And it’s all about the shoes.
NINJA SHOES!!!
I first saw these in a videogame magazine a couple years ago, but was never able to find a pair – until now. They look strange, but they’re the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned. The style is “Nike Air Rift” and they’re truly fantastic. Almost like going barefoot. That’s not accidental, either. Nike originally developed them for the barefoot runners from Kenya’s Rift Valley (hence the name) for races in which shoes were required. The first time I wore them to work my students noticed them and said the looked nice. Then I grabbed the two toe sections and showed them how they can move separately. (This can’t really be done with toes alone, since the top of the shoe is a stretchy, synthetic leather.) I was greeted with a unanimous “WHOOOOOAH!!” in every class I did this. They also liked the socks, which have the big toe separate from all the rest, but found those more creepy than cool. (They can be worn with regular socks, but the custom ones work much better.)
The soles are kind of strange looking too. A friend of mine said they looked like a satyr’s hooves – and I’m fine with that comparison.
I highly recommend picking up a pair. I got mine at a Nike store in Seoul for about $68 and they’re worth every penny. I’m told they’re next to impossible to find in shoe stores in the US, but they’re all over eBay. (Click here for an eBay search.)
The socks are also on eBay if you’re so inclined.