Would you wear MSCHF's version of the soccer sneaker?

As their name would suggest, Brooklyn-based art collective MSCHF prides itself on taking the absurd and unconventional to a different level. From the digital realm to the physical world, MSCHF's creative endeavors have taken many forms. The collective has pushed boundaries by crafting innovative browser extensions, designing limited-edition sneakers, and even curating social media platforms.

Arguably their most widely-associated creation is the "Big Red Boots". What are they you may ask? Well, the name is pretty straightforward. They're just a massive, in-your-face, obnoxious, pair of red boots à la iconic Japanese cartoon character Astro Boy. And for such cartoony footwear, it didn't run you cheap either. We're talking a retail price tag of $350! Clearly, MSCHF knew what they were doing with these Big Red Boots and explained so in an official press release:

"Cartoonishness is an abstraction that frees us from the constraints of reality... If you kick someone in these boots, they go boing!"

- MSCHF "Big Red Boots" press release

For their latest creation, MSCHF is tapping into the revived hype of European football/soccer trainers. Given the name "V2.wav", MSCHF describes its newest sneaker innovation in this manner:

"WARNING: MODERATELY WAVY.

A CLASSIC SOCCER SHOE WARPED FOR THE WAVY GENERATION. LET’S GET LIQUID, WITH OUR ASSETS, OUR DIETS, AND OUR SHOES. IT’S THE 21ST CENTURY, THE WATER’S RISING, AND THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO GET WAVY.

WAVY = A GLITCH IN THE SIMULATION, JUST LIKE AN OLD TV TOO CLOSE TO A MAGNET. WAVY SHOES SMASHES THE DIGITAL AND PHYSICAL TOGETHER IN AN OBJECT. THE WARP TRANSFORM IS A PIECE OF 100% DIGITAL VISUAL VERNACULAR APPLIED ON TOP OF A MUNDANE PHYSICAL OBJECT. WAVY SHOES ARE AN OLD DESIGN PARADIGM RUN THROUGH A NEW ONE."

- via MSCHF V2.wav product page

Donning a gum sole similar to the wide-popular Adidas Samba silhouette, the V2.wav takes things to another level with a wavy pattern that is almost comical, but what more would you expect from MSCHF? To be fair, it isn't the craziest idea they've put out there. But, I can't imagine any soccer player opting for a pair of jagged sneakers as opposed to the usual flat-surface, low-profile trainers. Then again, I don't think you'd buy these for practicality, as they're more for show.

MSCHF's V2.wav is giving Adidas Samba vibes, albeit in the art collective's signature exaggerated style.

The wavy look isn't new for MSCHF either. Back in 2022, MSCHF came out with a blatant ripoff of Van's classic "Old Skool" silhouette, called the "Wavy Baby". Their parody did not sit well with Vans, who sued the art collective, later winning their court appeal banning MSCHF from selling the product.

The V2.wav and its accompanying soccer apparel collection are available on MSCHF's official website. The wavy trainers being sold at a starting retail price of $295, with many sizes still remaining.