What does a person who writes about sneakers all day wear on a daily basis? Only the freshest kicks, as you might imagine. This week, we’re catching up with Martin David of Sole Movement, a sneaker website that brings you the latest in releases from Southeast Asia. Martin–who is a self-proclaimed Air Max addict–started Sole Movement in 2008 and has been running the site as a one-man team since it launched. His day hustle? Sports Marketing and Key Accounts Director for Solar Sports Network, where he dabbles in everything from new product releases to promoting events by the NBA and local leagues. Keep reading to see what he wore throughout the week and tell us what you think on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram!
Sunday in Air Max 1 Milano. I’ve always been an Air Max fan, the AM 1′s in particular. Among this year’s releases, these Milano 1′s are one of the best. The Linen-Atomic Red colorway just works. Local NSW releases have been great this year. Can’t wait to see how they close out 2013.
Mariana Mandanas: What is Sole Movement?
Martin David: It’s a website about sneakers and the sneaker culture in the Philippines. It’s sort of like Sneaker News or Nice Kicks, but specifically for the local and regional markets. I would focus more on what’s available locally as opposed to other websites who cover everything. I’d press releases for stuff coming out in the States, and I would sometimes tap into that but I’d favor the local releases.
MM: How did you get started?
MD: Well, the basic thing is my love for sneakers–it’s always been there. Second, working for a sports network [Solar Sports] brought me to events that would cover sneaker events, whether it was Nike, Adidas, or any of the other brands. In the beginning I’d go overseas to get my shoes to stand out, but the local stores stepped up their game. I realized that we didn’t have to go out to get the cool stuff. I knew some of the people working for the brands and it just made sense to start up a site for your local sneaker news. Right now, I can only think of three or four sites that are doing something similar, but we all have our own twist to things.
Monday in the Lunar Flyknit Chukka. Been a fan of the Flyknit family ever since it launched last year. The Lunar Chukka’s have been my favorite from the line.
MM: Favorite sneaker of all time?
MD: I don’t like answering this question. But what comes to mind are the Air Max 90s Infrareds. They just look damn good. It’s a beautiful shoe. Real classics. Back when they first came out, the colors just popped out and there weren’t any colors like that. Infrared? What is infrared? Shoe colorways were pretty plain and straightforward back then. But the Infrareds were so out there without looking tacky. Another all-time favorite would be the New Balance Pigeons, the 575 ones (yes, the NBs, not the SBs). I had to hunt for those! It’s hard to come by a pair in my size and everyone I knew weren’t willing to let go of their pairs. I finally saw them on an auction site (solemart, thanks Hikmet!) and won them on my birthday. I had it shipped from Berlin–customs fees were crazy, but those are one of my all-time grails.
MM: When did you start collecting?
MD: I would say right around college. Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money. My parents taught me a great deal that you didn’t have to have the most expensive stuff, so I had to appreciate kicks from a far. Collecting-wise, it was around 2001, people here [in Manila] were gravitating towards Onitsukas and Pumas, going for that Euro look. It looked good, so I started buying them and next thing you know I had twenty pairs in my closet. I just wanted to stand out, and I didn’t want to wear the same thing the next guy was wearing. I never considered myself a collector as I wear everything I own. I rotate my shoes and I let go of them if I don’t wear them, so it’s never an outrageous amount.
Tuesday in adidas Tech Super MF (Made For). Today, I rocked these. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the adidas Originals stores in Milan/Istanbul/Singapore/Miami, the company created a special collection with a tee, varsity jacket, the Pro Conference, and the Tech Super. At first I thought it was flashy, but the black/white combination just attracted me to it. I wish the adidas Originals store here in Manila lasted long enough. Unfortunately, they had to close doors late last year.
MM: Sneaker culture in Manila? How has it changed?
MD: With the Philippines’ love for basketball, it’s been always about Air Jordans and hoop shoes. The sneaker culture as a whole is still small but growing. Definitely not as mature as US, Japan, or Europe, but growing. Back then, you could only get the basics, mostly from department stores and concept stores in malls. But today, you have stores like Titan, Sole Academy and We Legendary, all bringing in their own vibe to the game. These guys really know what’s up and they all have a genuine love for shoes. But going back, the culture is still heavy on Jordans and Nike–it’s a Nike Country. I want it to grow the right way.
MM: What do you mean the right way?
MD: Well, sometimes people don’t think twice about buying anything outside of Jordan Brand or Nike. I mean, yes, Nike definitely comes out with amazing stuff and design-wise they’re great, but people are quick to discount the other brands. Adidas, Puma, Asics, New Balance–they’re all there and they have great stuff too. I just want people to give it a try, look at the brand’s history to see how cool they are. Sometimes people just want to wear things because Jay-Z or Kanye wore it and that’s not good.
MM: That being said, what’s the most underrated sneaker for you?
MD: Damn, that’s a hard question. There’s the Stan Smith–you think Adidas and you think the Superstar, but the Stan Smiths need mad props. The Air Pegasus is an underrated sneaker as well. I don’t like the shoe that much, but I respect it. It’s been there for 30 years and people don’t give it enough credit. Another one would be the Samba. Every four years it has its moment, when the World Cup comes along [laughs].
Wednesday in the Puma x Hypebeast Dim Sum Project Blaze of Glory OG “Siu Mai.” Puma and Hypebeast came out with one of the better collaborations for 2013. I’m glad they used one of the more slept on silhouettes from the Puma archive. They’re really comfy too, and that’s why I wear them often.
MM: Best part of your job as Martin from Solar and Sole Movement?
MD: With Solar, it’s getting to watch sports and meeting the people you idolize or look up to. Not many people can say that it’s part of their job to meet with the Kobes, Roses and Pacquiaos of the world. For Sole Movement, it’s definitely having access to information. For me, it’s not really a matter of getting free stuff, but being able to actually “be” with these brands and to work with them. Just recently, I was able to go to Adidas and see how the tech on the Derrick Rose shoe works. I’ve been to Nike WHQ too and got an inside look at all the new technology coming up–seeing how everything works is really cool.
MM: Yeah, shoes are definitely a big aesthetic thing, but I think it’s important for people to know the technology behind it too.
MD: Exactly. I was wearing Retros for a while, but after that trip (right around the time they announced the first Flyknits) and I was able to see the products up close. They brought me around the exhibit and all the stuff was there, the new Flyknit, the Hyperfeel, the seamless running shirts, all the stuff that’s coming out now. After that trip, I now have a greater respect for performance shoes. Now that I understand what goes behind it, I wouldn’t mind wearing them on a normal day. They work, they’re comfortable, and they don’t look bad.
Thursday in the Nike Flyknit Racer. It’s like I’m not wearing anything. These speak for themselves. I actually like the Racers more than the Trainers, and I always slide these on when I don’t know what to wear.
MM: Favorite performance-based technology?
MD: Right now, I love the Adidas Boost.
MM: Releases you’re looking forward to?
MD: I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited for the Bred Jordan 1′s to come out again. I may have to come out of retirement and wear Jordans again just for those. I have tons of love and respect for the brand, but I’m past that stage. Right now, I can love Jordan from a distance. There’s also way too much stuff coming out nowadays. When you’re a kid, that’s definitely an exciting feeling but you’ve got to be practical [laughs]. Not everyone can wear their XI’s or Steel X’s to work. I get away with a lot of things, and unless I have to wear my “big boy pants” to work, I don’t have to look insanely corporate.
MM: So what are you gravitating towards lately?
MD: Right now, I’ve been sticking to Air Maxes or the Flyknits, especially the Chukkas. The Flyknits are on automatic- worn at least once a week–whether they’re Racers, Trainers, or Chukkas. I love the multicolor Racers, and I love all the colors of the Chukkas. I love everything. Superstars are in my rotation too, and a lot of Adidas Consortium.
Friday in adidas ZX 500 Tabula Rasa “Consortium.” The rebirth of the Consortium line for adidas Originals. The ZX 500 is one of my favorite models from the adidas archive.
MM: Craziest thing you’ve done?
MD: Lined up for a pair of Yeezys and lucked out [laughs]. Bunker had them and saw only a few people in line and thinking it wasn’t so bad, I decided to go to the gym. My mistake–I came back and I was the 25th person in line when they only had 24 pairs. The last pair of every size were raffled off, but I didn’t win that either. Other than that, there’s really no other crazy story. I know when to draw the line, and I’ve realized that you don’t need to own everything.
Saturday in adidas adiZero Primeknit 2. People can talk smack about who copied who, but at the end of the day it’s a nice shoe. adidas veered away from the total knitted look that had similarities with the Flyknit, but these feel sturdier than their Nike counterpart.
MM: Coolest moment in Sole Movement?
MD: Funny story actually–Modern Notoriety actually lifts news and photos from my site sometimes. It’s a good feeling knowing that you’re under the radar of the international sites. Another cool moment would be the release of the Air Max OG Pack here at [a local sneaker store called] Sole Academy. I got a couple of my friends–all Air Max fans–and we set up a mini-exhibit in store showcasing our own collections. People who dropped by were pretty fascinated because they’ve never seen a lot of the pairs up close. I want to educate sneakerheads here…I wanna elevate their taste, their style, and if I could do that with every single brand I work with, then that’s amazing.
MM: What’s next?
MD: Well, I definitely think I need to hire more people [laughs]. Also, creating more content–I think everyone needs that. The long-term plan is to have a special section for original content, I’d love to have more interactivity and better coordination with the brands. I’ve done a lot of consulting with some of the stores and brands here, and it’s an amazing thing to be able to continue doing that. I’m blessed and I can’t complain. It would be a dream to work with Staple Design– I’m a huge fan of Jeff Staple and the rest of the crew. I’ve got a couple of ideas in mind and I’d definitely pitch it to anyone who’s interested!
To keep up with Martin and Sole Movement, follow them on Twitter and Instagram.