Awesome Shoes

First released in 1985 and one of the V-series sneakers – the other two being the Air Vortex and Air Venture – the Nike Air Vengeance running shoe has been re-released with fresh colorways.

Lightweight running shoes designed to give a natural feel, but with cushioning to ensure that you don’t feel every bump and edge on the ground like you would if you were actually barefoot.

Keep your footwear shiny with this clever shoe polisher built into the belly of Benny the dog – designed by Stefano Giovannoni. Runs on 230VAC, so you’ll need an adapter outside of Europe.

Nintendo teamed up with Converse to make these sweet Super Mario Chuck Taylor sneakers to celebrate the game’s 25th anniversary. Seems like they’ll be exclusive to Japan though.

Mizuno’s high-tech running shoe is designed to offer stability and cushioning with a pair of stacked “wave plates.” Its mesh skin flexes with your foot for optimal comfort. Plus, it just looks damned cool.

These stylish running shoes have mesh and perforated uppers, an outsole that offer forefoot cushioning and increased durability in high-wear areas, and sockliner that molds to your foot.

An update to Converse’ Sea Star boat shoes, the Sea Star Skate II Oxford forgoes the canvas on the original for perforated black leather. The nautical directions on the sole are a neat touch.

Originally produced in the 1970’s, Pro-Keds Royal Plus Sneakers are back to funk up your high-top collection; available with monochromatic canvas, twill, or leather uppers for a modern dash of cool.

Weighing a mere 9.8oz, the Crazy Light is the lightest basketball shoe ever made, but that’s just one of its features. It’s also highly flexible, comfortable and durable. Drops this June for $130.

Vans updates the classic lace-up skate shoe with a leather upper and wingtip detailing. Also has waxed and corded laces, and the comfortable foot bed and waffle sole that the Era is known for.

New Balance now offers customization options for the 574. Choose the color of various parts including the sole, tongue, and even the laces. Characters can also be embroidered on the heel tab.

Available only this season, these comfy plimsolls were made by Generic Surplus for Obey. They have a breathable mesh cotton upper and rubber cup sole. The perfect kicks for spring and summer.

The Nike5 Gato Street Shoe has been engineered for pick-up and smaller soccer games with extra traction, an improved surface area for greater control and a reworked outsole to maximize speed.

This pair of low-top, hip slip-ons has thick memory insoles, so they should be perfect for everday chillin’. The upper comes in a variety of materials, but we like the simplicity of the black perf best.

The next release of the Adidas x Star Wars Collection is a ZX 8000 runner/Emperor Palpatine combo. The suede and mesh shoe features a Force lightning graphic and a glow in the dark outsole.

Targeted towards frequent fliers, the SLVR S-M-L Concept has a 4-way stretch mesh, making it not only comfortable but easy to put on and remove as well. Also available in neon green/white.

These vegan Terra Plana VIVOBAREFOOT running shoes are useful for another activity – they’re light and flexible which helps with the balance and finesse moves needed for parkour. (Thanks Mark!)

Barker Black’s distinctive 2011 Spring and Summer footwear collection consists of high-top sneakers, embroidered slippers and moccasins in luxurious fabrics and vivid colors. Available in March.

With a mix of leather and herringbone fabric, the SPD-compatible Strasse shoe harkens to an early time of pocket watches and Fedoras; the midtop profile offers added ankle support and protection.

Taking cues from Nike Tech Pack jackets, the Lunar Orbit+ has a 3-layer mesh upper – a liner, EVA foam and a top-layer mesh. It also has an asymmetrical zip and raised geometric upper.

Nike’s still digging up and reviving its classic shoe designs, and we say keep ’em coming. The Air Max 1 ACG has mesh and suede uppers in simple blue and white. Also available in pink and purple.

Converse and Ace’s Chuck Taylor All Star Bosey shoe has a sneaker feel, but with rugged boot detailing taken from vintage waders and shoes Converse created for 1940’s US military training.

Launched only in 2008, Radii Footwear has quickly risen to fame, with celebrities rocking its kicks all over the place. Radii specializes in high cuts, but they also make boat shoes and sneakers.