*click on the photo for high definition

Rick Owens GeoBasket Sneakers (Anthem)

Brand:  Rick Owens
Season: Anthem (Spring/Summer 2010)
Type: High Top Sneakers
Colors: Black w/ White sole
Material: Calf Leather, Rubber
Made in: Italy
Retail Price: $1000~1200

__________

First Impression:

I have my eyes on Rick’s Sneakers back then in 2009. But I felt like it will look too childish on me. Al Qaeda faces are not suppose to wear this. Thus, I never really give it that much thought and attention. But as you all know, there is something mysterious about Rick Owens items.. you can’t simply ignore it’s existence no matter how much you tried to. The sneakers itself looks really- umm… cute? hahahah I don’t know, that tongue and round toebox kinda remind me of a baby turtle. (D:) It is amazing how I walked into IT store with nothing in mind, put this on my feet- and walked out with it. The design of this shoes bring my wallets out, the weight and material swipe my card. That’s my first impression to this sneakers.

_________

Design:  ★★★★★

In terms of details, this is not as fancy or innovative as Raf Simons’s Velcro high top, or KVA’ mummy. The shape of this trainers is the same old regular high top that you might’ve seen before. But In those usual and simple design, there are uniqueness hiding under. I’ve notice that Mr.Rick have alter some regular details to make it looks more understated but appealing to look at. The alteration that I’ve noticed were:

1.- The contour line around thick sole 

2.- That extremely high quality side zips

3.- Simple Pattern Play and padded leather

4.- Exaggerated Wide Tongue

This 4 points in my opinion are what distinguish Rick’s trainer to be more than just a high top sneakers.

(1): As much as the contour line around the sole might not looks really important in this sneakers, I personally do believe that it plays a major role to the whole design. Without them, the outsole stitching line will looks very outstanding to the eyes which can result the whole sneakers to look very awkward, tacky and uh… uncool. I regard this simple line as the gentleness of the sneakers- representing Mr. Rick Owen’s feminine side. 

(2): The shiny side zip is another major alteration that make this sneakers looks a lot more refine comparing to another high top in the market.. 

To compare the side zip on this sneakers is like to compare a beautiful ladies wearing a 2 karat diamond earring. (Feminist assault in 3…2..1) You’ll from distance notice that she is so unique, classy, and dangerously alluring. You’ll want to walk with her and buy her drink, but once your blink- your girlfriend will walk in with her hot topic hello kitty ear-stud. hahah what the hell am I writing now. Anyways- all I am saying is that this shiny solid metal side zip do really make this high top a lot more sophisticated and unique. As a matter of fact, it is also very convenient for owner to wear/remove them with out having to untied all the laces too!

(3): By using only a simple line and pattern, Rick Owens manage to pull off  one of the best pattern most sport brand spent their life doing. It all started with a swoosh pattern (a Sumo Slap on Nike’s face), multi- adjacent lines (Muay Thai kick to Adidas), and as you see now- a triangle shape(I don’t know what I should be comparing this to, I’ll leave it for you to decided). 

I personally prefer the old pattern over the one I am reviewing now, just because I really enjoy viewing the old pattern he did. To me, his pattern design is what exhibit his true trait as a genius designer.  

(4): The shoe tongue on Rick Owens sneakers are usually gigantic which draws a lot of attention when you are wearing them. The tongue’s shape really resemble some Asgard’s Knight metal shield which again in my opinion- is fucking cool. Too bad in the recent season, Rick decide to shorten them down, but still- this wide tongue exhibit those athletic and masculinity of the wearer in an unexpected way. (Do note that the one you see now is the shorter tongue version, I’ll be reviewing the longer version when I’ve time!)

To sum this section up, his sneaker design is another well define representation of his whole line. Simple but unique. 

___________

Material:  ★★★★★

Calf Leather, thick and swell. It is quite stiff in the first few weeks of wearing and will bite you if you have a thin skin. I really recommend you wearing a long sock for the first few weeks of wearing if you by any chance will grab one. With intensive care and cleaning, the leather can become very soft, and flexible. Overtimes, the leather will be distress from wearing which is a signature of Rick Owens’s shoes.

Inside the shoes, you will see a soft leather padded around the ankle and a suede leather stitches to the heels of a sneakers. This 2 feature will provide wearer the best comfort fit while at the same time, prevent you from burning your heels.

The only downside that I dislike in this particular sneakers is the rubber sole. To clarify my point, the rubber quality has gotten really weak if you were to compare them to the older version of Rick’s trainer. I’ve noticed it myself that with only 5-6 times of a regular wearing, (plain walking, no running) the heels is already 15-20% rubbed off. The rubber is really burning too fast which doesn’t really serve it purpose that well as a trainers shoes.  

In regard to a zippers, there are a slight modification being made here in this season. As some of you might know, Rick Owens usually used RY zippers for every items they produce. In this season, it is difference. The RY zippers is now being replaced to Raccagni’s. But no need to be panic though, because Raccagni zippers is a modification of an old RY zippers. Same company, same material, same build, new logo.

Other than the issues of rubber sole, I really dig all the material used in this high top sneakers. Extremely high quality.

ps: Anthem seasons geobasket come with a zigzag sole with no staples attached behind unlike the previous season where the sole is flat with staple pin to the heels.

_________

Sizing:

From this particular collection, the sneaker fit pretty much true to size. 

___________

Fit: ★★★★☆

Very comfortable, you might find it a little tight by the ankle during the first few weeks but it will get better. This is the result of a high quality leather taking shape of your ankle. The toebox are pretty roomy in the recent season which will allow you to move your finger around more than you could compare with the older version. The side zip will never interfere with the fit if you properly put the leather tab to cover them. (The leather tab is made of calf leather as well)
___________

Price:  ★★★☆☆

I won’t argue with you if you think that this sneaker is overpriced. It is in fact, overpriced. But this is one of the best High Top Sneakers in the world… Shoes are like cars you know.. The top one come with the top price. You might not get my point by just reading this review, but once you have your feet on the pedal. You will be drifting in this in no times.  

Overall: ★★★★★

Save your money or rob a bank. Either way is appropriate because Rick Owens is a designer that really deserve all the approval in this world. He design his lines with passion and more importantly, his own rule. 

ps: if you have any question feel free to ask me and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.