Rihanna has pushed the modern day Avanti even further with her own signature details that have transformed the sneaker into something akin to a Formula One racing car. That's all well and good, but is the hype surrounding the Fenty x Puma Avanti L sneaker actually justified?
It may be considered retro today, but the New Balance 530 has long surpassed being pigeon-holed exclusively as an ironic dad shoe. Thanks in part to discerning fashion bloggers around the world, it is now a legitimate style choice with the added benefit of maximum comfort in a featherlight package.
This is the kind of casual daily use sneaker that will actually make you look more put together without much effort. Its perfected silhouette is one of the most imitated shoe designs ever, and it's easy to see why.
With such a wide reaching audience, one can't help but wonder. How did they get here, and more importantly, do their boots even live up to the hype?
While it's been optimized for skaters in terms of durability, comfort, and added protection, these benefits over the standard issue Dunk certainly aren't just reserved for those who live for the thrill of grinding handrails.
The real question however, was whether this bag is as useful and enjoyable in use as it is attractive.
I never felt like anything was missing through this process, but this is where Tri-X surprised me.
The Adidas Samba OG is not a technical performance sneaker by any means, but maybe that's not the point of a shoe like this.
In use I've found that Dehancer truly has thrown everything they could at this app, holding nothing back that could potentially annoy their existing user base.
The film stock is only the beginning, as you can completely change the look of the film preset by adjusting any of the other numerous options. This leads to a near endless number combinations to experiment with.
The Casio F-91W has had a cult following for decades and is still a world's best seller today for good reason. It's rare to find a utilitarian device that marries classic retro design so seamlessly.
From the beloved 580 to the dad friendly 530, New Balance seems to have mastered technical ability while wrapping the technology in bold silhouettes that sneakerheads helplessly gravitate towards.
photography
Lately, I've been shooting all of my product photography with the Godox AD200 Pro. It's been much more enjoyable compared to using larger monolights paired with manual radio triggers.
style
The Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate 40oz Tumbler has a striking appearance that you'll immediately love or hate for its bold aesthetic. For a seemingly simple travel cup, there's actually a lot of engineering that went into its creation.
photography
With this new epiphany, I decided to seek out the Nikon Coolpix S600 to see if I'm just looking back at the past through rose colored glasses, or if there actually is something special about those older compact point and shoot cameras.
photography
It makes shooting film on a consistent basis a more sustainable endeavor once again. Yet, this begs the question. Does it offer budget results or can it also be used for more serious, professional work? Are we simply sacrificing image quality for a more affordable price point?
style
The Nike SB Zoom Janoski OG+ is reminiscent of the classic Sperry Top Sider boat shoes, but these sneakers are nicer to look at, feel comfier to wear, and are certainly more fun.
photography
I'm a sucker for great design, and the Kodak Ektar H35 has it in spades. It just looks really beautiful especially with the faux leather contrasted with a classic silver top finish. The body is conveniently pocketable in a jacket which is how I usually carried mine.
travel
Uji and Nara offer something different from other cities in Japan that make them standout destinations. They're more inherently relaxed, which can be a refreshing change of pace from the busy tourist hotspots in Osaka and Kyoto.
travel
From the traditional teahouse lined streets to the bustling and modern downtown core, there's a satisfying variety of things to see and do. Kyoto has a unique signature and cultural significance that quickly becomes apparent from the moment that you step onto one of its many historic landmarks.
travel
It took me a few days to find my footing in Osaka, but after I started to get a sense of the culture and the rhythm of the city, I was admittedly sad to leave. If there's something you're into, you can likely find it here.
photography
We're now seeing smartphone manufacturers incorporate a one inch sensor in their cameras as well, which only narrows the technological gap even further. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III provides a far more rewarding user experience however.
photography
I must confess that I even stopped using Fujifilm's legendary film simulations in favor of The Classic Presets. Fujifilm's offering has its own beauty and appeal, but these presets seem more accurate to me based on past experience with film.
style
The most compelling reason to own the New Balance 580 is for its utility. It's a shoe for off duty models and discriminating designers alike.