DRIFT ARC Shoe First Look
DRIFT has been through a few names and a lot of miles. What started as Carhide in 2009, then grew into DZR in 2010, has come full circle as DRIFT, a small studio built by two people who spent years designing gear for brands like Salomon, Billabong, and SRAM before deciding to build something more personal. After a pause to reconsider what mattered, long stretches in Squamish, Victoria, and Whistler reminded them why they started making shoes in the first place. In 2024 they partnered with a veteran shoe craftsman and rebuilt the brand from the ground up, landing on a name that nods to where it all began, the Pacific Northwest.
Their first release under the new name is the ARC, an all season, low top cycling sneaker built to clip into two bolt, SPD compatible pedals. Shown here in the Forge colorway, the ARC features a stiff composite shank for power transfer, a reinforced toe box for protection and structure, and a full rubber outsole off the bike adventures. Full grain leather and a waterproof lining keep the weather out, tested through the wet months in Whistler, British Columbia.
Fit runs snug for performance, so a shoe true to your regular size will feel tighter than your usual casual pair at first. Toes should reach the front without feeling cramped. Sizing varies brand to brand, so exchanges are simple if you need to adjust.
The ARC Forge is available now in five colorways: Cedar, Forge, Stone, Iron, and Black/White, priced at $240.
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