I go through sneakers like gummy bears and my latest obsession is skate label Etnies'
light apres-surf/skate kick "The Lurker." It comes in different colors,
but I go for the grey model (my color du season) to wear with matching
grey APC jeans. Etnies, founded in 1986, was the first brand to ever create a
pro skateboarder shoe model and is still a Serious Skate Shoe. And
sneaker heads will be thrilled to hear that their entire vintage
collection is being brought back for Spring 2012. Etnies is also
updating their tough-as-concrete street style. "Brighter colors is
something that's trending within our industry," Global Brand Director
Mike Regan (who of course skates and snowboards like crazy) tells me.
"When the team is designing models or colorways for Etnies pro
skateboarders, they often skate with the riders to test out the shoes
they designed." Gnarly.