The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the endurance race. There are different flavors of day-long motorsport trials to be found at events like those held in Daytona or Nürburg, but none approach the cachet and significance of this one.
The Circuit de la Sarthe is imbued with a history of rivalry (Ferrari versus Ford, Peugeot versus Audi), tragedy (the disaster in 1955), and throughout its lengthy timeline a level of technological advancement that often rivals the developments made in Formula 1. The 86th edition will begin on Saturday afternoon, and as always it will be an international melting pot of drivers, engineers, press, hordes of fans, and everyone else that contributes to the energy and spectacle of race weekend. It is a celebration of cutting-edge sports car competition, a modern display of force bolstered by historical significance.
Piloti understands the dual nature of Le Mans—the future being built on the foundations of the past—and to celebrate this great race they are releasing two new designs to their Le Mans catalog. One is a clear homage to the past, the other easily placeable in current couture. These aren’t stiff suede-covered race boots, but they will certainly outperform your casual kicks once you put them on three pedals. Casual, fashionable, but in no way frivolous.We’re happy to be the sole United States carrier for this debut; the 1923 Retro and the Saint Honoré are both available exclusively in the Petrolicious Shop until July 15th, at which point the wider release will take place. These are officially-licensed Le Mans products.
Le Mans 1923 Retro
Recalling the clean and purposeful designs of vintage racing footwear with an added smattering of stylish details like the embossed tongue and the subtle nod to the race with the French flag, the Retros offer a throwback look married to the benefits of modern construction quality. Simplicity can make a powerful statement, and classic style doesn’t need to stop with your automotive tastes. These are handmade in Portugal with Italian leather on top of EVA and rubber soles. Find the shoes in the Shop, here.
Le Mans Saint-Honoré
The Le Mans Saint-Honoré borrows its name from the Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris, and the high-fashion street adjacent to the Louvre is a fitting association. These mid-top shoes are in keeping with the current trends of sneaker design, but if you look a bit closer you’ll see they aren’t jettisoning the past in order to fit in with the present. The quilted leather uppers are a clear link to classic automotive interiors and mid-century style, while the splice of mesh adds a contemporary element, as does the sharp neutral color scheme. Like the Retros, these are also made in Portugal with Italian leather and EVA and rubber soles. Find the shoes in the Shop, here.
