The Nike Air Max Lineup
My recent lineup of Nike Air Max kicks. AM90 with Engineered Mesh (Beaches of Rio and Tianjin) and Air Max 1 Essentials, but not all of them made it into my rotation.
kicks
Vulcanized Looks Like This
I’m not sure why but Foot Locker’s post about the launch of the new LeBron X NSW Lifestyle shoe mentions “vulcanized” several times. Vulcanized sounds cool, but I would guess majority of shoe soles are vulcanized. But I guess not all vulcanized soles look like this…
Admiring the Nike Foamposite Pro “Army Camo”
Nike’s latest design theme is inspired by military camouflage, and this upcoming Foamposite Pro in Army camo is the epitome of this aesthetic.
Sadly, this shoe won’t be available at Foot Locker locations in Hawaii according to their Launch Locator. If you can find this eye popper, expect to pay at least $240!!
Three Pair Today
If I had to buy three pairs of kicks today, these would be my choices. No, I really didn’t buy any of these today, but if I had the $$$ and absolutely needed to buy some kicks…
Air Jordan 3 ’88 Retro. A classic that’s eluded me all these years. I remembered passing on a retro release years ago at Footlocker. They were in the store, I had one in my hands, but I said nah. #regrets
Nike Huarache Free Shield (LeSean McCoy). I always had a sentimental soft spot for Huarache.
Nike Lunar Flyknit Chukka. Because it’s so new and is the future.
These were close but didn’t make my cut for the top three: Air Max 95 Dynamic Flywire, LeBron X Low, Nike Air Trainer SC II (if had in Miami colorway then might have made the top three).
What would be your three pair today?
Can You Do This in 2.2 Seconds?
Can you run from the NBA three-point line to the rim and make a left handed layup in 2.2 seconds? That’s roughly 23 feet of distance to cover while being (lightly) guarded. If you’re 6-8, you can cover that span in about 4 strides like this.
Maybe you also need these Oreo-inspired shoes for that 2.2-second burst.
The Best Nike LunarEclipse
The heritage of Nike’s LunarEclipse running shoe dates back only three generations, but I must say that the latest LunarEclipse 3 is the best one to date. Ha, that’s an easy conclusion with so few models. But I have all three LunarEclipses, and the LunarEclipse 3 continues to improve, fixing problems in previous pairs.
Like there were improvements between the LE1 to LE2, there are more adjustments with the LE3. The LE1 featured Flywire which was ditched for the “fingers” of the LE2. Flywire makes a reappearance on the LE3 and stylishly so as cables for lockdowning your foot.
The toebox is snug like the LE2, and it feels like the LE3 includes stiffer foam under the arches for better crash protecting support. I don’t think the floating heel cup is in the LE3, but it does feature a “heel support clip” (whatever that is). Visually, the off-centered lacing gives the shoe an edginess to it, not following the norm of laces down the midline. I like it. Maybe this asymmetric orientation actually affects performance, maybe it doesn’t, but it definitely looks cool.
The sole of the LE3 looks much the same as the LE2. The flex grooves may be marginally deeper and wider.
The engineered mesh upper seemingly gives the LE3 less (visible) layers than the LE2. This should help with weight and ventilation.
As a runner who needs support both in the arches and heel, the LunarEclipse 3 provides an excellent combination. The LunarEclipse is now my running shoe of choice with its great balance of support, lightness, and comfort.
More pictures of the LunarEclipse 3 and comparisons with the LunarEclipse 2.
Seen at Foot Locker House of Hoops
Two pairs of kicks caught my eye this weekend while perusing the Ala Moana Foot Locker. This House of Hoops locale still had the LeBron X Low Easter colorway in size 10 (at least two pairs).
The recent Nike Zoom HyperFlight Premium inspired by the universe was there as well.
Oh, those HyperFlight, gotta love and hate this minimalist shoe.
Nike Roshe Runs are Mainstream
Nike’s Roshe Run line of shoes was an underground hit for sometime, but since the beginning of 2013, its visibility grew and grew. Today, I know the Roshe Runs are truly mainstream after seeing them at Macy’s. Yes, Macy’s, a neighborhood Macy’s. And not simple colorways either.
For the men, there’s the Roshe Run FB. Not my favorite of the three-pair FB pack, but still, I would not have expected to see these at Macy’s.
Treating both sexes equally, there’s the Roshe Run for women in the sail/pink force colorway. Don’t these scream Mother’s Day?!
I wonder if Macy’s coupons work on these???
Kicks Analysis 2013 #8: The Champ
It’s all wins for Adidas, and the victory for Adidas was already determined before the actual game as both Louisville and Michigan were decked out in Adidas gear.
Even with its NBA pedigree and support from Kate Upton, the Wolverines couldn’t hold off the talented and relentless Cardinal squad. Props to Louisville and their Adidas camo uniforms.
Going back to 1999, the championship kicksology looks like:
- 1999 Connecticut (Nike)
- 2000 Michigan State (Reebok Answers)
- 2001 Duke (Nike)
- 2002 Maryland (Nike Shox Stunners)
- 2003 Syracuse (Nike Shox)
- 2004 Connecticut (Nike Lebron Zoom Generation and Air Force Operates)
- 2005 North Carolina (Nike Retro Jordan X)
- 2006 Florida (Nike)
- 2007 Florida (Nike)
- 2008 Kansas (Adidas)
- 2009 North Carolina (Nike)
- 2010 Duke (Nike)
- 2011 Connecticut (Nike)
- 2012 Kentucky (Nike)
- 2013 Louisville (Adidas)
From these 15 years, the championship score is 1 for Reebok, 2 for Adidas, and 12 for Nike.
And of course, the obligatory One Shining Moment.
Kicks Analysis 2013 #7: The Finals
From a sneaker perspective, it is over. Adidas has done it again, beating the odds. Representing 20% of the teams in the field of 64, Adidas now represents 100% of the 2013 Finalists with both Michigan and Louisville playing for the championship.
Talk about “All in for March,” Adidas got it right with their teams all in for the championship.
Kicks Analysis 2013 #6: The Final Four
The same has happened in 2013. Starting with three quarters of all the teams wearing Nike, the Final Four comes down to Wichita St. and Syracuse representing Nike and Louisville and Michigan wearing Adidas.
Can Adidas and their camo-based looks prevail?
Kicks Analysis 2013 #4: Shoes of Champions
Continuing the trend of bright and bold team colors of 2012, twenty thirteen also mixed in retro kicks, primarily from a guy named Jordan. Overall, I like the chance Adidas took with their camo-based unis. I particularly thought the mint green of Notre Dame was something you had to stare at (for good or bad). Here’s the matching Crazy Fast in Green Zest.
Miami rocked crazy colors with no one team shoe.
And if your team colors happen to match that of the Chicago Bulls, it’s BRED all day baby!
