Air Jordans III thru VI featured visible Air cushioning, but it was the one right before that range that Michael wore when taking to the skies for his first NBA Slam Dunk Contest win in 1987.  Fitting, then, to see the Air Jordan II receive an update in the form of the top of the line Air Max cushion.  The Air Jordan II Max adds a basketball-specific 360-degree Max Air unit to the classic design, leaving us with an anachronistic look that we can’t help but wonder if more models might be on the way.  Will we see any of Jordan Brand’s NBA contingent rocking these come Playoff time?  Stick with Sneaker News for updates on our NBA Feet feature to find out, and in the meantime, click through to see more shots of the AJII Max and let us know what you think.  via Taobao.

Air Jordan II Max
White/Black-Varsity Red
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Football fanatics might know that the adidas Etrusco Unico was the official ball of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, but now the name is being reappropriated to this new lowtop sneaker.  The new adidas Etrusco is a lowtop indoor soccer shoe that’s sure to find its fare share of fans skating in theirs, this initial black suede model adding golden accents to nicely compliment the gum rubber sole.  Is a quilted toe just as good as a double-stitched ollie area?  Only one way to find out; click through for more shots and look for these at select Three Stripes retailers like Concepts.

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Following up on the massive success of his Nike Air Yeezy, Kanye West hooked up with Louis Vuitton for a collection of sneakers that included a model dubbed ‘the Jaspers’.  This dual-strapped hightop was spotted on plenty of high-profile celebrity feet; will we see the same of the Puma Jasper?  These joints only have a single ankle strap, but their design is ultimately far more unique than the name would suggest.  A marshmellow tubed ankle collar and strap gives way to a deconstructed tumbled leather vamp that’s bookended by an elasticized heel and rubber toecap.  It’s a good thing these joints are done in tonal white cos any wild colorways might fry your brain.  Proceed with caution to click the jump below for more shots and let us know what you think of the new Puma Jasper hightops.  via FRESHNESS

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The newest silhouette from DC Shoes was recently teased by Montreal-based tastemaker Marcus Troy, and apparently the Studio was just the first of a series of new lifestyle-oriented models on the way.  Check out these two new silhouettes, each of which is quite inventive, especially when compared to many of the derivative designs offered by skate brands these days.  The DC District 4 midtops have a layered chukka eye-placket plus ornamental wings on the ankles, while the Reset lows add mesh side panels to their tonal upper/white soled designs.  Click through to see two new colorways of each and look for them at select DC LIFE retailers like Atlanta’s Standard.

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Last year’s Air Jordan 2010 featured a few variations, like the rugged ‘Outdoor’ version that featured a cross-instep strap and plenty of ventilations holes, and a ‘Team’ version that utilized a set of perforations in substitution of the circular window. Here’s a first look at a new version of the Air Jordan 2011 called the Air Jordan 2011 Quick Fuse; it features a lower-cut construction with a Hyperfuse upper sectional and a flat leather toe. The molded leather mudguard featured on the Air Jordan 2011 is also removed for a sportier appeal, and the interchangeable cushioning system is replaced with full-time Zoom Air. Continue reading for a look at the Air Jordan 2011 Quick Fuse and let us know what you think. via kicks-lab.

Air Jordan 2011 Quick Fuse
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The Converse Chuck Taylor AS Premium OX first appeared this past February with a preview of two canvas colorways whose lightly faded and textured canvas uppers gave the vague appearance of chambray.  These joints have finally hit retail and it’s worth noting that they feature a variety of details that set ‘em apart from your typical All Star releases.  Little touches like  waxed cotton laces, Jack Purcell style ‘outrigger’ stitching and leather on the piping, tongue tags and footbed immediately set these navy and beige pairs apart from the rest of the pack.  Click through to see more and check for these at select One Star retailers like Berkeley’s Bows & Arrows.

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The New Balance 574 recently became available for online customization and we figure a color combination like the one you see above would be a popular choice. Grey suede uppers has been a 574-staple for years and years, but now you can add an extra splash of color here and there thanks to New Balance’s long-overdue custom options, but if you don’t want to spend upwards of $120 for a pair of 574s, these general releases should suffice. It’s got a blue secondary trim with just the right amount of red on the tongue label, so hit up Finishline for a new pair because they just became available for purchase.

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The Nike LeBron 8 V/2 Low ‘Sprite’ has people excited about LeBrons again, but here’s a look at another full-length Max Air shoe with a low cut and a white/royal/volt colorway. This new release of the Nike Air Max Trainer 1+ features the simple ‘Sprite’-esque colorway with a white upper with varsity royal trim, volt inner lining and swoosh border, and a green Max Air unit. Training in style has been a Nike calling card for decades and these new joints carry on that legacy without must effort. It’s a sick colorway on a great silhouette, so hit up Nikestore to get your own pair.

Nike Air Max Trainer 1+
White/Varsity Royal-Volt
409717-174

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It’s been nearly a month since the last of Gourmet’s spring 2011 shoes showed up here on Sneaker News and today we have proof they’re gearing up for the warm weather by shooting a lookbook in a place where the year’s high temperatures reach well into the triple digits.  For the summer 2011 set, Gourmet is bringing back favorites like the Uno and Quattro, both holdovers from their early Air Jordan-mimicking stage along with a smattering of new models.  If recent trends hold, these’ll have names like ‘The XX’ with some double-digit number in tow, with another Undefeated-designed Cinque coming along to round out the group.  Click through to get a better view and stick with Sneaker News for more including their eventual release dates.  via Kenlu

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However ironic their signature shade’s name, the Air Jordan III ‘Stealth’ is tracking in toward the center of our radar and won’t be catching Sneaker News readers by surprise.  Today we have a new round of photos for this dope new design that offers a darker twist on the tonal grey look that’s been so popular since the ‘Cool Grey’ AJXI crushed retailers last Christmas.  And while there was indeed a CG AJIII, these can be seen as most similar to a pair of CP3 Tributes from 2010, even more so than the OG Air Jordan XX where the Stealth name first came into play.  So this is a brand new model that has plenty of historical connotations, and what more could you ask for in a new Air Jordan Retro colorway?  Click through to see more shots and stick with Sneaker News for updates including the US release date.  And for those of you lucky enough to wear exactly US mens size 9.5, Kicks-lab has a handful (literally — just 5 pairs) in stock early.

Air Jordan III Retro
Stealth/Varsity Red-Black-White
136064-003

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Flight Club is probably the best known and most highly respected sneaker consignment shop in the world, but Fight Club?  Isn’t that a film almost totally centered around anti-materialistic themes?  Well it’s also about how young men adapt to the modern age and the inherent contradictions involved carry over nicely to this asymmetrically-designed custom Nike Dunk High ‘Fight Club’ by YoaKustoms.  These joints are done slightly Scarface-style, the left is black and the right is white, both with red soles, tongues, sockliners and bloody accents, the former representing Tyler Durden and the latter offering a mugshot of Edward Norton’s unnamed narrator character.  Click through to get a better look and let us know how these compare to other customs recently profiled here on Sneaker News.  via PaintorThread

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Nike Sportswear’s ‘White Pack’ just added the Lunar Vengeance Terra to its ever-expanding ranks, but today we’ll take a look at two pairs sharing the same crinkled patent leather motif unsuitable for that running design.  The Nike Dunk High and Air Force 1 are both Premium releases that feature the same uneven glossy appearance and translucent soles, a couple-a pairs that offer the visual equivalent of a glass of iced milk.  The AF1 has a hightop counterpart on the way and there’s an Obsidian Dunk High (perhaps indicating more ‘True Colors’ releases to come) upcoming with the same materials so be sure to stick with Sneaker News because these two pairs just hit Nike Harajuku.

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