One Good Dad Shoe I Have Every Intention of Ruining
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What’s not to love about a chunky dad shoe? They’ve been making noise for long enough now that most of us have given 'em a go at some point or another. Maybe you went all in, maybe you only dabbled, but chances are you’ve owned a pair. And while some may argue they’ve had their time in the limelight at this stage, I can safely say they’re still considered a top-tier sneaker.
I don’t know about you but when I think of a dad shoe I think of New Balance. Maybe because I can vaguely remember owning a black pair during my formative years or maybe because they’ve made so many over the years that it’s hard not to. Seriously, it's never ending. Either way, there’s no denying that New Balance has pretty much perfected the art of making a sneaker that looks like it should be mowing the lawn.
I make no secret of the fact that I’m more partial to a slim sneaker, but something about a classic like this spoke to me. All too often, I get a fresh pair of shoes and spend the first couple of outings doing everything I can not to crease or mark them. Some pairs call for that level of intensity. New Balance’s creamy ABZORB 2010 calls for the complete opposite.
That was the appeal. The fact I knew, as good as they look outta the box, they’d look a gajillion times better with some wear ’n’ tear under their belt. It also helps that we seem to be entering a bit of a white-ish sneaker renaissance. For a while there, it felt like everything was black. Fair enough, they’re arguably sleeker and let’s face it, that bit more wearable, but there’s something about a fresh white sneaker that just feels right again.
Bring back the white AF1s, too, I say. Sneakers have become so polished and refined, and don’t get me wrong, I love a beautifully crafted shoe as much as the next person. But sometimes a sneaker is just begging to be battered into the ground. Thrown on without a second thought, dragged around for months and, eventually, looking all the better for it. There’s a reason the beat-up white sneaker has stuck around for so long.
Here’s to making a good pair look a little less good.
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