Nike put a good bit of research into their new Martial Arts TD MMA shoe, but one wonders if their efforts can hold a candle to another effort from the Swoosh.  We would have said “from Beaverton”, but this stunning soccer boot was the product of a development process spanning three years and four continents!

Easily the most exclusive of the perinneal Mercurial football cleat, the Mercurial Vapor SL represents a marvelous technological leap.  Rather than the leather or nubuck uppers we’re used to seeing on most kicks, the shoe that the Swoosh held back no resource in creating sports a one-piece carbon fibre construction.  In addition to being shockingly light at 190 grams (under 7oz — that’s just over half a Zoom Kobe IV), the thin and light carbon fibre stands to usher in a whole new level of ball control for global superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo.  And they might stay on the feet of elite footballers, given the $400 retail price and sold-out status.

With only 2008 made for firm turf and another 500 for softer pitchs, these joints have gone the way of the buffalo.  We’d check the ‘bay and trading forums.  Be careful, though: the vast majority of Mercurial Vapor SLs you’ll find feature most of the tech specs that sell this pricey boot, but most are the slightly heavier non-carbon-fibre-upper general release.  Pics via CarbonFiberGear

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It’s not that often that a Nike release drops “under the radar” as there is such a wealth of information on the web and every sneakerhead on the planet has a blog now. It’s also not that often that Nike can release an all White AF1 and make a lasting impression or create an instant classic. In fact very few all White “classics” come to mind; core white/whites (of course), white and gums, white anacondas, white and ice outsole, and that’s about it. Or is it? Well clearly it isn’t because Nike has released this instant classic pictured above.

This devilishly sneaky release was Quickstriked at the end of December but hasn’t made an appearance at some retailers until now. Showing up just last week with no more information that what you are reading here, this White/White Premium ’08 is one of the sickest all white forces to launch in ages! What is most peculiar about this release (besides the fact that the usual suspects didn’t seem to receive it) is that though it is badged as a Premium ’08, it has cues from the Supreme line up of AF1′s. Note the leather lining, embossed tongue tag and heel tab, and the lacelock. In addition the leather used on this AF1 had not been seen since it’s last use on the Las Vegas All Star Hi AF1′s from 2007! If the leather used on this heater isn’t enough to make you want to cop, then check the ALL ICE sole! What’s more is that the “ice sole” used on this pair is not the max air sole unit that Nike keeps mating to Supremes of late. It is the classic ice midsole/outsole pairing as seen on the original Stash AF1 Hi’s! via GourmetKickz

Style: 352567-111
Color: White/White

> Buy It: Nike AF1 Premium ’08 Quickstrike Wht/Wht

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Similar to the orange on black Air Force 1′s profiled earlier in the week, Nike is releasing a simple, but elegant black colorway of the sneaker.  Aside from its use of black premium leathers, the heel contains a patent reptile skin and the swoosh is a dark grey.  This simple and casual sneaker is finished with a black midsole and a nice gum sole.  This Air Force 1 will be available at Nike Sportswear retailers in the near future, but you can get them now, in Japan at Atmos.

Style: 318775-001
Color: Black/Gum

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We recently showed you an Air Max 1 that takes the shoe to another level of status, dubbed the Air Max 1 Maxim that was seen in a white/red colorway.  Another sample of the Air Max 1 Maxim has recently popped up, allowing us to get a better look at the updated classic shoe that is sure to be a hit amongst sneaker heads and Air Max fans.

The Air Max 1 Maxim above is featured in a white/blue colorway.  Just to quickly mention the aesthetic features, the blue around the base of the upper comes in a buttery looking suede to match the glossy, blue Swoosh, blue eyelets and a blue inner.  The rest of the shoe comes in white with the exception of a light grey suede patch on the heel.  The updated technical aspects include Flywire along the mid-panel and translucent, synthetic mesh on top of the toe-box making this light shoe even lighter.  These should hit retailers this Fall, but stay tuned for more info. via Cubanbeee/Niketalk

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The news just keeps getting better and better for Air Max fans around the world.  We’ve seen some dope new concepts for the Air Max 1 scheduled for later in the year, and it doesn’t look like Nike Sportswear is going to stop with fresh designs.  One of many samples that have recently been leaked is this Air Max 1 Safari in a purple/white-grey colorway.

The shoe brings back more safari print, tastefully applies in purple and black around the lower part of the upper.  Purple continues to be used on the Swoosh, Nike Air embroidery on the back and on the inner of the shoe while the nylon mesh is all white surrounded by what looks to be grey nubuck.  There is even some yellow applied to the eyelits to set things off even more.  Expect Nike Sportswear to release these later this ear in the Fall, but we’lll keep you posted on all relevent information.  via Cubanbeee/Niketalk

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Nike has been issuing some hybrid shoes as of late, taking a bit from great shoes here and there and putting them together in order to make up a completely new model.  However, their latest Hybrid Sample creation differs a bit using two historic sneaker models on one silhouette; the Air Max 1 and the Safari 87. The bottom of the shoe features an original Air Max 1 colorway; White/Sport Red-Neutral Grey, while the top of the upper is a Safari 87; Tan/Charcoal-Black. This appears to be a Nike first combining two of their classic running sneakers into one. Photo: Cubanbee/ Niketalk.

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Again out of no where Nike SB releases a pair of Zoom P-Rod 2 Highs as a unexpected quick strike. The new model features a tonal brown upper featuring a plethora of premium materials including; nubuck, leather, suede, mesh, and a brown houndstooth material that stands out on the heel. The Zoom P-Rod 2 High ‘Brown Houndstooth’ Quick Strike is available now at select Nike SB dealers in limited quantities. Photo: HUF

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Update: This is a Nike sneaker and is not from Air Jordan. (Thanks Nick)

Prior to what we said earlier, here we have the Nike RT1 High Top, which is a dope, high-top shoe that some are calling the “Un-Yeezys”.  Rumors have been that this black, high-top shoe is Nike’s answer to the popular Supra Skytop, but nothing has been confirmed.  The shoe looks to have an all black leather upper with a white mid-sole and a red out-sole along with what looks like a red inner.  The upper does have some features that are taken for Air Jordan Signature shoes, such as ankle support and a tongue that both look very similar o those you would find on an Air Jordan V.  Definitely very similar looking to the Nike Air Yeezy, but hopefully these will be a little more widely available.  While there are not enough pictures to get a proper impression of the shoe, you can definitely tell that this may mark a new direction in lifestyle shoes from Nike.  Stay tuned for more information about this shoe as it becomes available.  via BOPvi

Look for these now at select Nike retailers as well as on nikestore.com.

Style: 354034 001
Color: Black/Black/Varsity Red/White

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A few days ago we showed you a preview to the upcoming AJF4 by Jordan Brand. Now we see a sneak peak of the shoes first sample model featuring the Black/Varsity Red-Cement colorway. The sample appears to have some major differences from the previously posted catalog scans. First, the clear mid sole has been replaced with an ‘inside out’ leather one. Next the mesh side panel and ‘Swoosh’ appear to have been replaced with perforated leather that we have seen previously on Air Jordan IV retros. Finally with all the drastic changes the Jordan IV heel tab and signature eyelets remain. Be on the look out for these to release at Jordan accounts sometime this September. Photo: Cubanbee on Niketalk.

Style: 364342-061
Color: Black/Varsity Red-Cement

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Your author has wondered on more than one occasion when Nike would take upon themselves the responsibility of cleaning up the aesthetically-abhorrent world of Mixed Martial Arts, and it appears that Beaverton has been thinking about it at least as long.  Capitalizing upon the research data gained during the leadup to the 29th Summer Olympiad last August in Beijing, China, the Swoosh has designed the Martial Arts TD to compliment any and all sanctioned combat.  Features like layered leather uppers, oversized toecaps and a wider sole with 45 degree treads makes this an excellent choice for kickboxing, grappling and everything in between.  These kicks (literally) are available at MMA specialty retailers like Japanese superstar Caol Uno‘s UCS.  Thanks to our fam at Freshness for this exclusive piece of Sneaker News.

UCS (Caol Uno Showten)
3-88 Hanasaki-cho (Map)
Naka-ku, Yokohama Japan
TEL #: +045-260-5175

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In recent years, it’s become increasingly common for influential artists and other collaborators to sketch upon and otherwise liven up what might be the ultimate icon of modern footwear, the Converse All Star Chuck Taylor.  With collab-happy an accurate description of the current state of sneakers and streetwear in general, it’s less than shocking to see Cons’ pattern applied elsewhere.

Here we see cartoonist and illustrator Paul Pope hook up with DKNY for a canvas sneaker that bears a striking resemblance to the classic Chuck silhouette.  Pope draws abstract designs along the heel and applies his alter ego PULPHOPE’s signature near the lower eyelets.  A subdued affair in white and off-white, the sketches and yellow lining are nice touches.  Warren Ellis relays a quote from Pope himself : “[t]he 2nd wave of Pulphope stuff from DKNY includes 3 different sets of hightop sneakers and two sets of sandals.”  Paul also confirmed a 2009 release for the whole set and you can check Sneaker News for updates.

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For anyone out there who has ever had their ankles broken on the court, Nike has the answer to your problems. According to their most recent ad campaign, the new Kobe 4 provides “ankle insurance” to anyone who wears them. Low cut, lightweight and responsive, the innovative sneaker is built for optimum performance when making quick stops and cuts.

This clever commercial features ankle insurance spokesperson, Kobe Bryant, last seen handing out ankle insurance business cards to DJ A.M. and Mike Epps, warning of the danger of broken ankles and offering some advice on what can be done to prevent it. If you want to keep your ankles safe or just look good out on the floor, you can get a pair of “Carpe Diem” Kobe 4′s on 1/17 at House of Hoops and other national retailers.

> Nike Basketball

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