Poll (informal): Leather special editions

[dje31]

So, I and others really miss full-leather tennis shoes. There's another thread that started this ( http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=378555 )

Trying to get some feedback on what folks would actually buy if a special edition were to become available. Perhaps TW can pull some strings for an exclusive edition.

If you could have a tennis shoe offered in full-grain leather upper, what would it be? Economically, it would almost have to be one that's become a classic/standard. A few come to mind:

Nike

Oscillate
Ballistec (x-z?)
Vapor (x-z?)

Adidas

Barricade (1-6)
Feather (1-AdiZero)

Don't know that the a3 or Genius were/are all that loved. A couple of years ago there was a Barricade 2 (Mid?) that had a smidgeon of leather in it. Unsure if that was a TW exclusive.

Asics

Gel Res (1-3)

I'm not sure Asics is big enough---let alone be interested enough---to join in...though they move a lot of units in running shoes.

Please give revision/model number when responding, as the Barricade had radically different designs from each other. Add other brands or models that aren't listed. There were way too many to put into a poll, but maybe we can do that as a second pass, once we narrow down the list.

What would you pay as a reasonable premium / upcharge for a leather-uppered top shelf shoe over the stock version? $20? $30? $50?

Full leather Oscillates would get my vote...or B2 (not necessarily mid-cut), but more than on that previous special edition. $20-30 is reasonable in my mind.

[nalvarado]

Out of the ballistecs, I would be most interested in 1.3's. I'd probably pay a reasonable amount for leather, if just for the experience. If it is obvious that nike is abusing their offering power I'll stick with my synthetics.

[Fedfer]

I would say Ballistec 2.3

[dje31]

Anyone else?

[bcart1991]

I don't really have a brand preference, as long as the last fits my foot well. I tend to stay away from Nike, since I've never really had good results with durability nor with fit.

I'd probably pay an extra $10-20 for a full leather upper. A few shoe manufacturer's (Adidas, Puma) offer it as an option with some models of their soccer shoes, and the extra cost is negligible, if anything.

[dje31]

Material-wise, leather is probably a bit more expensive for the MFRs, just because they use so little compared to the amount they use for their petroleum-based synthetics, economies of scale and all.

There would probably be a built-in nuisance fee, like "shipping & handling." Which likely amounts to someone on a CNC-machine changing a global setting to reset the thread, TPI setting, pattern, etc. for the robot to spit it out with leather.

[Capt. Willie]

First off let me say I enjoyed your other post dje31. I pretty much agree with everything you said.

As far as what I would want, I am a Barricade fan so I'd probably go for an all leather B-1. Adidas did have a short lived shoe called the Barricade CLS. It was based on the B-1....very similar with the exception of a few details. As I recall it didn't have the claw system, probably because that isn't necessary with a leather shoe. I kick myself for not getting a pair when they were out. So anyway, I want a leather Barricade-1 ~or~ bring back the Barricade CLS.

[dje31]

Well, thanks Cap. But the original '08 thread had even more info that you'd probably also enjoy and agree with. Just didn't want to resurrect a 3-yr old thread.

Thought there'd have been more interest by now, but perhaps folks have adapted to or just accepted synthetics.

[zapvor]

the Stan Smith are still leather. most comfy shoes ever. sometimes i dont even put on socks.