In April 2020 I started working at Onlife, which had at that time just released a mobile phone game called Aglet. The game was a map based game similar to Pokemon Go, where players would navigate to locations around them and collect in game assets such as sneakers and street wear.

Initially I was employed as a casual, just helping out a friend who was one of the co-founders of the company. We were in business together with the real estate business, and he knew I could do with a few extra dollars given that real estate was essentially shut down due to lockdowns. When I started there were just a handful of us. Things grew very quickly and the role was made full time. I was essentially handling all of the in-game support requests and engaging with the community on our Discord chat server.

The game revolved around sneakers and street wear culture. We were releasing a lot of very cool sneakers into the game, and players were loving the ability to collect their favourite sneakers, albeit digital versions of them, in a game that was fun to play. 

One of the “hype” brands was Adidas Yeezy’s. Designed by Ye, these shoes were as much a hit inside the game as they were in real life. One of the more popular Yeezy’s is the “Waverunner”, and so it wasn’t a big surprise that my colleagues gave me the nickname “Daverunner”, a play on my name and the popular Yeezy shoe. 

So in all my engagements with our players, they knew me as Daverunner. So it made sense (to me at least) that I begin agitating for us to release a Daverunner shoe inside the game. To that end, I began dropping subtle hints in team meetings, and also began stirring up our players, getting them onboard with the idea that releasing a Daverunner was a good idea.

Our Senior Illustrator, Dan, came up with an impressive design which incorporated numerous elements that were relevant to me, and in time the tide was too much for management to ignore, and the Daverunner was released into the game. 

At the time, the release of this digital shoe was the most successful of any we’d released to date, including shoes like Nike, Adidas, New Balance etc. For an “unknown” shoe, it gave us an insight into the fact that the “hype” around particular shoes wasn’t always just due to the shoe being popular in real life already, but that we could manufacture our own hype around a brand. 

Over the next few years, we successfully created and launched 16 “Daverunner” shoes, all with differing styles and colours, but all featuring the Daverunner name on the sole, and all backed by the hype we created around the brand. 

In addition, we released a further 12 shoes which featured “Dave” in one way or another. I had become a meme within a game. 

If you’re interested, you can read about how we set about manufacturing the digital version of the Daverunner into a real shoe and made it available to purchase, ultimately selling over 700 pairs worldwide.

Here is a list of all the “Dave shoes” we created and released;

AGLET ONE ‘DAVERUNNER 

AGLET ONE ‘DAVERUNNER 2.0’ 

AGLET ONE HIGH ‘DAVERUNNER’ 

AGLET ONE ‘DAVERUNNER GA’ 

AGLET GRIND ‘DAVERUNNER 

AGLET ONE HIGH ‘DAVERUNNER GA’ 

DIME ‘DAVERUNNER’ 

AGLET ONE ‘BANNED DAVERUNNER’ 

AGLET ONE ‘DAVERUNNER NFT 

AGLET ONE ‘DAVERUNNER IRL’ 

AGLET ONE ‘GREEN DAVERUNNER’ 

AGLET ONE ‘BLUE DAVERUNNER’ 

AGLET ONE ‘YELLOW DAVERUNNER’ 

AGLET ONE ‘FLANNEL DAVERUNNER’ 

POSITIVE INDUSTRIES JMPR PRO ‘DAVERUNNER’

AGLET ONE HIGH ‘DAVERUNNER ALL WHITE’ 

AGLET GRIND ‘DAVEBOT’ 

AGLET SOCKS ’N’ SLIDES ‘HOT DAVES’ 

AGLET ONE ‘WHAT THE’ 

AGLET ONE HIGH ‘WHAT THE’ 

AGLET TELGA ‘BEACH’ 

AGLET ONE HIGH ‘HOT DAVES’ 

GRIND ‘BANOCCOLI’

AGLET FREEFLOW ‘HOT DAVE’

TELGA ‘NAFLA UNIVERSE’

SEVEN ‘WILD WEST’

SEVEN ‘HAPPY ANIMALS’

AGLET VELCRO DAVEHOPPER

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The LØCI x Blue Marine Foundation NINE isn’t just another sneaker—it’s a sneaker with a conscience. Handmade in Portugal, every pair is part of LØCI’s push to make sustainability actually look good. And I’ve got to say, they’ve nailed it. The navy colourway with stone and red accents walks that fine line between sharp and subtle. It’s the kind of pair you can wear to the pub without your mates noticing they’re vegan, but fancy enough that people in the know will clock them immediately.

What I love is that they didn’t just go halfway. The upper is 100% vegan and water-resistant, so you’re not squelching home if you step in a puddle. Inside, you’ve got a custom cork insole—soft, springy, and less impact on your knees (which, let’s be honest, aren’t what they used to be). Underneath, the lightweight recycled rubber outsole gives you durability without feeling like you’ve strapped bricks to your feet.

And then there’s the Blue Marine Foundation tie-in. A chunk of the profits goes to ocean conservation, which means while you’re stomping around in style, you’re also helping save a few fish and maybe a dolphin or two. That’s a win-win in my book.

Bottom line? These aren’t just sneakers, they’re a statement. They say you care about the planet but still want to look sharp doing it. And if anyone gives you grief about wearing vegan kicks, just remind them you’ve probably got a better sneaker game than they do.

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Joe Freshgoods (JFG) has a knack for turning sneakers into little pieces of art, and this one is no exception. The theme here revolves around camouflage — not just as a pattern, but as a concept. In hip hop, in fashion, in life, camo has always been about both hiding and standing out. JFG flips that into a custom camo print mesh underlay, tucked beneath embroidered suede overlays that shift depending on how you look at them. It’s layered, it’s playful, and it’s personal.

The colourway, nicknamed “Lil’ Deserts,” plays with sandy tones and earthy textures, which gives the 610 a streetwear-meets-trail vibe. It feels like a sneaker equally at home on a dusty back road or styled up with a fit for the city.

Performance-wise, you’ve got all the hallmarks of the 610: an EVA midsole that keeps it light underfoot and a durable rubber outsole that grips no matter where you wear them. Comfort isn’t sacrificed for style here — they’re surprisingly wearable for a shoe that looks this complex.

What really stands out is the subtle branding. You’ll find a JFG-branded insert and little touches that only true fans will spot. It’s that attention to detail that makes this collab more than just another logo slapped on a New Balance.

For me, the “Lil’ Deserts” are a reminder that the best sneakers don’t just look good — they tell stories. And JFG has told one here that’s all about what’s hidden beneath the surface.

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But sneaker drops aren’t always about what’s on paper. By the time this pair landed, Aglet’s release schedule had caught up with us. Supply chain delays meant the other three colourways came late, then all at once, so by the time White Gum hit the shelves, buyers were already feeling tapped out. Even the most loyal players — and we had plenty — were reluctant to part with cash yet again so soon.

It’s a shame, because the White Gum is probably the most versatile of the four. The upper kept things pared back in all-white, letting the gum sole do the talking. It wasn’t loud, but that was the point — this was meant to be the everyday pair, the one you could beat up and still look good.

From a design standpoint, it carried all the hallmarks of the Aglet One Low: sturdy construction, attention to detail, and that crossover feel between digital culture and real-world sneaker design. But sometimes, even when the shoe’s right, the timing’s wrong.

The White Gum ended up being a sleeper — underappreciated when it dropped, maybe better respected down the line. If you copped a pair, hold onto them. Sometimes the shoes that don’t sell are the ones people come back for later.

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As part of my role with Aglet, I worked closely with the Garrixon team when we rolled out the Aglet One Low series — from the OG, to the Daverunner, and the Black Gum. The shoes were solid, but what I really loved was seeing how passionate and hands-on the Garrixon crew were with their craft. They weren’t just making sneakers; they were making stories.

That’s where the Garrixon Zoo comes in. It’s a side project from their team of creatives who dive into their library of rare and unusual materials, then cook up 1/1 designs. These aren’t pairs you can cop off a shelf, they’re proper one-offs, made with the kind of love and attention to detail that big-scale production can’t touch.

Recently, I was lucky enough to be sent my own pair of Aglet One Lows as part of the Garrixon Zoo. Same silhouette as the others we’d released, but completely unique. What blew me away wasn’t just the shoes themselves, but the presentation.

The box arrived like a piece of art. Stickers, stencils, and stapled warning labels all hand-made. Inside, the shoes rested on straw lining, like a rare specimen on display. Every detail had been thought through to make the unboxing as memorable as the sneakers.

That’s the Garrixon magic. They understand that sneakers aren’t just footwear, they’re culture, storytelling, and experience wrapped in leather, suede, and laces. My Garrixon Zoo Aglet One Low isn’t just a 1/1 pair of kicks, it’s a reminder of why I love this world so much.

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This Light Cream Purple colorway is a perfect example of why the shoe has gained so much love. The creamy mesh base sets the stage, pairing beautifully with premium navy suede overlays that give it structure and depth. The muted tones make it super wearable, while the pops of purple around the midsole and the iconic N logo add just enough personality to keep things interesting.

On foot, the 2002R absolutely shines. New Balance didn’t just re-release the silhouette — they upgraded it. The midsole features ABZORB cushioning for comfort and N-ergy shock absorption in the heel for impact protection. It’s that blend of retro runner aesthetics with modern comfort that makes the 2002R one of the best everyday sneakers in rotation right now.

The Light Cream Purple colorway in particular feels premium. The mix of materials — suede, mesh, and a sturdy rubber outsole — gives it that classic New Balance craftsmanship, while the neutral palette makes it easy to wear with just about anything. Jeans, cargos, even shorts — they all work.

Released on September 7, 2022 at $140, this pair didn’t grab the same hype as some of the Protection Pack drops, but that’s part of the appeal. It’s low-key, it’s stylish, and it’s built to last. If you’re after a clean everyday sneaker with NB’s signature quality and comfort, the 2002R Light Cream Purple deserves a spot in your rotation.

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Mostly white in colour, the shoe featured grey highlights, along with purple trim and striking green laces.

When Aglet moved towards creating the shoe in real life, we released a small number to staff and investors, and then made 300 available in game, along with a bonus NFT for every purchaser.

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The GT 2 silhouette is classic ASICS — reliable, wearable, and low-key stylish. But this collab adds a twist. The botanical-inspired design is subtle but fresh, pulling earthy greens across the suede upper with layered detailing that makes the shoe feel rich without being loud. It’s the kind of sneaker that looks as good with jeans as it does with cargos or shorts.

Comfort is standard ASICS greatness. The GEL midsole makes these an easy all-day wear, and the GT 2 has that slightly retro runner vibe that feels timeless. It’s not chasing hype, it’s just a clean, thoughtful design with enough story behind it to make you appreciate what’s on foot.

What I really like is how this collab reflects Melbourne sneaker culture. Up There has been holding it down as one of the city’s premier sneaker spots, and seeing them team with ASICS — a brand I already love — was a no-brainer. The release felt authentic, not forced.

Dropped on May 6, 2022, the Botanical Union GT 2 might not have set resale charts on fire, but it didn’t need to. It’s one of those sneakers that reminds you why you collect in the first place — for the design, the story, and the personal connection.

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