DunkxChange Boston 7/25/10

Boston played host to the DunkxChange on Sunday, July 25th and 'heads from throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island converged on The Fourth Wall Project in the Fenway-area, and the event also saw some cats that made the trek from New York City and the Nation's Capital.

The folks that made their way North to Boston were glad to leave behind the heat and humidity that has been slamming the East coast and even the cats from NYC were glad to be in Boston.  Being with fellow sneaker lovers and not having to contend with 90-degree-plus weather was a welcomed reprieve.

The heat was on in Boston, but most of the heat was in the form of sneakers starting with Gary's Wu-Tang Clan Nike Dunk Highs.  I caught more than a dozen folks staring, pointing and one dude got so amp'd, that he nearing dropped his shiny iPhone 4 as he was retrieving it from his pocket to snap a picture to show his friends what they were missing.

There were alot of people walking around with boxes of sneakers that they were looking to buy, sell or trade.  SFK and I noticed that this time, there seemed to be more people that were attempting to sell worn sneakers.  In one instance, we were standing outside to get some fresh air, we overheard a cat ask another dude if he'd sell him the Air Jordan 6 Olympic sneakers (released in 2008) that he was wearing.  The Jordan 6 wearer said, "Let me think about it" and then continued to say to the potential buyer that he'd sell them to him for $90, to which SFK and I looked at each other, and we must have been thinking the same thing......we both must have made a screw-face at the same time that said, emphatically----GTFOOH!  Homie wanted $90 for some beat, yellowed and severely scuffed Air Jordan 6s that I would say were BEAT and, on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being near deadstock, I would've rated them a 4.

Well, suffice it to say that the Boston event was well attended, with over 100 people in attendance and it was held at a great location where people could walk around, catch up with folks they hadn't seen in awhile and show their sole passion.

Next up for the DunkxChange: they'll be in two cities in Washington, D.C. and Miami on Saturday, July 31.  Visit their website at DunkxChange for more details.

DunkxChange Boston 7/25/10

On the Streets of Boston

Yesterday, the SFK (read: Size Fifteen King) and I decided to hit some of the Boston shops and kick it with the 'Heads of State in Beantown.

Well, wouldn't you know it, on our walk to X Squared, on Newbury Street, we spot this cat looking at a menu with his wife while wearing some Skechers Shape Ups.  All of a sudden, SFK and I made eye contact, gave the prerequisite head nod and each reached for a camera or cellphone to take a few pictures.

It was if the world had slowed down and all of a sudden we were in the Matrix.  Funny times for sure!

On the Streets of Boston

Thirstin Howl 3rd @ DunkxChange Boston

Thirstin Howl 3rd: The Polo Rican at DunkxChange Boston from Dee Wells on Vimeo.

Thirstin Howl 3rd @ DunkxChange Boston

DunkxChange: Boston

I know I'm mad late with this post about the Boston DunkxChange, but as the saying goes, "better late than never".

The DunkxChange and all it's surrounding hit Boston on June 28th and the Size 15 King (read: Kwab) and I hit the event to take in all that it had to offer.













Well, let's suffice it to say that Boston folks were acting timid, so much so I thought Bambi was in the room.



Gary and Curtis, the masterminds behind The DunkxChange, put together a great event featuring Thirstin Howl the 3rd The Polo Rican and brought it back to Beantown for the 2nd time, but folks were acting like Mister Softee. Don't worry fellas, we'll have to back to the Bean!

DunkxChange is an amazing concept and thank you for coming on the OSD talk show.


















































Also, check out this video of homeboy that was wearing Penny Foams and knew some stuff about them, but he didn't know what team Penny played for:


Do you know what team Penny played for? from Dee Wells on Vimeo.

DunkxChange: Boston

The Original Heyman: Darin Hager

Whenever I meet someone for the first time, I always relish in the moment because it’s an opportunity for me to hear their stories and get a glimpse into what makes them unique. So, when I contacted Darin, of Heyday Footwear, I was looking forward to us sitting down and hearing his stories.

It would be an understatement to say that Darin doesn’t have design and footwear knowledge oozing from his dome; he's also an amazing story teller, which is a lost art form.

Darin has worked in the footwear biz for a number of companies on a full-time basis, as well as serving as a consultant. He’s worked for companies such as New Balance, Privo, PUMA, and Sperry, to name a few.

You may be familiar with some of Darin’s forward-thinking designs created while at PUMA—the Kendo, the Scrill and the famous, Japandal.

So, go grab some paper and a pencil and take notes, because you'll hear some great stories and, trust me, you'll be hearing a lot from the Heyday camp over the coming years.

Get familiar with Heyday Footwear, because you don't want to get caught on the outside looking in going, "Hey, what's wrong with me? I'm want to live in my Heyday too!"

OSD interview: Darin Hager of Heyday Footwear

Walk GOOD!

The Original Heyman: Darin Hager

Arts & Sole

I found this article in the Boston Globe, of all places, quite refreshing and gives hope that someone is paying attention to the role that sneakers play in history.

Read the article "Arts & Sole" from the Boston Globe!

Hat tip to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston!!

Arts & Sole

Ben is so Boston

Ben Affleck, whose heart doesn't stray far from Boston, shows Beantown some love even though he spends the majority of his time on the West coast. If I had my choice of Boston or Los Angeles....I'd choose LA too.

Do you know what sneakers he's wearing? Email me your submissions to VISoleProprietor at Gmail.com.




Hat tip to JustJared.com for the pictures. Thank you.

Ben is so Boston

It's the little things.....

It's the little things that truly do matter. Not one to make a big deal out of small things, but I had to share with you a present that was given to me by some great folks at New Balance. Thank you!

Peep the attention to detail:







Now, for the real kicks:

It's the little things.....

Marathon Day

Well, it's Monday, April 16th and to folks in the New England area, it's known as Marathon Monday or more appropriately called Patriot's Day. No, it's not a day where folks go down to Foxboro Stadium and tailgate and get drunk, rather it's a day to give thanks to the men and women who put their lives on the lines a long time ago.

As the runners are contending with gusts of 50 miles an hour that will be slapping them in the face, I tip my hat to them because running a marathon on its own is grueling, but running it amidst a Nor'easter adds another dimension.

Good luck to all the women and men running and I'll see you next year!

Marathon Day

Put them in a Box?

I find it funny when I meet folks and after a few minutes into the conversation, the person is comfortable enough to say to me, "I thought you were mean or someone that I should have avoided speaking to." I quickly look them in the eyes and without missing a beat, reply with, "don't judge a person or book by it's cover."

The same thing can be said for a company that has been doing it well for over 100 years-New Balance.

For a company that started as an arch support company, they sure make some great sneakers.

Put them in a Box?