Style + Tech = Burton Ion Leather boots

By The Manual Published October 22, 2013

behold snowboard boot helps ride like pro look hipster burton ion boots manual 2 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Behold the first-ever content series between Digital Trends and The Manual. The Bromance has begun. Since there are a plethora of brands out there melding style and technology, we thought we would take this opportunity to profile one item per week for the month of October, breaking them down and offering each of our unique takes on their tech and style components.

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For the whole series, click here; for snowboard boots that will make you ride like a pro and look like a Brooklyn Hipster, read on …

The Manual:

Snowboarding boots can get pretty hectic in the design area. There are frightful neon colors, busy graphics and too many buckles, nobs, belts and velcro. So when we saw these new simple and minimal Ion Leather boots from Burton we felt like our eye’s just received a massage. Better yet, the leather comes from one of our favorite boot companies, Red Wing. We are sure ole Charles Beckman, who founded Red Wing in 1905 for loggers, farmers and miners never had a clue his brand would be gliding down pristine slopes, but we guarantee this slick technology melded with leather from his factory would have him smiling.

Digital Trends:

“Gliding down pristine slopes”? The Manual appears to have mistaken the Ion’s for ice skates. These things rank near the very top of Burton’s performance boot line, which ranks near the very top of snowboarding’s most bad-ass footwear. Simply put, if you ride well enough to worry about things like rebound and response in your boot’s tongue material, or a perfect balance between low center of gravity sole design and impact dispersal, then you’ll want to check these boots out.

If you like to try tricks in the terrain park, the Ion Leather can help you add 180 degrees of rotation to your 360. If you like to bomb untracked powder, the Ion Leather will let you open the throttle without coming apart at the seams.

As for Charles Beckman, he probably never expected that Red Wing boots would become the defacto foot uniform for every artisanal pencil shaper or mustache waxer this side of Brooklyn’s Bushwick (which is that side of Brooklyn’s Williamsburg, if you’re wondering) either. The fact that his leathers now adorn some of snowboarding’s most exciting shredders like Mark McMorris and Mikkel Bang is just one more instance of modern whiz-bangery that would leave the poor old guy scratching his noggin.

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Fashion & Style

Hublot’s Spirit of Big Bang gets a vibrant twist with new limited-edition colors

The ceramic version of Spirit of Big Bang

Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Beige Ceramic

The Spirit of Big Bang is Hublot’s greatest timepiece. Over the past few years, it was introduced in different variants with unique features and small details that elevated the model to new levels. Currently, there are over 25 versions of the Big Bang Spirit. The number is still growing, thanks to the 2025 ceramic variant in new colors.

For those who are into colorful designs, Hublot just unveiled new timepieces that might pique your interest. Unlike the previous models, the new Spirit of Big Bang watch comes with a ceramic casing available in different color accents—blue, beige, and green. The new ceramic version still preserves the original barrel design, and represent hues that were previously only available on the round Big Bang watch.

Fashion & Style

Salomon’s latest trail sneaker might be the most rugged piece ever

Salomon releases new sneaker

lifestyle photo of salomon sneakers in mud

While there’s no denying that Salomon’s trail sneakers are state-of-the-art, their latest release reaches another level. Fused with military strength materials, Salomon’s latest collaboration Gr10k sees the classic Quest silhouette transform into the ultimate rugged sneaker. By transforming the Quest 4D from boot to sneaker, Gr10k has added style and fortified footwear features that result in a shoe that can take you almost anywhere. While the technical features of the sneaker are more than enough to entice even the most novice hiker, the design’s overall style makes it the perfect shoe to go from the trails to the city. Combining practicality, support, and style, the newest Salomon sneaker is surely to amaze.
Hit the trails with Salomon’s Quest Low 2 Gr10k

Inspired by the Quest 4D boot, Salomon’s Quest Low 2 Gr10k utilizes some of the most durable footwear features to create a shoe you can’t ignore. With nubuck leather and single-layer mesh, the shoe’s uppers create a comfortable and breathable feel. In the midsole, a dual-density foam provides users with optimal motion control and stability. Crafted with an All-Terrain Contragrip, this sneaker is ready for all surfaces, in nature or the city. Adding to the protection, the design’s 4D Advanced Chassis and protective toecap add balance, cushion, and comfort features while protecting the foot. Finishing the design is a snug-fit lacing system complete with a convenient pocket, allowing users to feel secure and hazard-free in their journey. Now available via both brands’ web store, the sneaker retails for $190 and is expected to sell out quickly. Coming from the same pairing that crafted a pair of fire-proof sneakers, there’s no doubt that this new release will be a must-have for all adventure seekers.

Fashion & Style

HOKA joins the fun with its own sneaker-loafer hybrid

HOKA releases new hybrid shoe

back product photo of hoka sneaker loafer

Following New Balance’s announcement of new colors and fabrics for their controversial sneaker-loafer design, a new brand is emerging to follow suit. HOKA is joining the hybrid design by releasing their version of the sneaker-loafer hybrid, with an interesting look that differs from those released by New Balance. Using a mixture of design features that integrate traditional sneaker and loafer silhouettes, the newest offering from HOKA is anything but typical. For those looking to dress up their comfort shoes or want to add some cushion to their dress shoes, the HOKA hybrid is a perfect balance that’s both traditional and bold. While this look is bound to come with split opinions, there’s no doubt that many athletic brands are looking to break the mold of style and practicality.
Meet HOKA’s Speed Loafer

Unlike New Balance’s 1906L, Hoka’s Speed loafer infuses the top of a dress loafer with the bottom of a sneaker for the ultimate definition of a hybrid shoe. Using a leather upper and Vibram Megagrip outsole, this sleek black hybrid shoe is quite the silhouette. Inside the design, a leather sockliner elevates the sneaker loafer with the use of premium material. Reflective piping and suede mudguard add traditional sneaker elements to the design. Expected to hit HOKA’s website on January 31, the sneaker-loafer will retail for $185. Regardless if you wear the shoe as an elegant sneaker or a casual loafer, there’s no doubt that HOKA’s hybrid shoe opens the door to future bold designs. While the jury is still out on how this hybrid shoe fairs with HOKA fans, it’s an eye-raising silhouette that deserves a chance.