Introduction
Clan’s SNKR Stealth Edition riding sneakers have become my everyday companion, especially on office commutes. These shoes have a lot of impressive features about which I’ve written at length in our introduction report. Over 7-8 months of usage, I’ve liked it for many reasons. However, I also have a reason to not recommend it to everyone. In that case, let’s take a look at what we’ve liked about the Clan sneakers so far and what we think could be better.
Likes
The casual and funky look of these sneakers is one of the top reasons for me to reach out to them almost every time I head out for rides within city confines. They go well with riding denim of any shade, especially the black/orange trim which we have. The orange-coloured stripes and sole add a touch of bling and the compact proportions don’t make it look too bulky, unlike most other short riding boots on the market.
The flexibility and comfort offered by the sneakers also make them suitable for everyday use. The oiled leather used around the ankle is not very thick and that makes it easy to walk in these shoes or fold your ankle while sitting or riding a bike. Even the internals are soft enough to not cause any stabbing or pinching sensation while being on the move. Moreover, owing to the sole being flat and thin, walking in these shoes all day long feels natural and it doesn’t induce any aches by the end of the day. Also, wearing these during the monsoon revealed that the level of grip offered by its geometric rubber sole is commendable, even on the most slippery of surfaces.
The Clan sneakers are also quite rugged and haven’t shown any major signs of wear and tear despite my rigorous usage over the last few months. The outer black leather surface has lost its finish to some extent and doesn’t look as fresh as it was in the initial days, even after thoroughly cleaning or polishing the shoes. However, there are no creases or wrinkles to be been seen on the shoes, let alone a cut. Even the stitching has remained intact.
Dislikes
The biggest shortcoming of the Clan sneakers is the lack of protection in favour of style and comfort. All you get is small sections of thermoformed layer for toes and heels along with TPU discs for ankles. What would’ve given me more sense of safety is slightly higher collar integrating thicker material for protection from ankle twist. Plus, a sturdier toe box along with a stiffer outsole would add to the overall safety quotient.
Another issue is the effort required to put the sneakers on or to take them off owing to the presence of a single fastening mechanism – laces. You need to untie a large part it to comfortably take the sneakers off or put them on. The inclusion of a Velcro strap or zippers on the sides would’ve made the overall process much easier and faster.
Lastly, Clan should introduce more colour options. Since there are ‘sneakers’, having funkier colour options makes sense and it will give buyers more choices to pair them up with different shades of riding denims.
Conclusion
The Clan Stealth Edition riding sneakers are a good option for those who want a more protective alternative to casual sneakers or sports shoes for city runabouts. They are visually cool, comfortable and, as we realised over many months of usage, quite durable. For Rs. 5,299 (non-waterproof), these are nearly as affordable as many casual sneakers from reputed footwear brands but they offer certain level of protection for toes, heels, and ankles. However, I wouldn’t recommend these for your weekend jaunts, dirt rides, or long hauls, when we generally ride at a faster pace and are more susceptible to crashes and injuries which calls for a higher level of protection.
Product Details
Make: Clan
Model: Stealth Edition riding sneakers
Price: Rs. 5,299
Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi
Gallery
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Lambretta V125 Right Front Three Quarter
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