crooked tongues magazine News Features

Damn you exchange rate. For years we've chuckled at non-residents paying crazy money for Flimby-made NBs, but now we're getting our just desserts. Put simply, these A.R.C. variations of the 1300, a shoe that still gets old school runners who don't play that new jack nonsense misty-eyed, are killers. Normally build abroad doesn't get us open, even if it's a breeding ground for some of the most exciting resurrections (the grass is always greener and all that), though we're fiercely patriotic on the subject of who builds best, but while as a lot of America's locally-made ST33 bits did absolutely nothing for us, this is USA-made done very, very right. For a price. But at time-of-typing, you need to take out a mortgage to buy collaborative UK 1500s.

1985 styling that retains a no-nonsense cleanliness in line with the 1300's origins, the materials employed for this trio are second-to-none. Two types of mesh, from an open one to a tighter one on the grey and off-white variations, plus pig suede, felt and 3M keep it authentic, with a less synthesized look and feel than some bulbous Asia-made retros. Released to coincide with the opening of Alife's Sports Store, pushing the performance side of heritage product, these make a lot of sense, with teal appeal by the ton, whether its pop or in excess. Definite highlights of the year thus far, available now in the <a href='http://www.crookedtongues.com/store/footwear/new-balance/' target='_blank'>Crooked Tongues Store</a>...