Prague’s Footshop has made quite a name for themselves in the few years since their inception. Offering some of the best footwear in the game, the Czech store is teaming up with KangaROOS for their first-ever collab, the”City of a Thousand Spires” Ultimate 3.
Footshop’s story begins in 2011 when founder Peter Hajduček dove headfirst into combining his passion for skateboarding, design, and marketing. Rooted in Prague, Czech Republic, Footshop first opened its doors as a skate store in the early 2010’s before a new team member pitched the idea of selling lifestyle shoes in 2014. The decision to pivot the brand turned out to be a good one for the Footshop team, as a wider range of footwear helped their products move faster. Around the same time, the founders of the store were vying to sell large global brands like Nike and adidas. While these legendary sportswear labels eagerly accepted them into the fold, it wouldn’t be until 2017 that an international footwear brand would partner with them for a limited-edition release.
For their first-ever collaborative sneaker release and the first from a Czecho-Slovakian boutique, Footshop has teamed up with the US-based KangaROOS for a hot new take on their Ultimate 3 silhouette. The project began back in 2017 when Footshop’s graphic designer and shoedog Kovo led a team trip to the shoemaker’s German factory. There, the FS crew spent time reviewing different materials and colors, making selections that would eventually become their own collaboration.
Titled “The City of a Thousand Spires”, the Footshop x KangaROOS Ultimate 3 represents Prague’s seemingly endless spires and pointed roofs seen across the city. This imagery can clearly be seen along the jagged green overlay running around the Ultimate 3’s toebox. The colors of the new shoe are also reminiscent of Footshop’s home, mixing shades of brown and green to represent the palette of the city’s many historic buildings. While the choice of colors and materials are certainly something to marvel at, the most interesting part of Footshop and KangaROOS’ new project lies in its construction. To ensure that each pair is made with care and attention to detail employees of the German KangaROOS facility will be making the shoes by hand. While this method is ultimately slower, the quality and pristine look of the end result makes it well worth the effort.
FOOTSHOP X KANGAROOS ULTIMATE 3 “THE CITY OF A THOUSAND SPIRES” RELEASE INFORMATION
The new Footshop x KangaROOS Ultimate 3 will release exclusively from the Czech retailer. Produced in limited numbers and premium materials, the “City of a Thousand Spires” will launch via raffle beginning on September 19th, and closing on the 22nd. Due to the nature of this pair, the retail price will be 270 Euros, or approximately $315. Check out the incredible imagery for the Footshop x KangaROOS Ultimate 3 below, and stay tuned to JustFreshKicks for more intriguing new sneaker collaborations.
Words by Ben Serleth, images supplied by Footshop
