The Metalwood Studio x FootJoy Golf Sneaker Is Built for Shooting 80s and Mowing Lawns

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The Metalwood Studio x FootJoy Golf Sneaker Is Built for Shooting 80s and Mowing Lawns

As a huge fan of footwear and fashion with a soft spot for the unexpected, I can’t help but be captivated by the Metalwood Studio x FootJoy Golf Sneaker collaboration. The dad shoe trend might not have been cool or trendy when it first emerged, but Cole Young and his team at Metalwood saw something in its understated appeal that resonated with them.

1. The FootJoy Golf Sneaker wasn’t intended to be stylish; its primary goal was comfort, which is what makes it appealing as a “dad shoe.” It’s the most budget-friendly option in the FootJoy collection, usually priced around $100 USD, and its design harks back to trainers from the early 2000s. The revitalization of this sneaker is thanks to Cole Young, who runs Metalwood Studio in LA – a brand that loves nostalgic, humorous references from the turn of the century. As Young explains, “We were fascinated by this understated, ironically dad-like silhouette. It didn’t require much effort to come up with the idea; it felt like something waiting to be claimed.”

The Metalwood Studio and FootJoy collaboration on the Golf Sneaker marks their third team-up. Previously, they focused on FootJoy’s Premiere Series, a classic and high-end golf shoe collection. However, for this project, Metalwood was assigned to showcase FootJoy’s Golf Specialty line, which is less formal and more accessible. Young shares, “This part of their website wasn’t given much attention before, so it was exciting to contribute and add our unique touch.”

1. The final product was a golf shoe that appeared to be plucked from Goodwill, featuring teal highlights and a discolored midsole. However, its $180 price tag hinted at some enhancements. Unlike the basic black and white model, which features PVC synthetic leather, this one is crafted from premium waterproof leather selected by hand and imported exclusively for Metalwood. Additionally, a characteristic feature of Metalwood’s partnership with FootJoy, a soft terry cloth lining, adds an extra touch of luxury to the shoe.

“It’s worth pondering if we’re being overly innovative or too specialized for the average FootJoy customer to understand. However, when you consider Metalwood, it seems quite visionary and goes against the norm.”

Although “ironically unattractive” running shoes, as labeled by Young, have demonstrated success in contemporary fashion trends, the style trends in golf apparel typically trail behind. Persuading the decision-makers at FootJoy to embrace his innovative design concept required some persuasion.

As a gamer, I can understand their reservations and doubts. It’s natural to question whether we’re pushing boundaries too far, making things overly complex for most players. But when I look at Metalwood, I see innovation and something that bucked the trend. My confidence in this product never wavered, knowing it would strike a chord with our gaming community.

Ultimately, the true irony may lie in the fact that once you remove all of the narrative and storytelling (the lookbook features Young’s own father styling the shoe as he mows his front lawn), the Golf Sneaker has a proven track record of success at the highest level thanks to another guy with Cole in his name: PGA TOUR winner Eric Cole.

1. “I believe there are individuals who value our perspective on golf and look forward to hearing from us. Creating this product was a delightful experience, something we wouldn’t have attempted otherwise. Similarly, FootJoy benefits from our collaboration, as we offer them a top-tier performance shoe that’s favored by PGA TOUR players.”

1. Today, starting at 2PM EST, the Metalwood Studio x FootJoy Golf Sneaker featuring a Duramax Outsole and Pulsar LP spikes will be available for purchase exclusively on Metalwood’s official website.

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2024-07-30 19:56