RC Approved: FW23 Footwear
Mizuno Wave Mujin TL GTX
I’ve bought very few shoes in the last couple of years but was determined to branch out from Salomon’s and Nike’s this season. The onslaught of Salomon releases has given me a serious case of brand fatigue and my Nike’s feel antiquated and uninteresting. I went in search of a sneaker that felt fresh and fit my aesthetic and practical needs. I ran into the Mizuno Wave Mujin TIL GTX on trusted friend of the pod Iain Granger’s IG story and decided to give them a try. Mizuno is a legendary outdoor brand in Japan that’s making their way into the fashion world and set to take off soon. The only thing I’ve happened to own from them is a baseball glove I used in Little League.
I’m ambivalent about Gore-Tex sneakers for a number of reasons. They’re clammy, impractical and often have uncomfortable, stiff uppers. They’re also ubiquitous in the sneaker world, often applied with gaudy branding on styles that don’t make sense. I still went with the Mujin for its aggressive, sharp aesthetics and comfort on hard and soft services. I love the reflective accents and chunky sole. I’m not sure how its Michelin sole stacks up against the more common Vibram sole but it feels solid and grippy. Could do without the branding on the toe box but it’s kind of fun.
They’re a little wide for my narrow feet but lacing them up tight adequately compensates. Worth a shot if you’re looking for something off the beaten path with a more punchy look than some XT6. - Louis
ROA Mary Jane
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of ROA on this platform (check out our podcast with their Creative Director, multi-hyphenate mood board personified, Patrick Stangbye). Of late, I’ve been enamoured with ROA’s take on the tried and true “modern twist on an old classic” approach that drives many brands’ creative process. ROA’s footwear and apparel collections, to me, represent the next evolution of the, for lack of a better term, gorpcore trend. By eschewing modern, overtly technical garments and materials in favor of pieces that reference heritage hikingwear and natural materials like wool and linen, ROA crafts apparel that more readily integrates into the average wardrobe. While much has been lauded by various platforms about the advent of “quiet outdoor” aesthetics (Business of Fashion’s take), ROA’s direction is fashionable but not trendy, capable of persisting in your wardrobe for years to come.
As the leading ROA fanatic on the podcast, I picked up last winter, from the brand’s permanent collection, the Chelsea Boot in black Vachetta letter. Hardwearing but elegant, I stood out in a sea of basic Blundstones and wheat Timberlands. This season, I snapped up a pair of Mary Jane loafers as a low top counterpart to my Chelseas. Pairing the same custom Vibram Megagrip sole unit found on the Chelsea with a similar rubberized midsole and toe cap, the Mary Janes are more than capable of taking on urban winter conditions, aside from precipitation for obvious reasons. While not the most comfortable pair of shoes out of the box, these have broken in nicely after a few wears to the point that I can confidently toss them on knowing I’m going to be on my feet all day.
If the chunky Vibram sole wasn’t sufficient enough to signal the heritage of these shoes, ROA pushes the envelope further with use of a combination of magnetic-mechanical FIDLOCK with a Boa Fit System that allows you to quickly strap in and ratchet tight the shoes - a system that seems to be mostly used for water bottles and storage solutions for bikes. While the system can take some getting used to (when I first tried these on at Kith, I thought I broke the BOA closure not knowing they were also magnetized), it’s quite an ingenious closure system. In fact, the unique BOA system was what drew me in to the Mary Jane silhouette when contemplating them and the Loafer silhouette by ROA.
I’m still figuring out where in my wardrobe these shoes fit and what to pair them with but it’s given me an excuse to break out some denim and other items of clothing languishing in my closet. - Cole
ROA’s modern take on the Mary Jane alongside their Chelsea
HAVEN / norda 003
Buying new shoes is a rare occasion for me. Admittedly, footwear is the last thing I think about when putting together an outfit. My rotation of earth tone shoes are compatible with the majority of my wardrobe and it’s just a decision of if I have the patience to tie laces on any given day. A shoe really needs to excite me in order to compel a purchase. After hearing rumours about a HAVEN Norda collaboration, I admit I was a little disappointed when I saw the first photos. I knew they were going to be a slip on but didn’t expect the collar and tongue to be so plain. However, the allure of the colorway drew me in. While sharing my initial reservations with a friend at the store, they pointed out that these shoes real shine when paired with wider pants. To my pleasant surprise, their advice was spot-on. With P33-DS or HAVEN Shop Pants the shoes look any other Norda.
The 003 retains the comfort and agility of the 001 while adding convenience and weather protection. A thinly padded Graphene liner wraps the shoe, making the already weather resistant Dynema shell even more robust. While warm, I have yet to experience overheating, even after hours on my feet and on a plane. I would, however, hesitate to wear these in the summer.
Sizing can be confusing. I went 0.5 up from my 001 size which, in turn, is already 0.5 up from my usual size. The shoes are snug around the collar but have loosened with wear.
If you appreciate the convenience of a slip on like me and want superior winter comfort, give the HAVEN 003 serious consideration. - John