The funny thing about living in California for so long is the perception that people outside of Cali have of the state. In most people’s minds if I say I’m from San Diego they will ask me a question about Oakland as if Oakland is near San Diego. People automatically assume you’re either from LA or the Bay, but they really don’t understand that Cali is long enough to be three different states and that even in San Diego you can wake up and go to the beach and at night you can drive and hike a mountain. In one day you can dip your feet in the ocean and then ski Big Bear. It’s this duality that exists in Cali that makes the North Face and Vans brands that were born in the Sunshine State. One brand is for skaters and the other is for outdoor enthusiast willing to brave cold climates. When you combine the two what you get is a rugged, classic skate shoe bold enough to take on the elements, but fresh enough to rock on the east coast in cold weather. It’s an amazing combination and at 100.00 I could have easily placed this higher… but you never know what might show up higher.
