When designing footwear for people demanding the highest level of reliability on the trail, keeping it fashionable for casual use can be tricky. Successful endeavors we’ve seen before manage to mask the rugged functionality of their kicks with aesthetics that look great even in urban settings. The Sansin by Brandblack illustrates this perfectly.

With athletic footwear veteran David Raysse at the helm of this label, style is not an issue here. Its vast catalog of products should tell you that Brandblack knows exactly what consumers want. The previous stints of its founder as the former Director of Basketball at Adidas and lead designer at FILA sure help give the Sansin a distinct appeal.

The choice of what goes into each construction matters. It determines how well the shoe fits, performs, and withstands whatever you throw at it. As such, the Sansin opts for a durable mix of nylon mesh, synthetic fabrics, TPU film, and leather for the upper. The translucent properties of the materials expose what’s under to create distinctive patterns.

Then there are the brown suede accents on the lace cages, vamp, and tongue. The Brandblack signature also adorns the suede section of the tongue. The shoe uses a cord lock closure for its speed lacing system, which makes it easy to adjust for the best comfort. Its heel shows a black pull tab and a brown suede counter.

The Sansin relies on an EVA foam midsole for cushioning. Walk and hike with confidence as the Vibram WRAPTECH sole touts lugs inspired by bicycle tires. This provides exceptional grip and protection with every step you take. Brandblack markets the silhouette as a “crossover shoe that’s equal parts performance hiker and trail runner.”

Check Price

Images courtesy of Brandblack