Oliberté was founded in 2009 “with the concept of building premium outdoor leather shoes by quality crafts people resulting in creating sustainable jobs.” This idea is very simple and powerful: Trade not aid. Check out the website and you’ll see the wide variety of casual shoes and other leather products available from this brand made in Ethiopia.

They sent us a pair of the Narivo in Brown-Yellow Pullup casual men’s loafer to try out and we were very impressed with the quality and craftsmanship. The brown shoe is pictured above and you can see that it would be perfect with jeans or slacks and for all sorts of casual settings. The high quality leather is very soft, and the classic design also has a modern twist with the lighter colored soles. This pair comes in grey, tan and green as well.

Here are the specs for this pair that retails for $130:

• Traditional stitch-down stitching around base
• Premium brown/yellow pullup leather upper
• 100% goat leather dark brown lining
• Vegetable tanned leather midsole
• Natural crepe rubber outsole with wedge
• 3mm dark brown round leather cord laces

If you browse the website you’ll also see a wide variety of beautiful leather bags as well. When it comes to quality and design, we’re confident you’ll be happy with products from Oliberté, and with Father’s Day coming up soon, you can find some excellent gift ideas as well.

There are some shoes that command attention, and from the time I first tried on Rockport‘s new Parker Hill Moc shoes, they screamed style! You can keep a low profile look with the youthful Parker Hill Moc. With its hand-burnished, dip-dyed, full-grain leather upper, this men’s oxford teams up handsomely with your favorite chinos or denim; seaming details, including a split toe seam and understated moccasin toe, add rich detail. Bolstered by an adiPRENE by adidas dense foam pad to protect on heel strike, the polyurethane footbed is designed to manage moisture as it cushions. There are plenty of color choices to choose from (we tested the rocksand & red combo, which is pictured above) and can be found online at Zappos. The Rockport Parker Hill Moc Oxford is finished with rubber inserts in the sole for added shock absorption and enhanced traction.

The Parker Hill Moc Oxford is priced around $150.00, which is a bargain for the style and quality you literally walk away with. I can’t remember the last pair of shoes I wore that commanded so much attention and looked as good on me.

With warmer weather arriving, it’s time for boating season and having a great time outdoors. If you appreciate both style and comfort in your activities, check out the all new Clearview 2 Moc Low from www.rockport.com. Bottom line is these shoes are hot and you can wear them with just about any get-up.

The Clearview collection has found a way to make classy kicks street legal. Inside the trendsetting exterior is adiPRENE by adidas cushioning to absorb shock at the heel. EVA combined with rubber pads creates one of the lightest shoes in their range, but doesn’t sacrifice the comfort you come to expect from a Rockport shoe. The Clearview 2 collection is a contemporary collection of cup-soled dress sneakers with a retro feel, available in one-eye, chukka, lace-up and wingtip styles, which boasts a surprisingly lightweight silhouette based on the unique sole that features adidas technology. The Clearview 2 Mocs are already one of my favorite pair of shoes!

Most chukkas you see out on the street today look pretty smooth, but for those who desire the best, don’t waste any more time and check out the sleek UGG Kaldwell Chukkas from www.UGGAustralia.com. Out of the UGG casual wing, the Kaldwell Chukkas are the quintessential spring chukka boasting a burnished nubuck upper and seersucker-inspired, cotton-striped lining. Providing the pinnacle of whisperweight traction, a custom-created Vibram outsole lends signature UGG luxury. As spring and summer approach, you’ll see friends and strangers enjoying their days in the fresh UGG Kaldwell Chukkas.

If you or someone you know is shopping for shoes that can look great in both business casual and straight-up casual looks, check out the new Ledge Hill Wingtips from Rockport. We recently tested these fresh offerings from Rockport and the comfort level is really high. The Rockport Ledge Hill Wingtip men’s dress shoe takes the classic, dressy wingtip and makes it work for everyday casual occasions, with handsomely good looks and a wide array of colors and materials. The Ledge Hill Collection is the perfect embodiment of casual attitude that looks as good dressed up as it does dressed down. Full-grain leather is soft and supple with beautiful details that punctuate this lightweight shoe, which combines coziness with chic style.

You might know from checking out these shoes, but top of the line technology is involved here with:

· ADIPRENE that provides shock absorbing heel cushioning
· Full-grain leather that is easy to clean and maintain to extend product life, as well as suede leather which provides a casual look and great comfort
· EVA cushioning that conforms to the shape of the foot for a personalized fit

The bottom line is that the Rockport Ledge Hill wingtip has classic looks with modern technology that your feet will thank you for wearing every time!

With spring just around the corner, Bullz-Eye had the opportunity to test some new offerings from the folks at Rockport.com, and first up was the all-new and stylish Dialed-In Plain Toe dress shoe for men. Rockport has blended style and comfort into one with the Dialed-In Plain Toe for 2013, allowing you to take a streamlined approach to classic fashion. This men’s lace-up shoe boasts a full grain leather upper with traditional stitching accents at the almond-toe front for rich detail and a four-eye lace closure that lets you adjust for the perfect fit. Underfoot, an adiPRENE by adidas cushion protects the heel with every step. The Rockport Dialed-In Plain Toe oxford is finished with a shock-absorbing EVA sole to add secure traction to your stylish stride. We found these Rockports to be very light and comfortable with classical good looks.

Whether you are wearing your favorite suit or going with business casual, the new Rockport Dialed-In Plain Toe dress shoe will elevate your style points. You can check them out and purchase online at Rockport.com to step up your look!

We were fortunate to review the newly designed and developed D Rose 3.5 Signature Basketball Shoe from adidas with input from Chicago Bulls superstar point guard Derrick Rose. The shoe has improved performance, bolder style and more personal details than its predecessor and launched just a few weeks ago. The D Rose 3.5 shoe is inspired by Derrick’s dedication and hard work to his game and features adidas’ most innovative performance technology, premium and rich style elements and personal details.

To exceed the performance needs for Derrick’s unique style of play, which includes extreme changes in direction, acceleration and explosiveness, adidas designers made the D Rose 3.5 more supportive, comfortable and responsive than its predecessor. The shoe fits even closer to the foot for faster cuts and features a SPRINTWEB upper engineered specifically for his style of play, which reduces weight with maximum support and breathability.

Additional performance features include an ergonomic ankle collar pocket to ensure maximum support during hard cuts and a breathable mesh tongue to improve comfort. SPRINTFRAME technology features an external heel counter to reduce weight and allow for energy return and motion control, giving Derrick his best performing signature shoe to date to improve his performance on court.

The bold spiral overlay pattern is inspired by Derrick’s goal to tighten his game, and functionally, it increases flexibility and provides optimum toe protection. The synthetic leather upper features the spiral protruding from the D Rose logo on the ankle to represent how his on and off-court success continues to grow from the support of his family, who inspired the logo. Chicago call-outs on the inside of the tongue showcase the essence of Rose, including a “Rooted in Chicago” graphic with lettering, colors and shapes inspired by Derrick’s tattoos and the Chicago flag. Each colorway of the D Rose 3.5 will feature special graphics, materials and colors that give details about Derrick’s life and style of play.

The three stripes are again featured on the back of the shoe to represent Rose’s speed, and now wrap around the outsole so opponents will see them not only when he drives past them, but also goes over them.

The D Rose 3.5 launched at retailers worldwide on January 31st for $160 in away (black/white/red) and home (gray/black/red) colorways. The shoe will launch in six additional editions through April.

The new D Rose 3.5 not only looks incredible, but the fit and finish of the new shoe from adidas hits new levels for comfort and stability. These new offerings are extremely lightweight but add to the strength of an already top-shelf shoe. The attention one gets from wearing the new D Rose 3.5’s might surprise you because everyone wants to check them out on and off the court.

We had the chance to test the new Ektio Breakaway, which improves upon previous models through enhanced comfort, performance and ease of use. The new Ektio looks great and is sleeker than the first edition, but make no mistake, these new athletic shoes are as safe as ever with new breakthrough technology. With that peace of mind, basketball players have come to find out that there are more benefits to wearing the new Ektio than just looks and safety from injuries. A recent survey done by Ektio revealed that 42% of players felt that Ektio shoes improved their outside shooting efficiency compared to their prior sneakers. One of the fundamentals of consistent outside shooting is balance and stability. Ektio shoes, which provide ankle support technology designed to protect against sprained ankles, also offers maximum balance and stability for the foot and ankle. Basketball experts and trainers believe this is the explanation for the better shooting the Ektio shoe provides.

The shoe is very lightweight and gave us more ankle support than we could have hoped. John Starks, former New York Knicks guard and member of the Ektio Team, says this shoe will set the standard for maximum performance and ankle protection in basketball, tennis, volleyball and more. “We’ve taken our product to a whole new level,” Starks said. “We’re always striving to improve the product, and we’ve certainly done that with the Breakaway.” Rick Barry, NBA Hall of Famer and member of the Ektio Team, has said, “I find it difficult to understand why any basketball player would not wear the Ektio shoe.”

The slightly more difficult process of putting the old models of Ektio on is now eliminated with the Breakaway model. Two inner straps bring your foot and the shoe together as a single unit, minimizing movement going on inside the shoe. The movement that occurs inside every other shoe is what allows the ankle and shoe to move in separate directions, causing excruciatingly painful ankle sprains. With that movement minimized in the Ektio shoe, so are the chances of an ankle sprain. The mesh tongue and neoprene inner booty provide for a snug, comfortable fit while securing the inner straps to the shoe. The anti-sprain bumpers on the outside allow you to cut harder, stop shorter, and slide more powerfully defensively without the fear of the ankle giving out.

The Breakaway is scheduled to launch February 1, 2013 at Eastbay.com, Amazon.com and Ektio.com. The Ektio Breakaway will retail for $129.95.

As the holiday season goes into full gear, many men will be hoping for the new UGG Ascot slippers to find a way under their tree. Bullz-Eye was fortunate to have the opportunity to review a pair of charcoal Ascots. Tom Brady is a huge fan of UGGs and has presented them as gifts to his friends and teammates for years. It’s no wonder, as true to the UGG tradition of laid-back luxury, the Ascot is famous for its sumptuous feel and stylish indoor/outdoor silhouette. An icon of casual elegance, cozy suede with a moisture-wicking sheepskin lining and lightweight, molded rubber outsole. Check out the video below for a behind the scenes look at the launch of a new integrated UGG for Men campaign for the Holiday 2012 season featuring quarterback Tom Brady. Premiering last month, the new integrated campaign entitled “Pink Slip” includes TV, print, digital display and online videos.

The overall concept for the new “Pink Slip” campaign originated from real life, inspired by one of Tom Brady’s personal anecdotes. Even before he decided to partner with UGG Australia, Tom had a tradition of giving his team members UGG footwear – specifically the UGG for Men Ascot slipper – as a way to say thanks.

Now that we’ve had the chance to test these upscale slippers, we can see why the UGG brand is coveted by so many shoppers around the world. The quality is outstanding, the look is all guy, and comfort is second to none. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for yourself or a guy that appreciates the finer things in his wardrobe, check out the new Ascot slippers from UGG, which are available at Nordstrom’s online.

If you’re looking to make a statement this year, whether at work, socializing or in school, check out the all-new Palladium Pampa Tactical Boot in Bridle Brown & Olive Drab. These all new boots can be found at Karmaloop.com. These stylish and rugged lace-up boots, with a rubberized full grain leather and 2520 denier ballistic nylon upper, are on the cutting edge.

Comfort is top-notch, as the Pampa tactical boot sports a Dri-Lex moisture wicking covered thick molded PU sockliner that makes sure your feet stay dry. Our test pair was brown and looked sharp with a rubber patch logo detail on lateral sides of both shoes and stash pocket on the tongue which also adds practicality. Other features include a 1.8mm technical heel counter, gusseted tongue, medial side zipper with a Palladium pull and a molder rubber outsole. Pricing is very competitive at $110 per pair, and at that price makes, it these tactical boots a great gift for the holidays. I’m wearing these boots everywhere (my jeans come off sharper too!) and enjoying the comfort and all of the compliments coming my way! Check these out now at Karmaloop.com.