I wear sneakers most of the time. They’re comfortable, they go with almost everything, and while I used to only wear plain white sneakers in the past few years I’ve started branching out into more striking grays and browns.
Yeah, fashion may not exactly be my thing, although I do have the snazzy red pair for when I want to dance the blues, and I also tend to go for what I can find on sale because I walk a lot and a pair is going to last me six months at the most.
Still I’m kind of tempted by a new Adidas sneaker made in collaboration with Berlin’s transit authority BVG, or at least I would be if they were available anywhere near me. They’re being sold exclusively in only two Berlin stores, they’re limited to a run of 500 pairs, only two shops in Berlin will be selling them, and, while I dig the design that’s based on the Berlin transit upholstery even though it’s meant to discourage graffiti–actually it looks more like a “we can’t beat ‘em so let’s join ‘em” design to me, but that’s another story, I couldn’t take advantage of the footwear’s primary feature.
The sneaker’s tongue will include a feature that’s arguably more striking—a fabric version of the annual BVG season ticket. That means the wearer gets free travel on subways, trams, buses, and ferries anywhere within Berlin public transit zones A and B— which cover almost all of the city—from January 31st to the end of the year.
That’s financially a pretty cool deal and it’s fantastic that Berlin is encouraging the use of public transit, even if only five-hundred people will get the golden ticket. I’m jealous, and also jealous that Berliners don’t just have buses but also subways, trams, and ferries, proving that sneakers really do go with everything.
When I turn 65 next month, Chris, I’ll be getting fashionable deals on public transportation around Boston. With all the walking I do, I quickly wear down my sneakers and my snow boots, too.
As always, I’m glad that blogging is your thing. Your posts go with everything.
Congratulations on turning 65, and one of the benefits of having your birthday on Groundhog Day is you’ll get to relive it again and again. You’re very lucky to be getting fashionable deals on public transportation in Boston.
Too bad they don’t have those in Nashville. That would be right up your alley, or the bus that drives down it. My sneakers also have about a six month lifespan and are currently overdue for replacement. Thanks for reminding me!
I’m glad I could help remind you to get new sneakers. There have been a few times that my wife has had to point out that there are holes in the soles of my sneakers and that they’re flapping when I walk. That’s the downside of these Berlin sneakers: I don’t think they’d last the entire year, but I guess I could just remove the pass and keep it.