Spring means new things; new trees, new loves and of most importance to some, new kicks. Vans OTW will be releasing an updated Ludlow in the spring which captures the classic silhouette that Vans Ludlow is famous for, yet subtly refines the sneaker through the combination and use of premium materials. The Vans OTW Ludlow will be available to you in a black premium waxed canvas or a pairing of canvas and full grain leather. Spring also marks the Vans OTW debut of the Ludlow Decon, a variation of the Vans sneaker with minimalist construction.

New Year, new shoes, we often post kicks for looks and not function, but today we take a different approach and highlight some shoes purely from the perspective of function. In the end however, by using these kicks as intended you will look good when you wear them and when you take them off.

New Balance 860 2

(pictured in black and yellow)

First up and fresh is the New Balance 860. The 860 is an update of a previously successful New Balance stability trainer of the same name. Premium padding, mesh upper, support and advanced heel cushioning technology along with added features for shock absorption should serve well for overall use on the varied amount of terrain you come across while getting your run on.

Reebok has jumped into the real running, barefoot running movement with a competitor to the popular Nike Free Run, their own Reebok RealFlex. Taking an approach different from Nike when it comes to “barefoot running”, Reebok emphasizes foot strike and protection. With a low-profile construction and 76 individual pads on the sole of the sneaker to provide protection and a more accurate response, Reebok claims to have perfected natural movement. Reebok RealFlex

With more than half of the past decade dedicated to bringing this shoe to your feet, 7 years to be exact, the Mizuno Wave Prophecy hopes to establish a new standard in running shoes. Utilizing an updated version of the Mizuno Infinity Wave Plate, a midsole replacement that responds to pronation while running, the Wave Prophecy is bucking in the face of Nike silhouettes and shoes with lower profiles. You should expect this latest Mizuno runner to appear on the heels your chasing May 7^th, a day after its release.

Additional information RunningShoeGuru’s Mizuno Wave Prophecy Review | Exclusive Stack Mizuno Interview

The Nike Free Run + 2 running silhouette is the technologically advanced follow up to the wildly popular, Nike Free Run+. The innovative sneaker expands on existing Nike Free technology and carefully mimics the intricate structure of your foot, giving you the support you need, while at the same time providing you with a wide range of movement so your foot can move more naturally while in motion.

Pictured is a Nike Free Run+ 2 silhouette in a sick Green Apple colorway. You can find Nike Free Runs in more colors over @ nicekicks. However, if you want to personalize a pair, make your own over at NikeID.

While the Spring/Summer Adidas SLVR Collection of 2011 looks to deliver a fresh twist on New England prep classics, the Adidas S-M-L Concept bolts in the opposite direction, showcasing everything but what we consider New England prep style. With a futuristic, yet-tribal looking profile, the Adidas S-M-L  has a 4-way stretch mesh upper that fits comfortably around the natural lines of your foot. Minimalist in approach, but extraordinary in design, the Adidas SLVR S-M-L Concept almost eliminates the need to ask for different size shoes to try on when shopping in store and should reduce the amount of kicks you return when you buy online. Consider the Adidas S-M-L Concept Future Prep.

With spring, the dark and muted colors we’ve become accustomed to begin to fade away and the bright and vibrant colors of the new season begin to take hold. Just as nature gives you more colors to choose from so do sneaker companies, and Supra is no exception. Recently announced is the Supra Wrap, a two-piece canvas shoe that comes in all the colors of the rainbow, plus a few more, including white, grey, brown, charcoal and black. With smooth lines, and pop art colors, the Supra Wrap canvas sneaker is a simple way to accessorize and seamlessly tie together your colors from head to toe.

While the streets may be a bit safer with the recent release of the Supra Skytop Dirty Harry, named after the iconic film starring the acting legend Clint Eastwood, the Supra Skytop Black Bear 413 Edition is the shoe that stands out among recent Supra releases. With SUPRAFOAM injected through the midsole and high memory polyurethane for the heel, the 413 Edition Skytop will give you great board feel, shoe flex and protection. This shoe is a great blend of skate sneaker technology and beauty, but unfortunately Supra only made 413 sequentially numbered pairs in the entire world. Available for purchase from six select locations.

Spring started officially last week and nature is beginning to make the transition from cold and barren to warm and fruitful. With that warmth comes a bit more color. This spring vintage sneaker label PF Flyers will add a few new color options to the casually cool, deconstructed, low-profile PF Flyers no.5 sneaker. Pictured is a cross weaved canvas version of the PF Flyers Number 5 sneaker in red with a navy chevron other choices include white with black and the pairing of navy with red.

In white and wolf grey with specs of black here and there, this Jordan CMFT colorway perfectly highlights the strengths of the two classic Nike sneakers it combines, the Nike Air Max 97 and the Air Jordan XII. With almost seamless integration, you would think the Jordan CMFT Max Air 12 was a completely original design. The Air Jordan XII upper sits with lines fanning out like the Japanese Rising sun perfectly atop the air cushion provided by the Air Max 97 that coincidentally was inspired by a Japanese bullet train.