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- 1 on 1 with Air Jordan 2011 Co-Designer Tom Luedecke
- Air Jordan VII GS Grey/Mineral Blue-Violet
- PF Flyers Center Hi Reissue Purple & Blue
- Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low “All-Star” Quickstrike
- adidas adiZero Rose “All-Star” New Photos
- Jordan BCT Low
- adidas Originals Honey Mid White/Black
- Video: Air Jordan 2011
| 1 on 1 with Air Jordan 2011 Co-Designer Tom Luedecke Posted: 26 Jan 2011 01:12 PM PST As stated in our recent post, Jordan Brand officially unveiled the Air Jordan 2011 earlier today. In addition to capturing detailed photos of this shoe, we sat down with Air Jordan 2011 co-designer Tom Luedecke to talk about Jordan Brands’ newly-developed product. Luedecke discussed the origin of the Air Jordan 2011, Michael Jordan’s impact on this new model, the significance of specific details and upcoming projects involving the Air Jordan 2011. He also touched on Dwyane Wade’s initial response to this shoe. Check out our in-depth interview with Tom Luedecke on the Air Jordan 2011 below.  Air Jordan 2011 Design Structures Nice Kicks: Let’s start off with the direction you went with the Air Jordan 2011. How does it differ from every other model in the signature line, especially the last two (Air Jordan 2010, Air Jordan 2009)? Tom Luedecke: From an art and science standpoint, the Air Jordan 2011 is all about the modularity piece underfoot. Specifically, being able to choose your ride. Whether it’s air technology in the softer foam underfoot or a firmer foam in the Zoom Technology under your foot. It’s two different foams and two different sockliners. So, that is really what’s different about the Air Jordan 2011 and what started us on this path. Nice Kicks: So, what is the significance of these two interchangeable midsoles and how are they different? How does each cater to the specific needs of a player? Tom Luedecke: Everything is dramatically different between the two soles. The carrier foam (blue sole) is firmer, and the red sole has softer foam. So with the response of side-to-side cutting, you would need a firmer footbed and under the basket, you would need the red, softer foam. So, the blue sole is more of a horizontal game and the red is for a vertical game. Besides the foam, the Air Technology is different between the two. The Zoom (blue) is for response, cutting and quick reaction, while the Cushlon midsole (red) is for protection, not necessarily when jumping up, but for protection when landing. It really was about providing distinct differences, and for basketball, we wanted to push the envelope out to the extreme. Usually, you see two different products for those two types of players. Well, the nice thing about Jordan Brand is we are versatile. We wanted to give the player options in one sneaker: either playing in the paint or on the perimeter. We’re actually serving a shoe that can do both extremely well. We know guys like Dwyane Wade or extremely versatile/hybrid players. You can’t pin them down into just one position. He might be a different player from the first three quarters to the last quarter. A good player, nowadays in the NBA, is able to switch positions in order to address the opponent that they’re matching up against. Nice Kicks: As with other signature Jordan Brand models, we assume Michael Jordan played a big part in this shoe’s creation? What stage were you in design-wise before incorporating MJ into the development? Tom Luedecke: The inspiration expression came out of conversations with Michael. We sat down with MJ and showed him a really raw expression of that concept. We basically said there’s going to be a shell, there’s going to be a comfort bootie that goes inside of that and there’s going to be a midsole that’s going to be replaceable and modular with traction underneath. Nice Kicks: How receptive was MJ of the design, particularly of the interchangeable midsoles seeing that this is very new and unheard of in sneakers? Tom Luedecke: As Michael saw this concept, his wheels starting to turn and he began nodding and digesting it. Then he said, ‘Yeah I like it. It’s like a warrior getting ready for battle.” He saw it as like when you’re at home, I might be playing in one midsole, and when I’m playing away or going onto somebody else’s turf, I might need a different strategy or different game. Therefore, I need a different midsole. Or if you’re closing a game in the fourth quarter, especially with the hybrid, more versatile players like MJ was, you might stay on the perimeter for the first three quarters using cutting skills and playing fast. For the fourth quarter you’re going in, you’re under the basket, maybe going up for a rebounds or blocks, you might want to drop in a different cushioning system to allow you to do that better. So, he continued to liken it to a warrior choosing his weapons for battle. Before we talked to him, it was a technology concept, but after talking to MJ we wanted to express this home/away warrior that Mike was talking about in regards to defending your home turf and going to somebody’s turf and trying to take over.
 Air Jordan 2011 Two Interchangeable Midsoles Nice Kicks: So, as you and the rest of the design team walked away from that meeting with MJ, how much of an impact did his thoughts have on the following design sessions? Tom Luedecke: That conversation really started to drive the aesthetics of the shoe on the upper. So, just like a gladiator would strap up with all of these leather belts and so forth, that really drove the story there. Avatar was a movie that just hit the box office when we were creating this sneaker, so we also looked at the expression of warrior through that lens. On the other hand, we wanted to keep the Air Jordan 2011 looking really sophisticated and clean. There are three elements in play: the technology, a really clean, sophisticated design driven by Tinker and sort of a warrior expression on the upper. It has beautiful dress shoe quality leather. This is one of those things only Jordan Brand can do. The attention-to-detail in every part of the shoe really takes it over the top. To read page 2 of the interview click here. Read the rest of 1 on 1 with Air Jordan 2011 Co-Designer Tom Luedecke© George Kiel III for NiceKicks.com, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | |
| Air Jordan VII GS Grey/Mineral Blue-Violet Posted: 26 Jan 2011 12:58 PM PST Jordan Brand has definitely not forgotten women and children in this relatively new year. With the Air Jordan VII “Bordeaux” set to release in April, a gradeschool size release of this particular model is just what Jordan Brand needs to get sneakerheads salivating once again. This pair is slated to debut a month before the coveted Bordeaux colorway and sports a two-toned white and neutral grey leather upper. This plays well with the highly popular purple and mineral blue accent theme, which can be spotted on the sole, tongue, and ankle panels. Check out more photos below and let us know if this is a pair you’d purchase if Jordan Brand decides to release in larger sizes. Air Jordan VII RELATED Lady's Luck: 16 Women's Air Jordans That Men Want  Air Jordan VII GS Grey/Mineral Blue-Violet Source: Niketalk © Albert Lin for NiceKicks.com, 2011. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us | |
| PF Flyers Center Hi Reissue Purple & Blue Posted: 26 Jan 2011 12:43 PM PST Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez may have opted for a “blackout” effect on his PF Flyers, but that doesn’t mean the Center Hi is limited in what colors it can look great. Two fresh canvas kicks have landed at select retailers in the latest shipment dressed in eye-catching colors. The first is rocking a brilliant shade of blue that’s very close to aqua and is accented by a darker shade. The other is rocking multiple purple hues and both are sporting tonal PF Flyers badges on their lateral ankle areas. Both are now available for $50 from Nice Kicks and Shop.NiceKicks.com. PF Flyers Center Hi Reissue Nice Kicks  PF Flyers Center Hi Reissue Purple  PF Flyers Center Hi Reissue Purple  PF Flyers Center Hi Reissue Purple  PF Flyers Center Hi Reissue Purple  PF Flyers Center Hi Reissue Blue  PF Flyers Center Hi Reissue Blue  PF Flyers Center Hi Reissue Blue  PF Flyers Center Hi Reissue Blue © Alex Kroviak for NiceKicks.com, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | |
| Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low “All-Star” Quickstrike Posted: 26 Jan 2011 12:28 PM PST The bright lights of Los Angeles get even brighter this February as they host the 2011 NBA All-Star Game. New silos from this season will get the ASG treatment including the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low “All-Star”. Six colorways use bold and bright colorways for a flashy take on the new Hyperfuse Low. Rumored to be a quickstrike release, you can get them early on eBay. Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low  Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low  Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low  Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low  Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low  Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low  Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low © Ian Stonebrook for NiceKicks.com, 2011. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us | |
| adidas adiZero Rose “All-Star” New Photos Posted: 26 Jan 2011 11:58 AM PST With the NBA All-Star break right around the corner, basketball and sneaker enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating not only the game and festivities, but also what sneakers players will be unveiling for the big game in Los Angeles. In the past, some of the year’s best releases have been during the All-Star game, including the Nike Air Max LeBron VII “All Star” and Zoom Kobe V “All Star.” This year, one of the biggest and most surprising debuts is the adidas adiZero Rose “All Star.” The completely yellow pair was previewed earlier this month but new photos have surfaced. Check out the new photos below and let us know if this is a pair you will be picking up in the near future.  adidas adiZero Rose "All-Star"
 adidas adiZero Rose "All-Star"  adidas adiZero Rose "All-Star"  adidas adiZero Rose "All-Star" Source: Footlocker Unlocked © Albert Lin for NiceKicks.com, 2011. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us | |
| Posted: 26 Jan 2011 11:28 AM PST As Jordan Brand continues to unveil their lineup for the next two months we see a new model. The Jordan BCT Low packs a futuristic look with a low top cut and progressive finishes. A forefoot strap is similar to that of the Jordan Evolution ’85 and the cut and colorway is comparable to the Jordan CP3.IV. As of now its unknown whether or not these are for the court or the gym. Are you feeling this design? Let us know in the comment section. Jordan BCT Low Jordan BCT Low  Jordan BCT Low Black/Varsity Red © Ian Stonebrook for NiceKicks.com, 2011. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us | |
| adidas Originals Honey Mid White/Black Posted: 26 Jan 2011 10:58 AM PST adidas tries its hand at a canvas high top with this latest women’s offering: a Honey Mid. The clean white upper is accentuated by black leather stripes and matching tongue and sole accents. Metal eyelets and a rubber toe bumper help support the crisp upper, while a pull loop on the back side of the collar makes getting in and out of them a breeze. $50 goes a long way with these Originals, which the fairer sex can snag now at Nice Kicks and Shop.NiceKicks.com. adidas Originals Honey Mid (Women’s) Nice Kicks  adidas Originals Honey Mid White/Black  adidas Originals Honey Mid White/Black  adidas Originals Honey Mid White/Black © Alex Kroviak for NiceKicks.com, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | |
| Posted: 26 Jan 2011 10:43 AM PST Senior Footwear Designer, Tom Luedeke, and VP of Creative Design, Tinker Hatfield, take you through the design and performance features of the latest Air Jordan flagship model, the Air Jordan 2011. The two also discuss how the game of basketball has changed and what adaptations have been taken by Jordan Brand to create a shoe for adaptive players. © Matt Halfhill for NiceKicks.com, 2011. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us |
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