Starting Five: Product Highlights [Sept 22]
Canada Goose, Moncler, Demon, Valentino & Hoka
As the intense summer heat starts to cool off and make way for autumn, we look to footwear that will offer just the right amount of traction and protection from the forthcoming weather conditions. From aggressively luggy outsoles like the Vibram enabled Hoka Tor, to the beautifully crafted Demon Zhocol boot, each silhouette brings a unique interpretation of Autumn ready wearability. Here are five footwear offering we’ve been thinking about…
Canada Goose Journey Boot
Founded in Toronto more than six decades ago, Canada Goose is a brand renowned for producing some of the world’s highest quality weather-ready outerwear. Famously worn by Laurie Skreslet (first Canadian to summit Mount Everest in 1982), who donned a Canada Goose parka during his ascent which cemented the brand as an outdoor powerhouse.
The brand’s first venture into the footwear category includes the‘Journey’ boot. The Italian made style features calf leather uppers with a quick lace fastening system, and is sat atop a rugged rubber outsole. A beautiful balance of chunky proportion and Italian hiking heritage detailing, the silhouette’s shape is both sleek but still maintains a dash of aggression.
Available here
Valentino Garavani Outdoor Crochet Sneaker
One for the purist of product designers, the Valentino Garavani Outdoor Crochet silhouette is the definition of form follows function. With the upper aesthetic being a direct result of the manufacturing process, the silhouette oozes sophistication and design integrity. Originally debuting in the more lifestyle orientated Valentino Garavani silhouette, the latest incarnation also features a handmade upper which is created with braided recycled tubular fabric bands that have been cleverly woven into the mid-sole and suede inserts on both the medial and lateral of the shoe.
Available here
Demon Zhocol Boot
Initially launched in 1963 in Montebelluna and now re-emerged in 2020, Demon aims to express a vernacular legacy of its territory through the vessel of contemporary design, which in this instance has taken form in the Zhocol Boot.
Taking aspects from their most notable silhouette, the Poyana, the Zhocol Boot takes the same clean, sculptural language and applies it to a mule concept. Taking the style into new heights, the minimal silhouette is juxtaposed with a bold and intricate ski-boot strap closure and features vegetable tanned leather, eFoam protection binding and reflex sock webbing.
Available here
Moncler Trailgrip GTX Low
The Moncler Trailgrip GTX signifies a couple things, the first being a new dedication to creating highly considered performance footwear, and the second being the first manifestation of ex-Nike designer Nathan Van Hook’s vision for the brands footwear category moving forward.
Featuring a GORE-TEX waterproof membrane and ripstop mesh upper that sits atop an aggressive Vibram sole unit with a Megagrip outsole, the Trailgrip silhouette blends chunky proportions with sweeping lines and technical materials.
Available here
Hoka Tor Ultra Hi GORE-TEX
Hailing from France, with a heel-to-toe drop of 4mm, the Hoka Tor Ultra Hi GORE-TEX weighs in at a surprisingly light 482g. Anyone familiar with the brand will know that Hoka has become synonymous for utilising overtly maximal sole units, and the Tor Ultra is no different. Utilising a chunky Vibram Meta-Rocker midsole and a MegaGrip outsole, the boot provides the user premium comfort and traction.
Coming in an all black and taupe, the silhouette has already become a cult classic for the brand, gaining notoriety through notable collaborations with Engineered Garments. Expect this shoe to sell out fairly quickly as fans of the brand clammer for the rare reissue of this model.
Available here
