Recommendations for a better sneaker?

[drietz]

All - I must admit, I'm a simply high school student.

As a simple high school student, I succumb to the simple trends in daily teenage life in the US, and that means...I wear Vans. Lately, my experience with shoes from this company has been disappointing.

In one month of marginal use, one of my shoes completely de-sole-d itself. Now I have a $60 moccasin thing that will probably become my dog's next best chew toy. Better yet, the Vans store from which I bought it will do nothing to help me out.

Don't get me wrong - I love the look of Vans and would not mind at all paying $60 for a good, slender looking sneaker that would last me a while, but a month? That's just not worth it!

So, anybody have recommendations for a decent looking sneaker that, while it may not last super long, also doesn't command a ridiculous price? Or better yet, a sneaker that will last a while even if it means a little extra cash out of my wallet.

[ABiCi]

Onitsuka Tiger.

[false_aesthetic]

Onitsuka Tiger.

That would be ASICS and I whole heartedly concur.

[drietz]

Ha! A friend went there, a friend's kid is probably in your class but I would not have thought that particular footwear popular.

Top Siders, Frye, desert boots. Sigh. Things never change. Vans!

Yeah, good old black and gold!

What's with Frye pre-aging everything? Getting shoes to look worn has never been a problem- getting them to not fall apart has.

The last pair of 5.10's I had (that were not actual rock shoes) dropped their soles faster then your Vans. My second pair did the same.

Generally I do well with approach shoe/ light hiker type foot wear- low profile, lightish, but still supportive for a full day on my feet. When I do find myself tempted back to something that looks better, I usually end up drifting towards Adidas.

In my effort to get more then 3 months out of footwear I have made a nearly complete shift towards Redwing. I look like my grandfather then I wear my wedge sole oxfords with shorts, but whatever. My angsty prep school upbringing makes me grind my teeth and sweat when I see loafers, boat, saddle or round toe suede. Or white. Anything but white.

Eric, I like your point. I always kind of considered 5.10s besides their rock shoes (of which I own a few pairs...) as more of a chunkier DC variety. By the way, your stems rock.

I'll take a look at Adidas. I do really like the idea of Generic Surplus, though. Are they actually made in LA?

[cash]

Can't go wrong with Chucks.

[liv2bike]

All I wear are Salomon...either xt wings or speedcross. They won't let you down.

[quickag]

Join me and petition Nike to bring back the Ace '83. The best sneaker eva.

[robin3mj]

Chucks are cheap and disposable.
Adidas Rod Lavers will last longer, though slightly less skater ish than Vans.
Puma Clydes are what Vans grow up to be.

[AJPM44]

New Balance.

[OnTheEllipse]

i bought my first pair of converse early this year and have been really happy with them

[Brandon White]

Adidas Stan Smiths or Rod Lavers. They'll last longer. Hell, even shell toes will last a hell of a lot longer.

I'm guessing there will be a recommendation for Generic Surplus (Chase ..?) - they can be found pretty cheap, look descent and will last awhile (although mine aren't all that comfortable for me so I rarely wear them).

[jitahs]

All I wear are Salomon...either xt wings or speedcross. They won't let you down.

Every time I need a pair I go to REI, try on interesting-looking things, shrug and get Salomons again.

This kid lives in Norcal, thus: Five Ten | Fixed Gear

[chasea]

http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...ent-23715.html

[doomridesout]

I'm 25 and possibly closer to your scene than the various well-heeled men with expensive tastes who post here- what are you into, besides cycling? I can definitely vouch for the Asics votes here, and the Adidas Rod Lavers. If you never wear shorts, I just copped a pair of Red Wing Chukka boots I don't think I'll ever need to replace but they're not going to be summer gear. Are you paranoid about looking like a hipster? All I can say for sure is, if you want to look like a dork and never get laid, try the Keens or any one of the fancy mountain town techy trail shoes.

[chasea]

I'm 25 and possibly closer to your scene than the various well-heeled men with expensive tastes who post here- what are you into, besides cycling? I can definitely vouch for the Asics votes here, and the Adidas Rod Lavers. If you never wear shorts, I just copped a pair of Red Wing Chukka boots I don't think I'll ever need to replace but they're not going to be summer gear. Are you paranoid about looking like a hipster? All I can say for sure is, if you want to look like a dork and never get laid, try the Keens or any one of the fancy mountain town techy trail shoes.

Everyone, he can stay.

[Ben]

Everyone, he can stay.

Are you saying that as a well-heeled man with expensive tastes?

[cody.wms]

As a well-heeled gentleman with expensive tastes, you could do worse than these:
Tretorn at Sierra Trading Post

My latest cadre of Vans have been absolute shit, but that's ok, cause I'm not wearing them much anymore.

[sladejw]

Adidas Sambas.

[miwuksurfer]

Redwings at work.
Sidis on the way home.
Rainbows everywhere else.