Holy Sneakers, Batman! Shoes Inspired by the Caped Crusader

Want to slink around like Batman without having to do any of the messy crime-fighting stuff? 

Footwear inspired by Batman is having a moment, allowing you to embrace your gravelly voiced inner hero. You may not be ready to go full-on cosplay Caped Crusader but you can slide into a pair of Crocs inspired by the Batmobile or stomp around in a pair of work boots stamped with the Batman logo. 

“It's high-octane style. The Batman Batmobile Classic Clog is ready to own the night (and the day) with a design inspired by Batman’s ride — right down to the bat wings on the side of the strap. And you can customize your new favorite mode of transportation, with Jibbitz charms. To the Batcave!” reads the product description.

Cat Footwear’s summary of its $135 Intruder Galosh calls its “Overbuilt and unapologetic. Drawing inspiration from the world’s greatest detective, those rain-drenched Gotham City™ streets don’t stand a chance.” Cat’s Batman Colorado Grader boot is already sold out.

In conjunction with 2022’s “The Batman,” Puma released a limited edition collection that included sneakers, hoodies, T-shirts and track suits. 

Although not an official collab, Highsnobiety noted that a new colorway of the Nike Air Max 90 pays homage to the Dark Knight -- just as pair of Nike Air Max 95’s did in 2019, Batman’s 80th year. 

And speaking of Nike, actor Michael Keaton recently shed light on a piece of sneakerhead lore, discussing the modified Air Jordan 6s he wore in the 1989 “Batman” film. “I got ‘em stashed away, dude. How much would you give me for them?” he said in July to football player turned podcaster Cam Heyward. 

Your last pair of Batman shoes may have had two velcro straps or a toy bust at the end of footie slippers -- it’s time to upgrade!

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🕹Nintendo shared a glimpse of the Switch 2, it’s newest console set for a 2025 launch. It will replace the Switch, which sold 146 million units since arriving in 2017. A new gaming system always presents industry-shaking possibilities, but one observer for Digital Trends noted that Switch 2 signifies the end of the “toy” console calling it “the safest, most buttoned up piece of hardware Nintendo has ever made.” The bright colors and fun design features of Nintendo’s past are absent on this sleek, black model. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of whimsy coming for the Switch 2: one of the first games available will be “Mario Kart.” 

💪With LA Strong serving as a rally cry for helping a ravaged city rebuild from wild fires, Fast Company explored the origin of “strong” as a response to hardship. Nike and Lance Armstrong launched Livestrong in 2004 joining others in the spirit of tenacity displayed by the cyclist’s recovery from cancer. More than 100 million yellow bracelets were sold for $1 each, raising money for cancer survivors. That campaign fizzled after Armstrong’s doping scandal but “strong” endured as cities like Boston, Las Vegas and Orlando branded their recovery from violent tragedies. “The slogan is a simple message for communities that won’t be cowed, divided or defeated in the face of tragedy.” 

📼Get the popcorn ready -- plus the chicken and Baby Ruths. New “Gremlins” and “Goonies” films are in development at Warner Bros. Discovery. Earning only a single mention in a detailed report from the studio, according to The Hollywood Reporter, we know very little except that the original “Gremlins” writer, Chris Columbus, is connected to the new project. “Goonies” hit theaters in 1985, and we last saw Gizmo and the gang in 1990’s “Gremlins 2: The New Batch.” 

Cool content

With the passing of Bob Uecker on Jan. 16, we lost “Mr. Baseball.” We’re also left missing a man who used self-deprecation and quick wit to transcend that sport. Uecker still broadcasted games at 90 for the Milwaukee Brewers’ 2024 season, but when it comes to his non-baseball contributions many of us think of the 1980s. In that decade, he’d star in six seasons of TV’s “Mr. Belvedere,” appear regularly on “The Tonight Show,” be a guest broadcaster at WrestleManias and gift us a series of commercials for Miller Lite. (Additionally on the baseball front, he had a small but beloved role as announcer Harry Doyle in the “Major League” movies -- “juuusssttt a bit outside.”) In tribute, USA Today Sports compiled his best beer commercials. Cheers to The Ueck! 

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