Fifteen years ago, Hideo Nomo opened the floodgates as the first Japanese-born full-time Major League Baseball player.  Nomo’s appeal was well rounded, from his connections to the Pacific rim to a one-of-a-kind windup, so it’s no surprise Nike noticed this and signed him.  Here’s the Nike Air Max NM Nomo that was released the year after Hideo won the NL Rookie of the Year in 1995.  If the sole looks familiar, that’s cos it’s the same one that also released under the Air Griffey Max 1 in ’96.  Two colorways will release during the Spring 2011 season, with Pro Blue and Varsity Red uppers both accented by black ‘teeth’ at the top and bottom.  Check out more shots after the jump and stick with Sneaker News for updates on this upcoming retro release.  via Osneaker

Tweet

Continue Reading   

The latest entry in Vans’ California Collection is another Off the Wall classic.  The Vans Era is a staple in any robust skate-inspired wardrobe, and these two new pairs are among the nicest to ever hit retail.  Both of them are done in monochromatic leather with perforations on the side panels, just like the California Sk8-His we previewed earlier this month.  They also have gold accents including embroidery and metallic eyelets, so click the jump below for more images and stick with Sneaker News for updates on these Fall 2010 releases.  via Sneakers.FR

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Sneaker News’ report of Reebok’s signing of John Wall sparked an intense debate in our open forum; Wall’s achievement was both applauded and derided, but how can you possibly turn down a signature shoe? During his workout with Washington Wizards, John Wall unofficially debuted the Reebok Zig Slash, the Zig-midsoled basketball shoe that’s due out in the coming months. Attacking the rim, circuiting through defensive drills, taking notes from Flip Saunders, and a one-and-one session with former NBA All-Star Sam Cassell seemed to be no problem for Wall and the Reebok Zig Slash, and its good that the comfort is showing because he’s most likely going to call Washington home by the end of the month. Check out the gallery of John Wall in the Reebok Zig Slash and we’d like to hear your voices again; what potential does a John Wall Reebok sig shoe have? via NBA.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

There’s been a nice variety in mostly-white Nike Air Force 1s for men, and now here’s one just for ladies.  These WMNS Uptowns go with a white patent leather base, white laces, white sole — white everything, except for the yellow Swooshes, done in a duller leather.  These would have made a great shoe for spring as well, but at least they’re making it out while we still have a ton of nice weather.  Grab a pair today from Kicks-Crew.

Style: 315115-103
Color: White/Vibrant Yellow

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Rafael Nadal has officially reached ‘Kobe Bryant’ status.  After his fifth victory at Roland Garros, Kobe’s probably hoping he can reach ‘Nadal’ status and grab his fifth ring, but we’re referring to the signature shoe setup.  Nadal’s new shoe for next year is the Nike Air Max Courtballistec 3.3, the most advanced tennis sneaker the Swoosh has created.  These joints feature Drag-On 2x material to make them stronger for the inevitable sliding, while Max Air and Lunarlon provide superior cushioning atop the XDR outsole.  And as for the Mamba reference, the Air Max Courtballistec 3.1 is like Kobe’s Make Sense line, a similar-looking takedown model that’s more affordable.  Take a look at both pairs after the jump and stick with Sneaker News for updates in advance of the Spring 2011 release.  via CK

Tweet

Continue Reading   

It’s quite clear what Hiroshi Fujiwara likes to wear, or at least work with; check out this latest fragment design collaboration – this time with the Converse Chuck Taylor Ox. Fujiwara’s fragment design history with sneakers follows the same fabric – low-cut lifestyle shoes. The Nike Tennis Classic, the Nike Match Classic, and the Nike All Court Low are some of his most recent projects (which is pretty much a great colorway stamped with his fragment logo) and the Chuck Taylor Ox falls right in line. Check out the detailed pics after the jump and pick up this pair over at Japan’s bingorunner.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

We just saw a Nike Air Force 1 in white leather with a 3M reflective Swoosh, so why is there another one coming out now?  Simple: the aforementioned Uptowns were Lows, whereas the new release is the relatively rare AF1 Mid.  These joints are totally white, including the outsole, so during the day, you’ve got the perfect look for summer.  At night, though, the Swooshes light up to keep you safe and turn some heads.  Grab a pair today from a Nike Sportswear retailer like Kix-Files.

Style: 315123-100
Color: White/White

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Terry Kennedy added the Supra Stacks as his second signature, a lowtop look that serves as the perfect low-key foil to his flamboyant TK Society hightops.  But just as is the case with the Skytop line, a new Supra doesn’t necessarily mean the death of an old one, so here are two new pairs of the Supra TK Society for Fall 2010.  These two new pairs might be the very best TKs so far, with one topping a brown sole with navy blue canvas and the other pair mixing warm grey and brown suedes.  Check for these today at your local Supra retailer.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Arriving in August is the Nike Lunar Elite Trail Mid in a mix of ACG-inspired colors. Nike has never been shy about using vibrant colors for outdoors shoes, and this colorway is no exception. The Lunar Elite Trail Mid acts almost like a mid-version of the widely popular Nike Lunarglide+ running shoe, but opts for a synthetic leather upper over the breathable mesh seen in the runner. Flywire also returns, as does the Lunar cushioned midsole. You can expect these trail runners to drop in August – and QS means only select Nike Sportswear accounts will have ‘em – so continue reading for another look at the shoes in laces of a different color and let us know which color works better. via Complex.

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Here’s a new colorway of the Big Nike High in Sport Red and Black that could act as a stunt double for the Kill Bill x Big Nike High that released in late January. Although the Kill Bill pack, which was inspired by Kobe Bryant’s favorite movie, featured hints of yellow, this color combination of red and black emanates bloody vengeance as well as any other. Many previous Big Nike releases came with special graphics, like the Kill Bill pair and even this paint-splatted Big Nike High, so this relatively simple colorway is a nice break from all the crazy colorways. This pair just dropped at Premier so check out the extra images after the jump and head there to cop.

Style: 336608-600
Color: Sport Red/Black

Tweet

Continue Reading   

Last a month Sneaker News showed you a black/white/silver colorway of the super-hybrid Nike Air Max 90 Current Torch – a rejuvenated design combining the classic Air Max 90 tech with 21st-century Nike technology. It’s simply a Torched-out version of the Free-soled Air Max 90 Current. This new all-white colorway serves as the yin to the black colorway’s yang; colorblocking is the same – matte silver swoosh, Air Unit, and bottom sole – but with a white upper. Continue on for more pics and pick up your pair from Kix-Files.

Style: 395772-100
Color: White/Matte Silver

Tweet

Continue Reading   

The Supra Thunder hightop is loosely based on the Chuck Taylor All Star High, so it’s only natural to see the Crown Brand copy Converse and chop ‘em off to make lows.  And that’s literally what they did with these two new pairs of Supra Thunder Lows: take two of the three hightops for Fall 2010 and simply make ‘em shorter.  Take your pick from the yellow and black Wu-banger or go with a black-on-white pinstripe look that evokes the Bronx Bombers.  Either way, they’re out now at select Supra stockists.

Tweet

Continue Reading