Nike Big Nike High Premium - ATL

Nike's tribute to the ATL.

Jermaine Dupree once said.

Welcome to Atlanta where the players play
And we ride on dem thangs like ev-ery day
Big beats, hit streets, see gangsters roamin
And parties dont stop 'til eight in the mo'nin

As the second of a two-city pack of Nike Big Nikes, including the LBC edition, the Nike Big Nike has released to rep the ATL. The Nike Big Nike High Premium Atlanta features a clean black/white/red color way, perhaps to go along with the Atlanta Hawks colors. The shoe features a black leather upper with a cracked side panel design to subtly add some style to the shoe. It sits atop a white mid sole and red out sole to match the laces and tongue tag. The tongue tag sports a Nike logo fitted with a crown, and of course, the back heel panel rocks “ATL” in large gold print, with the A wearing another crown. Be sure to get your own pair to rep Atlanta as well as show some love for the LBC.

Air Jordan Fridays, AJII

The Air Jordan 2 (II) Low 1995 - White - Red - Black retailed foe $105, and were very popular upon release. They were designed by Brue Kilgore, and the technical specs included Nike’s patented air sole unit, as well as faux lizard skin uppers. The sleek lines and overall look give these low tops a very futuristic look. They came in a very colorful box which featured special tissue paper and a post Card.? They feature mostly white leather upper with red and black accents, as well as a black midsole which definitely contrasts the white upper, thus making the shoe an attention grabber.

The Air Jordan 2 high tops and low tops were very stylish, making them as popular as the AJ I (according to sales). All Original Air Jordan IIs were made in Italy. Rumor is after the Original Air Jordan 2 model the mold was either destroyed or was stolen. (Fritz being the Nike man that you are can you divulge if this rumor is true?) So when the Air Jordan II re-released in 1994-95, Nike had to dissect the Original pair, and when Jordan Brand re-released the AJ 2 once again in 2004, they had to dissect a pair of the 1994-95 retros. Nike did not produce a black color way of the AJ II, even though sketches and prototypes were put together. One of the most sought out pair of shoes is the Air Jordan II K.O. Very little are in existence, and also very few pictures are floating around.

Air Jordan II's Low

Air Jordan II's High

 

 Air Jordan II's High Open Box

 

Air Jordan II's Box

 

adidas ZX 6000, 8000, 9000

adidas ZX 6000, 8000, 9000 series were originally released in 1989 all with different purposes.  The 6000 was introduced to provide guidance for a light weight runner for middle distance training.

The adidas 8000 was also released in 1989 had top level cushioning in a light weight running model which also included the torsion system.

The adidas 9000 released in 1989 was a running shoe that provided great support.

The ZX collection initially began in the hundred series in 84 and the would extend to the thousands after the 1988 Olympics.  This period also brought on a number of breakthrough devices for adidas such as the the torsion.

JLew

Nike DayBreak

The Nike Daybreak is an early running shoe that first released in 1979. It is a low-profile, low-top sneaker with a very simple look and attitude. The upper is made with suede and nylon for a lightweight advantage. Technologically, the Nike Daybreak was ahead of its time. It featured a thick, flared EVA midsole and a cup innersole. A padded collar adds extra comfort to the runners foot.

Check out the following website. Pretty cool. http://www.nikevintage.com/.

Asics Spartan B

This is a tribute to Dan. He mentioned to me yesterday that he used to race in this shoe. It is the Asics Spartan B and it was pretty much a basic spike. But obviously by the looks of the photo of Dan it looks like it ran well.

Here is a photo of the Tiger Spartan B.

Pretty basic but looks comfy.

Photo courtesy Running Warehouse Blog.

The above photos courtesy of Runningwarehouse.com blog. Tiger Spartan B from Runner's World Shoe Survey '77.


The following photo is our own Dan Shamiyeh wearing the Asics Spartan B.

New Balance 420

Todays shoe is the New Balance 420. This is a re launched version of the shoe that is available today. I believe the originals were released some time in the 70's. (Dan Maybe you can insert some history here).

Here is a brief history of New Balance via. wiki.



In 1906, William J. Riley, a 33 year old English immigrant, founded the New Balance Arch Support Company, which manufactured arch supports and other accessories designed to improve shoe fit, in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1934, Riley took on as a partner his top salesman, Arthur Hall, who had found his niche by marketing his products to people whose jobs required them to spend much time standing. In 1956, Hall sold the business to his daughter Eleanor and her husband Paul Kidd.

Eleanor and Paul continued to sell mainly arch supports until 1961, when they designed and manufactured the "Trackster," the world's first running shoe made with a ripple sole. It was also the first running shoe to come in varying widths.

Marketing was mostly by word-of-mouth or local sports fairs, and sales languished, until 1972, when current Chairman Jim Davis bought the company on the day of the Boston Marathon. At the time, the company consisted of just six people making 30 pairs of shoes daily and selling products mostly through mail-order with a few U.S. retailers. Jim committed himself to uphold the company's traditional commitment to individual preferences, customer service, and quality products. His future wife Anne, who joined the company in 1978, focused on building a distinct culture for New Balance employees, and customers. Their timing was perfect, as the Boston area soon became a veritable hotbed of the running boom which struck the U.S. in the 1970s. Their product line expanded and sales skyrocketed. The homegrown company prospered, and the Davises looked to expand New Balance into a global company. The company is now run by California native Rob DeMartini. DeMartini's background includes Procter & Gamble and Gillette Shave Company. Today, 30% of the shoes sold in the European market are manufactured at the New Balance facility in England.

Air Jordan Friday's

Ummm...need I say more?


Air Jordan 1 released March 1985 for $64.99.
 

Jack Purcell Ian G

There are a few more warm days left and everyone should have a classic looking pair of sneaks. Here are a pair of Jack Purcell's made by converse. Just to let you know, I love velcro sneaks?!? I have no clue why but I think that they look sleak.


A little history on Jack Purcell. Which I had no clue, but maybe some of you guys did.

John Edward "Jack" Purcell (December 24, 1903 – June 10, 1991) was a Canadian world champion badminton player. Purcell was the Canadian National Badminton Champion in 1929 and 1930, and declared the world champion in 1933. He retired in 1945, and pursued a career as a stock broker. Purcell also designed an athletic shoe that bears his name, which is still popular today.

Purcell designed a canvas and rubber badminton sneaker for the B.F. Goodrich Company of Canada in 1935. He designed the shoe to provide more protection and support on badminton courts. In the 1970s, Converse purchased the trademark rights to Jack Purcell sneakers - which it still produces and sells today. Converse "Jack Purcells" are still popular - but more for their vintage fashion appeal than for athletic use

A bit on the collectable JP's featured below. The founder and creative mind behind famous sneaker spots Kicks/HI in Hawaii and St Alfred's in Chicago designed these lovely Purcell's. The use of the super rich Epi leather gives away that this is not your ordinary Jack P. Its the Ian G. Jack P. Part of the Converse 1HUND(RED) Collection.

If you don't know what Epi leather is we can tell you that its a very fine leather often used by exclusive bag maker Louis Vuitton. Here's the lowdown on Epi leather according to the Louis Vuitton Resource Center: The Epi Leather is inspired by the grained leather used by Louis Vuitton in the 1920s. The process of making a perfect Epi takes a very precise and controlled procedure. First, the leather is tanned with plant extracts, then deep-dyed. Its uniqueness comes from the two tones obtained from a shine and a special coloring on the top of the grain. The Epi leather is water repellent so the Ian G Jack P's are safe and are perfect to use during the rainy days.

Basquiat

Reebok pays homage to a great artist. Jean-Michael Basquiat.


Basquiat first gained popularity in New York City as a graffiti artist in the early 80's and then later as a successful 1980s-era Neo-expressionist artist. He had firends with big names like Andy Warhol and habits that included some nasty drugs like heroine which eventually took his life. During his young days as a tag artist in NYC he and his buddy used the tag signature of SAMO which was short for same old sh*t.

Here he is in his setting.

Here are the shoes that pay tribute.

JLew....

 

BAPE....A Bathing Ape. A Japanese company founded by Tomoaki Nagao in 1993. Nigo is the nickname that his friends call him. This literally means second version in Japanese. Anyway this dude and his company have been linked to some big names like Pharell, Jay Z, Teriyaki Boyz, Kanye West and Kid Kudi. They make some crazy pop culture clothes and footwear. They style allot of there footwear straight off of other brands. Nigo got big because he used to make 50 shirts a week with a different graphic. He would sell 25 and then give 25 to friends. Next thing you know you have this crazy viral pop culture growth and everybody has to have one.

Check out some of the sneaks below as well as listen to the tunes of the Teriyaki Boyz. You might have heard them and if not you are in for a serious treat…..

Airforce 1's? Bapes Fall 2009 Gingham Bapesta's

Here they are the famous Teriyaki Boyz. Zock On!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqJUCTVNbwM

Jason

Supra & Lil Wayne

Ok Supra makes some serious funky lifestyle/skate shoes. They might be some of the hottest shoes on the market right now. Im not sure I would wear them but Maybe Cain Williams in some Black Skinny Jeans would.

Supra Footwear is a take on classic originals and has come out with some new funked out shoes. They have an all-star roster of athletes and musicians in their quiver who help influence the creation of some of the craziest shoes built for fashion and skate. These shoes not only have velcro they are also vulcanized high tops. Super Sick.

Here is Lil Wayne wearing a pair of customize blinged out Supra's at the 2009 BET Awards.

His shoes were created by a Berlin and Paris based store called CLVII. They were his 26th birthday gift. I wonder how long it took to bedazzle these freshies.

Back To School.

All the teachers and kids are finally back to school. The streets are quite from 730 am to 3 pm. But the kids are using there crayon's in class on a little bit more than a piece of construction paper.
Here is the Nike Dunk Back To School circa 2008. Classic.

Mizuno Wave TSZ

I have an affinity towards Mizuno sneakers. I work for the brand so of course I do. I have worked for the brand for 5 years now. I have seen some serious eveloution in running shoes over the past 5 years. Mizuno is a Japanesse brand with over 1oo years of history. The brand is based out of Osaka, Japan. The brand started with baseball and is now in over 60 sports across the globe. So sports performance is there thing. Since I have worked for them every now and then you see something crazy come across the desk. Here is the Mizuno Wave TSZ. Enjoy.


JLew