Aside from intentional irony that’s really a little more hipsterish anyway, Converse is about the only mainstream fashion brand that hardcore punks ever embraced.  Even so, it’s slightly strange to see one of the iconic acts of ’77-style get up with One Star for these collabo packs.  Then again, there are two Joe Strummer Nike SB Dunks, and the ‘Afters’ are one of yours truly’s all-time faves, so who am I to judge.

These Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars designed with imagery made famous by The Clash shows you that ‘The Only Band That Matter[ed]‘ is now another footnote in the pop culture annals.  And that’s literally true with these three new Chucks.  Take a look at up-close photos of each pair after the jump.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Last year’s Jordan Brand Classic was probably most notable for Marcus Troy’s appearance in the red AJF4 Premier. This year, it might be the Air Jordan Icons colourway pictured above. You might think it looks like something for the Puerto Rican national team, but a Jordan Brand Classic insignia on the heel is the ‘that’s what’s up’ on these joints. The blue and white upper is split right where the midsole tooling allows a two-face look, so these are sure to be highly saught after for fashion as well as their limited status. If you can’t wait, MarqueeSole has a limited size run in stock already.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

On February 14th, you’ll have a bunch of reasons to celebrate.  Even if you’re single with no prospects, there are an insane amount of quality kicks designed after the upcoming Year of the (Metal) Tiger.  With this Nike Classic Cortez, the nylon underlay is covered in tonal tiger stripes, which extends to the ’2010.2.14′-emblazoned insoles.

There are a ton of dope features like a red trim on the right shoe to signify the red string worn by people born on Tiger-years, plus the Chinese characters for ‘tiger’ and ‘peace’ on the tongues.  Additionally each pair will be accompanied by a pair of laces designed by Starks. This Cortez is so hot, it deserves special packaging.  Aside from the general release, only 200 pairs come in boxes that open from their specialized box with a five-finger death grip! That right there justifies the purchase, if you can get your hands on them.  The special edition Nike Tiger Cortez box drops on Feb. 10th and in the ‘standard’ box on Feb. 13th.  Click the jump below for more photos.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

With all the dope Jordan Brand PEs he’s been rocking, Dwyane Wade is ‘already home’.  JB welcomed him in grand fashion with those Player Exclusives, plus a whole room full of retro Jays, but this might be his nicest shoe yet.  The Air Jordan 2010 appears above in a white/red/black colourway that we’re sure MJ would wear at home if this was 15 or 20 years earlier.

Instead, they’re a lock for D-Wade’s Miami Heat Home PE, and just look at the ‘W3lcome Home’ insoles if you need more proof.  They’re Carolina blue on the bottom just like all AJ2010 insoles, but it’s the translucent red outsoles everyone’s likely to be buzzing over.  This pair is available in a limited size run from Marquee Sole.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Here are three of the baddest-ass (bad-assest?) Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars in the shoe’s 93 year history.  This pack evokes a certain combative spirit, but each is significantly different from the next.  The camo and black leather hightops have an open zipper running from the eye-placket around the ankle and back down, while another camo pair is a lowtop sans leather, and features doubled-up eyelets.  Last but not least is a hightop rocking a studded American flag print.  We occasionally bemoan red and blue sneakers that come out patrio-cheesy, but these are like those’ bizarros.  Expect them at select Converse retailers soon.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

If you can’t stand the biting cold of Northeastern winter, you might already be thinking ahead to the Spring and Summer months. Check out this interesting collaboration between ShoeGallery, Upset Gentlemen (of Miami Ink fame), and adidas. The finished product? A summer-y twist on the adidas ZX700 Boat. The design is classic Topsider boat-shoe but with a considerably higher cut, made complete by picnic-table plaid lining and Oxblood red on the upper, all welded together by the classic ZX700 midsole. If you’re looking to add these to your summer rotation, check with ShoeGallery on February 6th. via HighSnobiety.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

They say 20 is one of your most meaningless birthdays, but it’s never bad timing for the OG Infrared colourway of the Nike Air Max 90.  Two decades in and this iconic fall 2010 release looks as fresh as ever.  This particular edition looks true to form with premium construction, so get ready to get on these fast when they release (last time, it was a Quickstrike).  We’ll keep you posted, as the date for that is still up in the Air.  via Suede&Mesh

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Nike 6.0 is catching up to big brother Nike SB, but the vaunted Swoosh skate division had better look outside as well.  Well, not exactly outside, as Converse and hence Converse Skateboarding is controlled by Nike.  Perhaps that’s why this collection of releases for the spring season is so sastisfying.

Starting on the top-right and working clockwise, we have the Anthony Pappalardo pro model, followed by three pairs of CVO Lows.  Pappalardo’s is somewhere between the One Star and CTS lowtop, whereas the CVOs look like an aggressive take on the Vans Authentic design.  Also similar to an Off the Wall look, two Sea Stars round out this group.  Solid stuff here, especially if you’ve had your fill of Swooshes.  Cop any or all of these today at select Converse Skate retailers.  via StyleWiz

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Just when we think we’ve seen it all, something like this comes out of the woodwork to remind us that there are countless hidden treasures out there just waiting to be unearthed. We all know what the final version of the Air Jordan II looks like.  In fact, we just showed you the latest Retro version earlier tonight. We’ve even seen some rare prototypes, but this pair here is something that not too many sneakerheads out there have ever laid eyes on. As you can see, this early prototype version of the Air Jordan II follows the shape and aesthetics of the Air Jordan 1 a lot more closely than the much chunkier pair that was eventually released as the second signature Jordan model.

Also of note, in an obvious attempt to separate the Air Jordan line from all of their other sneakers, the Nike Swoosh was replaced by the classic Jordan Wings logo, but as you can see, this version had Nike branding instead of Air Jordan, demonstrating that maybe they weren’t quite ready to take their name off such a high-profile product. Rumored to be limited to possibly less than 10 pairs, getting a look at these is a rare treat for Air Jordan enthusiasts, so take your time and check out multiple pages of great detailed pics of this extremely scarce prototype, including some pics of a low version. If you’re particularly moved by what you see and have a grip to drop on this incredible collector’s piece, you can get in on the bidding courtesy of thecoolshoeshine on eBay.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

One thing that’s clear from reading the comments here on Sneaker News: dudes want the ‘Nike (Air)’ back on Air Jordans.  It could be the increased value of the older releases, nostalgia, or both, but you know when you see some Jays with the Swoosh (other than 1s, of course), that you’re dealing with a serious sneakerhead.

This sample pictured above suggests we could be seeing an un-changing of the (shooting) guard (‘s sneakers).  Take a look at this Air Jordan II Retro sample.  It’s pretty tasty with that white, red and black colourway, no?  How about the tongue tag?  Notice how it says that these are a Summer 2010 sample, but they still have ‘NIKE’ on the heel (not ‘AIR’, like the newer retros).  Very interesting, indeed, so be sure to stick with Sneaker News and we’ll let you know how this plays out.  via Kenlu

Tweet

Continue Reading   

We told you that the immortal Neon Nike Air Max 95 was going to be re-retroed, and it was, right around the turn of the year.  Little did we know, it was also about to come back with a twist.  Typifying Nike Sportswear’s Voltron approach to the Swoosh heritage, the Nike Air Max Modular 95 SI is set to hit the scene with massive social proof thanks to the granddaddy of all AM95 colourways.  The Air Classic BW upper has a totally different style of tiering, but 95′s signature grey-dient is unmistakable.  These are probably still a ways off, so stick with Sneaker News for updates.  via Suede&Mesh

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Quite possibly one of the slicker Team colourways of the Air Jordan 16.5 is the New Orleans Hornets’ Aquatone colourway. The sleek combination of black patent leather and cool-as-a-cucumber concord and aquatone should definitely be a sure-fire hit. The Air Jordan 16.5 is becoming more and more prevalent on the NBA and NCAA court; it must be as comfortable as it is pretty. The Aquatone Air Jordan 16.5 should hit Jordan retailers soon, but it’s now available overseas at LTD Online.

Style: 375387-002
Color: Black/Metallic Silver-Aquatone-Bright Concord

Tweet

Continue Reading