Buttery soft black leather might not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering the prospect of fighting extraterrestrial beings to the death, but then again we’ve seen Toyko’s mita sneakers pull off some crazy collaborative designs over the years.  And the above pictured mita sneakers Reebok CL Alien Stomper is among the calmer of those collabos when it comes to looks, this pair crafted in all black leather with a natural sockliner to ensure your focus remains on the supple uppers.  These joints will release this Saturday and mita is taking pre-orders right now, so click through to get a better look and let us know if you plan to watch for these on eBay.

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There are a lot of people with incredible sneaker collections around the world… and then there’s the ShoeZeum! Many of us consider ourselves to be serious collectors, but after a look at what you’re about to see, you may face the harsh reality of learning what amateurs most of us actually are in comparison to the sheer awesomeness of one devoted sneakerhead’s jaw-dropping Nike arsenal. Jordan Michael Geller (seriously his name!), creator of the ShoeZeum, may quite possibly possess the most thorough Nike collection on earth. You may remember seeing some of Jordan’s auctions on eBay a few months back, and after a look at what turned out to be just the tip of the iceberg, we had to see more for ourselves, so Team Sneaker News packed up and headed cross-country to San Diego to explore the wonders of the ShoeZeum for ourselves.

Words and photos can do no justice to any visitor’s first impression of the ShoeZeum when initially entering the 2-floor 9,000 square foot warehouse. When you love sneakers like we do, there is no more overwhelming feeling than trying to figure out where to start when you’re smack in the middle of a 2,000 pair sneaker collection. Our initial tour of the premises took roughly three hours before we had made our way through every shoe, and that was just a quick walk through. The collection covers nearly every aspect and category of Nike sneakers over the entire span of the Swoosh’s almost 40 year history. There are a lot of impressive collections out there, but you’d be very hard pressed to find one anywhere that covers such a comprehensive cross section of Nike footwear.

If the ShoeZeum was simply a spread out showcase of Jordan’s amazing sneaker collection, it would be eye-poppingly awesome right there, but this dedicated young man has really gone all out to ensure that his creation was far more than that. Every shelf, sneaker and display in the Shoezeum has been accompanied by corresponding props, memorabilia and decorative effects to really capture that museum feel and help tell the stories behind the shoes and sectional themes. When discussing the madness involved in putting all this together, Jordan proudly compares himself to Willy Wonka and takes unabashed pride in his eccentricity and blind passion for Nike sneakers. While he’s aware that some people may think he’s crazy for having done this, it doesn’t phase him for a second. He’s living every kid’s dream – to go out and get your hands on every toy you’ve ever wanted – and who can’t relate to that?

And this is far from a silver spoon story where Daddy’s credit card picked up the tab for all these goodies. Everything you see here started more than ten years ago with $300 worth of swap meet Nikes and a few eBay listings that paved the way for a multi-million dollar eBay sneaker store and the warehouse that is now home to the ShoeZeum. Jordan has put his heart and soul into sneakers in life and business and his ShoeZeum now stands as a triumphant retrospective, to not only the history of Nike sneakers, but the story of his own life and the business that became the foundation of this astonishing collection.

Best believe that there has been extreme attention to detail paid to every facet of this marvel, right down to what just might be the most miraculous ShoeZeum claim of them all. With the exception of less than 1% of the 2,000 sneakers, every pair in the collection is deadstock and in Jordan’s size (11-12), a firm set of criteria that, as you can imagine, made amassing such a meticulous stockpile a very painstaking process. The time, discipline, funds, knowledge and love that Jordan has poured into the ShoeZeum are a testament to collectors everywhere, as the ShoeZeum is not just perhaps the most impressive sneaker collection on earth, but just might be one of the best collections of anything!

Check out an interview with Jordan after the jump and head over to Sneaker News HD for the full ‘Sneaker News Goes Inside the ShoeZeum’ Part 1 gallery. What you’ll see there will give you a good indication of just what’s in store as we bring you an in-depth look around the ShoeZeum over the next few weeks. Huge thanks to Jordan Geller for his hospitality and eagerness to share his creation with the world!

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Round 1 of the Sneaker News March Madness OG Air Jordan Tournament continues as we get a look at the next batch of eight teams in this massive 32-shoe fight to the finish. The Southwest bracket is truly unique as the Number 1 Overall seed is an Air Jordan colorway that Michael never wore in a game! The Air Jordan V Grape is without a doubt one of the greatest of all-time, but will it be enough to take down a surprisingly strong Number 8 seed in the Air Jordan XII ‘Playoff’? Remember, all you need to do is vote for your favorite Air Jordan colorway in each match-up, because the champion of the Sneaker News March Madness OG Air Jordan Tournament is determined by YOU. The polls for the Southwest Region are now open, so get your votes in and be sure to check out the West and East Region below if you haven’t already done so. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow night for the Southeast region voting, with all four Round 1 polls running all through the weekend.

ROUND 1 VOTING
West Region
East Region
Southwest Region

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He’s Baaack! That was the general headline across the nation when Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA, fueled by his passion for competition and urged by his love for the game. Michael made his season debut at Madison Square Garden, where he displayed his older form by tallying 19 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals. It only took Michael eight more games to break the 40-point mark, scoring 44 against the Utah Jazz, and he followed that up with a 51-point performance against the Charlotte Hornets. While Michael dazzled the crowd with his amazing performances, the Wizards, as a team, weren’t very good; the roster was filled with young, raw talent clearly in its rebuilding years, and the 2-9 start to the season was proof of that. But Michael, who is also acclaimed for his ability to improve the performance of those around him, led the young team to an astounding 20-game span in which the Wizards won sixteen games. Despite not being an elite team, the Wizards were undoubtedly the biggest fan draw in the NBA, selling out every Home game and filling arenas around the nation during road trips. Michael played just sixty games that season (cut short by injury), leaving the Wizards with a 30-30 record with twenty-two games to go.

Michael was also voted as a starter for the 2002 Eastern Conference All-Star Team; his mere presence outweighed that of the entire roster on both sides, and the All-Star Game festivities were heightened in celebration for Michael’s return, with a live performance by Mariah Carey . Of course, the highlight of Michael’s 13th All-Star Game performance was a missed slam-dunk that he clunked off the back of the rim during a solo fast-break, leaving the entire crowd and Michael himself in playful laughter. Other highlights of that season included a game-winning buzzer beater, which Michael immediately followed with his fist raised in the air, and perhaps his greatest blocked shot of his career when he pinned a Ron Mercer lay-up against the backboard. Michael’s career was rife with ups and downs, and his first season with Wizards was no different; Michael Jordan would openly criticize his teammates – particularly Kwame Brown, the 1st overall pick of the 2001 NBA Draft – leading to some minor tension in the locker room. This was nothing new for Jordan, as he was also remembered for berating teammates in front of other players during his days as a Chicago Bull.

During his first season with the Washington Wizards, Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan XVII – the seventeenth Air Jordan shoe in the Legacy. The XVII was designed with Michael’s older, post-Bulls era persona in mind by infusing a number of elements that defined Michael after the game of basketball. The overall design of the Air Jordan XVII was inspired by Jazz music, with minute graphics of musical notes etched into the upper shroud of the shoe. The outsole traction was again designed to mimic a golf course, and the shoes came packaged in a suitcase – a representation of Michael’s role as businessman. Four colorways were released; a White/College Blue-Black colorway, which Michael wore during Home games, a White/Black croc-skin version with a copper ‘bumper’, a Black/Metallic Silver version, and a Bulls-specific White/Varsity Red. The 2001-02 season was also one in which Michael frequently wore low-tops – particularly a White/University Blue and a White/Royal Blue PE. Arguably the most popular of the Lows was the ‘Lightning’ colorway that MJ wore during the All-Star Game. Continue reading for a full visual recap of the Michael Jordan Through The Years: Air Jordan XVII, and stay tuned to Sneaker News for the next chapter of this great Jordan feature.

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There’s simply no colorway that will ever come close to the legendary ‘Persian Violet’, so how about a Nike Air Classic BW that has basically ‘no colors’?  Check out the latest Big Window retro runners, a super-clean combination of Medium Grey and white that’s the latest in a growing contingent of neutral kicks begging you to get creative with replacement laces.  This also might be the single most versatile sneaker you could pair with denim, a suitable compliment to black or blue pairs and one whose relatively wide range of white-to-grey shades means you can also get away with grey or white jeans.  Click through to see more and expect these at select US Nike Sportswear retailers soon; they just released at Switzerland’s Titolo.

Style: 309210-029
Color: Medium Grey/White

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Great news for New York sneakerheads: An all-new Foot Locker location is set to open up tomorrow. Located on 11 West 34th St., the new Foot Locker retail store will feature a House of Hoops shop on the second floor – just the second House of Hoops location in the New York City area. To celebrate the grand opening, Foot Locker will have a great selection of sneakers for purchase saved just for this occasion; the list includes Cool Grey XIs, the entire Zoom Kobe VI LA Pack, plenty of other Jordan Retros, all of the 2011 Foamposite releases thus far, the ?uestlove x Nike Dunk High, and much more. Be sure to check out the new Foot Locker tomorrow, and continue reading for a rundown of the entire list of sick kicks that will be available!

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“Sport inspires hope.”

It’s ironic that the brand that needs no advertising has one of the most engaging marketing campaigns in history. Made up of clippings of classic Nike advertisements, Nike introduces the Nike Better World advertisement, completely recycled and dedicated to serving thing athlete and making a better world through sport. There is something about the swoosh that ekes out the extra ounce of push in all of us, and it’s no surprise that the world’s greatest athletes are represented by Nike. The Nike Better World initiative has done its part to move mountains for the better of our generation, with Nike Considered Design, Trash Talk, the N7 Collection, Lace Up Save Lives, and Livestrong all playing major roles in this forward movement. Check out this great video (and props to the editor!) after the jump and let us know which classic Nike ad is your personal favorite.

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Nike Sportswear’s strong emphasis on the Dunk continues with a quintet of BTTYS-blocked beauties that feature ostrich skin on the side panel Swooshes, the first of which we’re happy to report is now hitting retail.  This new Nike Dunk High utilizes the Brown Kelp color most commonly reserved for apparel items, an earthy shade that somehow manages a relatively springy appearance.  Click through to get a better look at these and let us know if you’ll grab these and/or one of the other four pairs, then if you find yourself in the former category, grab a pair today from Titolo.

Style: 317982-108
Color: White/Brown Kelp

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The Nike Zoom Huarache Trainer is the perfect sneaker for all-around athletic performance. It’s comfortable enough to be used as a general purpose sneaker, rugged enough for training in the field, protective enough to be used on hardwood, and gorgeous enough to rock for casual wear. The TR Mid was a mega hit in 2010 and so Nike Training followed up the revamped Mid with the Zoom Huarache TR Low; it features the same basic structure, using a lightweight upper with a Torch-lined sockliner, but sports an obvious lower cut and goes sans-strap. This basic Black/White colorway just hit stores like Eastbay so take another look be low and let us know what special colorways you’d like to see.

Style: 442243-010
Color: Black/White-Black

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Jordan Brand brought back the Jordan Sky High in Fall of 2010, a follow up to the successful Air Jordan AJKO re-issue earlier that year. A bonafide lifestyle option, the Sky High was produced in a number of colorways, both new and old, to appeal to a wider and more ‘grown’ crowd. For Summer 2011, Jordan Brand will continue the Sky High but in Low-top form, like this black/white colorway you see here. The Jordan Sky High Retro Low screams ‘summer shoe’ with its low-pro cut and casual appeal. Check out the extra images of this upcoming black/white colorway of the Jordan Sky High Retro Low and expect more of these to drop in the coming Summer 2011 season. via kinstor.

Style: 440988-001
Color: Black/White

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Are we looking at Kobe Bryant’s Home & Away Playoff colorways of the Kobe VI? Last year, the Black Mamba broke out the Nike Zoom Kobe V ‘POP’, which featured a Black/Purple/Yellow colorway with a graphic of tessellations on the upper. While we haven’t seen a POP version of the Kobe VI, these two April 2011 releases could very well be Kobe’s weapons weapons of choice as he attempts to make a bid for a three-peat – the second of his career. These two colorways have a clear ‘reverse’ relationship as each version twists around black, white, and yellow to its personal tastes, but we’d like to point out yet again that there still hasn’t been a yellow/purple Kobe VI release! Check out these two April 2011 releases and stick with Sneaker News for more info and updates regarding Kobe VI releases in April.

Style: 429659-103
Color: White/Black-Del Sol-Neutral Grey

Style: 429659-700
Color: Del Sol/Lightbulb-Black-Tour Yellow

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University of North Carolina PE’s are inevitable for every Air Jordan flagship release, but let’s not forget that the team against which Michael Jordan made his breakout performance is also a Jordan Brand college.  Check out the Air Jordan 2011 Georgetown player exclusive colorway, a model that utilizes the same blocking scheme as the UNC edition, but swaps out its University Blue mudguard to a navy blue appropriate for the DC-based school.  It’s possible though not terribly likely that the Tar Heels and Hoyas could meet in the NCAA men’s final this year, but one thing we’re considerably more likely to bet upon is the fact that of these two, you have a favorite.  Click through to see more of the Georgetown Air Jordan 2011s and let us know if you prefer them to the UNC edition.  via ChrisLittman

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