The And1 Step Back Mids (performance)

[Sole Spotlight – 4.16.12] – The And1 Step Back Mids (performance)

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Images: Flash and And1 USA website

Sole Spotlight is back, and this blog section (which focuses on a random shoe model that I’ve picked out) will focus on another shoe model that was NOT released locally but has a similar counterpart.  That model is the AND1 Step Back Mid.  The local counterpart for the Step Back is the Triple A Plus Mid. 

The obvious difference is the A1 (And1) logo on the lateral side of the Triple A Plus Mid instead of the Player logo like the one on the Step Back.  Posted below some images of the Triple A Plus (left) versus the Step Back (right) for reference.

I was able to obtain this pair along with the Sabotage Mid (previously featured in Sole Spotlight last March, click HERE for related article) around the last week of November towards the 1^st week of December 2011.  Like the other 3 shoe models that I got from AND1 USA (again, shoutouts to Rob Purvy and Becky Cheng), I decided to wear it at a later time since receiving it, and this pair remains unused until today.

This model features a “lightweight, synthetic leather upper provides lasting durability.” On the black/black version however, the upper is somewhat suede instead of leather, and that means additional care if you intend to use it outdoors.  It also has “a drop-in PE midsole creates cushion with a low-pro look.”

Similar to the Triple A Plus Mid, the presence of the “Harmonix heel airbags absorb the impact from all-day play” while “high-abrasion herringbone outsoles offer multidirectional grip.”   I really like that subtle Tai Chi tribute with the Yin Yang design in the outsole.  Model specifications courtesy of the official And1 USA website (www.and1.com).

As always, I’ve posted more images of the shoe below for everyone’s reference.  The Step Back Mid is a shoe model that is best used indoors, given my black/black colorway has a suede upper.  Special care is required to prevent scruffing but for the most part, I love how everything just flows to give the shoe a very simple but no-nonsense feel.  From the shoelaces, to the Harmonix heel airbags, up to the Player logo (which I really dig), this model would have sold more pairs had it been released locally instead of the Triple A Plus Mid, in my honest opinion.

Check out more of Sole Spotlight in the succeeding months, only from And1 Ph.  ONE!