I'm sure a lot of you own nubuck shoes and have seen them get destroyed easily. Though its a more durable form of leather (as compared to suede) it stains easy and super difficult to clean. Nubuck is a form of leather which is soft and velvety to touch (kinda like suede). It looks a lot like suede so its easy to confuse the two. The best way to know for sure is to check on the shoe box itself (or ask me). Just so you know, those tan colored timberland shoes are USUALY nubuck, so if you've seen them then you know what I'm talking about. 

I dont own a lot of nubuck shoes so I've not tried a variety of products so I'll talk about what I've used and the fact that its worked for me. 

The first and the most important thing to do clean your nubuck shoes is to try and not get them dirty. I know it sounds silly but that's seriously the best way to take care of them. There are products that help this purpose too so dont start freaking out and close the page. The instructions are as follows: 

Cleaning instructions: 

• As soon as you buy a nubuck shoe get a protector spray. This is probably the single most important thing you can do to protect your shoes. I've used Shoe Protector by Footlocker and it worked really well for me. 
• Now once your shoes are protected cleaning them with this Timberland brush is cake work. 
• If you're already using your nubuck shoes and did not use the spray before wear, its not too late clean then nice with the brush and spray on a nice coat. Trust me you'll thank me later
• I've used Renewbuck by Timberland to clean those tough stains and it worked like a charm. Its easy to use and the best part is its available in Mumbai/India (@ the Timberland store at Pheonix Mills, Parel)
• Brush off the dirt after every wear. I've got a pair of Supra sneakers and I brushed them after every use and even today after about 3 years find it hard to believe they are so old. 

I've always loved nubuck shoes but shyed away from buying them because I thought cleaning them was a bitch. Through the years I figured nubuck does take a little more upkeep but then its not that tough. 

Finally some points to note: 

• Invest in good products and you'll save a lot of money buying new shoes
• Get Renewbuck
• Get Suede Brush
• Get a good shoe protector/water proofer, Timberland has Balm Proofer but I've not tried it yet. 
• NEVER use water unless explicitly mentioned in your shoe care instructions

Thats it peeps! now you can go ahead and buy those awesome nubuck shoes you wanted and as always feel free to reach out to me for any questions/concerns. 

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Just the other day, I was talking to a friend about how I feel the market is getting saturated with the same old sneakers and almost similar colorways. I need to see something new, something fresh. Enter Nike Manor, one of the freshest sneakers I've seen in a while. These bad boys are nothing I've seen from Nike in the recent history. 

The mint green color is perfect for this shoe and the materials seem really premium. The fact that Nike went ahead with this with almost zero branding (read: no swoosh) shows willingness to do something differnet in 2012. While the color might be a little too much for some, I think its absolutely smashing! 

No release date on these yet but cant wait for these bad boys to drop.

Image Courtesy: NiceKicks

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A friend of mine called to ask how to clean his new suede sneakers so I thought it'd be nice to share the knowledge with the rest of you. 

Getting straight into it - first thing you should know about cleaning suede is that it is complicated. Suede comes in different types so the most important thing is to find out if your particular shoe can take water. I've got these Nike Dunks that has some suede which takes water perfectly well. But no matter what suede it is, you have to make sure that the cleaner you use is gentle.

NOTE: This article is meant only for Suede shoes and NOT nubuck shoes.

Things you will need: 

• Suede cleaning block
• Suede cleaning brush - this usually a soft brush
• Nail brush 
• Suede protector 

Now keeping in mind the fact that you cannot use water on suede, you will need to brush off any dirt that you can see on your shoe. Ideally this should take care of most of the dirt on your shoe. For those tough stains, use the suede block. You will need to rub the block a little hard on the shoe and you will notice that it starts wearing the block off. Dont worry about the left over particles, you can just brush them off later. 

When it comes to oil, food, grease, mud, blood and other stains a vigorous regiment must be applied to your suede shoes. If it’s fresh, blot up any excess with a paper towel. Be very gentle, so you don’t push the stain further into the pores of your suede shoes. Next (and if your stain was already dry) take a damp rag and gently rub the stain. Let it dry and attack with a suede brush and suede eraser. If your shoes came with instructions, they would suggest suede cleaners for disasters like this. Even if you don’t have care directions, now would be the time for suede cleaner. You may need to apply several applications.

If suede shoes have become discolored because they got wet, the answer is wetting the entire shoe. Remove the laces. Use a soft sponge and gently rub it across the entire shoe. Keep the shoes minimally damp. Stuff the shoes with white tissue paper to hold their shape while they dry. Do NOT rub with a cloth to dry them, allow them to dry naturally. 

IMPORTANT: Treat your new suede shoes with a good Stain and Water protector (you can find one at the Timberland store at Pheonix mills in Mumbai) before you start wearing them. This will make cleaning them later a whole lot easier. Re-treat them everytime you clean them. I would recommend a fresh coat every 1-2 weeks depending on the usage. This is particularly important in cities like Mumbai where dirt and grime is more common than concrete on the roads. 

Interesting note: Remove oil stains on suede by rubbing talcum powder or cornmeal directly on the spot. After several hours, brush off the powder. Repeat if necessary. Source: http://www.stevemadden.com/ContentDisplay.aspx?pageID=1618 (Thanks Mushaw)

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This was big! after all the emails I sent to them I finally see something happening. Last week I went into the Nike store at Khar Linking road and to my surprise I see the Nike Dunk VT on the shelf! 

To the ones who are unaware, VT stands for Vac-Tech and is currently used only on really premium Nike releases. Even in the US not all stores will carry the VT line of sneakers. This means that Nike is bringing the big guns here. 

The sneaker that I saw is not even available on the Nike online store yet so I'm guessing this colorway was an Asia exclusive release (or atleast to begin with). Honestly, I didn't like the colorway much when I saw it in person but I'm super excited! This only means good things are in store for all Nike lovers! I spoke to the guy in the store and he said they are expecting new stock in December - though he didn't know which exact colorways were expected, its still great news because with this launch we can atleast hope for Air Force VT's and other dunk silhouettes.

With Adidas upping the ante by bringing the Ransom x Adidas originals and Adidas Star Wars line - this was much needed by Nike. 

Alright you guys at Nike, bring in the heat!! 

Image Courtesy: Modern-Notoriety.com

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I've tried a bunch of water proofers/sneaker proterctors and none have been able to hold against the dirt on Bombay streets. It got so bad that I actually stopped buying and wearing white sneakers. 

But that was before I came across NeverWet (I know I know - I chuckled too) This amazing product is nothing like I've ever seen before. The product basically makes anything its treated with virtually un-stainable. 

There's no word yet on the launch or availability of this product - but rest assured - you'll find out as soon as I do. In the meanwhile here's a video about what this sweet thing can do.

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You gotta wonder, how do rich folks spend all their money? if this question has bothered you in the past then you are at the right place. Recently, I came across this insane sneaker accessory that costs $19,000!!! 

Allow me to introduce you to SHOELACES that cost $19,000!. Brought to you by Mr.Kennedy a company found in the honour of the guy who created the modern day shoelace. These guys created the worlds first pure Gold and Silver shoelaces. These laces are hand made and use "ancient" artisan jewellery techniques. 

If you got the dough, head over to their website and buy yourself a pair of gold laces for $19,000 or silver laces for a much cheaper $3000. 

I'll agree the laces look like a piece of art, but what shoes would go with $19k gold laces?? comment on this article if you can think of any.

Source: Mr.Kennedy

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Yes thats correct! Crookedtongues.com, a UK based website offers free shipping to India with no minimum spend. They've got a great collection of sneakers that also include pre-order items.

I've never bought from them but they're a famous entity in the sneaker world. I really liked a bunch of stuff they have and will definately try them out in the near future.

Check out CrookedTongues.com now!

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Its birthday time and my wife got me these really sweet pair of Stan Smith 2's! I gotta say "Adidas is good", not that I ever doubted that but I've never really been a big Adidas fan and Stan Smith's were never on my radar. But I'm a changed man now, I guess age can do that to people :) but I totally dig these shoes! a clean silhouette, beautiful mahogany color and smashing materials! I was so surpised to find these here in Mumbai! 

As most of you might be aware, Stan Smith's are a part of the Adidas Originals line and have been in production since 1965!! they are classics and look the part. 

Check my new babies out!

Image Courtesy: Complex Mag

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Earlier this year Nike dropped sneakers inspired by the legendary duo Cheech & Chong. The silhouette used was the Dunk and it pays homage to the legendary stoners in multiple ways. The sneaker makes use of a unique red bandana and corduroy material, as well as a canvas toe box that scraped away to reveal a green herb-like substance. The red bandana represents signature headwear worn in the movie 'Up In Smoke' by Cheech and Chong. The sneaker was limited to 1000 pairs and dropped on April 20, 2011, hence dubbed as 4/20 Dunks. 

This article though, is not about the shoe but this really cool gas mask bong made out of the actual sneaker! The custom gas mask is created by Freehand Profit that is sure to have many stoners talking. Check out the images below and lemme know what you think. 

Image Courtesy: NiceKicks

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This is some shady crap man.. Reebok's Easy tone line of footwear has been slapped a with a $25 million penalty for false advertising by Federal Trade Commission (FTC). 

Reebok claimed that regular wear of the Easy tone sneaker would strengthen and shape buttock muscles. If you're wondering what the hell is Easy Tone then think those amazing ads with women strutting their assets while wearing the sneaker. 

"Reebok made unsupported claims in advertisements that walking in its EasyTone shoes and running in its RunTone running shoes strengthen and tone key leg and buttock (gluteus maximus) muscles more than regular shoes. The FTC's complaint also alleges that Reebok falsely claimed that walking in EasyTone footwear had been proven to lead to 28 percent more strength and tone in the buttock muscles, 11 percent more strength and tone in the hamstring muscles, and 11 percent more strength and tone in the calf muscles than regular walking shoes.” -- Federal Trade Commission

That said, Reebok folding their cards just yet, "We stand behind our EasyTone technology - the first shoe in the toning category that was inspired by balance-ball training," a statement from the Canton, MA based company read. "Settling does not mean we agree with the FTC's allegations; we do not. Our customers are our number one priority, and we will continue to deliver products that they trust and love."

Director of FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, David Vladeck, bluntly stated: "[We're here] to remind advertisers big and small that they must have adequate proof for the claims they make in their ads. Reebok's claims didn't withstand scrutiny. Consumers expected to get a workout, not worked over."

While the $25 Million refund to consumers is certainly the headlining penalty that Reebok must face, they've also been barred from future misleading advertising, which includes:

-- making claims that toning shoes and other toning apparel are effective in strengthening muscles, or that using the footwear will result in a specific percentage or amount of muscle toning or strengthening, unless the claims are true and backed by scientific evidence;

-- making any health or fitness-related efficacy claims for toning shoes and other toning apparel unless the claims are true and backed by scientific evidence; and

-- misrepresenting any tests, studies, or research results regarding toning shoes and other toning apparel.

In a way, a $25 Million penalty for false advertising might have actually been worth it. In 2010, Reebok had a 33% share of the $1.1 Billion toning market.

Source: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/cases/reebok/index.shtm

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First off - I dont care what others think, I'd pass this sneaker as a slip-on, but that doesnt stop it from being awesome! does it?!

The Classic Adidas Superstar silhoutte has been amongst my fav sneakers and this avatar does justice to the legend. The sneaker is a part of the Adidas Y-3 series, which is Adidas teamed up with Yohji Yamamoto, a Japanese fashion designer. The shoe is dubbed "Sneak" and would be available mid 2012.

I'm sure by now you're aware that the sneaker is gonna be crazy expensive because of the "designer" status. Anyway, this one here is gonna be available in atleast 2 colors black and white & though I always prefer white over black, I'd go with the black ones this time. 

I guess you're not really interested in the details of the shoe but I'll still put it out there just in case you do decide to read on. The sneaker features an elastic lacing system over what seems to be textured leather (not sure, will check and edit this). The red pull tab at the back adds great character to the shoe and hiker style metal lace hooks add to the charm. 

Image Courtesy: Solecollector.com

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All you lucky bastards in UK will find special I.C.E (Incase of Emergency) boxes placed by Converse at random locations with several pairs of shoes. Even if you find an empty box be sure to take a peep inside for a message and tweet the emergency #converseboots for another chance to win. 

This is what I call marketing, I'm sure all the marketing gurus out there are scratching their heads saying why the fuck did I not think about this. 

I wonder why Converse despite being an American brand decided to do this in the UK. I'm sure the folks there arent complaining. Wonder when we'll have something cool like this happen in India?

Image Courtesy: HypeBeast

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I'm sure a lot of you dont really care if your sneakers get a little dusty, I mean even if you would like to keep them minty fresh, you'd just give up after a couple times. Cuz with the kind of pollution and dirt on our streets, its almost impossible to keep your shoes clean. 

However.... on one of those days, when you do think of cleaning your kicks and want to know what product should you use, then I'm here to help. 

Getting straight into it here are some of the products that I've used and recommend: 

• Jason Markk Premium Sneaker Solution: This is my favourite product. It can be used on any material as long as its safe to use water on it. So your leather, canvas, nylon, rubber shoes etc. are safe. Its perfect for those expensive shoes that you just wont wear. The best part is you can buy it online for $18 (big bottle) and they ship to India. Here's their website: http://www.jasonmarkk.com/home.html
• Footlocker Instant Sneaker Cleaner: This great foamy spray is great for a quick clean. It should take you not more than 10 mins to clean with this great product. Cant find it on their US website but got it on their australian webiste: http://www.footlocker.com.au/Product/Accessories_4/Products_34/Other-Accessories_37/Foot-Locker-Instant-Sneaker-Cleaner_524/index.aspx 
• Amway Leather and Vinyl Cleaner: This one really surprised me. Its like a moisturiser for the shoes and it cleans them too! my shoes actually feel soft after using this product. As the name suggests, you can use it only on leather and vinyl products. Costs approx Rs.300 for a really big bottle. You can it from your friendly neighbourhood amway dealer :) - get in touch with me if you dont have one, I know someone who deals with Amway. (I swear I'm not an affiliate :D )
• Your Toothpaste: I've already written a post about this, a toothpaste is great for those tough stains, a word of caution, it is very strong so do not use it on delicate (read expensive) leather. 
• Angelus Paint: When your midsoles turn yellow, there is nothing in the world (yet) that can change it but re-painting it. For that use nothing other than Angelus paints. They are recommended by sneaker customizers all over the world. The colors are cheap, the options are plenty and they ship to India! here's the website: http://turtlefeathers.net/ 

(Make sure you read this article about how custom paint your sneakers before starting: http://turtlefeathers.net/pdf/tutorials/paint-faq.pdf)

Though I have used these products (except for angelus paints) I would always recommend trying them first on a small inconspicuous area before applying on the whole shoe. And please make sure you read the instructions carefully before using any product on your shoe. 

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How many trek ready shoes do you know that can be zipped and kept in your bag? lemme answer that for you, none yet. 

So the great folks at Timberland decided to design something that is truly "Ultra Packable" - the Timberland Radler Trail Camp Moc are great when you wanna pack light. Just fold it, zip it and keep it. 

They are made using DWR (durable water repellent) treated ripstop fabric. They feature a removable fleece-lined footbed and Green Rubber lug outsole that’s made with 42% recycled rubber for superior traction in the woods.

Available in Orange, Black and Red colorway. 

Cost: $65 

Image Courtesy: Freshnessmag.com

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I started wearing slip-ons lately and really think they are much cooler than flip-flops or uncle type chappals that so many of us wear. Not only do they look great, they're a lot more comfy and they protect your feet. 

A bunch of my friends wanted to buy them and couldnt find anything that was interesting. So I figured I'd take up the mantle and share some great silhouettes

So without further adieu - lets begin: 

See the full gallery on Posterous

See the full gallery on Posterous

See the full gallery on Posterous

Supra - Cuban - great colors and available for approx $80 

See the full gallery on Posterous

See the full gallery on Posterous

See the full gallery on Posterous

See the full gallery on Posterous

See the full gallery on Posterous

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Wanna pimp it out but dont have the dough? Worry not - for I've got some cool kicks under $50 (Rs.2500)

The great folks at Complex Mag have put in a lot of effort to come up with this list. So check it out right here and let me know what you think. 

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So I was going through their collection and was pleasantly surprised with the kinda stuff they have. I've posted Size.co.uk in one of my earlier posts about legit online sneaker stores. 

They have some amazing shoes, clothing and accessories and the best part is, shipping to India is only 4.99 GBP!!!

Check out Size.co.uk now! - and no I'm not their affiliate or reseller :) 

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MVP Derrick Rose is Adidas's poster boy for their basketball sneakers. The adiZero Rose line is dedicated to the MVP and has gained its fair share of attention. 

As far the shoe is concrened I honestly did not like it much, but that's just me. I'm sure a lot of you out there might really like it. What really surprised me is this print on the shoe that reads "All Flights Cancelled" - this is a direct jab at the Nike Air Jordan line and their "Flight" themed marketing & shoes. 

Nike and Adidas have been in an age old marketing battle but I found this to be a little below the belt. Nike currently holds approximately 33% of the global athletic footwear & apparel market and is the world leader. Trailing behind is Adidas with 22% market share. I've noticed that Adidas has started investing a significant amount of money in advertising (even in India - where Nike has done very little comparitively). But this kinda stunt leaves you with a bad taste and is good only for shock value. 

To have something completely irrelevant like "All Flights Cancelled" printed on basketball sneaker which is dedicated to an athlete is a complete waste. I'm surprised Mr.Rose even agreed to have this on the shoe. Have a look for yourself and let me know what you think. 

Image Courtesy: blog.eastbay.com

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I gotta admit - Wampa never looked this good. This my fav Star Wars x Adidas sneaker, I love everything about it from faux Wampa fur to the Campus 80s silhouette. Who would've thought Adidas could make this sweet sneakers by taking insipration from the beastly Wampa.

This shoe will not only appeal to the fans but sneaker lovers too, I'm not a big Star Wars fan but I'd totaly rock these bad boys! If you're the kinda person who likes attention then look no further - Adidas Campus 80s Wampa are made espcially for you. 

This sneaker is currently available the adidas online store and other online stores for $150. 

Image Courtesy: freshnessmag.com

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