Low-top canvas sneaks have been a springtime standard for guys since Paul McCartney sported the original Spring Court sneaker on the album cover for Abbey Road. For a look that’s clean, versatile and always grown-up, the canvas low-top (particularly in white) remains the gold standard. Still, the average canvas sneaker, stylish as it may be, tends to feel a bit lacking in the edge department. Enter Alexander McQueen. His answer to the canvas quandary: add leather. Debuting in 2006, his AMQ line for Puma is all about taking classic court-inspired profiles and punking ‘em up with sleeker shapes and a sinister meshing of materials.

The AMQ Canvas Street Low is a prime example. Like the Spring Court’s canvas classic, slimmed down for the runway and gilded for London streets, it takes the basic, tennis-inspired canvas body and rubber sole and adds leather accents in all the right places. The leather Puma stripe along the side is too slick for words. It comes in ultra smooth cream and a super vicious red. And lest forget these are not your father’s sneakers, it also comes with a gnarly silver chain ornament in the shape of a tooth. If the Spring Court sneaker is the Beattles, the AMQ Canvas Street is the Clash. My advice: get the red ones.

Buy: $193

Nike is always on the innovation frontier. So it’s no surprise that they’ve done away with design all together and left it up to you, the customer, to design your own shoe. Here is the Nike Air Max 1 iD a plain trainer that is modeled after Nike Air’s basic designs of old. Then you get to put your own personal spin on it, customizing everything from colors to leather to the frickin’ airbag in the sole. As if that wasn’t cool enough, you get to put your own “ID” on the back of the shoe — whatever your creative mind can come up with. Just keep it clean, okay?

Buy: $130.

Tennis was never supposed to be cool. It was never supposed to be played with 90 mph returns from the baseline. And, it was sure as hell never supposed to involve hot pink. But, thank God for Andre Agassi. In the Nike annals of signature-shoe greatness, years 1986 to 1995, only three names matter: MJ, Bo, and Andre. What sets Andre apart is the personal style he brought to a game with one of the strictest dress codes in sports. It’s no coincidence that the dude who skipped Wimbeldon because of it’s all-white clothing policy, is responsible some of the illest colorways in the history of the world. Case and point– the Air Tech Challenge II.

The original Air Tech Challenge, first released in 1990, was reissued by Nike last year to mixed reviews. But, fans of the Air Agassi franchise have been salivating ever since they got wind of the second installment. As with all retro editions, differences from the original might be an issue of contention. Last year, Nike made a subtle color tweak that left more than a few diehard fans a bit disappointed. But, by all photographic accounts, the powers that be stayed exceptionally true to the original hues this time around. In White, Black, and the ungodly fresh “hot lava,” the Air Tech Challenge II hits stores this month. So, cop you a pair before the ebay-mongers hit because, honestly, image is everything.

Buy: $100

Air Jordan in wingtips? It used to be that dress shoes were clunky and painful to wear, but that’s all in the past. Cole Haan, which has been nurturing fine gents’ feet for 80 years, has the perfect answer to stale, pained toes and ankles in the office: Nike Air technology. Sounds crazy, huh? But just take a look at these Air Madero Cap Toes, with a soft calkskin outer and the cushiness you’d expect from Nike tucked away in your heel. You won’t sacrifice style, either. Cole Haan handcrafts these babies to achieve the silky smooth look in every pair. But if the office Olympics come around, we’ll put our money whoever is rockin’ the Air Maderos.

Buy: $198.

Our friends at Fila have a new look– one that casual fans and vintage purists are both likely to crave.  While Puma saw its renaissance begin to shine in the late 90’s, Fila’s White Line collection ensures that their brand is due for a rebirth of its own.  The Fila Whiteline Original Tennis Shoe takes that classic Bjorn Borg style and gives it a modern facelift.  Its shiny mesh coat and white, neon and sulfur styling make the Original Tennis an instant street classic… Absolute foot candy.

Buy: $80

This great design by Diesel features laces, but it’s technically a slip-on. The padded collar and insole make the Diesel Paraluis a great choice for spring. The leather upper and bold contrasting colors make this a real eye-grabber, especially if you are obsessed with kicks. Can you recognize people by their shoes? Do you want to be recognized for yours?

Buy: $95

Lakai Limiteds get raves from skaters, but now you can get in on the Lakai Limited craze at bargain prices thanks to Lakai Outlet. The collection of kicks pictured here is the high-end stuff from the Outlet, there are plenty of Lakai models coming in selections from $19 (when available!) to $49. Check out those sweet designs! The Lakai MJ-3 is a particular favorite.

Buy at various killer prices.

Getting a little cramped? Add some space to your life and some beauty to your back yard with the Kithaus K3 prefabricated dwelling. We covered the K3 last week on GearCrave and had to feature it as our weekly favorite. The K3 arrives boxed and ready to build in the location of your choosing. You’ll need qualified help to put this modern chic shack together, which could involve you and a few very handy friends (see: construction experience). After a weekend of work, your fully-erected Kithaus K3 is ready for your design embellishments and finally, your relaxation. Stretch out, kick back, and enjoy a little bit of design zen in your own back yard– rain or shine.

Buy | $29,500.

(keep reading for our other craves of the week!)

Continue Reading

Puma’s latest racing inspired, leather-bound sneaker is quite the stunner.  This modern take on vintage footwear sets the Puma 250 far apart from the Puma’s you’re familiar with.  Just take a look at the front view of this puma- strong leather straps connect the instep with the outer shoe, tying the modern appeal of this shoe with the vintage Puma look we’ve all come to love.

Buy for $113.95.

Our style crave of the day points to none other than the brand new Puma Drift Cat shoe– shown here in java brown and winter white.  The soft suede and full-grain leather Drift Cat is available in other colors, but this one caught our eye…  Beat the fall fashion rush and pick up these fall color kicks before the leaves turn.

Buy for $83.95.