in Punta Cana, it wasn’t long before my Brazil-edition Haiviannas were out and touching Dominican soil. From that point forward, the Salomon’s were allocated to evening dinners.
In truth, I’d have spent more hours in flip-flops had it not been for the cultural stigma of eating food with your toes out. Consequently, my dream of having a #ToesOutAutumn took a real blow. Not to mention the link between tourists and their short-wearing tendencies.
While the quasi-Tn fade of the XT-4’s upper is wonderful to look at, a trait which also separates this Footpatrol version from your standard XT-4, I think it may have been too strong when paired with my array of patterned clothing.
Evening attire would consist of my Airwalk camouflage shorts that I picked up at Aldgate market and a bright graphic T-shirt. This made me stand out in a way that I hoped to have avoided, while also reinforcing my connection to autism.
Clutching my plastic bag from the local supermarket, a tactic I often employ when trying to dodge the ‘tourist’ label, that was about as effective as an elephant wearing one of those classic glasses and moustache disguises.
Unlike previous trips, I didn’t get a chance to test out the XT-4s on sandy terrain, opting for my Inov-8 Terra Ultra G 270 as my running shoes. A poor choice in hindsight as these were another obnoxiously loud shoe that I couldn’t rely on for fading into the crowd.
Not bringing a hybrid shoe that would suit my running and everyday needs was a silly mistake. While the XT-4 was a trail running shoe back in its heyday, the chemical compound used in the midsole had likely been altered since it shifted into Salomon’s Sportstyle category (like the dual-density foam 35 Shore A and a 25 Shore A mix on the XT-6).
You even hear some people complaining about the XT-6 and XT-4’s terrible traction, which is crazy considering the shoe used to be a trail running shoe for competitive athletes. Not to mention its use of Contragrip Mud outsole which seems a little overkill for city-based commutes.
The Footpatrol XT-4s were reliable, giving me nothing to complain about throughout the many inter-city coach journeys. From Punta Cana to Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas to Santiago de los Caballeros to Puerto Plata and then back, the Salomons kept up.
Although, I didn’t go on any hikes or scale up any hugely challenging terrain, its limits were rarely tested. There was one instance where clearing out the caked mud within the webbing channels proved inconvenient, but it was worth it for the small portion of Santo Domingo’s Botanical Gardens that I saw.
I would recommend the Salomon XT-4 for anyone considering it as a travel shoe. My only recommendation is to go up half a size and to pick a colourway that would suit your wardrobe. If you’re inclined to wear a lot of stripes then perhaps go for a more subdued colourway with browns and blacks. If you’re trying to turn up like Adam Sandler, then pick something wild and hit the yolo button everytime you step out the door.
From public libraries, beachside restaurants and exploring cities, it was all within the XT-4 stride. I was never turned away for looking too informal, yet I can imagine the shoes being a slight issue were I one for the finer things in life. They canny turn you away from a beachside BBQ spot for wearing a pair of wicked Footpatrol shoes.
Strict dress codes at the club or exclusive restaurants would have proved difficult, so if you do like to dip in and out of fancy spots, consider this when copping a loud colourway of the XT-4s. If it’s super fancy, then chances are they work on a ‘got lugs, no spuds’ policy. And you know how lugged-up the XT series are.
The Footpatrol XT-4 is still my favourite colourway and collaboration within the silhouette’s library, but if you fancy something low-key then the Salomon website has many muted options.
How many pairs do you own?
If I tell you,
will you leave me alone?
Depends how many?
Is it a lot?
I don’t know the number,
must have forgot.
Surely someone like you should know?
Alright, I’ve got about 10 on the go.
I use to have an excel sheet,
But tracking my consumption made me weap.
Still not heard a number,
just words and cries,
If I gave you a number I would despise,
myself for owning so many shoes,
my fragile ego it would bruise,
so please,
don’t ask me any more.
Goodness gracious what a bore.
Then a bore I’ll be,
I’ve only got one pair can’t you see,
they’re currently tied up on my feet.
Yes, it is indeed that time people. I am now posting some more daily shoe-related finds and ponderings over on my Substack if you want more content.
That is certainly not to say I will be neglecting the site. More long-form shoe discoveries and footwear poems to come.
Remember, it is only content if you are content!
Displayed throughout the week of the 8-14th of September at Andrew Smith & Son’s Auction House was John Mott’s extensive list of inventions. A hugely impressive assortment of racquets, Golfing and footwear prototypes made up the collection behind the glass cabinets, all highlighting the inventor’s illustrious career.
All 137 Lots are available to purchase until the 14th of September 7:00 PM where there will then be a 5-minute window on all Live auctions to avoid bid sniping.
In this footage, you will see British Inventor John Mott discussing his various Sporting Prototypes with the owner of The Urban Syndicate as well as a footwear historian being myself behind the camera.
Enjoy watching this longer form piece of content to get a better understanding of the wealth of knowledge and experience John has accumulated throughout his career as an inventor.
A few years ago, I documented the wonderful stories surrounding John Mott and his Light-Up Shoe Inventions. Luckily, these stories caught the eye of Sneaker Freaker whom I then worked to create an article for Issue 48 It’s Lit.
Now that John is auctioning off his prototype collection, I thought it was important that people online could also hear these stories. Whether that is through John’s YouTube or The Sole Supplier article, you can now learn all about the wonderful journey to creating the light-up shoe.
The ASICS GEL NITE-LYTE, released in 1993, holds a unique place in sneaker history. Long before children’s light-up shoes became playground staples, the idea came from John Mott, who believed footwear could improve safety for kids and runners at night.
Working with Pennwalt USA, Mott developed piezo-electric film technology that could harvest footstrike energy to power an LED. Unlike later mercury-based systems, Mott’s design was safer and more advanced. ASICS purchased the concept and integrated it into its GEL performance line, resulting in the world’s first production light-up running shoe.
The NITE-LYTE wasn’t just a lab experiment, it made global headlines in the early ‘90s.
These appearances cemented its status as a symbol of innovation.
According to a German ASICS’s NITE-LYTE advertisement (Art. No. 400 020), the NITE-LYTE combined cutting-edge running performance with safety lighting technology:
Essentially, it was a fully-fledged ASICS GEL runner equipped with built-in night visibility technology.
One overlooked fact: the NITE-LYTE actually predates LA Gear’s children’s light-up sneakers, making it the true first commercial light-up shoe.
It also paralleled Reebok’s piezo-electric experiments in the early ‘90s, where designer Steven Smith tested piezo-electric valves for the Pump system. Costs would have pushed retail prices to nearly $300 (≈$670 today), and prototypes lasted only 30 minutes before failing. Reebok’s CEO shelved the project, leaving ASICS as the only brand to put piezo-powered footwear into production.
Today, the White/Yellow colorway is the most remembered, appearing in Sneaker Freaker Issue 48: “It’s Lit!” and in John Mott’s original samples. Below is a photo from the ASICS Archive in Japan that shows the ASICS GEL-TWILYTE, the successor to the NITE-LYTE.
Above the description reads: “A lithium battery provides the power for the high-intensity lamp located in the PVC external counter generated by footstrike, the system utilizes Piezo film and computer chip technology. While the display shoe is 2nd model, the first model is GEL-NITE LYTE in 1993.”
The Japanese bio reads: “夜間ランニング時の安全を考案した運動靴。PVC製ヒールプロテクターに埋め込まれた高輝度ランプを、足の衝撃で点灯させる。ソールに圧電フィルムとコンピュータチップ技術を採用した。展示のモデルは第２号で、初代は１９９３年ＧＥＬ－ＮＩＴＥ ＬＹＴＥ.”
For decades, only one surviving pair sat in the ASICS archive, until sneaker media spotlighted the shoe again. Collectors recall them fondly:
“They did light up at the heel. Had the ASICS GEL white and yella wans, great guttie.” This rediscovery highlighted the NITE-LYTE’s role as a lost milestone in sneaker history.
The GEL NITE-LYTE was more than a gimmick, it was the world’s first performance light-up running shoe, decades before wearable tech became mainstream.
While the story is largely unheard of among sneakerheads, it still remains a symbol of bold experimentation in 1990s sneaker innovation, proving that visibility and performance could be fused in one radical package.
Now British Inventor John Mott is selling a number of his inventions at auction via the Andrew Smith & Son auction house. There will be nearly 140 Lots for sale including the Light Shoe Prototypes, Carbon Fibre Golf Clubs, Tennis Raquets and even the Concept drawings. The Lots will also be on display once the auction goes live, giving people a chance to see these amazing inventions in-person.
This is an auction unlike any other and celebrates a lifesworth of inventions. The auction will start on the 5th of September 2025 and be live for 10 days. The Lots will all start at £0 and have no reserve, giving everyone the chance to own a piece of inventing history. Also up for sale are two mystery Lots in 15A and 15B, giving bidders the chance to get involved in something incredibly unique.
You can register your interest in the auction by signing up on the Andrew Smith & Son website.
I went to my Uncle’s 60th in Germany the other day. It was a wonderful affair. Apart from celebrating, I thought it an apt opportunity to look out for abandoned shoes. Although I was travelling with family, meaning finding time to wander would prove difficult.
We took the car to the Euro Tunnel to get over to mainland Europe. Big slay. The journey started off on the right foot (pardon the pun) thanks to one discarded DC high-top sitting next to the awaiting cars. Either some Roadie had decided to part ways with it before starting a mind-bending metal tour in the EU or some kid lost it by sticking his foot out the car window. I’m think either excuse would suffice.
Unfortunately, this would be one of only two shoes I would come across during the weekend trip. Many shoes were dotted along the roadside but due to the fact that we were whizzing past in the car, I was unable to snap a photo in time. I did however notice an awful lot of flip flops, or thong sandals discarded along the French motorway.
Perhaps the Havaianas R&D team would benefit from a European road trip. Equally, any influencers promoting the latest #toesoutsummer trend might benefit from this excursion. Side note – is the flip-flop and jeans look authentically Scandinavian or is it a move from the ruling class so people forget they’re losing more money to taxes each year by the distraction of toe action. Suspicious right?
Needless to say, little to no abandoned shoes were photographed. Later that evening we found ourselves in a cash-only German dive bar. It was there that I spotted the most typically German footwear left on the tiled floor. Underneath the bar stools lay a heavily-worn pair of Birkenstocks, the Arizona to be exact. I didn’t get to find out to whom they belonged to either as they sat there alone the whole time.
I imagine the owner of the Birkenstocks was a local, someone who frequented the bar and enjoyed feeling the grooves underneath their toes that they put in the hours working for. My only other thought is that they were a memoriam to a bar-legend, but I was not willing to find out if they were glued to the floor. ‘Never touch another person’s Birkenstocks’ is a good rule to live by.
The next morning I retraced my steps around the town I had so often visited as a child. Walking down memory lane. All the toy and shoe shops seemed so much smaller than I had remembered. I suppose this is the usual realisation for places people rediscover later in life. I loved it all the same. In fact, it had become more charming a place than I had remembered.
My Uncle, reluctant to splash out on a pair of shoes for my other Uncle’s party asked if I knew of any shoe repair shops in the area. While my shoe knowledge is extensive, I would be lying if I said that I had a sixth sense for where cobbler’s dwell. If I did I’d probably be rich. Or arrested.
A quick Google later and we were in the first cobbler’s. A middle-aged German lady looked us up and down, realising we weren’t the usual clientele. My Uncle, pointing at a loose stitch on his forefoot, gestured for help, to which the lady pulled a face and said, “no sorry”.
Not wanting to have completely wasted the journey, I asked if I could take photos of the shop, which she politely invited me to do. I spotted a very snazzy pair of women’s shoes and asked if she knew the brand name. She shrugged, “I don’t know, I only repair the shoes.” A lady of few words. Germans are known to cut to the chase, allergic to dancing around the point, so I took no offence. Onto the next.
The other shoe repair shop was in the local mall a short stroll away. The man’s shop was small in comparison, more like a pop-up Timpson’s equivalent, although with fewer ex-convicts as staff members. Noticing we were interrupting a friendly catch-up with a local on a Saturday morning, we were hesitant about receiving help.
My Uncle did the same one-shoe dance, pointing to this somewhat broken shoe in his other hand. An animated point of the finger later and the German cobbler shook his head, “No sorry”. It seemed to be an easy response to fending off the English. They know we can never be offended if there’s a ‘sorry’ on the end of it. E.g. “I burnt your house down, sorry”. To which the standard reply would be, “All good, how’s the family anyway?”.
It was at this point that my Uncle conceded to buying a new pair, so off on a shoe hunt we went. Heading over to the next town, a place which had a bigger and better selection of trainers, spirits were somewhat high. Recruited as an impromptu celebrity shopper/stylist, I fuelled up on a mango and watermelon ice cream. I was on holiday after all.
A lot of shops were full of very German-looking leisure shoes. Think Clarks but on steroids. Better yet, Clarks on a mild dose of antidepressants. It was here that I spotted a pair of formal leather walking Strober shoes. I knew little of the brand, but the shoe was so Grandpa, I was infatuated with it.
Suddenly ,my penchant for dad jokes and white socks made all the more sense. The only thing holding me back was the 99.95 Euro price point (discounted from 199.99 Euros), and the fact that my mum told me in a Peruvian-equivalent way that I would ‘look like a geriatric’.
Could I pull them off? I truly believed in that moment I could. A pair of loose sporty diabetic-friendly socks and some beige chinos, chef’s kiss (FYI I don’t have diabetes but I did accidentally buy a pack of diabetic socks in 2018 off Amazon, hence the reference). In hindsight, I am rather glad I didn’t end up purchasing them as it meant I could justify the pair later on.
It was wandering around where I saw this golden boot (not a reference to Headie One’s hit song) and other silver baby shoes. I feel like if I got to the level where I justified buying these as house decorations, I would truly be ‘cooked’.
Here is an interesting sock packaging that I spotted in a souvenir shop. It was a very Japanese present in my mind. Would you be happy to receive this from your partner on Valentine’s Day? Let me know in the comments as I cannot figure out if these are a big yes or a big no.
My Uncle did successfully purchase a pair of shoes for the birthday party the following day. Opting for a Bugatti formal/sporty shoe hybrids in a light brown, the mission was a relatively fun exercise. Even if he didn’t go for the more hybrid sole pair I was vouching for. They looked in the vein of the Nike Cole Haan hybrids from the early 2000s where you would get a formal shoe sat on a Lunarlon midsole.
Had I ever ended up in the finance industry, I’d have got a doctor to write me a note so I could wear these. That’s where the diabetic socks would have really come into play. In fact, maybe I should buy another pack for future health-related excuses. Is it a hate crime to dislike someone with diabetes? If not it should be.
Getting back to the hotel, I decided now was the time to go for a wander while the rest of the squad went to nap. Darting straight for the local sports shop, I was eager to relive my childhood-sneaker epiphany by going to the sports shop that started it all. The only problem was I couldn’t remember which one it was or if it was still open. Regardless, I headed to the nearest Intersport hoping memories would come flooding back.
Entering the shop triggered a deep sense of nostalgia. A distinct memory of helping my mum and auntie buy my cousin a pair of adidas football boots returned to the front of mind. Tracking through the racks, it was clear that the shop had a decent running shoe selection. I pored over the prices and sizes on display for almost thirty minutes before heading to the other side of the store where the hiking shoes were kept.
It was then that I spotted the Meindl glowing from afar. Long had I thought about this premium hiking shoe. It’s understated leather upper bowed in elegance and silently spoke to its marvel of German footwear making. I had strolled into many Outdoor shops in the UK to only stare at the high price point of the Meindl footwear selection.
Paying £175 was out of the question, yet the suede and tightly woven stitches called my name each and every time. Not to mention the leather GORE-TEX edition, which reached as high as £220. Now it was all making sense, acknowledging the top-tier quality and the way it poked its head above the rest. The 250 Euro price point was eye-watering but I was eager to find a way of making it happen.
I discussed the shoe with the Intersport employee, where she took out the insole to see how my foot fit against it. Opting for a bigger size to allow for any foot swell during a hike (hot I know) I went with the UK12.5.
I also decided to go on the obstacle course, feeling no pinch points across the stone edges and wooden logs. I felt like a man in his forties testing out a pair of shoes for a grand adventure. Although I am still in my twenties, I am not the head of a family or a father to any children, so I was coasting on pure adrenaline (a slight exaggeration and artistic license are used here). I was in my element. I felt awesome, as the Americans would say.
The store assistant left me to umm and ahh as I tried to figure out how on earth I could bring down the price. One University discount, size-related discount and cash deposit later, the card machine read 140 Euros. I had won the game of life (or thereabouts).
Walking out of the store, it was obvious that the stars had aligned. Not only had I returned to the mecca of shoes, the place that started it all (to be confirmed), but I had also managed to pick up the Made in Germany Meindl’s that I had wanted for years. Elated, I felt it was right to snap a photo and capture the moment.
Feeling a strong post-success hunger, I decided to walk to a fine kebab shop where I was able to pore over the quality upper in the town square. You can see the slightly confused lady in the background, either that or her face is one of pure envy. You can decide for yourself on that one.
The next day I told my cousin about purchasing a pair of Meindls. He laughed, stating he only knew that avid German hikers wore them, not really hip people in their twenties (not his exact description). I asked if he would ever own a pair, to which he replied, “If you ever saw me pushing a stroller in them, you know I am near the end.” I think the German craftsmanship was lost on him. Needless to say, I am absolutely chuffed with them and they look grand on foot.
Fond memories, cheap bakeries, good value double Espressos and a wander down my footwear-related past meant I was made up.
Most people have never heard of the New Balance 475. Heck, I don’t think most sneakerheads knew they existed until the recent 2024 retro; I know I didn’t. Now having clocked in over 250,000 steps in my pair of 475s, I can safely say it is definitely a shoe worth having.
I first heard of the New Balance 475 thanks to a boutique in Tokyo called The Apartment. I stumbled upon one of its New Balance collaborations on eBay, The Apartment x New Balance 576 Made in UK “Evergreen”, and was quickly convinced it needed to become part of my wardrobe. Likely a B-Grade pair that was spotted among the discounted shelves of the Flimby Factory Outlet, this purchase put me onto the great taste of owner @taka_toucans.
It was not long after that I spotted The Apartment promoting the “Brighton Grey” NB 475, along with a youthful-looking Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons. Staged by his sofa bed next to a rack of comic books, Groening’s pose was anything but nonchalant. His pair of heavily worn NB 475s clear to see. I wonder how many steps Groening clocked in them. Suppose I’ll ask if I ever bump into him. Suppose he won’t have the faintest of clues.
Luckily for me, the NB 475 did not fly off the shelves, at least not in the UK. This meant I was able to purchase my pair of Brighton Greys for a tasty £55. After recently dabbling with the brand’s Made in USA/Made in UK models, I was hesitant to go back to any general release. Yet knowing the likelihood of a Made in X 475 was slim, I decided to bite the bullet.
As per usual, when it came down to choosing which shoe would be my sole pair for my trip away, it came to a last minute to-and-fro. Ultimately, I ended up reaching for the NB 475 for my Italian getaway.
I write this as if I hadn’t gone on hour-long walks in each New Balance shoe, trying to figure out which was the most comfortable. I think this is the closest I have come to being a Grandad (a sexy one at that).
While at first I thought that was lame, it turns out Einstein and Charles Dickens were known for taking lengthy walks, so I am in good company. Granted my ponderings were somewhat less ground-breaking. If you see me going for a stroll with my hands behind my back, you know my inner monologue is deep in the trenches over the minimal vs maximal footwear debate. Either that or I’ve given up the shoe industry and have picked up a part time job at a security firm.
One plane ride later and I was in the Sicilian city of Palermo, its potholed streets a welcome test for the 475s. Originally designed in 1986 as a high-mileage shoe, two years before the similarly numbered 574 hit the shelves. Also, if we are to go off the brand’s numbering system, then the NB 475 is supposedly the less technical runner.
During the late ‘80s New Balance also released several other 47X models which fit into the running shoe category. To the untrained eye, many of these models look identical, even I had trouble deciphering between them. Hopefully, one retired New Balance designer can chime in on the minor differences in that running shoe series? (Perhaps the models were licensed out to different manufacturers or phased out as regional exclusives).
Given the nearly 40 years since it was first released, the type of rubber midsole was not likely a 1:1 match of the originals. Not to mention that both these shoes are now labelled by New Balance as a ‘lifestyle’ shoe. So, unless you used to run marathons back in the late ‘80s and have a diehard fascination for both the 475 and 574, you will likely never see someone run in them – unless it’s for the bus. From a personal standpoint, I would say the 475 is more comfortable than the NB 574.
After each day of exploring, I’d unlace them to find I was in no discomfort. Had I brought any other shoe, I’m sure my feet would have eventually succumbed to tourist foot (an actual symptom which I only just found out myself). Not the 475 though.
One afternoon I found myself perusing the local botanical gardens. Here I sat down on a bench so I could look at the trees’ shadows dancing across the floor. I try to do this every so often, a lesson I learnt from the protagonist in Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days. Of course, once I was done living in the moment, I snapped a photo of the NB 475s. Much like the main character enjoyed his small collection of cassette tapes, I took absolute pleasure in the one shoe I had brought on my trip. Sometimes, less is more. Who knew!
Here is a photo I snapped of my NBs from my friend’s balcony, finally getting the chance to use Palermo as a backdrop. Granted, it was an overcast day, but when life gives you lemons…
A two-hour bus ride would land me in Catania. The city had all the charm of a place with a nearby Volcano. It was here where I came across my first Mom & Pops store – or at least the Italian equivalent of one. I had heard of these places for quite some time, shops that represented a bygone era of sports retail. I was super ecstatic when I had finally found one, spending almost half an hour poring over the small selection of outdated sports shoes on the wall. The lady whispered to her husband that I seemed crazy, I didn’t hold it against her. I think she was just sick of me asking questions about her stock. Don’t hate the player…
As for the shoes on my feet, they kept me at ease during an impromptu photo shoot in Catania. Obviously, I was not the subject of the shoot; instead, I tried capturing the wonderful city itself which managed to pose unashamedly in the warm Sicilian sun.
The city of Napoli was next up on the docket, taking what must have been my best ever train ride up the South-West coast of Italy. Arriving in Napoli, I was escorted rather hastily via car by my Airbnb host. Passing this fast drive-by as a ‘quick tour’, it wasn’t long before the gentleman tried getting me to cancel my booking and pay him in cash. A dicey character. Never trust someone wearing a “Make Money Not Friends” hoodie – it is literally written all over them.
A photo of my shoes strewn across the once considered decadently tiled floor summed up my current attitude. Serves me right for choosing a spot so close to the station. Mind you, it did make for a short journey to Pompeii. Swings and roundabouts. Speaking of, here is a photo of my wonderful shoes with a roundabout in the background (I promise that wordplay wasn’t planned).
I decided to stay on in Napoli, not wanting that experience to leave the wrong impression of the city. This time I headed for an area next to Lungomare. I love being next to water, so surely this area would already be a vast improvement on the room before. While I do enjoy a train ride, living next to a train station is another kettle of fish. Walking along the coastline provided many a photo opportunity for abandoned shoes. The beach seemed to be littered with them, just like the concrete pavements of Palermo.
It was also this walk that took me to one of the best seafood restaurants I have ever come across – Il Miracolo Del Pesci. It was also here that I became fond of Limoncello. Unfortunately, none have come close since. Perhaps it wasn’t the Limoncello, but the friends we made along the way … (I think I heard this sentence in a film before, I thought it was apt).
The next day I headed away from sea level and upwards into Napoli’s hilly mountainside. From this height, the city was observable in a different form. Granted, you could no longer spot individually discarded shoes, but this was easily forgotten as my eyes were busy working its way over the distinctly-coloured landscape. It was high up in Napoli’s hills that I decided to take what was arguably the best photo of the NB 475s.
It was also at this altitude that I stumbled across the neighbourhood of Vomero, a name that has recently skyrocketed in the footwear scene thanks to the hugely popular Nike Vomero 14. This was a happy coincidence for my shoe-obsessed self. After grabbing a much-needed ice cream, I wandered into the Nike Vomero store, but the experience was largely dissapointing.
Had it been the late ’90s, the store might have housed a number of regional exclusives and I could have walked out like some an off-duty Giuseppe Giannini (minus the questionable trim) – sadly I would have been a baby at that point.
After a much-needed day of rest in Salerno, I headed to my final stop, Rome. Here, I spent more time looking up than down. My focus fixed on the enormous statues and paintings held within the Vatican. My New Balances, while perfectly adept, would become shadowed by a historied portrayal of footwear which included a pair of custom adidas Predators gifted to the late Pope Francis.
A huge fan of the Argentinian football team, these boots made the perfect gift for what was the most powerful man in the Catholic Church. No matter who you are, footwear is for everyone.
I hope the current US-born Pope Leo gets a pair of signature Air Jordans so he can dunk on these proverbial haters (haters in this case representing sin and everything evil in the world). They could come in the “Bred”/”Bread” colourway … the opportunity for wordplay is just too good to turn down. Maybe skip the holy water in the midsole part, that might be a little too controversial after seeing the backlash that MSCHF received.
I began to wear thin towards the last few days, however this wasn’t the case for the shoes on my feet. Proving just as comfortable as they had been during the first few thousand steps, the New Balance 475s had not failed me once. From Palermo to Roma, from ice cream to Pizza, from heel-to-toe, I have only positive things to say about the assortment of suede and rubber that was wrapped around my feet.
If you’re debating a re-up on your current pair of 508s or 327s, I’d suggest checking out the New Balance 475s instead. If they still look too clunky for you and I have still not managed to convince you, then no harm, no foul – more for me! (Although I doubt the majority of you reading this would have picked up a UK12.5).
Thanks for reading, Shoe Spotting In Italy piece soon come!
wear shoes, write poems 