SOLE REVIEW

Asic Gel Lyte 3 White/White Purple

The Asic Gel Lyte 3 is my latest sneaker purchase.  I have run in many different models of Asic running shoes and also have a few pairs of the Onitsuka style, but this is my first pair of Asic Gel Lyte 3s.  Right off the back they are not the color pattern that I usually buy seeing I am a Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers fan, but I really liked the way this shoe utilized this complimentary color way and I’ve been looking for a way to add a little purple to my shoe game.

The Asic Gel Lyte 3 comes with an extra pair of purple laces which I think is awesome and practical in a sense. It allows you to switch it up from the traditional white lace without having to run all over town looking for purple laces that will match the purple used in the shoe. It would have been nice had they also added a yellow pair (just an idea) to make the shoe even more versatile.  The Asic Gel Lyte 3 has an original 1991 silhouette, with a padded tongue that is split in the middle and collar and leather detailing on nylon mesh. At the toe of the shoe there are 3M reflective patches and on the inside a comfortable gel cushioned EVA foam midsole. My first thought when I laced up these new kicks was how extremely comfortable they are. They are very light and have a good amount of cushioning for people who made need a little more support. I have a bad right knee and a wide flat foot, so the cushion and fit of this shoe felt great. Some may be able to use these shoes as actual training or running shoes, but for my personal collection I added these to my “kick back shoes,” trust me they will get plenty of wear. I will hopefully be adding more of the Asic gel lyte 3 to my shoe repertoire, as well as trying the Asic Gel Lyte 2 and Asic Gel Sagas.

 

 If you are looking for a good pair of running shoes from Asic, I can whole heartedly recommend the Asic Kayano, the Asic Gel Nimbus, and really anything from the Asic 1100 series. The Asic Kayano shoe is good for any runner that may not have the traditional runner’s body, especially if you tend to pronate when you run. The Asic Nimbus gives great cushioning support for a more neutral runner. I actually suppinate when I run so I enjoy the cushioning for my knee. When I do wear my Asics, I like to use the Kayano in the gym and on the treadmill, while choosing the Nimbus when I run or walk outside.  I have run in them for many years and they are very comfortable shoes to train in or just to wear period.  The price range for these shoes is in the upper $100's which is at the higher end of the pricing spectrum, but I’ve always been a firm believer in the sentiment “you get what you pay for.”

You can find any of these models at most local shoe stores and foot wear chains. I like to get my kicks from Finish Line, Foot Locker, NiceKicks.com, SneakerRX, and Academy. If you are a more price conscientious consumer you can find some great deals on eBay. I’ve had success with most of the Asic Kayano and Asic Nimbus styles, but every runner is different. So be sure to try out a few different models and see which best suits you.

Comment below and let us know what you think of the new Asic Gel Lyte 3s and other Asic shoes. 

Also, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram @solesuccess11

When did you fall in Love with Sneakers?

By Sarah Silvas

When I think of this question, my mind immediately goes to a line from the 2002 movie, “Brown Sugar,” when the movie asked, “When did you fall in love with Hip-hop?” Well instead of hip-hop, the question for me has always been, “When did you fall in love with the shoe game?”  It all started with the main man in Sneaker history, the one many sneaker lovers refer to as one of the best, Michael Jordan.  Not only was his basketball game heat, he would rock some of the coolest kicks in the league.

My obsession began young, it started when my sister, Erika, was playing basketball and my parents bought her the Jordan IVs. I remember being young, only 9 and thinking they were the coolest shoes, even more so thinking how much I wanted a pair. Unfortunately I was too young to get some. I think this was the first pair of $100 shoes that my parents had bought and needless to say it wouldn’t be their last. Over the next few years I went between Adidas shoes and Nike Forces, and then finally into my first pair of J’s. They were the 1993 Jordan VII Bordeaux. The story of how I fell into these is kind of crazy. I was in the 3^rd grade and my parents had just signed me up to play basketball in my first organized league.  We were at the mall signing up, doing a little shopping and catching some dinner on a Friday night. The memory of this night is still so vivid in my mind.  We began our shopping at Dillard’s where my parents bought me a new pair of Girbaud jeans and a Polo shirt, so I was already on cloud nine. Then to top off it we were eating at one of my favorite places ever, Chik-fil-A, which you only ate at when you were at the mall because they did not have outside location (I think I just seriously dated myself, ha ha). Anyways as we exited the Chik-fil-A after eating, we walked pass the Footlocker (located right next to the Chik-fil-A) and there they were, the Jordan VII Bordeaux displayed ever so elegantly in the window, my heart instantly jumped. I was suddenly enticed by the allure of these shoes, so much that I rushed into the store and immediately asked for a size 5. When the sales guy brought it out and I tried it on I was hooked! We bought them right then and there and I have been a sneaker lover since. I walked out of that Footlocker feeling so hype, like I had so much swag; it’d be a shame not to share, ha ha. I felt like I was invincible and I played that way every time I stepped on the court in some fly sneakers. Ever since, shoes have become an absolute obsession. From having the latest basketball sneakers to getting my first pair of Air Maxes, it fueled my passion to play, which in turn fueled my passion for shoes. “Basketball was life…and I was good at it.” (Cheesy Sandlot reference, amended of course, ha ha.)

I played basketball for a very long time so I always bought basketball sneaks, but since I’ve gotten older, I think I can honestly say I love running shoes. They are 100% my shiz these days.  I think they fit my style a little better, which consists of a more preppy look.  Don’t get me wrong, I still like basketball shoes, just like running shoes more. Over the years though, I have tried and enjoyed several types of running shoes from brands like Nike, New Balance, and Asics. I have yet to try Under Armour, but it is on my list to try and review. If you’re like me, you have two categories regarding your shoe collection. You have your "kick back shoes" and your "work out shoes.” I use to have a huge collection of both, but due to some parental liquidation, ha ha, most of my previous collection was given away to Goodwill when Mom got bit by the spring cleaning bug and my closet was cleaned out. I know my collection is not as big as some sneaker lovers out there, but I am currently in the process of reestablishing mine. I’m trying to acquire the shoes I loved the most and once had, as well as adding new ones everyday. Slowly but surely, with the help of my parents, sister and friends who still buy me shoes (wink, wink), I will be able to do this fairly easy.

Although I’ve loved shoes for a while, I will be the first to say I still have a lot to learn about them, but I look forward to learning and even more so from all of you, my fellow sneaker lovers. My mom often asks me why I need another pair of sneaks or says they all look the same, which I quickly reply “For me, it’s the nostalgia factor, my shoes take me back to the good old days, when I was younger and life was much simpler.”

So now I’ll ask you, “When did you fall in love with sneakers?”

Comment below and don’t forget to follow us @solesuccess11 on Twitter and Instagram.

Who We Are

Everyone has some form of shoe game, right? Whether it is sneakers, boat shoes, dress shoes or even sandals, we all have our favorite form of “heat for our feet.” These days, however, shoes are much more than simply feet protectors. They have become a way to express an individual’s identity, creativity, lifestyle and status. While the “shoe game” has always been linked to business and sports, it has also become synonymous with other areas of life that include music, art, dance, and yes, even literature.

So who are we?

Sole Success is a blog that discusses past, current, and up and coming trends in the shoe game. We have an appreciation for all types of shoes, from sneakers to dress shoes, and we hope to keep you informed on the latest shoe models and fashion trends. With so many blogs out there that cover this topic you may be asking, “How is Sole Success different?” Here’s our answer. At Sole Success it’s not just about the shoe game, it’s about the different facets the shoe game has to offer, from business to literature, and everything in between. Are you interested in business? Get varying business perspectives by reading our Shoe Biz, where we interview different entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals who have their own sneaker game style. Interested in the Entertainment and Sports? Hit up our Sole Attractions, where we provide articles discussing how the shoe game is reflected in the different art genres such as dance, music, art, and literature. Interested in the fashion aspect of the shoe game? Check out our Foot Notes, where you can peep out the latest in shoe fashion, apparel and accessories.

We all have a shoe game of some sort and even better a story. At Sole Success, we just want to give all shoe lovers out there an opportunity to tell theirs. Our hope is to offer everyone out there a way to read up on their favorite part of the shoe game, thru informative, insightful, interesting, funny and even personal articles. We are excited to see many different types of sneaker or shoe collections and can’t wait feature some of these on our blog. We look forward to getting to know more of you in the sneaker lover’s community and even better, hear your stories!