BREAKING SHOE
WEAR ON THE SHOE, IS WEAR ON THE SOUL
History: Breaking, or breakdancing, originated in the 1970s Bronx, New York, as a dynamic dance style within hip-hop culture, blending acrobatics, rhythm, and street creativity. Rooted in African American and Latino communities, it gained global recognition for its athleticism and cultural expression. Over the decades, the sport has evolved and was prominently showcased at the 2024 Olympics.
Insight: Passionate breakers’ footwear, experiences premature wear (lateral abrasion, sole separation, and grip degradation), which negatively impacts their flow and impedes their artistic expression.
Pain Points: Excessive wear on the lateral side of the shoe, premature sole separation, and insufficient grip on various surfaces.
Vision: Breaking is a niche community, and staying authentic to the breakers is essential for us. We wanted to design a shoe that embodies the rich history of breaking, reminding breakers of the culture as breaking was being added to the Paris Olympics. This shoe was designed with a retro vibe, featuring fat laces, retro color way, and a classic silhouette.
Examples of wear on breakers footwear
Added stitching around the eyestay to enhance durability while ensuring it wasn’t attached to the tongue, allowing wearers to add fat laces without causing excessive pressure on the top of the foot
Reinforced the heel and quarter panels with extra stitching to improve durability
Incorporated a tongue loop compatible with 15mm laces for better lace management
Added “common teal” channel stitching
Added medial quarter logo embroidery
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