Style 43

Backyard Jam2003. I’m a 15 year old bmx bod having the time of his life at the Bournemouth Exhibition Centre, several ciders deep enjoying the stunt-tacular feats unfolding before my eager eyes. This was before the days of bikes that weighed less than newborn babies and skinny jean debates clogged up the internet. The golden era of bmx, some might say, when people rode for ridings sake and fun was the order of the day. And at this marvellous event where hammers were getting dropped left, right and centre and Taj was busting out gaps that would make an eskimo sweat, that I saw the greatest line I have ever seen attempted. Some classic metal began pumping out of the speakers and Matt Beringer came out of the shadows , yet little did we know what he was building up to.

There was a quarter pipe about 7ft high with a wall about 15ft away from it with a small air vent. Beringer, being the legend that he is (frontflips in Props: Passport, 2001 anyone?) took it upon himself to try and stall this wall/vent and get back into the ramp again. And fuck me he came pretty close! I had never seen this level of originality, a total disregard for any rulebook in existence, just riding how and what he wanted to. Where others were doing snazzy whip combos, Beringer did 1080 sitting down rollbacks on top of ramps and griz airs.

With this long standing level of respect already in place for Mr. Beringer, I felt it was apt that when offered the chance to review a shoe for Orchid that it had to be his. First up, brown shoes: always a winner. Though not the obvious choice, you can get away with wearing these badboys to events as diverse as a Bar Mitzvah or a night at Russian Bar on Kingsland Road. The opportunities are endless. I’ve not worn leather shoes in a while but I have to say, although perhaps a little less kind to the animals than synthetic shoes, they do mould to your feet well and are definitely more comfortable. This is down to the give they have; where a synthetic shoe will tear, these will stretch. So when you’re putting your shoes on by shoving your feet into them till they’re on, they won’t end up with scabby, shredded backs.

Orchids are obviously bmx specific shoes, so it will come as no surprise that they are a treat to pedal a cycle in. People have varying tastes in the sole department and I’ve been on both sides of the fence regarding this debate, but ultimately when it comes to riding a bmx at least, stiff soles suit me better, which thankfully these shoes possess. They’re also good for climbing in, not the sort of climbing Bear Grylls might partake in, but rather climbing in an urban environment such as over a big fucking spikey fence in a hurry, or into Stockwell skatepark (which looks nearing completion) for an evenings shredding, hearing Pirate Tony’s pearls of wisdom.

Finally, the main hurdle: price. £50 is not at all bad for a decent pair of sneakers than can be used both on and off yer bike. I’ve been running them for well over a month now, and I have no gripes to report. I’m still riding brakeless, I still have a slick back tyre and the soles are still in good nick! Plus, on the logo on the tongue there are two cobras coming off it. Plus, they’re Beringer’s signature shoes. What more do you need to know? Buy a pair, cut the sleeves off your teeshirt, stick some classic Iron Maiden records on your walkman and head down to a dirt flyout to learn x-up 1 footers. What are you waiting for?

Massive thanks to Colin at Seventies, top dude.

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