The horror of sneaker design
37signals says what I’ve been complaining about for years:
So comfortable inside, why so ugly outside? Unfortunately, few of the other choices were much better. Apparently sneakers must be FUTURISTIC and have 593 different elements in order to prove they were DESIGNED.
OMG YES. Last time I bought sneakers I spent hours trying to find a simple-looking pair that was comfortable, and this time around I’m not sure if I’ll have the stamina.
Jul 22 2008
1:54 pm
Two words: Chuck Taylor.
Or, you can just try going barefoot as much as possible. Works for me.
Phil
Jul 27 2008
10:09 pm
Wrong stores? Skate shops sell some slick looking shoes, as do most of the non-sports store shops.
Aug 1 2008
4:00 pm
I know the pain Allen, and I recently had to shudder to myself as my younger brother spent $190 on a pair of tacky looking Nikes with shiny parts and zippers and somebody else(a basketball player)’s name on them.
More and more I am drawn towards leather dress shoes and the like, but they then have the problem of being too delicate as well as uncomfortable.
Aug 2 2008
11:04 pm
A couple of complications: I have high arches and small feet. Simple shoes and skate shoes are often very flat and sometimes are oversized. My current pair are classic-style Adidas ones (three stripe) where the stripes and shoe were both black – simple bliss.