Here at Kickstory, sneakers have always played the role of a vehicle – a vehicle to connect, to inspire, to learn, and to create. We like to think of sneakers as a whole, a cycle, something that was designed and developed by people who have their own tastes, experiences, and lives, and in some way, they put that into their creations. And when we like and wear these sneakers, they become a vehicle for new experiences.
Design, Illustrations, and Content: Kickstory
Copy: Kickstory
At Kickstory, sneakers inspire us to seek stories here in São Paulo and on the other side of the world. They inspire us to meet new people and understand how they connect with all of this. And sometimes, they inspire us to simply want to create – whether it’s a small detail, a story, or an experience. Even a well-executed design moves us.
We spent a few days on the trails and waterfalls of Chapada dos Veadeiros, in Goiás, Brazil. And we chose our trail companion – the New Balance Hierro V7. Even though it was bought 3 years ago, they still deliver a lot.
What we want to say with all of this, is that this sneaker and our experiences there inspired us, enough for us to take some time and create this series of posters and illustrations. We hope you enjoy them!
Why do we love the Hierro line so much?
We are always impressed by the functionality of these sneakers and how they do exactly what it’s meant for, making our trail experience so much easier, whether it’s mud, rocks, rain, or dry conditions. When hiking in the rainy season, we always look for a sneaker with the best possible grip that won’t slip on wet surfaces (and there were many). It’s also nice to choose a sneaker with good ventilation and one that drains water well in case we need to go through water.
We’ve hiked on all types of terrain and in all kinds of weather conditions. There were entire walks in heavy rain over slippery rocks, followed by muddy trails with intense sun. The not-too-high midsole helps provide a bit more stability and security when walking on rocks, where the toe cap reinforcement proved it’s not there for nothing, protecting our feet from bumps and branches along the way.
But these sneakers are a machine! Light, with the Fresh Foam X midsole – just the right amount of soft, not too high and unstable. The upper is made of a very durable and breathable mesh, which helps the foot breathe and, at the same time, drain water, which was the case for us almost every day.
But what really surprised us was the Vibram Mega Grip outsole, with the its big lugs. In our experience, the sneaker practically doesn’t slip, even on wet surfaces. It has great traction on dirt, on rocks, giving us complete confidence, even on steep gravel descents in the rain.
