Hidden Gem: ONITSUKA TIGER 'Lay-Up 72' - Lmited Edition

You know, there's so much neat stuff in our little stores, occasionally some really interesting bits get overshadowed by other flashier stuff... Which brings us to today's “Hidden Gem” post.
The Onitsuka Tiger “Lay-Up 72” sneakers, still considered somewhat of an “undiscovered shoe” with great potential to become a classic, were first developed in in 1972 to cater to the trend of young people starting to wear sports shoes as a fashion item.
Named after the lay-up shot in basketball, the shoe featured innovative production processes (Lay-Up 72 was one of the very first sneakers to combine both nylon and vulcanised production), and a “Tiger” lettering on the side of the upper -- which was unusual for a sports shoe at the time.
The new set of re-issued designs for 2010 is based off original designs taken from the Onitsuka Tiger headquarters, dating back almost 40 years.
These kicks come in very limited quantities -- plus, what's left of them are now being offered at a markdown. Honestly, it'd be a bit of a sin, if you missed this :-)

ONITSUKA TIGER 'Monte Pokhara' Sneakers

Here is a look at the Monte Pokhara sneakers (which we are digging, A LOT) -- originally released as the “After Boots” in the mid-50s by iconic Japanese shoe company Onitsuka Tiger aka ASICS.
Named after Pokhara, the Nepalese tourist mecca, the Monte Pokhara’s mountaineering origins are evident in the minimalistic design and profile.
The updated Monte Pokhara looks like an urban moc/trail hybrid, and has a charming quirkiness that definitely grows on you.
With a banging mix of colours, shapes, and tech materials, the Onitsuka Tiger Monte Pokhara is quite the eccentric shoe. Just sliiiiightly crazy-looking, and guaranteed to attract longing gazes :-D
The uncomplicated tongue-free construction and pronounced heel-tab make it a cinch to slip the shoe on or off, too.
These dope kicks, BTW, are unisex.
Get ’em before they sell out!