new kicks

i bought a pair of blackspots today. i have never owned a pair of chuck taylors, though i wanted to at many different points in time. in fact, i haven't owned a pair of canvas tennies since my last pair of navy blue vans. ah, nostalgia.

anyway, i had been trying to decide between the blackspots or the no sweat low-tops and i didn't find very many people who'd tried both, so i just took it upon myself to give the blackspots a spin today (since they are readily available to me). i've read LOTS of mixed reviews about both the fit ("they're ridiculously narrow!" "they fit perfectly fine!") and durability ("they fell apart in a few months!" "i've had mine for years!"), but at least people are talking about them. i didn't find much on the no sweats at all.

i tried on a pair in my size (7), and also a pair one size up (because several people suggested that).  when i tried on the 7s i could see what people were saying--they do seem slightly narrow across the toe box(?), but i think my feet are pretty average and my heels might be a bit narrow, so... not bad. when i tried on the 8s they definitely felt too big. i bought the 7s, assuming that they'll break in over time, and now i have the job of re-lacing them normally. why do companies always lace their shoes all crazy style when they ship them out to stores? i don't get it.

once i re-lace them, i'll wear 'em around my house for awhile to make sure they don't make my feet cry. fingers crossed!

Comments

[Eric]

I had a pair of Deja Shoes from MooShoes that I gave away in October. I replaced them with the No Sweats from Humanitaire, which I instantly loved, but found that they were too tight. Unfortunately, they only run in full sizes, so I couldn't find a pair that fit better. Sold the No Sweats and bought two pairs of Chucks (black and blue). They fit great, are comfortable, and look good (originals, after all). But they don't come with any assurances against sweatshop origins, and all my more progressive friends think I'm a sell-out... Oh, well. Can't win every battle.

[mishka]

I didn't realize Blackspots didn't come in half sizes. Hm. I look forward to hearing more about how your brand apanking new shoes work out!

[girl least likely to]

eric--hey, at least you tried! :)

mishka--yeah, both the blackspots and the no sweats only run in full sizes. that's okay for me, because i'm typically a 7, but when you keep reading everywhere that they run a little funky size-wise, it creates nervousness. heh. i've been wearing them around today (indoors) and i think they're probably fine. they aren't running shoes, so they're a little more "flat-footed" than i'm used to... and they're new, so they're not really molded to my foot yet... but i think they're okay.

[Flower]

Yay for new shoes!! I need a pair of sneakers for knocking around (all the ones I have are for running or hiking), so I'll be looking forward to your review of them. :)

[anita]

i've tried both shoes. i've never been able to get no sweats to last for more than 6 months. i have blackspot v2s now, and they're doing wonderfully. i hope yours work out too!

[girl least likely to]

thanks anita! i've been wearing them somewhat regularly for the past three weeks, and they've broken in nicely. i likes 'em!