Image via Complex Original
Compound Gallery Lead
Half of the sneaker game is knowing what kicks are out when, and which shops have them. Our Shelf Space column looks at what shops around the country are stocking in a given week, and gives a quick glimpse into the mind of the buyer/manager/owner who put them there.
As we continue our mission of bringing you the insides of the best sneaker spots from around the U.S., we headed to Nike's home state and stopped in at Compound Gallery, located in Portland, Oregon. The shop's buyer, Ira LaFontaine, gave us a look at 10 of the newest sneakers currently sitting on the store shelves. Hit the thumbnails and arrows above to see his picks, and to read what he has to say about each one.
Griffey Max
Nike Air Griffey Max, $140
Compound Gallery Says: "It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Griffey does well anywhere in the U.S., but by being in the Pacific Northwest it’s definitely magnified and this might be our favorite pair since the Freshwater release. Very true to the original."
Converse First String Dr. J
Converse First String Dr. J Pro Leather, $90
Compound Gallery Says: "Horween leather generally ends up on boots in the $300 range, so it’s refreshing to see them on something for under a bill, let alone a sneaker. Personally this is going to be a go-to shoe for me for the Portland winter."
Foamposite Pro
Nike Air Foamposite Pro "Pine Green", $190
Compound Gallery Says: "This Foam might have the nicest sheen since the first Eggplants. Good things brewing on the non-Penny related color front."
Straight Shooter
Converse First String Straight Shooter, $70
Compound Gallery Says: "Duck canvas and the nickel eyelets alone would make this model killer, but somehow they were able to add Lunar foam into the mix, too. This is the most comfortable Converse model I’ve had on my foot in a good while."
Air Force 1
Nike Air Force 1, $88
Compound Gallery Says: "Nike really brought out a great color block for this one and the last few like it. Nowadays, you have to walk a fine line when using patent, and they were able to execute this colorway really well. Just enough patent to make it an attention grabber, but not enough make it over the top."
Air Max Jr
Nike Air Max Jr, $160
Compound Gallery Says: "I’m not a hybrid guy, nor am I full-length Air guy, but this model is able to walk a fine line between the two. Throw some herringbone on the outsole and it could’ve been a mid '90s hoop shoe."
Chuck Taylor OX
Converse Chuck Taylor Premium OX, $110
Compound Gallery Says: "I love everything about this model — the leather laces, the lack of a stripe on the midsole, and texture and color of the leather. A great cleaned-up model for going into fall."
Gourmet Dieci
Gourmet Dieci C, $70
Compound Gallery Says: "Gourmet’s strongest model for us has always been the Dieci. It gives people just enough of a twist (no pun) from the norm without being too wild. This is the first time Gourmet has pulled out the Dieci in a grey-on-grey, so this has been a quick mover for us."
Air Magma
Nike Air Magma, $110
Compound Gallery Says: "The Magma is going to be a strong boot for the fall. Portland is a Nike-loving town (surprise, surprise), so having that early ACG heritage behind it combined with the beautiful honey brown leather will make this a quick mover once the leaves start to turn."
Puma Clyde
Puma Clyde x UNDFTD Ripstop Pack, $65
Compound Gallery Says: "I’m loving the tactile military vibe for the third round of the Puma x UNDFTD collab. The previous canvas version flew out of here, so I’m expecting this one to do the same."