Oakley‘s latest excursion into footwear, the Coyote boot, extends its reach beyond the realm of tacti-cool, polarized sunglasses.
The silhouette is a sneaker-boot hybrid with a suede top and Cordura paneling, a lightweight material. The shoe is available in three tonal colorways: black, sand, and cognac-like “Coyote” as well as other color combinations with neon pops.
In terms of functionality, the boot withstands wear and tear thanks to a sticky rubber outsole and built-in flaps that keep dirt and water out.
Oakley, best known for its motorcycle goggles, re-entered the cultural zeitgeist a few years ago, when luxury labels such as Louis Vuitton and Maison Margiela produced their own versions of the wraparound sunglasses.
The Kardashians, particularly Kim and Kourtney, were then seen sporting Oakley-inspired designs. As a result, the brand has reached a new customer who isn’t necessary a biker or a motocross racer.
Reflective, wraparound glasses have survived, due in part to fashion’s resurrection of Y2K style (remember Dennis Rodman’s numerous Oakley moments?
Or perhaps these?).
With the Coyote, Oakley enters the shoe industry, a segment in which the brand has hitherto been underrepresented.
The sneaker-boot isn’t very avant-garde, but it’s clean, wearable, and has a touch of edge. Indeed, it has a distinct vibe distinct from Oakley’s previous shoes, such as the Vans-like Step Camo E or the similarly skater-ish Canvas Flyer.
Now available via Oakley’s official website.
