Core Worlds Couture With Jay Krebs
Hello, again, Core Worlders! This review spotlights a pair of shoes inspired by the greatest YT-1300 Corellian Light Freighter in the galaxy –- none other than the Millennium Falcon!
Po-Zu Footwear brand has released a unisex low-cut sneaker which pays homage to the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, by featuring a white organic cotton canvas material and black technical schematic drawing of the Falcon as its design. Let’s punch it, Chewie, and get into the details!
Product Specs and Materials:
(From website):
“Low cut vegan lace-up Sneaker in organic cotton featuring a technical drawing of the Millennium Falcon.
Made in Sri Lanka.
Entire sole including foxing and toe cap is made in locally sourced Fair Trade rubber sole, certified by the Fair Rubber Association. Featuring removable memory-foam Foot-Mattress™ (allows orthotics placement) in latex and coconut husk. ‘Star Wars™/Po-Zu’ woven label on tongue.
Under license with Lucasfilm / Disney.”
Beautiful schematics! Image: Po-Zu
Upper
Organic Cotton Canvas
Lining
Organic Cotton Canvas
Footbed
Organic Cotton Canvas
(“Organic” in this case refers to cotton grown without pesticides)
Foot-Mattress
Coconut Husk & Natural Latex – provides air circulation and climate control
5mm thick (removable)
Moulds to your foot shape
Sole
Fair Trade Rubber
Sole Assembly
Vulcanized”
Image: Po-Zu
If you’re not familiar with the term “vulcanized” (I immediately thought Spock), neither was I. After a quick Google search, I learned that vulcanization is a classic tennis shoe construction technique, and is traditionally used by companies like Vans and Converse. The process uses a cooking oven designed for the rubber and tape used in the construction material. It is in contrast to the “cold cement” process, which is characteristic of most performance athletic shoes on the market today (see reference for more details).
Po-Zu also notes: “As a result of the use of completely natural materials, there may be variations in color, texture and even possibly visual blemishes.”
Po-Zu as a company prides itself on “combining supreme comfort with outstanding ethics and sustainable materials.” You can learn more about Po-Zu, their philosophy, history and collaborations here.
Check out the short video on the making of the shoe itself:
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRQZ9lV1nYc[/embedyt]
Price and Sizing:
£59.00, which is currently converting to $78.31 at the time of this review, plus S/H. The site offers free shipping if you spend over £75.00 ($99.55). A variety of payments is accepted, including PayPal. Online/mobile ordering was super easy, without a ton of hoops to jump through, just to order a pair of shoes (that is both a blessing and a curse)!
I was impressed with how fast these shipped and arrived. Po-Zu sends e-mail alerts when the product is shipped, and even when it was delivered. I received my shoes in about a standard delivery week. When the shoes arrived, they were nestled in a very sturdy box, with hyperspace design on the top and inside lining paper. There was also a printed insert about the company, products, care and other info.
Check out that Hyperspace shoe box paper!
Sizing chart is available on the site. All sizes are in EU, so there is a handy conversion chart. The website also recommends ordering a size up, due to the fact that this style runs small. I usually wear a size 7 US in sneakers like this (i.e. my Vans and Converse), and ordered that size (38 EU), and they fit great. If you have wide feet, I definitely would recommend a size up. I have “normal width” feet, and I can see how they might be snug in the toe box and/or vamp areas (around the top/laces area), and especially if you are prone to bunions.
Care:
Recommended to spot-clean with baking soda/water mixture, or mild detergent, and lukewarm water. Test first on a less visible spot like the outer edges of the tongue is also recommended.
Peformance and Overall Reactions:
So far, I’ve had these shoes almost two months. Not only have I worn them for fan events like Solo: A Star Wars Story premiere, but I have taught full days of school on “Casual Fridays” (I teach culinary, among other things, and put in about 11,000 steps a day, according to my FitBit), worn them on my son’s college orientation (you want to talk about walking…), to a Memorial Day Parade (lots of asphalt), and numerous other outings.
I can report that these shoes are not only comfortable to wear for both long and short walking distances, but the cleanliness and color have held up wonderfully over these two months so far. Granted, I’ve not worn them in freshly-cut grass or in a muddy area, but I AM actually trying to keep the white canvas clean without too much work. That being said, although I was a bit concerned about having white shoes overall, they have performed beautifully, and I haven’t even touched them once to clean them. They even smell just as good as they day they first came out of the box!
The heel of my shoe after many, many miles and hours of wear. Still clean and like new!
I wore them to the “Solo: A Star Wars Story” premiere
Another thing I appreciate is the height of the heel area of the upper. I sometimes struggle with the top aggravating my Achilles tendon (which I why I stay away from Nikes for running), so I’m pretty picky about that for sneakers in general. This shoe is very comfortable in that area. Not too high, but not too low (which sometimes can give the wearer the feeling that they are “stepping out” of the shoe).
If you need orthotic inserts, the removable sole is very easy to take out.
Inside of shoe after lining is removed – you can really see that coconut husk fiber.
Final Reactions and Rating:
These shoes may not help you finish the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs, but they are definitely a winner in my fashion book! I love the bold design of the schematics, yet they are still subtle enough that someone would have to perhaps take a second look to get what they’re seeing (I always appreciate that type of fan fashion)!
One of the reviews on the site suggested reversing the colors – black with white schematics. If Po-Zu heeds that suggestion, I will probably end up with those in my wardrobe as well!
In summary, they are comfortable, hold their shape well, are relatively easy to keep clean and look great. These Po-Zu Star Wars Millennium Falcon Sneakers stomp out a 5/5 Galactic Credits Rating!
Do you own these, or any Po-Zu footwear? If so, I’d love to hear your experiences. If you have any comments or questions on this or any other Star Wars fashion product, you can leave your comments below, or get in touch with me on any of my social media outlets (below).
As always… May the Force be with you, and remember…
Coffee With Kenobi….
This IS The Podcast You’re Looking For!
Additional contact info:
email: Jayk@coffeewithkenobi.com
Starships, Sabers and Scoundrels co-host. Email to Scubedpod@retrozap.com
Instagram: @jay.krebs (personal) @KrebsKlass (classroom)
Pinterest: Jay Krebs
Classroom Twitter: @KrebsKlass
Proud to be Rogue 7 at Star Wars in the Classroom!
Po-Zu Contact information:
For email and additional contact info, visit the site
Po-Zu is an affiliate of Coffee With Kenobi.
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