The Only Way to Ride a Moped
If you’re driving(?)/riding a moped during busy traffic hours, the only way it’s done right is wearing a pair of Yeezy 500 Super Moon Yellow.
shoes
I’ve Been Foamer-ized!
Mr. Foamer Simpson has gotten inside my head. It started with this video, 5 Sneakers Every Guy Should Own Right Now! where Foamer listed his fifth pick as the New Balance 990. New Balance 990v4?!? Hanging with the Air Jordan 1, Nike AirMax 270, Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 Wave Runner, and Nike Air Max 1-97 “Wotherspoons” is the 990v4? Really???
Then Foamer posted an explanation in The Most Underrated Sneaker in My Entire Collection and I was convinced. I need to buy research these retro-looking kicks.
I gotta say that while still pulling cues from the past, these shoes look pretty good. Some colorways are better than others while some simply look odd, but I think I could do these Black with Rosin ones.
But these are expensive, quality kicks going for $180+. Actually, the comfort factor plays a big part in these since they look extremely supportive. I’ll have to keep an eye out for discounts on (any) 990, so I can experience them myself.
Yeezy Boost 350 Triple White Sold Out Yet?
First off, thanks goes to Adidas and Kanye West for releasing the ever-popular Yeezy line of shoes in mass quantities to the public. Usually a Yeezy drop is plain bananas, but the release of the Triple White colorway seems more equitable due to the mass quantities.
But one downside of the wide availablility is the notification of this availability. Between Adidas and YeezySupply, I don’t know how many emails I’ve received telling me that the Triple Whites are available, still available, and have been restocked. I mean this is actually a good problem to have for consumers, but compared to previous Yeezy drops that are done in hours, this Triple White release spanning days is just odd.
eBay Peeve: Real?
Okay, not an eBay tip but a pet peeve. Just how are you supposed to answer questions asking if your items for sale are real or authentic? Um, yes… What kind of question is that? If fake, would I admit to that? And how am I supposed to determine the authenticity either? Yeah, I’ve been around the kicks game for awhile but I’ve never seen every shoe model.
So is this Under Armour Curry 1 “Candy Reign” All Star edition legit?
BAIT in Hawaii
Didn’t even know BAIT was considering coming to Hawaii, but the apparel and footwear retailer is open on Oahu. I haven’t been there and don’t know the parking situation, but they are at 1500 S. King St.
Bonus – they have the Yeezy Wave Runners available (for now).
Mamba Day and Hurricane Lane
Wait… Just when is Mamba Day? Supposedly it’s tomorrow, Friday, August 24 that marks the release of the new Kobe A.D. But then again, the Internet says Mamba Day is April 13 (the date of Kobe’s last game).
In any case, the Kobe A.D. release will probably coincide with the Oahu landfall of Hurricane Lane. While I personally like this new design and all the potential color combinations possible with the shoe’s components, I’ll have to pass (for now).
But if I try them on and they actually fit well then I may have found my next badminton court shoes.
A Lucky Hurricane Lane Strategy
A lucky strategy when facing Hurricane Lane is to not face Hurricane Lane and be at the Adidas Employee Store instead.
Hopefully there, you’ll make your own hurricane of purchases of three-stripped items like:
Ultra Boost
Harden Vol 2
In all kinds of colorways.
Or maybe something from the Pharrell Williams line?
My Nike Wishlist Haul
Well, my chance at getting my Nike Wishlist came true. But first, I gotta say thanks to the No Ka Oi connection for a dream come true. I thought visiting the Nike Company Store in Beaverton, Oregon was a long shot, but the Nike gods were with me.
Let’s rewind to a Thursday morning in July when I was in line at the Company Store before its opening at 10am. It was game time, and I knew my first target was the “back wall” of shoe odds and ends. You just never know what you’ll find (and find I did).
But what was I looking for? Read up on my Wishlist series with version 4 looking like this:
- Air Max 97 VaporMax/Air VaporMax Plus ($190)
- Air Max 270 ($170)
- Odyssey React ($120)
- React Vapor Street Flyknit ($180)
- Kobe 1 Protro ($175)
- React Element 87 ($160)
What I ended up with, looked like this.
If you recall my original list, I had the LeBron 15 but then changed to the LeBron 15 Low in Update 1. But as fate would have it, the colorway I randomly used in my original Wishlist is the exact colorway I found on the back wall in my size! Yeah, I did say the LeBrons didn’t fit my feet well so I did try them on again in the Company Store and even wandered the aisles finding other shoes to try on while wearing the BattleKnit LeBrons. And that’s when I changed my mind. The overall feet of the LeBron 15 was top-notch. The support, the feel of the materials, the colors. I couldn’t put these back to the back wall.
Then there’s those crazy Perry the Platypus colored Air Max 98. Truth be told I coveted these shoes when they released on Nike’s SNKRS app. Truth be told I passed on them and regretted it. Truth be told I have a watch on GOAT for these shoes going for around $180. Truth be told I was amazed to see a few of these on the back wall. Truth be told they’re a little big at size 10.5, but truth be told, I wasn’t putting these back. So that’s two from the back wall.
So what about my Wishlist? I did try on the VaporMax 97, and they were okay. Plenty were in stock in different colorways, and I even tried on a variety of VaporMax models. The Utility model wasn’t bad but overall, none of them were keepers.
The same goes for the Air Max 270. So many colorways. Some nice ones on the back wall as well, but none stood out. I tested out the Air Force 270 line for a change on the 270 bubble, but none of them resonated with me.
The Odyssey and Epic Reacts were really the most disappointing for me. I was fully commited to buying one of these React models to run in. But they just didn’t feel right. Super snug, going up half a size made the fit better. But the arches on both models felt problematic, and I really didn’t want to buy running shoes that would either be non-supportive or chafe too much.
Kobe 1 Protros had lots in stock. I even found a few Lakers gold and purple colorways on the back wall, but these shoes are super stiff. I didn’t like them as soon as I put them on.
The React Element 87 that released that week was a long shot to find, and I was correct in that assumption. But the React Vapor Street Flyknit was there, and they felt great. Surprisingly great. I was super close to buying a pair.
But right next to these were the brand new EXP-X14 that released the week prior. The colorways were neutral with either white/wolf grey or mountain blue, but of course, I had to try the on since they were right there. I’m glad I did. Super comfortable and an overall different feel and vibe to this shoe. I put back the Vapor Street in favor of a white pair of EXP-X14 which was also my substitute for missing out on the Element 87. While looking for my size, another shopper asks if I wanted the X14 in the Just Do It colorway. I don’t know where he found this special colorway since I didn’t see any others. And can you believe they were in my size too?!? Was meant to be…
While I tried on many more models and also helped family members pick out kicks (Epic React and Pegasus were popular), in the end, my Nike Wishlist was this:
- LeBron 15 Black/Sail/Bright Crimson
- EXP-X14 JDI
- Air Max 98 QS Cone/Tour Yellow-Hyper Grape
Nike Wishlist Update 4
From my (hopefully discounted) Nike Wishlist, I have to sadly remove the LeBrons. Although now a Laker, the King has his same feet that aren’t like mine. Therefore, the LeBron signature shoes just don’t fit me well. Getting into the hightop version was tough, but my eye was on the low top version.
To get some early recon, I tried on a pair of LeBron 15 Lows. My usual size was too tight so I sized up. While this helped the overall fit of the Battleknit upper, the arch of any LeBrons has been and continues to be a problem for me. Just not enough support for my flat feet, and I can feel my arches collapsing when taking a step. This won’t be good if using these for performance purposes.
So the list of seven needs some changes:
- Air Max 97 VaporMax/Air VaporMax Plus ($190)
- Air Max 270 ($170)
- Odyssey React ($120)
- React Vapor Street Flyknit ($180)
LeBron 15 Low “Flight Pack” ($150)- React Element 87 ($160)
Air Force I “JDI” ($130)
I’m also striking the AF1 JDI – just don’t need it. Although I didn’t try on the Air Max 97 VaporMax version, they do have a hardened foot bridge-like structure at the midfoot. That typically feels good for my feet. But I’m also worrying about the support of the React models. The simplicity of the minimal Element 87 concerns me. From the images, the shoe base looks wide, offering midfoot support.
Oh look… Protros (terrible name but loving the older look infused with new tech).
If these are miraculously available then of course, I’d need to consider them. So revision 4 of my Nike Wishlist looks like:
- Air Max 97 VaporMax/Air VaporMax Plus ($190)
- Air Max 270 ($170)
- Odyssey React ($120)
- React Vapor Street Flyknit ($180)
- Kobe 1 Protro ($175)
- React Element 87 ($160)
Nike Wishlist Update 3
This wishlist update is a fast turnaround. Since I removed shoes from the list in Update 2, of course, I need to fill those positions with other desires. Currently, the wishlist stands at:
- Air Max 97 VaporMax/Air VaporMax Plus ($190)
- Air Max 270 ($170)
- Odyssey React ($120)
- React Vapor Street Flyknit ($180)
- LeBron 15 Low “Flight Pack” ($150)
The first addition is the upcoming Nike React Element 87. Funky name, funky look – distinctive. But being new, I doubt these will yet be available at a discounted price.
My next addition is a whim. Taking it back to the old school, I think I’ve owned one pair of classic Air Force I, and this JDI “Just Do It” pack looks intriguing. Not sure if I can handle all that orange though.
So just to keep the wishlist at seven (just a random number), here’s how it now looks:
- Air Max 97 VaporMax/Air VaporMax Plus ($190)
- Air Max 270 ($170)
- Odyssey React ($120)
- React Vapor Street Flyknit ($180)
- LeBron 15 Low “Flight Pack” ($150)
- React Element 87 ($160)
- Air Force I “JDI” ($130)
When it comes to decision time (aka time to pay), I’d say I’d go with the LeBron (for badminton and to honor his past season) and the Odyssey React (since I want to try Nike’s new running foam). A third pair would have to be something deliciously good.
Nike Wishlist Update 2
It’s time for another Nike Wishlist update. Update 1 ended looking like this:
- Air Max 97 VaporMax/Air VaporMax Plus ($190)
- Air Max 270 ($170)
- Odyssey React ($120)
- React Vapor Street Flyknit ($180)
- LeBron 15 Low ($150)
- Air Jordan 1 ($145)
- ACG Dog Mountain ($110)
Thanks to Nordstrom’s redemption, I can strike out #6, the Air Jordan I. But however, I always reserve the right to reverse my choice if a super fresh or rare colorway is lucked upon.
Looking at #7, the ACG Dog Mountain, I think I’ll also strike this outdoors-theme shoe from the list. Why? Because I found the Nike Air Zoom Albis 16 at Ross. While I would have loved that Concord purple colorway, the black and wolf grey makeup is just fine with me.
At #5, a refinement if available. This Flight Pack colorway of the LeBron 15 Low is too good featuring the Teal Tint and Sunset Pulse, but it’s not yet released.
So I’ll end Update 2 of my wishlist like this:
- Air Max 97 VaporMax/Air VaporMax Plus ($190)
- Air Max 270 ($170)
- Odyssey React ($120)
- React Vapor Street Flyknit ($180)
- LeBron 15 Low “Flight Pack” ($150)
Air Jordan 1 ($145)ACG Dog Mountain ($110)
Nordstrom Redemption and Air Jordan Color-blindness
Nordstrom has redeemed itself, partially at least. Last you remember, Nordstrom cancelled my discounted order for a pair of Air Jordan 1 mid, in a shadow-like colorway (I’ve since learned that these are not THE premium Shadow AJ1 highs). They just couldn’t fulfill the order.
But seeing the here-now-gone-tomorrow nature of these shoes, I persisted, checking the site’s inventory every now and then. And it paid off. One day, an AJ1 in an obsidian, game royal colorway appearend on-site. Not a premium model but still discounted, last pair, and my size. So I ordered it, expecting to get yet another cancellation.
Then redemption…
Thanks Nordstrom!
Oh, about that Air Jordan color-blindness. From the pictures above, you can see the shoes are a mix of dark blue and royal blue. On the Nordstrom site, I had thought these shoes were black and royal blue (see the image below).
If you remember, I had also bought a pair of Air Jordan 31 on clearance from Nike. I thought these were black and white when really they were dark blue and white.
I guess I’m just color-blind when it comes to Air Jordans? But really, I can’t complain after getting both at reduced prices.