Tread anything but lightly when you’re wearing these sneakers. By Antonina Jedrzejczak 30 August 2022 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/feat...oles-as-engineering-marvels?srnd=premium-asia Few styles in fashion evolve as quickly as the sneaker. Originally dubbed “plimsolls” in the late 1800s—a reference to the plimsoll line of a ship’s hull—they didn’t even distinguish between the right and left foot. After World War I, the US Rubber Co. released the first rubber-soled shoes, a precursor to the modern sneaker. (They were so quiet you could sneak up behind someone unannounced.) By the 1920s, Keds and Converse, which invented the first basketball-specific pair embraced by Chuck Taylor, were innovating the category at the same time that Adi Dassler was busy changing the shoe game with Adidas in Europe. In recent years, designers have been trying to outdo one another with beefed-up soles and skewed proportions befitting the “dad shoe” trend. But this season’s newest additions are taking things to another level. Think of them as the monster trucks of footwear: As much engineering marvels as art pieces, they’re all about a statement sole and colossal treads. At On, the Swiss running company that’s quickly become a cult favorite, the new Cloudmonster features “the biggest clouds we’ve ever put in a shoe,” says Olli Hirvoven, head of footwear design, “which means we get even more vertical and horizontal cushioning resulting in extremely soft landings and maximum energy return.” Converse’s Run Star Motion—a lifted, spiky spin on the Chuck—is “an experiment in distortion,” explains Brandis Russell, vice-president for global footwear. “We’re bullish that while consumers will continue to dress for comfort, they also want to self-express and wear footwear that can transition from day to night seamlessly. Statement-making sneakers offer this.” Whatever the statement you’re after, the newest pairs below are not for treading lightly. Balmain Unicorn. Photographer: Takamasa Ota for Bloomberg Businessweek THE FUTURIST Reminiscent of something artist H.R. Giger might’ve conjured for Alien, the multitiered platform sole of Balmain’s Unicorn shoe is a geometric wonder. Openwork calf leather and neoprene complement exposed laces and a snap button on top—meaning this one may end up in the “display” rather than “wear” category. $1,195 Converse Run Star Motion. Photographer: Takamasa Ota for Bloomberg Businessweek THE NEW ALL-STAR We’d bet Sonic the Hedgehog would love Converse’s Run Star Motion, a new spin on the classic Chuck Taylor. The traditional cotton canvas upper, complete with the requisite eyelets, stitching, and vintage logo, gets a boost from a multicolored spiky platform sole. Pick from dark tan or rich orange shades. $120 Balenciaga Defender. Photographer: Takamasa Ota for Bloomberg Businessweek THE OFF-ROADER Subtle logos, simple lacing, and a classic silhouette fittingly cede the attention to the massive 4x4-inspired treads of Balenciaga’s mesh and nylon Defender shoe. The sole is even purposefully treated so it looks like a real worn-out tire. Choose from four earth-tone colors—black, beige, gray, or green. $1,150 On Cloudmonster. Photographer: Takamasa Ota for Bloomberg Businessweek THE MULTITASKER The cushion of the unisex Cloudmonster is the biggest yet from Swiss running brand On. “We wanted to see how far we could push it,” says Hirvoven. Superfoam construction and extra traction grips keep the puffy soles versatile and comfortable, whether for long runs or business lunches. $170 Reebox x Maison Margiela Project 0 Memory Of. Photographer: Takamasa Ota for Bloomberg Businessweek THE SLIP-INTO-SOMETHING-MORE-COMFORTABLE Our favorite collaboration of the season comes courtesy of Reebok and Maison Margiela. The Project 0 Memory Of sneaker, available in black or white, is a design throwback created from mesh, neoprene, and leather, with cutout rubber soles that are 1.5 inches tall. Slip them on and get bouncing—no laces required. $400 Nike ISPA Link. Photographer: Takamasa Ota for Bloomberg Businessweek THE AMBITIOUS INNOVATOR One of Nike’s climate-friendly engineering initiatives is responsible for this ISPA Link shoe, which stands for “improvise, scavenge, protect, and adapt.” Instead of using glue, the futuristic footwear connects via a set of interlocking pieces in the sole so it can be taken apart more easily and recycled at an in-house service location. $225 Prada Cloudbust Thunder. Photographer: Takamasa Ota for Bloomberg Businessweek THE EYEBROW RAISER With its three-dimensional rubber section overlaid around the laces and almost 2.5-inch lug platform, the Prada Cloudbust Thunder is a good way to add a Darth Vader aesthetic to your urban stroll. Its sculptural quality extends to the pattern on the soles, which look like the teeth of a chainsaw. $1,350