Blast from the Fast

When it comes down to it, there are only a few things separating you from the gazelle-like sprinters who'll burn up Beijing in 2008: unbreakable will, unbreakable hamstrings, the ability to rock spandex without appearing crazy, and of course, awesome shoes. Take care of that last factor in style, with the Usan.

New from PUMA, the Usan is a versatile, everyday shoe inspired by 100M Olympic gear, only with the spikes taken off so your enemies won't hear you coming (enemies = everyone who hears you clattering around in spikes). The shoe's designed with eco-friendly UNI construction: no external mid-sole or excess padding make it virtually weightless, so you won't be slowed down when you're chasing down taxis, buses, or the bullies who keep stealing your bike. While the bottom retains athletic fierceness, the premium leather uppers incorporate dress shoe style, so you can wear your pair to the bar, or the gym -- assuming you've paid your monthly dues, and haven't been suspended for never wiping down the padding, not even when someone's standing right there watching.

The Usan comes in a number of slick styles, including: insignia blue-on-white, plus black-stripe-on-white, for the dandy yet speedy look, and white-stripe-on-black -- a fashionable colorway, with a slight hint of menace that'll hopefully prevent people from ridiculing your skin-tight bodysuit.