Nike may have grabbed headlines with the big cross-marketing campaign for Asafa Powell with music provided by current dancehall megastar Mavado, but let’s not forget the big winner and fastest man on the planet Usain Bolt runs for Puma. In keeping with their current momentum for all things running, Puma is gearing up for the release of the L.I.F.T Racer, possibly one of the lightest sneakers you’ll ever set foot in.  L.I.F.T, which stands for lite injected foam technology, simply means a lightweight foam is injected into a shoe mold to create a one piece upper, resulting in a shoe that screams efficiency as well as comfort.  While most sneakers require the several pieces to be glued and stitched together, this shoe is all one piece with the upper mesh stitched right onto the one piece foam.  At a price point of $75, you pretty much can’t go wrong.  The L.I.F.T Racer will be available at Puma Concept stores and Finish Line locations nationwide as well as online at store.puma.com and finishline.com starting March 14, 2009, and later on at Nordstrom in April.

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We all know the Mayor is the king of Air Force 1s.  His 1000+ pair collection is now legendary among sneakerheads.  Apparently AF1s are like Pringles, cos dude just did up another nasty Nike Air Force 1 Bespoke at Nike Sportswear’s 21 Mercer St. flagship in NYC.  Mayor chose a khaki-coloured waxed canvas for the entire upper and an icey midsole.  The remaining contrasts are a rich golden hue, highlighted by the use of identical leathers on the lining and Swoosh.  Those both match the outsole, laces and tongue logo, making for an utterly elegant outcome.  Again, with these, you got zero chance of getting them, but feel free to head over to 21 Mercer and make an appointment to see what inspires you.

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We got a look at a nifty pair of Vans Zapato del Barcos earlier this week that, at that time, were only available in Japan.  This has since changed, as Extra Butter got a new shipment from Off the Wall for late Spring.  In addition to the tonal brown affair, there’s another del Barco in a black and white windowpane pattern.  A pair of Authentics in a tonal brown checkerboard pattern round out this grown up collection that seems to be giving a shout out to the stellar Vans Vault collection.  If you like what you see, head over to Extra Butter to cop any or all three.

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Vans has grown quite fond of using checkerboard, plaid and other patterned uppers lately.  This collaboration with German giant Solebox is somewhere in between.  The Solebox x Vans Old Skool is reminiscent of a tablecloth at first glance, but a closer look reveals that the checks are actually more like houndstooth, and that pattern fades into a diagonal stripe just below the outer eyelets.  These are sure to grab attention, and since there are only 60 pairs being made, you’ll be the only one around getting those glances when these drop on May 2nd at the cost of 70 Euros, exclusively at Solebox.

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Way back when we first started showing you some previews of Kanye West’s Louis Vuitton sneaker collaboration, we warned you to start saving your dough. Now that we have received confirmed pricing details for numerous models from the collection, it turns out that you’re probably still short some funds. In addition to the retail prices, we have also finally found out the official model names for three of the sneakers, all with strong significance to Mr. West. This first leg of the collaboration will include the Jasper’s, named for Kanye’s barber, and the Mr. Hudson, inspired by the GOOD Music artist of the same name.  Finally and most fittingly are the Don’s, a nod to Yeezy’s keen fashion prowess and love for Louis Vuitton.  These beauties will begin dropping in June, so that still gives you some time to get your money right. Check out images of the collection with pricing details after the jump. via NiceKicks.

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Your author noticed a while back that Nike may as well formally declare 2009 ‘The Year of Nylon’.  Since they already capitalized on Nike Sportswear’s upscale take on the back catalogue basics with their Originals Collection, it’s not shocking to see adidas use the fabric du jour on this new pair of throwback runners.  The adidas County O Vintage contrast their mostly nylon upper with suede toes, eyelets and heels.  A pair each in black/white and white/green, these simple striders complete their antique look with pre-yellowed midsoles.  Feel free to cop either or both pairs over at American Rag CIE’s shop on Hymns.jp

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We’ve seen the Fresh Water edition a couple of times already as well as the Team Orange joints, but are no less happy to find two more pairs of the Nike Air Max 95 rocking the classic black-grey-white gradient.  All four pairs use this basic template with the eyelets, ‘AirMax’ logo outline and Swoosh appearing in a contrast colour.  Joining the aforementioned colours are New Green and Sport Red.  The Fresh Water pair are already available at select Nike accounts and you can check all the pics after the jump to decide if you’d like to cop the others when they drop soon.  Stay tuned to Sneaker News for updates.  via Chajin Young

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We saw Vans apply a cup sole to their Chukka boot-turned-sneaker earlier this week, and now they’re showing off another variation of the tried and true model.  The Vans Vault Chukka Moc rocks a moccassin-like toe, but no, they’re actually nothing like that other famous pair of moc-toed chukkas.  The toe is somewhat reminiscent of Off the Wall’s collaboration with Taka Hayashi, and reflects the Japanese trend toward classic dress shoe styling as noted by Marcus Troy.  The black pair pictured above is accompanied by a brown pair that you can see after the jump.  Take a look and get ready to keep on lovin’ the clutch work by Vans Vault come Fall 2009.

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As many of you may know, the Are Jordan Force VI has been steadily hitting retailers over the past couple weeks in a variety of colorways.  Without fail, Saturday’s mark the weekly release of new Jordan Brand kicks and this weekend with be no different.  A new version of the Air Jordan Force VI, which features two shades of grey along with touches of black, white and red, will be making its way onto shelves this week.  The upper of the shoe is constructed entirely of smooth nubuck in light grey, dark grey and black on the Swoosh.  Red lines the heel tab and the sole is a simple black and white with a translucent Nike Air bubble.  Look for these at most Jordan retailers this weekend.  via Footlocker Unlocked
Release Date: 03/21/2009
Name: AJF 6
Style: 343064-064
Color: Stealth/Varsity Red-Light Graphite-White
Air Jordan Release Dates

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Jordan Brand is continuing to push both the Air Jordan Force line and their just-higher-than-lowtop 5/8ths cut.  This pair finds JB utilizing both in the Air Jordan Fusion VI (AJF6) 5/8.  Set for a March 14th release alongside a few other AJF6s, these opt for a colourway more often seen on samples than wide releases: white, stealth and varsity red.  If you’re feelin’ these, they’ll be available at many Foot Locker locations, including their House of Hoops specialty stores.

Air Jordan Force VI (AJF6) 5/8
Release: March 14, 2009
Style: 343095-161
Color: White/Varsity Red-Stealth
Price: $135.00

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Earlier this week, we gave you a look at an upcoming vibrantly colored Nike Terminator High quickstrike and it appears that it will be bringing company. The turquoise/purple/orange version that we showed you will be joined by another colorway that features a similar color scheme, but on a black base. The second Terminator features a black leather upper and midsole with a turquoise Swoosh and lining, bright pink laces and a touch of purple on the ankle section of the heel. Like the pair we previewed the other day, the upper also flaunts large triangular perforations on the toe box and mid section. Both pairs should be hitting select Nike accounts any day now if they haven’t already. via Hypebeast.

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The collaboration between Alife Rivington and the Nike Air Force 1 is finally upon us. Last week, we showed you a sneak peek at this heavily anticipated partnership and now we bring you a few more images and a list of the lucky retailers that will be getting them. As part of Nike’s 1World project, the minds at Alife have put their infamously fresh touch on one of Nike’s most legendary models. The sneaker features a clean white on white color scheme with a classic gum sole and embossed stars all over the upper and midsole. These will be hitting the following retailers in limited quantities along with a matching t-shirt on Saturday, March 14th, so don’t sleep. via Nike Sportswear.

ALIFE, New York City
Bodega, Boston
Darkside, San Francisco
Goods, Seattle
Huf, San Francisco
Nike Sportswear @ The Montalban, Los Angeles
Shoe Gallery, Miami
UNDFTD, Las Vegas
UNDFTD, Los Angeles
UNDTFD, Santa Monica

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