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- Armed Forces Day: Enlisted Sneakerheads Spotlight
- This Week In Sneaks
- In Retrospect: Nike Zoom LeBron VI “MVP”
- Li-Ning BD Doom Performance Review
- Vans Vault Zapato Del Barco LX Navy & Teal
- What They Wore: Celebrity Sneaker Stalker
- Nike All Court Low Premium Birch & Navy QS
| Armed Forces Day: Enlisted Sneakerheads Spotlight Posted: 15 May 2010 11:28 AM PDT Whether you’re pro-war or anti-war, you should always support out troops. From the lowest ranking officer in every branch to the decision makers at the top, we must never forget that Americans enlisted in the Armed Forces give up their freedoms to defend ours. So to thank the currently-enlisted personnel and veterans of every branch of the Armed Forces, we selected five sneakerheads to highlight and feature. We asked them what it was like to be a sneaker collector in the military, some of their favorite and least favorite things about collecting while serving and of course, their top five favorites. Today, while you’re out at the malls or your favorite shop grabbing a new pair, take the time to think about those who provide you the freedom to do so. Name: Gerald Sandles How long have you been collecting sneakers and how many do you have? I’ve always been a big fan of shoes but I just started collecting shoes maybe five or six years ago, and as of now I have about 60-70 pairs of sneakers. Top five sneakers of all-time: Retro 11 Jordans (“Space Jams” and the black and red ones), all white or all black Air Force Ones, 95 Air Max, all white Adidas (shelltoes), and Reebok Classics. What sneaker started you collecting shoes? The shoes that got me started were Air Force Ones. Now I’m collecting Jordans as well, but I have a taste and love for shoes all together. If I feel the shoe looks good and is something I can work with, I’ll buy them, no matter what. What is the next shoe you plan to grab? My next pair of shoes that I must grab will be the retro 9 Jordans white/UNC set to come out May 29. There’s also another shoe I plan on getting here in the near future called PF Flyers–a little outside the normal but they look fly on my feet. What is your favorite sneaker in your closet? My most favorite pair of sneakers I own right now would have to be the retro 3 Jordans blk/cement. If you had to pick one shoe to represent your military branch, what would it be and why? I would have to go with the French Blue retro 13 Jordans. The reason being, is everytime I look at our new uniform we just changed to I think of these shoes. Our new NWU’s the Navy just got are camouflage blue and gray, pretty much like the French blue retro 13, just without the white. What is the worst part of trying to collect shoes and serve at the same time? The thing I can’t stand about collecting shoes and serving in the military is that shoes come out and you’re off on a deployment you tend to miss out on alot of hot and exclusive pair of shoes. I mean if you find out in time you can have somebody get you a pair but that’s if you have communication and find out in time. Me personally, I look up what’s coming out ahead of time and then put reminders in my wife’s phone, but that only works on my Jordans. So all the other types of shoes I don’t know they out or coming out until I see them in the store or on somebody’s feet. Seeing that you serve in the Navy where you’re always around water (for the most part), do you tend to buy a lot of patent leather or shoes or do you try to stay away from shoes that get damaged easily by water? If i like the shoes, I’m getting the shoes, no matter what material the shoes are. Being around water the majority of the time doesn’t play a role in my shoe selection. Not to mention I’m in Washington, where it rains basically every other day. Do/did you ever try to work sneakers into your military-assigned attire? Nah, my shoes aren’t work related. Even if I could, I probably wouldn’t. You can wear sneakers while in uniform, but you have to have a special chit that’s saying it’s okay for you to be wearing the shoes for whatever the reason. Even then, they’re supposed to be all white or all black. What’s the best part of being in the Armed Forces? The best part about the Armed Forces is you get to travel and be exposed to different parts of life. Meeting lots of new people–people of all origins–and seeing how others live, especially outside the U.S. Seeing how people live in other countries makes you realize the stuff that you complain about here in the U.S. isn’t even worth complaining about, because we could be doing so much worse. We live like kings compared to some of the places I’ve been, such as Thailand, Hong Kong, North Korea, etc… If you could design an Armed Forces sneaker, what shoe would you use and how would you create it (colors, materials)? I would create pair of navy/white camouflage Air Force Ones with nubuck. I’m not sure on the whole layout of the shoe and what colors would go where, but the would be hot. Any good shoe-related stories? I used to have a female get mad just because I have more shoes than her, and they all stay looking new, so she would always try to step on my feet when she sees me. Read the rest of Armed Forces Day: Enlisted Sneakerheads Spotlight© Alex Kroviak for NiceKicks.com, 2010. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us |
| Posted: 15 May 2010 10:28 AM PDT
This week, we showed received detailed photos and additional information regarding the “Cough Drop” Nike Air Foamposite One. Where does this particular Foamposite One rank amongst the previous Foamposite One colorways that released earlier this year such as the “Coppers” and the “Eggplants”? Drake and The Dream have worked together on a song that recently surfaced called Shut it Down. However both artists went head to head in a Footwear Faceoff earlier this week. Check out our Footwear Faceoff: The Dream vs Drake to see who wore the “Silver Anniversary Air Jordan 11 Retro the best. Did Mike Bibby sport a better Jordan CP3.III than Chris Paul himself? Check out our Kicks On Court to see Bibby’s Jordan CP3.IIIs? Click here to see and read about what happened to a Montreal-based Foot Locker after the Canadiens won game 7 over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL Conference SemiFinals. What are your thoughts on the second Jordan Rare Air to surface on the web? © George Kiel III for NiceKicks.com, 2010. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us |
| In Retrospect: Nike Zoom LeBron VI “MVP” Posted: 14 May 2010 05:58 PM PDT What a difference a year makes. Around this time last year, Nike released a limited edition Zoom LeBron VI to commemorate King James’ first NBA regular season MVP Award. The Cavs had swept their first two Eastern Conference opponents and were primed to meet the Lakers in the Finals. Then they met Dwight and the Magic. Fast forward to the present and an even more disappointing Playoffs result for Cleveland, and sports fans everywhere are talking about LeBron’s shortcomings as a player, inability to get it done and which franchise he’ll suit up for next year. The Nike Zoom LeBron VI “MVP” remains a collectors item, despite this year’s outcome, and maybe even more so because no MVP Air Max LeBron VII is set to release. WIth its white, black and gold colorway and limited production, they still fetch top dollar for re-sellers. Looking back on last year and considering what you know now, are you pleased with your decision to either purchase them or pass on a pair?  In Retrospect: Nike Zoom LeBron VI "MVP"  In Retrospect: Nike Zoom LeBron VI "MVP" © Alex Kroviak for NiceKicks.com, 2010. | Permalink | 25 comments | Add to del.icio.us |
| Li-Ning BD Doom Performance Review Posted: 14 May 2010 05:28 PM PDT
Los Angeles Clippers point guard Baron Davis’s game may be on the decline (he’s definitely not wear he used to be a few years ago), however, his Li-Ning signature sneaker line is undoubtedly on the rise. Baron’s first Li-Ning signature sneaker, the BD Doom, was definitely one of the head-turners during our Kicks On Court this year, and it received positive remarks from you weekly. With that said, we put the Li-Ning BD Doom through a performance test to see if performed just as good as it looks. Hit the jump to view our official Li-Ning BD Doom Performance Review and share your thoughts on this sneaker. Do you own a Li-Ning BD Doom? If so, do you agree with out performance review?  Li-Ning BD Doom Performance Review Strengths: The Li-Ning BD Doom is unlike any other basketball sneaker currently on the market. Its immense, bulky build seems ideal for the power forward and centers of the sport; yet, it possesses attributes that are standard to a typical point guard/shooting guard’s game. With that said, the Li-Ning BD Doom seems to fit a player like Baron Davis; one who possesses stalwart physical structure and is quick and light on his/her feet at the same time. Davis is not you average point guard’s size (6′3″ 215lbs.); however, he is still one of the better point guards in the league at getting where he wants to with quickness. Nevertheless, the Li-Ning BD Doom aids Davis’s ‘power’ game by specializing in traction and directional support. The Li-Ning BD Doom owns one of the better traction constructions seen in awhile on a basketball sneaker. This player-friendly attribute is present because of the Li-Ning BD Doom’s decoupled heel which provides mechanical cushioning and traction. In addition, a reformed, classic herringbone pattern supplies the player with superior grip that is helpful on the indoor and outdoor courts. Lastly, the outsole possesses an abundance of ridges and indents as well. All three characteristics form together and provide the wearer with extreme recovery time. In detail, one is able to recover very easily after being out of position offensively or defensively. As for directional support, the Li-Ning BD Doom owns a dynamic lacing system in the eyestay and forefoot zones that help customized the sneaker to your foot. Therefore, the Li-Ning BD Doom feels as if it is connected with your foot no matter how quick you move on the court. This attribute definitely comes in handy when pivoting and making quick cuts such as attempting to cut someone off defensively or making sharp cuts to the basket on the offensive end. The TPU heel, toe inserts and the TPU lateral forefoot also aid to this advantage on the hardwood. Weaknesses: It’s very contradicting how low-cut sneakers such as the Nike Zoom Kobe IV, the Nike Zoom Kobe V and the Nike Hyperdunk Low actually own viable ankle support, yet, the Li-Ning BD Doom, a sneaker that possesses a mid-cut silhouette, does not own as much ankle support. Besides the leather construction of the shoe, there is not much focus around the ankle. Secondly, the aforementioned decoupled heel obviously provides the wearer with extreme traction; however, it also makes the shoe feel unbalanced at times. Li-Ning used its Bounce technology in the forefoot and incorporated its Cushion technology in the heel; this construction provides the player with anything but a constant feel throughout the entire footbed. It almost feels as if you are playing on a enlarged heel similar to Nike’s Shox technology. Overview: The Li-Ning BD Doom is a basketball sneaker that can provide a player with some much-needed advantages on the court. Traction and directional support are key especially on the outdoor courts where surfaces are not as smooth ans balanced at times. It herringbone pattern, along with multiple ridges and a decoupled heel, allows you to be quick on your feet and play low to the ground without losing balance. While it does possess some flaws such as breathability and ankle support, it is still a good basketball shoe to bring out every once in awhile. Multiple colorways are now available at www.li-ningusa.com. Click here to view detailed photos of various Li-Ning BD Doom colorways along with some shots of Baron Davis wearing his first Li-Ning signature sneaker on court. Read the rest of Li-Ning BD Doom Performance Review© George Kiel III for NiceKicks.com, 2010. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us |
| Vans Vault Zapato Del Barco LX Navy & Teal Posted: 14 May 2010 04:58 PM PDT Two new colorways of the Vans Vault Zapato Del Barco LX are landing at retailers nationwide, providing the perfect shoe to hit the beach or pool in. Sitting on the white vulcanized soles we know and love Vans for, both pairs rely on colorful uppers and even brighter insole and heel panels for contrast. Tumbled leather appears around the ankle and mid-panel areas, while canvas is used for the remainder of the shoe. Perforated white leather is used at the collar of each shoe, teaming up with the sole, contrast stitching and leather laces employed elsewhere.  Vans Vault Zapato Del Barco LX Navy & Teal  Vans Vault Zapato Del Barco LX Navy & Teal  Vans Vault Zapato Del Barco LX Navy & Teal  Vans Vault Zapato Del Barco LX Navy & Teal Source: Kicks/HI © Alex Kroviak for NiceKicks.com, 2010. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us |
| What They Wore: Celebrity Sneaker Stalker Posted: 14 May 2010 04:28 PM PDT Don’t call it a comeback; Celebrity Sneaker Stalker never left. This week, we spotted some celebs that are making their first appearance on Celebrity Sneaker Stalker such as Kelis, Ray J and Mick Jagger. Common returns this week as he shows love to Nike and Mister Cartoon, while Justin Timberlake rocked a fresh pair of Air Jordan 2 Retros. Also, rapper Wale rocked a fan-favorite LeBron VII. With that said, let us know who rocked the best kicks in this week’s Celebrity Sneaker Stalker.  Usher wearing a Nike Blazer Mid  Common wearing the Mister Cartoon x Nike Dunk High AC
 Ray J in the Converse 'First String' Chuck Taylor
 Mick Jagger in the Nike Air Max 24/7 “Air Attack”
© Greg Grovey for NiceKicks.com, 2010. | Permalink | 48 comments | Add to del.icio.us |
| Nike All Court Low Premium Birch & Navy QS Posted: 14 May 2010 03:58 PM PDT Two more Nike All Court Lows are set to release tomorrow. Both pairs rely on monochromatic uppers and clean white soles, and will be available tomorrow at select retailers like Proper. The navy blue pair is different from the Fragment Design-planned pairs that dropped recently. You’ll notice the upper-colored eyelets on these, as opposed to the silver ones on the previously-released shoe. The other set to release use Birch suede, and were looked at closely last week. © Alex Kroviak for NiceKicks.com, 2010. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us |
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