With high-tech woven materials and special polymer outsoles on the rise, it’s always refreshing to see a pair of sneakers that focuses on preserving a clean aesthetic with high quality, classic materials. CLAE’s shoes may feel reminiscent of classic styles, but they feel new and more durable, a fresh take on an old favorite. CLAE was founded in 2001, taking the comfort of athletic shoes and improving them with high quality materials and clean colorways, while still allowing them to move and breathe like sneakers. They’ve got a couple of new models that will easily find their way into your closet.
The Robinson lives a dual life – a boot hiding in a high-top’s body, so you can move like you’re wearing sneakers wherever your adventures take you. The full grain leather upper is pebbled to give it a beautiful texture, but also to protect the material and keep it clean. The tongue is made of neoprene for flexibility and breathability without sacrificing too much weight. As you move further down the shoe, it gets sturdier, keeping your foot locked in with a TPU heel cup and a thick EVA outsole so you never have to stop.
The Carter wears all the signs of a classic low-top skate shoe, with a flexible, breathable upper and a flat, textured outsole. It feels a bit dressier on feet than it looks though, so you can wear it out to the bars or on casual Friday at the office. Black waxed canvas and cotton keeps your feet dry and protected no matter how crazy your afternoon gets, and will be wearable well into the rainy season.
CLAE’s line is all about pairing simple layouts with high quality materials, wrapping the whole experience around a familiar base. Their shoes are built with a focus on versatility without sacrificing comfort, traits that we love to see in quality footwear.
Check out the latest from CLAE and pick up a pair of their comfortable, dressy shoes on their website.
