Ever since American basketballer Chuck Taylor lent his name to a distinctive pair of sneakers, shoes have been associated with athletes. But even as esports continue to rise in cultural prominence, we’ve not seen a pair of sneakers made for gaming’s athletes. Until now.
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Behold. What you see above is a shoe designed for esports competition. It’s a collaboration between K-Swiss and esports organization The Immortals, exclusively for the Immortals’ professional teams.
Together, the companies are launching two footwear models: the one pictured above is a “lifestyle” model, while the other is a performance shoe designed both for travel and long hours behind a computer desk. The lifestyle shoe is based on K-Swiss’ “Kompass,” which has a breathable mesh top and flexible sole, plus a “pillow-like” insole that cushions the heel.
The performance model will debut in 2019, and the design will be based on K-Swiss visiting the Immortals’ training facility in Los Angeles and incorporating what they find there into a shoe that is “cool, lightweight, and breathable.”
The Immortals x K-Swiss lifestyle shoe is set to launch for consumers in December at a retail price of $110 USD, and it’ll be available through select retailers and on K-Swiss’ website.
The L.A.-based Immortals field professional teams in Dota 2, Smash, Clash Royale, and Arena of Valor.
Top image credit: Immortals x K-Swiss