Fuse is the first baby step in a whole new way of making shoes.

That’s a concise way of putting it, something we’ve seen in previews and on the NBA Finals court.  The Nike Hyperfuse is one of the most innovative designs to come along in quite a while, and its super breathable three-layer upper has already shown up on a new line of Hyperfuse Trainers.  With running shoes in particular, the mesh is nice and comfortable, it’s breathable, but it will rip up if you take a beating.  With the new Hyperfuse technology, the emerging property of the composite layers makes the trio stronger than the sum of its parts, resulting in an airy and comfy sneaker that can withstand a summer on the blacktop.  Check out Nike Innovation Kitchen ‘chefs’ Shane Kohatsu and Fred Dojan further discuss the groundbreaking Hyperfuse design in the full video after the jump.

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To this point, the only ‘Grape’ Air Jordan 1s have been in GS sizes, and that will still be true of the hightop version.  But for the Air Jordan 1 Phat Low this new pair is most definitely Grape.  As in Nike/Jordan Brand’s new shade of pure purple, which looks pretty damn good in suede.  Even if it is confusing, this lush regal shade and an icey outsole are sure to have plenty of people talking about the ‘New Grapes’.  They’re part of JB’s July 2010 lineup and Japan’s Chapter Express is pre-selling, so stick with Sneaker News for word on the US release date.

Style: 338145-601
Color: Grape/White

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The grand finale of the Nike/Jordan Brand/Converse Fall 2010 Footwear Showcase was a special wear-test event that was held at the historic Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, NY. Rucker Park is more than just a street court, it’s a proving grounds for the best basketball players in the world. Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Stephon Marbury, and countless others have tested their skills here, but on Thursday afternoon, it was the venue for an exciting Wear-Test event. Each participant – a member of prominent media from around the globe – was given a pair of Nike basketball kicks. The Nike Hyperdunk 2010 and Nike Hyperfuse were the products under test, but some of the ladies in attendance with smaller foot sizes received some other recent Nike GS B-Ball releases like the Nike LeBron VII P.S. and Nike Zoom Kobe V.

The participants were put through a number of tests, from shooting and dribbling drills, conditioning, as well as off-the-ball and transition defense drills and eventually finishing off with friendly 5-on-5 pick-up games at each end of the court. On the sidelines, legendary streetballers and court regulars who have made names for themselves at Rucker gave a short history lesson on the legendary park, and also answered some tough questions regarding NBA players who underperformed when visiting and the origin of some classic streetballer nicknames. Sneaker News was given the opportunity to test out the Nike Hyperdunk 2010 and Hyperfuse, with both performing exceedingly well, even when faced with the rigorous conditions of a hot and drizzly June day and the pressure of trying to represent at the NYC streetball mecca. Keep reading after the jump to check out some more images from the Nike Basketball Wear-Test Event at the Rucker.

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The Nike Terminator’s high cut and plentiful lace-holes are akin to military style boots (despite originating has a basketball shoe), and this latest colorway of outdoor tones are pretty close to the army vest. Check out this upcoming colorway of the Nike Terminator High Premium, featuring a luxurious mix of suede and tumbled leather in a rugged colorway of light olive, brown, and white. Trail-inspired laces as well as hiking book lace hoops are also a part of this neat Terminator package. These are set to drop as part of the Nike Sportswear Holiday 2010 Collection so stay tuned to Sneaker News for more updates as they unfold. via FnG.

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Sneaker-themed art has become increasingly popular over the past couple years, to the point where the sneaker brands themselves are sanctioning much of the work for promos.  Here’s a piece straight from a fan with no intervention from Jordan Brand, a stained glass Air Jordan 1.  Places like House of Hoops are houses of worship for many sneakerheads, and if there ever really was a church of the holy schnikes, this would make a fine window display.  Could there be any better work to demonstrate sneakerhead culture as an entire way of life?  via NK

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The Supra Cuban was notable for its flipped down tongue and heel tab, the former of which used to be held down by a chain loop.  It was a good look, and in the absence of laces, really helped to add some unique flavor to the lowtop slip-on design.  Supra has brought the Cuban back for Fall 2010, and though it still seems to slip on your foot, the chain has been replaced by a deck shoe-like leather lace.  And the foldover parts are gone as well, leaving this new Cuban in off-white canvas as possibly Supra‘s cleanest look for summer.

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We showed you how Nike Basketball designer Leo Chang used the Z-Corp 3D resin ‘printer’ to craft the Hyperdunk 2010, but here’s proof that not all shoe design needs to rely on space-age technology.  Working on the Nike Hyperfuse, Chang pulled the old trick of scotch-taping the uppers, creating a surface on the ultra-perfed Hyperfuse sample, upon which he could draw revisions.  What looks at first glance to be a thrifty sneakerhead’s attempt to protect or salvage a beat up pair, turns out to be part of the reason the upcoming Hyperfuse is perhaps the most breathtaking basketball sneaker ever designed.  Click the jump below for images detailing Chang’s design process and stick with Sneaker News for Nike Hyperfuse release dates.  via SoleCollector

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From the Nike, Jordan, and Converse Basketball previews to the NBA Finals, a heavy focus was placed on basketball and new technology. Here’s Part 4 of the Nike78 Artist Project, another collection of art-inspired works using classic Air Max runners with a focus on re-invention and out-of-the-box ideas. The refresh your memory, the Nike78 Project challenged artists to re-invent the function of the Nike shoes, and if you haven’t been wowed by Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of the Nike78 showcase, here’s a few more that’ll really bug you out while given you a glimmer of enlightenment. Check out Part 4 after the jump and let us know which of the bunch interests you the most.

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It’s interesting how the addition or subtraction of a single accent shade can dramatically change the presentation of a shoe.  Last year’s ‘Dark Army’ Air Jordan V featured three of the same primary shades (albeit with a another yellow) as the pair pictured above, and yet, the choice of retro Jays isn’t all that’s completely different.  The Air Jordan IX ‘Un-Citrus’ takes the aforementioned Vs’ white upper and uses similar contrast stitching to achieve the opposite of the Citrus joints slated for July.  There’s still no official release date for the Un-Citruses, so peep some new photos after the jump and stick with Sneaker News for updates.  via Kinstor

Style: 302370-105
Color: White/Citrus-Dark Army

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This is taking the term “heat” to a different level. JBF, a talented sneaker-head with an interesting imagination took a pair of Nike SB Blazer Mids and applied a molten lava theme to the upper, using a mix of blazing oranges and super-vibrant yellows that mimic the relentless flow of molten lava. Black patent leather is also added for contrast, and on the tongue and heel-tab are expertly fashioned personal logo cut-outs. Check out the detailed pics after the jump and let us know if you would cop this scalding hot colorway if they ever released.

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With all the Hyperfuse previews surrounding Nike Basketball’s Fall 2010 showcase, you can expect to be seeing alot of highly-breathable footwear.  And it won’t just be on-court, either, cos plenty of people will be training for basketball or whatever sport in the Nike Trainer 1.2 Mid Hyperfuse.  Proof of the versatility of the three-layered Hyperfuse ventilation, the Trainer 1.2 Mid Fuse looks amazing in black with red hints peeking through the underlay and Max Air heel cushion.  An injected phylon midsole and DiamondFLX grooved traction on the outsole mean these will have a superior lightweight ‘feel’ as well, so check out more images after the jump and stick with Sneaker News for updates.

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Antwuan Dixon holds the dubious distinction of being most heavily tatted amongst Supra’s rowdy bunch of riders.  Interesting then, to see how comparatively calm his signature model turned out to be.  The Supra Dixon is among the crown brand’s subtlest designs, with most pairs contrasting a single shade upper against the sole.  In the case of this pair, it’s an olive-ish green canvas upper and monochromatic stitching set against a gum rubber sole, which looks fantastic.  Another solid summer look, you can find these at select Supra retailers.

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