With so many kicks on the market, finding the best of the best calls for a little bit more than just strolling into the shoe store with some spare change. To help you isolate the best of the bunch, our Sneaker of the Week is a chance for us to highlight some shoes that you need to add to your rotation. Thanks to some help from Finish Line, we’re calling out the best sneakers on shelves today.
Even if you’ve never known its name, you’ve seen the Roshe One. Formerly known as the Roshe Run, the accessible priced and designed shoe became a symbol for modernity via minimalism; as much as Nike excels at creating new sneaker technology, there’s something to be said for keeping things simple. Moving into the next chapter of this iconic shoe, Nike’s crafted the all-new Roshe Two.
Simultaneously familiar and startlingly new, the Roshe Two picks up where its older brother left off, with design led yet again by Nike designer Dylan Raasch. With the Roshe One receiving its name and overall design from Raasch’s personal interest in Zen meditation, the Two continues that tradition, with the philosophy informing the pared-down design that’s been carried over from the Roshe One.
That’s not to say that the team over in Beaverton have simply reproduced the Roshe Two’s predecessor however, the new model is certainly packing some new technology. The new tri-fusion IU midsole separates density levels across the foot, with the outsole packing a higher density in the name of foot protection, and low-density cushioning residing directly underfoot for all-day comfort. The Roshe Two’s neoprene upper isn’t just for Huarache-like stability; the shoe is designed to stretch and expand with the foot during daily use, making sure that the sock-like fit of the Roshe series isn’t lost no matter how much your feet may swell during wear or activity.
It’s easy to see why the Roshe One has such a cult following. The shoe’s simplicity on everything from price to design features makes it practically a must-have—even if your most rigorous activity is walking from the couch to the kitchen. But even the best of the best can benefit from some self-reflection, and when looking at the Roshe Two, it’s clear that Raasch and the team had a very productive meditation session at their local Zen garden.
