The exquisite Bin 23 edition just hit retail and Sneaker News brought you release info on the upcoming Wolf Grey pair just yesterday, but what’s up next for the Air Jordan V? Coming up on May 7th is the release of this new AJ5 in black and Alarming Red. This shade was the Western Conference’s signature in the 2010 NBA All Star Game, so while you’d see “Air Jordan V GS” with a pink twist and assume, “Yup, another girls’ pink-and-shrink”, the color is much closer to Infrared in person so these are safe as a unisex Grade School look. Click through to see more and let us know if you see your lil sneakerheads rocking these come late spring. via Villa
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Earlier this century, Reebok sued Nike for patent infringement over the Swoosh’s super-flexible Free soles. The loss of that battle in court was probably best for the Vector brand, though, as it forced RBK back to the drawing board where they eventually dreamed up the wildly popular Zig Tech cushioning system. And while the look of its bottom is something like Zig x Free, the adidas ClimaCool Ride is likely free from legal recourse thanks to the fact that Three Stripes owns the Reebok brand. And there seems to be a bit more Nike in here too, with the side panel stripes taking on a look that’s reminiscent of the multitude of Flywire-equipped runners we’ve seen. Pretty interesting to see a shoe that, on paper, is very similar to some key trademarked design elements and yet, it the end result is a look and feel all its own. Click through to see more of the adidas CC Ride and stick with Sneaker News for word on a US release. via Jordan8420
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The adidas Azteca was a groundbreaking soccer ball, becoming the first fully-synthetic model used by the FIFA World Cup in Mexico in 1986. Twenty-five years later and adidas is still the world leader in soccer, but the Azteca has been replaced by countless revisions. But make no mistake, the adidas Aztec is a running sneaker, and while this upcoming colorway has an undeniable Team USA look to it, there’s very little chance you’ll ever see these on a world class pitch. Pretty good chance of seeing these in the streets this summer, though, so click through to get a better look and stick with Sneaker News for word on the US release. via SdG
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In late 2009, adidas Originals released a ‘Plant Pack’ of all-white designs that each featured the Trefoil as a trio of leaves emanating from a seedling. Originals by Originals collaborator Kazuki Kuarishi wasn’t hyped as the creator of that pack but he did indeed design the OG Plants along with Makoto Azuma and now we see the theme replicated on a new model. The Kazuki x adidas Originals Plant is an appropriately named lowtop that’s somewhere between adidas’ own Superstar and the Converse Chuck Taylor in terms of both silhouette and rubberized toe cap. This first release is black with a white sole and red/green flower embroidery on the heel so click through to get a better look and grab yours from select Three Stripes retailers like Concepts.
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With the Air Jordan 2011 debuting during this 2011 NBA All Star weekend, we knew to expect some special releases and maybe even suprise colorways during the ASG, but these two deluxe packages come as a huge surprise. Then again, when Jordan Brand showed off its ‘For the Love of the Game’ collection back in August, both Air Jordans VII and IX released in heartsketball-embroidered editions complete with Skull Candy headphones. And now the same has happened with the Skull Candy x Air Jordan 2011 and AJIII Retro, both of which will release in impressive special packages, come complete with matching Skull Candy Aviator headphones you won’t be able to get anywhere else. The AJ2011 joints feature mismatched cans to mimic the 2011′s Quick/Explosive interchangable insoles, while the ‘White Cement’ Air Jordan 3 version goes for a more obvious look, adding black Elephant print to a white base. Click through to see both pairs, let us know which one’s better and for those of you in the SoCal area, look for these to hit Footaction at Westfield Culver City where a tiny run of each will be available Saturday at 10am.
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In 1989, Nike, Michael Jordan, and Tinker Hatfield introduced the Air Jordan IV to the world. By then, Michael was a well-established scoring phenom in the league, coming off of two straight scoring titles and Slam Dunk championships. Michael had his eyes set on the larger prize, and later in the ’89 Playoffs, Michael would make his postseason stamp with a buzzer-beating, series ending game winner over Craig Ehlo – one of the most picturesque moments in NBA history. The Air Jordan IV began its roots in four original colorways, one of which was the Off White/Military Blue colorway. After a long, seventeen-year wait, the Military IV was re-issued in Fall 2006, and better yet, Sneaker News reported the return of the Military IV again for 2012. Original pairs of the Air Jordan IV in Off White/Military Blue are extremely rare, especially in deadstock condition. Although no longer wearable, these would make the perfect conversation piece of your collection or display. Thanks to Josh for the heads up, and you can get in on the bidding for these vintage Jordans now from radioclash77 on eBay.
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The last hurrah? Michael Jordan just seems to get better with age, and after leading the Chicago Bulls to 72 and 69 wins in the previous two seasons while capturing numerous individual awards, Michael at age 34-35 was as good as any other. Other NBA players are usually well into their decline at that age, but Mike not only stayed afloat, he was the buoy that kept the entire league above water with his exciting play. Leading the Chicago Bulls to a 62-win season and capturing his sixth NBA Championship (while earning the MVP trifecta), Michael Jordan capped off a legendary Bulls career going out on top – again. But the 1997-98 NBA season was a milestone era for Michael off the court as well, as Jordan Brand branched off from Nike and became its own independent brand.
The Air Jordan XIII was once again designed by Tinker Hatfield, who used the black panther as the inspiration behind the design. It was an alarmingly serendipitous circumstance because just two years prior to the Air Jordan XIII’s creation, Michael earned the nickname ‘Black Cat’. Call it coincidence – we’ll call it the the unification of two great minds. Alongside the Air Jordan XIII were Jordan Brand’s first non-Legacy designs under the Team Jordan umbrella. Jordan Brand also brought on its first team of NBA athletes, which included Ray Allen, Vin Baker, Michael Finley, Derek Anderson, Eddie Jones, and more. The highlight of the marketing campaign for the Air Jordan XIII was of Michael Jordan the ‘CEO’, as the net worth of his name and everything tied to it was valued at over $10 billion.
So what colorways did Michael exactly wear? For the regular season, he wore the White/Black and White/Red for Home and Away, and introduced a Black/White rendition for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. He would later wear that colorway during the 1998 NBA Playoffs, rotating them with the Black/Red as well as low-top PEs. In 2004, the Air Jordan XIII was re-issued in a number of colorways new and old, and again in 2010/2011. In 2010, the Air Jordan XIII was the third selection of the Jordan Brand Bin 23 Collection, a colorway that featured earthy brown and red tones. The Air Jordan XIII is considered as a favorite by many Jordan fans, but the 1997-98 NBA Season will be remembered for two different Air Jordan shoes. The first being the Air Jordan 1, which Michael wore during his last game at Madison Square Garden, and the second being an all-new design for his last game as a Chicago Bull. Continue reading for a complete visual recap of Michael Jordan and the Air Jordan XIII and stay tuned to Sneaker News for the next installment of Michael Jordan Through The Years.
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The last time the Nike Air Force 1 hit Nike iD in late December, the 350 available pairs sold out in a flash. Nike iD has promised us a second run, and tomorrow is the day to assemble your best colorways because the Nike Air Force 1 iD is ready for a return. The premium materials (buttery suede, rich leather) and new options (chenille swoosh) made the first batch of Air Force 1 iDs an instant goner once it went live, and the second batch, which will be limited to 750 pairs, will likely see the same fate. Tons of heat dropping this weekend, but if you missed out on the first go-around, hit up Nike iD starting at noon EST tomorrow to get your pair. While you’re waiting, check out some pics of three pairs of AF1 iD’s created by members of the Sneaker News crew when the online option was made briefly available in December. Elephant laces not included.
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