Anti-Streetwear footwear for a Post Sneaker World

relating to my last post on the end of streetwear, is the idea that we're living in a post sneaker world. in one of my first posts on this blog, i wrote about my most essential foot coverings for the post sneaker world. those were the blundstone 500's, above, far left. of course, i followed that up with a post about my next footwear purchase and it was a pair of sneakers. i still wear those sneakers. i love them. but neither that, nor the fact that i will praise another pair of sneakers in this post, changes the fact that we are living in a post-sneaker world.

post-sneaker world doesn't mean never wearing sneakers again. there is a time and place where they are necessary. but it is time we stop worshipping hyped sneakers. i don't care how many of those yeezys or retro jordans or dunks were made, boss. i don't care what they sell for on the resale market. i am especially not impressed by anyone paying resale prices for hype sneakers. that is stupid. if you are spending hundreds of dollars on a pair of shoes buy something that is going to last; that is actually worth the price because it is the highest quality. 

this post isn't even about that. this is about the budget friendly and footwear that can work for any occasion or season. the most expensive option here are the aforementioned blundstones, at $190, though they can easily be found for less. what these shoes lack in price tag and hype, however, they make up for in quality design and functionality. 

i'll start with the blundstones. i already wrote about these so i'll keep it short. all that really needs to be said is i wrote about these over a year ago, and even at that point they were about 6 months old. they had already been through one winter. now, they've been my primary shoes for at least 12 months total and they are still doing great. they are as, if not more comfortable than the first day i wore them, and they still look just as nice. 10/10 recommended buy. okay, moving on.

next up is one we all know. birkenstocks. they're everyone's favorite, from your "eccentric" aunt to every other "Brad" or "Chad" in a frat. Everyone has their own favorite birkenstock. personally, i like the arizonas. this may be a hot take, but i like the soft footbed version too. shoot me. anyway, what connects everyone's favorite birkenstock model is one thing. they're birkenstocks! they are a genius in simple footwear engineering and the result is one of the most comfortable shoes you can buy. nevermind that they are ugly. these aren't being worn to the office anyway, who are you trying to impress on a stroll to the corner store or a day at the beach?? there's a style out there to fit every wardrobe, whether you want to go with a bright color - or even silver, like me, or a nice natural suede boston. 

the germans aren't the only ones who know how to engineer a shoe anymore, though. french brand hoka one one came onto the scene in 2009 promoting "maximalist" sneakers, a response to the minimalist trend in running shoes at the time. i admit, i'm a little late to this one. the bondi 6 above is the 6th generation of this maximum-cushioning runner, replacing, for me, nike's 2017 ultralight runner, the zoom fly sp. i'm happy to make the transition, however late. there is no reason to run in ultralight, bouncy sneakers unless you're trying to run a sub-2:00:00 marathon. i just barely survived running a sub-2:00:00 half-marathon wearing those stupid nikes so i'm done kidding myself and going for more practical designs. my boss had continually praised this model so i decided to give it a change. hoka is basically the new-age new balance, with a light french touch. i mean light literally. while they are much heavier than my old nikes, they are much lighter than new balance's 990 series. they basically ride the middle between the two. they are just as comfortable to walk in all as they are on a ten mile run. i went with these bright yellow ones in a bit of a throwback to some ridiculous adidas i had in high school, but more practical options include the sleek these sleek triple black ones that would have been my second choice.

g.h. bass & co.'s signature weejuns are the one shoe on this list that i don't actually own. they are definitely the next shoes i am going to buy. they are the perfect formal option when the blundstones can't quite cut it. for me, this has been my leopard, horsehair horsebit loafers from doc martens, which i love, but they are far too loud to be very versatile. they also are made from doc's signature leather which is hard as hell. they are impossible to wear sockless, which is one of the best features of a good loafer. these weejuns are much softer, so while i like a good bit of cognitive dissonance in my wardrobe and therefore like to rock a sock with loafers, going sockless in the summer is one of my favorite pleasures. if we are ever allowed back out into society this summer, you can bet you will find me in a pair of these.

last on my list is certainly the most divisive option. they are easily the ugliest. however, they might also be the most comfortable. there's a reason they are popular among some of those that spend the most time on their feet, such as chefs and nurses. they have also found an unlikely spot in the high fashion spotlight recently, big thanks to balenciaga, and seen hyped  collabs with pleasures and post malone. but i like them for what they were originally trying to be - or not be. they aren't trying to be fashionable. they're just a simple rubber gardening shoe, or house clog, that are completely resistant to dirt, and almost impossible to destroy with years and years of regular wear.