While we await (with bated breath and fingers crossed) for the easing of restrictions come June 13th (if everything goes well), there are days that we might need to step out, to buy our essentials, exercise, go for an outing with a loved one or just get some fresh air for sanity’s sake. It’s a mask, we mean must, to keep safe, but it doesn’t mean we should dress shoddy when we’re out for that brief while. Top tip: Keep your feet shod in any of these seven to look stylo to go solo or to be seen cooing in twos.
“The No-Hype Sneakers Selection” is our fortnightly curation of the not-so-hot but oh-so-cool shoes that you might have missed out on.
Aerow, $293 (USD $222), IYSO
Still in love with the chunky Dad sneaker silhouette but tired of the new-but-same-old models from the usual shoe brands? IYSO’s here to save your day. This light latte-cream coloured sneaker from emerging South Korean brand IYSO, looks like an intriguing blend of MBT shoes’ signature physiological footwear, a luxury label-worthy iteration of a street-style kick and, erm, a boat. Whether you dig this design or not, its leather, mesh and suede layered uppers and whorl-like contoured outsoles make this a fresh new addition to the sneaks game.
Available at HBX.
Canvas trainers, $29.95, H&M
Need a pair of shoes quick, that you can wear with any outfit yet is affordable? Your demands are met with these canvas shoes. It is a simple, clean and classic design, crafted out of sturdy cotton canvas and durable white rubber soles, and – the major plus point – comes in a variety of pleasant, mostly neutral colours such as black, white, brick pink (seen here) and beige.
Available at H&M stores, multiple locations, www2.hm.com/en_asia2
Logo high-top sneaker (in purple), $548 (USD $414), JW Anderson
Need some footwear to go with the popular Uniqlo x JW Anderson collection of tees and bucket hats? Why not drop some serious moolah for a chunky pair from the British brand itself? And, why not go for a deep grape colour just to one-up other style-makers? Even if you opt for less loud options such as black or white, this high-top is still a statement-maker, what with the swatches of leather panels stitched atop its canvas uppers, thick gum rubber outsoles and white laces imprinted with its brand name.
Available at HBX.
Gel-Nimbus 23 (Earth Day), $259, Asics
Make every day Earth Day with this special Asics running shoe (which just so happens to be called the “Earth Day” rendition) that’s constructed with recycled materials but with all the key Asics running tech included. It has the soft GEL technology cushioning unit for shock absorption, its gender-specific TRUSSTIC device to provide the right kind of support for men and women, and OrthoLite X-55 sockliner to help with the wearer’s stride. That it comes in a Cream/Putty colourway is the cherry on top – it makes you look like you’ve been wearing this and running since forever (read: instant sports cred).
Available at Asics stores and brand stockists, multiple locations, www.asics.com/sg
Open hiking running sneakers, $99.90, ZARA
Is this a sandal or a sneaker? Well, according to the fast fashion giant, it’s a pair of “open hiking running sneakers”. Okay, what we can ascertain is that style-wise, it comes in a classic black so it’s easy to pair, features elastic drawstring fastening lacing so it’s easy to wear, has a chunky track sole so you get both height and traction, and has open-perforated segments on its upper so you can show off your sock-of-the-day. It’s all up to you to decide if you want to try running up a hill in these.
Enquire at ZARA stores for availability, multiple locations, www.zara.com/sg
Air Force 1 React LV8, $209, Nike
Nike’s basketball shoes are always hot, whether it’s on court or off. But, instead of jumping at some Jordans, try this new iteration of another Nike classic model, the Air Force 1. It sure is a looker; the black upper’s made with a smooth material patterned with a wavy, rippled marble effect, contrasting against an almost phosphorescent green outsole – it doesn’t glow, though – to make this pair a stand-out. What does shine in the dark when light hits the shoe are its reflective design details, including the “D/MS/X” branding. A little factoid: the branding stands for “Dimension Six”, which was one of the names that was considered before the founders of the sneaker giant settled on Nike.
Available at Nike stores and brand stockists, multiple locations, www.nike.com/sg
BONUS: SAFRA members receive 15% off regular-priced footwear and apparels at selected Nike stores. Click here for more information.
Larson mesh, faux nubuck and neoprene sneakers, $196 (£104.17), Orlebar Brown
Described by the lifestyle beachwear brand as the “shoe you can swim in”, it could be the pair to wear on rainy days. It weighs an ultra-light 201 grams, and has mesh uppers and removeable perforated insoles to facilitate quick-draining and drying. Plus, it looks good enough to be your go-to smart-casual navy footwear for dates. While we won’t recommend you taking to the public pool in this (not sure what the lifeguards will say about it), but if you have a private pool of your own or if you just wanna tip-toe across the waves at the beach with your other half, you are most welcome to wear them.
Available at Mr Porter.
All products are subject to availability and prices are subject to change. Prices stated are correct as of time of posting and are based on current exchange rates.
