In case you missed it, Arc Originals released its very first sneaker last month. The brand is Scotland’s only sneaker company, and its first shoe, The Outset Vol. I’, is a masterpiece. Maybe it’s just beginner’s luck, but it looks — and feels like — Arc has already struck gold.
Presentation is key for budding brands, and Arc Originals gets a perfect score in that department. The shoebox itself is designed to look like a classic tome, with faux pages and gold hits all over. On top, the words “Volume I” shine. On the side, “Vol. I” and “The Outset” are placed where the title and the author would be. It’s a very unique look.
Inside the box is an envelope, sealed with a wax Arc Originals logo. It contains stickers and a thank you note, accompanied by a number out of 100. This is in reference to your individual pair, as only 100 pairs were made (I received No. 22). The shoes themselves come in a dust bag that feels nice to the touch. A laser-etched hangtag comes with them as well.
Outfitted in a gray knit with green suede overlays and blood orange accents, the shoes pay homage to the Scottish Highlands and founder Austin Yule’s hometown of Aberdeen, or as it’s otherwise known, “The Granite City.”
The upper feels light yet durable, and the sneakers never feel too snug. Although stiff at first, the ride is extremely comfortable; the Outset Vol. 1 features a full-length EVA foam midsole and an EVA insole that is very similar to standard OrthoLite. Slipping is never an issue either, thanks to the molded ankle and heel area.
The overall build quality and craftsmanship is what really struck me, though. In a time when loose threads and poor materials are the norm The Outset is flawless. I looked hard for those little defects on my pair, but I couldn’t even find one.
You can still snag a pair for yourself on Arc’s website for £95.00 (approx. $127). Only select sizes are available so act fast if you’re interested.
Photography, modeling, and words by Garrett Chorpenning. Exclusively for WearTesters.
Very cool. I wonder if they will decide to take a stab at a more modern cushioning system.
The overlays are great. This is how basketball shoes should be. A mesh or knit upper with suede, nubuck, or leather support panels/overlays.
Better looking, and feeling, than fuse. Plus, it breaks in better, and sooner. At 38 years old, I guess I can be a little old fashioned. But when the basketball shoes of my youth we’re all leather, nubuck, or suede, watcha gonna do.