crooked tongues magazine News Features

Alife don't get their full dues when it comes to footwear - their track record proves they can crush it at collaborative level with any brand (we're thinking Nike, PUMA, New Balance, Saucony and ASICS, but we're still in awe of their original adidas makeups, and recently, their Timbo 40 Belows), but as we return from a handful of tradeshows peddling no end of nondescript indie vulcanized brands that make us drowsy just attempting recall, their own brand shoes are notable too. The Ritefoot line was ahead of its time - Alien Stomper and Prototype touches on a sneaker? Not so weird looking in the current climate of high-end hi-tops.

More recent efforts are more pared down - we were huge fans of the Wally style of the Kennedy; one of the first of the Rivington crew's new wave with a neoprene 'rite-fit' sock liner on some ACG/Huarache flavour, and this silhouette, first brought to our attention earlier last year picked up the pace again via a Desert Boot style with shades of chukka. Now in a premium 'Naval' variation, built from premium leathers rather than canvas with the red colour block on the heel, tan lining, and an 'AL 1999' print on the side, they represent the luxury feel of the coming season from the brand (there's some particularly premium Everybody Mids on the way too) pretty damned well, and they should be instore soon alongside a selection from the new collection.