The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Footwork: Five of Our Favorite January Shoe Discoveries

By Geoff Nudelman Updated August 6, 2021

men's shoes — Image used with permission by copyright holder

With all of our early year travels, we’ve seen plenty of great shoes, boots and more.

Between established names and upstarts ready to make their mark, January has already given us plenty of footwear fodder. Here are five styles & brands we had to share.

New Balance 247 ($120)

New Balance 247 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

These slick sneakers are a top pick for spring. They’re built in full-grain leather and inspired by a number of the Boston company’s heritage styles. The 247 comes in three handsome color options: white, orange and black. Each one serving its own purpose and a sure thing for city walks when the sun comes back out.

Liusal NYC Ricky Boot ($300)

Liusal NYC Ricky Boot — Image used with permission by copyright holder

While this relatively new streetwear brand is building a following on flashier gear, we’re into their understated boots. The Ricky is built is with all the necessities (waterproofing, GORE-TEX, traction soles), but in a roomier fit. It’s the perfect boot to jump from the office to the bar after work.

Devers Shoes (Price on Request)

Devers — Image used with permission by copyright holder

We’re always excited to feature new artisans making top-notch footwear in America. Brandi Devers operates her studio out of Chicago’s historic Printer’s Row district. She’s brought a wealth of global footwear experience to her line of bespoke shoes and accessories, including these stellar sneakers. Every pair is hand-stitched and built based on specific client notes.

OluKai Hualalai ($190)

OluKai Hulalai — Image used with permission by copyright holder

With so much to see at winter trade show Outdoor Retailer, we couldn’t include all our favorites. One we wanted to note was OluKai’s new beach-to-trail style. With a washable footbed and an easy fit, this boot is an ideal combination of island spirit and rugged vigor. The Hualalai debuts this August and is a must for fall adventuring.

Nike Flyknit Racer Wolf Grey ($166)

Nike Flyknit Racer Wolf Grey — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The great colorways from the Swoosh just keep on coming. We’ve loved past Flyknits and this new grey is one of the classier options to date. This edition keeps most of the same construction and midsole detail that’s made the line so popular as training footwear (and for brunch afterwards). It’s a limited edition piece that will hit select retailers in March and is sure to “fly” off the shelves.

Topics

Footwear

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff is a former contributor to The Manual. He's a native Oregonian who’s always up for a good challenge and a great hike…

Fashion & Style

Artist Felipe Pantone takes Zenith watch collaboration to the next level

Zenith watches and artist create the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon

Zenith Watches Felipe Pantone collaboration.

Luxury watches themselves are complete works of art. From delectable dials to creative casebacks to stunning straps to keep it in place, the craftsmanship of a Zenith watch is nothing short of talent and skill. A relationship between watchmaker and artist doesn't exemplify this more than the dream team of Zenith Watches and artist Felipe Pantone. Check out the latest masterpiece from Zenith Watches with the DEFY Skyline Tourbillon 41mm Felipe Pantone series. The third collaboration between the brand and the artist, it will be the star of your collection.
The collaboration with Zenith Watches

Felipe Pantone is an Argentine-Spanish contemporary artist known for his graffiti with optical elements. The pair have worked together a few times before. Zenith Watches first used Pantone's Op Art style in 2020 for a tarpaulin piece. It went so well that the watch giant and Felipe created the DEFY 21 in 2021, which sold out quickly, a DEFY 21 Double Tourbillon later that year, and the DEFY Extreme in 2022.

Fashion & Style

How to wax a jacket: A complete guide

man in brown jacket sitting in nature

While you might think waxing a jacket is unnecessary for logistical standards nowadays, plenty of reasons why you’ll want to take to your outerwear for this season. For starters, waxing your jacket can help make it easier to maneuver in cold weather. Also, a waxed jacket can give your look a more rugged and outdoorsman-inspired style. While sleek leather jackets are fashionable, these lived-in wax pieces offer a more vintage and stylish fashion. Either way, a waxed jacket has become a more sought-after item season after season. Instead of dealing with soggy, heavy jackets during rainy weather, these slicked outerwear pieces help make you more flexible during the cold season. Instead of feeling trapped in multiple layers, these waxy pieces keep you lightweight and waterproof.

Waxing your jacket isn’t only for waxed canvas jackets; it’s a process you can also use on non-waxed items. Although the waxing process may not have the same longevity as a waxed jacket, it will help improve the durability and aesthetic of your piece. If you already own a jacket that you use to give some character to, waxing can be a great addition. Regardless of whether you're rewaxing a jacket or bringing some life to a new piece, this step can help get more years out of your item.
Step-by-step guide to waxing your jacket

Fashion & Style

Patagonia’s multi trails shorts give you the utility to go further

Bring versatility to your runs with these Patagonia shorts

Mark Reif running in Patagonia Multi Trails Shorts

I belong to several running clubs in and around Stowe, Vermont. Typically, we meet up for a trail run and then hit a local watering hole for social time. On the run, my everyday running shorts feel great — supple and loose — but afterward, they fall short for everything else.

Where can I store my wallet and phone? Nowhere. Though my running-focused shorts have a small key pocket, I’m forced to carry everything else, making meetups or grocery runs an exercise in caution. Losing these essential items isn’t an option, and I have to be diligent all the time.