Gear Patrol

The Adidas ZX 8000 isn’t a new shoe. In fact, the style is over 20 years old. This new red and white colorway simply gives the shoe a more modern look appropriate for the streets of 2011. Outside of the bold use of red and white, details like putting the classic 3-stripes underneath a layer…

When you mention boots in the same sentence as L.L. Bean, inevitably a conversation about the Bean Boot follows. However, the recent release of this Handsewn Wedge Sole Boot ($325) may change all that. Each pair is hand sewn in the land of lobstah, made from premium leather, and features a sturdy Vibram sole. These…

When can a good pair of boots make you look both sophisticated and rugged? Wear them with an ascot and carry a hunting rifle. No. Just throw on a pair of the ruggedly handsome Timberland Boot Company’s Tackhead 8-Inch Boots ($295). These beautifully unique two-tone boots are made from premium brushed Horween leather and treated…

For years the velvet slip-on loafer has been a viable alternative for black-tie footwear. Three friends from Miami have set out to bring them into the mainstream. Born from a desire to have a pair of shoes with their school emblem for graduation, Del Toro shoes produces a huge variety of styles, from solid colors…

The problem with owning a nice bike is that it probably requires you to own shoes that can best be described as a cross between soccer cleats and aqua socks. They’re ideal for long trips and training sessions, but taking a quick ride to the park or into the city for a bite to eat…

We shared our initial infatuation with the Chicago-based Oak Street Bootmakers earlier this fall and managed to spend some more hands on time at this year’s Pop Up Flea, put on by Michael Williams and Randy Goldberg. Besides walking out with a pair of our own, we couldn’t help but shed our fair share of…

Based on Northampton, UK, 150 year old John Lobb Bootmakers is steeped in English heritage with an equally momentous crafting process. Each pair of shoes require no less than 190 painstaking steps which takes place across several “Rooms”. For example, the Clicking Room is the beginning of a shoe’s evolution where artisans hand-cut full-grain leather….

In celebration of the New Balance 576′s, NB has created a limited production run called the “Pub Pack” and as you can imagine each shoe features pub-inspired design. Before you think these are shoes you should get sloppy in, keep in mind New Balance has made the collection with full grain leather, metal lace keepers…

When it comes to the Wolverine 1000 Mile Collection 721 LTD boots, there’s frankly few other phrases I can think of other than “Wolverine Porn”, but give this crowd it’s probably safe to utter the words without too much repercussion.

If you know your New Balance history you’ll recall that the 1400′s, originally released in 1994, have previously only been available in Japan – making them a covet for enthusiasts (this guy). J.Crew has collaborated with New Balance to bring back an exclusive run of the New Balance 1400 ($130) in two exclusive Fall-ready colors:…

The Dolomites are a jagged finger of the Alps that extend down into northern Italy, close to the Austrian border. Many mountaineers, including Walter Bonatti and the über-climber, Reinhold Messner, have cut their teeth on the steep windy crags. A small group of particularly rugged and beautiful peaks in the western Dolomites is called the…

Inspired by the “Iron Rangers” from the Mesabi Iron Range in Northern Minnesota, the Iron Ranger boot from Redwing Shoes speaks of the city’s people and way of life: simple, tough, determined. Meticulously handcrafted in the USA for the last 95 years, Redwing makes shoes for the reality of life. The Iron Ranger is not…

Commemorating Wolverine’s 125+ years of history and the original reference number of the 1000 Mile boot, Wolverine has commissioned a series of films by Sean Sullivan to document the process of boot making in advance of the 721LTD Boot release. The resulting work is a beguiling glance at the meaning of true American craftsmanship and,…

Timberland boots are well known by working men and rappers alike largely for the same reasons. Their beefy looks, comfort, and durability are simply hard to match, especially for around $100. Feeding off that heritage, Stussy and Timberland have collaborated to create the Stussy x Timberland XXXth Anniversary Desert Boot ($195) which mix elements of…

Boat shoes are great casual kicks, and perfect for spring, summer, and anytime you are on a boat. As you may have heard, Fall is just around the corner, and boat shoes with jeans and cords isn’t necessarily the best look. Instead, check out Quoddy’s Maliseet Oxford (a brand we’ve profiled before). Leffot in New…

Fall and winter may be prime boot season, but if you love the feel of sneakers then these new for 2010 Supra Belay Slip Ons ($65) should work for casual occasions. Thanks to their slim low-profile and lace detailing, they’ve got a noticeably different look from the majority of sneakers found on every mannequin you…

If you hadn’t noticed, we have a penchant for shoes made in the US here at Gear Patrol. So, when Oak Street Bootmakers hit the web with yesterday announcement it was a perfect storm to win our lustful eye. Based out of Chicago, Oak Street was founded by George Vlagos to carry on the shoe…

Recently, Chicago was doused with five hours of constant Noah’s Ark-like rain, which resulted in flooding in the downtown area. Through a foot of muck and floodwater, my CIA-issued, thirteen year-old Danner Acadia boots proved flawless. No slips, no falls and not a single drop of water penetration. A quick bit of history: The Agency…

The prep of today is edgy. It’s slimmer, more modern and usually wrapped in a casual—not slouchy—vibe. When looking for that perfect piece of footwear to accompany your Nantucket picnic on the bay, who better than Massachusetts-based Sperry to get your Cape Code on? Started by an avid sailor who created special grooves in his…

K-Swiss may be known for their classic tennis and street sneakers, but with theTubes Run 100 ($75)they’re hoping to change that. Sold in ten different color ways and looking aggressive as hell, the Tubes Run 100 feature a durable Aoasta II rubber outsole, stay tied laces, k-EVA midsole cushioning, and of course Tubes™ technology. Yeah…

Move over Chuck Taylor. Meet the Batman of urban lifestyle footwear, the Chrome Midway ($90). Chrome, a San Francisco based company, has prided itself for 14 years on providing durable messenger bags to survive the wear and tear of the city streets and now, with an alternative, all – purpose cycling shoe that looks just…

The Allen Edmonds Shoe Company has been making quality shoes since 1922 and our own experience with a pair of Allen Edmonds McAllister Wing Tips has certainly proven that. First becoming popular after outfitting the Army and Navy during World War II, Allen Edmonds has since moved on to style thousands of influential men, including…

Alex Carleton of Rogues Gallery, has a knack for taking classic American staples and putting a modern twist on them. Nowhere is this more evident than his collaboration with L.L.Bean for this August’s launch of L.L.Bean’s Signature Collection. With cooler temperatures on the horizon, Carleton’s take on Bean’s classic Maine hunting boot has us already…

Known for its versatility, Jack Purcells by Converse are, in the world of sneakers, a modern-day classic. The shoes go well with a linen suit, chinos, or a pair of jeans. But, matching clean sneakers with a highly structured suit can be a little tricky. Converse, not one for stagnation, has devised the Jack Purcell…

The idea of spending $395 dollars on a pair of boots may seem a bit outlandish. But quality comes at a price. Designed in Austin by Joshua Bingaman and handmade by a leather/boot specialist in Istanbul, Turkey, Helm Handmade Boots are nothing short of stunning. The Ray Ray boots are a stylistic blend of work…

Despite what your closet might be screaming, a man really cannot have too many boots and the Pointer Collection ‘Benson’ Boot ($200) is good enough reason to fit one more pair. The entire collection delivers a little extra flair, ratcheting up the footwear style-dial just a notch. Available in 4 colorways for the season, this…

Brand collaborations are taking over the world of men’s fashion and boutique label Opening Ceremony is leading the charge. In this latest tag-team effort, the brand has combined their detailing flair with Timberland to create a versatile shoe that should do good-by your feet on nearly any surface — including those that are submerged. Made…

New for fall 2010, New Balance is bringing back the heritage 320 ($65) running shoe as part of their lifestyle collection. The 320, originally released in 1976 for men when the numbering system matched retail prices ($32, 320, get it?) helped vault New Balance to mainstream status as running became popular in the wake of…

While spending a couple of weeks in Sri Lanka helping clean up after the 2004 tsunami, I met a friendly Australian ex-pat who was a walking cliché of his homeland. He wore a bush hat with one side rakishly buttoned up, a sweat-stained khaki safari shirt and he actually said things like, “crikey” and “mate.”…

Commemorating Wolverine’s 125+ years of history and the original reference number of the 1000 Mile boot, Wolverine has commissioned a series of films by Sean Sullivan to document the process of boot making in advance of the 721LTD Boot release. The resulting work is a beguiling glance at the meaning of true American craftsmanship and,…