There's probably never been a better time to be a sneaker consumer than right now.
Whether you want something to wear on the daily, a new workout option or that ultra-rare pair for your collection, the options are coming fast and furious these days, from purveyors big and small, well-known and just lifting off.
Take, for example, YORK Athletics Mfg., the Boston footwear startup that's out to challenge industry heavyweights like Nike and adidas. We caught up with founder Mark McGarry back in October – who previously spent nine years leading PUMA's largest footwear business – who told us of the debut line:
There's a whole breed of us out there who take our health and wellbeing very seriously. We work our asses off and are insanely disciplined about our passions but don't fit into the rigid categories that these big brands promote. We have a totally different view on what a performance brand can look and behave like and we have the proven track record in the industry to pull this off.
Back then, McGarry wasn't offering many details about what, specifically, that view might look like when rendered in an actual shoe. Now, though, they're ready to share some teaser photos of their debut shoe, the HENRY, which will be launching at the end of February.
The shoe, a minimalist workout-inspired shoe capable of hitting the streets or the gym, features a hot melt TPU welded toe and seams for durability and additional support. It's also got a fully breathable upper and a compression molded EVA foam sole.
In short: It ought to feel as smooth as it looks.
"I just got back from overseeing production at the factory," McGarry told me of a recent trip to China. "The product looks amazing and we can't wait to unveil YORK Athletics to the world!"
Check out some product shots of the HENRY below:
Images via YORK Athletics Mfg.
