January 23, 2009 by hunter.

Reebok announced job cuts of 300 workers. An odd part of the article highlights Adidas-owned Reebok’s difficulties increasing market share for US athletic footwear. From 2005-2008, Adidas and Reebok fell from a combined 18 percent to 9 percent market share! I blame their Kool Aid collection. Actually, Adidas/Reebok might fare better when you consider market share of ‘lifestyle’ footwear instead.

Brace yourselves for a bumpy 2009- a shrinking market means less revenue which means companies will take fewer risks on new sneaker designs. To paraphrase (now former) Pres. GWB- ‘Do your patriotic duty and get shopping!’

Posted in Reebok, Business, Pics, Nike, Adidas | No Comments »

November 4, 2008 by hunter.

On the tail of Halloween comes the November Sneak of the Month. Congratulations to Major DC and Adidas for the Adidas x Major ZX 600.

Major DC has been representing the District’s sneakerheads since opening in 2006. Major was a favorite stop when I visited Georgetown, but they saved their best release until I left Washington.

The Adidas x Major ZX 600 is a solid sneaker rivaling the best collabs on the market right now. We’ve seen some sneaker shops release sneakers that are uninspired, but Major makes a name for itself with their ZX 600. As you may know, I love orange in sneakers, and the colors in this shoe are sharp. The digital camo across the back of the sneaker is a nice touch also. In fact, there are tons of nice touches on this sneaker. From the branded lace eyelets to the premium packaging, the ZX 600 has been very well-planned.

Congrats to Major, and I hope to see more excellent releases in the future!

Posted in Sneak of the Month, Pics, Adidas | No Comments »

July 4, 2008 by hunter.

Happy Independence Day! For next year, you might want to celebrate with some patriotic sneakers. This page has plenty red/white/blue sneakers.

Posted in Converse, Asics, Nike, Adidas | No Comments »

July 1, 2008 by hunter.

It’s time once again for the Sneak of the Month! July’s highlighted sneaker is the Adidas ZX 750.

Last month featured a sneaker that I had actually never worn before. This month, I am showcasing an excellent sneaker that’s been ’round the block. The Adidas ZX 750 has nearly everything I like in a sneaker- Good color palette, mix of mesh & leather, and best of all, it is actually comfortable. This is the sneaker I turn to when I can’t decide what to wear. It’s colorway makes it versatile because it can go with white, gray, black or green. While other sneakers might hide away in their protective box, the Adidas ZX 750 is always on the move, interacting with the outside world. It has the bruises and scars to match. This sneaker also is wallet-friendly- I scooped it up for only $30! You could have an army of 750s for the price of one fresh release. With versatile styling, rugged construction, and low price, the Adidas ZX 750 is an excellent Sneak of the Month.

Posted in Sneak of the Month, Pics, Adidas | No Comments »

June 29, 2008 by hunter.

What does Herzogenaurach, Germany, mean to sneaker fans? Those with a taste for history may know it as the town where Adi and Rudy Dassler started a shoe factory after World War I. They made some great shoes, but a bitter feud developed, and they split to form their own companies, Adidas and Puma. See- Adi Dassler, Adi-das? Thank goodness Puma wasn’t called Rudydas. (According to wikipedia, it was originally called Ruda- blech). Sneaker Wars, written by Barbara Smit, chronicles the history of these two companies.

I haven’t read the book yet, but I have always been interested in this story of two brothers who went on to found my two favorite sneaker brands. This book is sure to be on my summer reading list.

Posted in Books, Business, Adidas, Puma | No Comments »

June 18, 2008 by hunter.

Alright. This story isn’t entirely sneaker-related, but the story has some serious legs (sorry- bad pun). So you are enjoying a nice waterside stroll in British Columbia when you notice a strange object in the distance. What is it? A letter in a bottle? Nope. It’s a human foot in a sneaker.

Blech. The weird thing is that this has happened 6 times now. And another weird part is that 5 of the 6 feet have been right feet- only one lefty. But don’t worry- authorities think they know what is happening. The spot these feet are being located is close to a site where a plane crashed and sank 3 years ago. Oh, ok. That’s gross, but it kinda makes sense. But wait- there were only 4 bodies from that crash that were never recovered. And there are at least 5 separate feet (all righties). What’s going on?

In any case, you might be wondering what this has to do with sneakers. Well, the latest foot was found in a men’s size 10 Adidas. No word on the style. According to this article, the 2nd foot was discovered in a Reebok. Stories about the other 4 feet are severely lacking in shoe details, but 2 of the shoes were 12s, and one was a 10.5.

If you find a sneaker on the shore in BC, you might not want to pick it up. Otherwise, stay fresh (and dry).

Posted in Reebok, Odd, Adidas | No Comments »

June 15, 2008 by hunter.

Puma released their 1st quarter earnings for 2008, and they were slightly below analysts’ forecasts. Read the full article here.  Also, Adidas reported that first-quarter earnings fell on higher advertising spending. For more financial details, read the Reuters article. Let’s do our part and pick up some new sneakers today!

Posted in Business, Adidas, Puma | No Comments »

May 26, 2008 by hunter.

Why do we do it? Why do we wait in the cold for a fresh pair of shoes? Why do we chase down the few pairs produced? This isn’t like trying to snag a tickle-me elmo for Christmas- this is an ongoing, endless quest for footwear that many people don’t even wear. Sound a bit odd? A bit obsessive? I’m sure it does to outsiders. But true heads know that being the first in your town to rock a fresh pair is like no other feeling. Watching your new kicks snap necks as you walk down the streets always puts a smile on your face.

Some people do it to have the freshest kicks to wear. Some like to have a pristine collection that will never be worn. At the end of the day, though, everyone is drawn to having fresh sneaks that express their individuality and personality. With so many sneaker choices, there is plenty of room for individual taste. That’s what Sneaks Outta Left Field is all about. My personal taste is primarily German shoes- If you see me on the street, I will probably be rocking Pumas or Adidas. True sneaker heads collect sneakers that truly represent who he/she is. Real fans don’t chase blindly after the most hyped release. We sift through the pile of sneakers to find the ones that really fit our personality.

Now you know where I’m coming from. Stop by for sneakers and news that speak to me. Hopefully you’ll find some good sneaks in here that speak to you too. Until the next time, stay fresh.

Posted in Commentary, Adidas, Puma | No Comments »