Nike Sportswear has hit a home run, scored a touchdown and bench pressed 225 for like a hundred reps this year.  In other words, NSW has absolutely nailed 2011 when it comes to cross-training retros, and one of the all time favorites would have to be the Nike Air Max2 Trainer ’94.  Much like the Chlorine Blue edition that dropped in late spring, this AM2 Trainer 94 goes with the tried and true combination of white leather overlay, grey mudguard and bright accent shade on the neoprene sock and Max Air heel cushion, in this case Total Orange.  Click through to get a better view, let us know how these rank against the other recent releases from this model and stick with Sneaker News for the US release date.  via Taobao

Nike Air Max2 Trainer ’94
White/Wolf Grey-Total Orange-Dark Grey
312543-108

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Typically the point-five designation on a shoe marks a minor upgrade of a base model, but the Zoom BB 1.5 is like a completely new shoe. Sorta. The Nike Zoom BB 1.5 certainly looks the same as the Nike Zoom BB, but the upper is completely redone in Hyperfuse material for the uber-breathable feel. That makes the Nike Zoom BB 1.5 one of best no-frills, performance-only sneakers out there because while the shoe admittedly appears plain, it can bang with the big boys when it comes to high-level output. Check out the detailed shots below and let us know what you think. via solefinder.

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Paul Rodriguez’ Primitive boutique has done some interesting things lately, opening a shop in Berlin and more recently revealing a collaboration with Gourmet on a ‘Space Jam’-styled Quadici.  To see P-Rod’s shop get up with a brand other than the Swoosh is somewhat surprising, but despite the fact that Gourmet got its start copying Air Jordan Legacy silhouettes, they’re not a true competitor in anything but the lifestyle market.  But Vans is the world’s largest skateboarding and action sports company, their waffle-soled skate shoes a real threat to Paul’s own Nike SB.  That’s what makes the Primitive x Vans Half Cab such an intriguing collaboration, and when you add in the unique knitting on their ankle collars, this turns into one of the more interesting drops we’re looking forward to in Q1 2012.  Click through to see some more angles and let us know what you think about this border-crossing collabo.  via HB

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The Air Max JR recently released in a black and Freshwater colorway reminiscent of the OG Air Griffey Max 1 colorway from 1996, and now here’s a model that if it only had a bit of red, would be a suitable addition to a new power trio.  The Nike Air Max 2011 lent its full-length Max Air cushion to the JRs, and now in turn, it utilizes a black and Freshwater color scheme that looks great with speckles running along the midsole.  Click through to get a better view of this new AM2011 and look for them at select Nike Running distributors like Eastbay.

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Wait a minute, you mean the world’s favorite British super-spy is getting together with the most famous footballer to release a pair of shoes? Well…not quite, the James Bond in question is of Undefeated fame, but that’s probably a better choice than having 007 working on your kicks. This latest installment of the James Bond for David Beckham x adidas Originals by Originals collection goes with the adidas ZX 800 done up in a nice suede/mesh combo. They keep it simple with this classic runner, releasing one black and white pair, with the other bringing in a deep shade of crimson to match with the glowing white mesh. Take a full look at both pairs after the jump, and cop your pair now from SNS.

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A lot’s changed for Kobe Bryant since he first came into the league at age 17. The ‘Black Mamba’ was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets (and immediately traded to the Lakers) in 1996, and before setting foot on an NBA court, he already had a sneaker endorsement with adidas – six years, almost $50 million. One of Kobe Bryant’s most notable and recognizable shoes of all-time is the adidas The Kobe, which featured a unique molded upper and boasted sleek and sexy lines inspired by the Audi TT Roadster. If anything, the adidas The Kobe is to Bryant as the Air Jordan VI is to Michael Jordan; Kobe Bryant, while wearing ‘The Kobe’, won his first NBA Championship, showing flashes of greatness with his 28-point performance in Game 3.

Although adidas and Kobe Bryant parted ways and we now associate Kobe Bryant with the Swoosh, the adidas Kobe signature line won’t ever be forgotten – primarily due to the eccentric design of  The Kobe. Here we have a look at a rare, unreleased sample of that shoe, which features a unique shroud on the forefoot (the released version features a lacing structure that reaches further towards the toe). This sneaker is certainly an memoir from a completely different era for Kobe; he played second fiddle to Shaq, donned a different jersey number, and of course, represented a different brand on his feet, all of which gives you a clear picture on how much Kobe has progressed in his career. Continue reading for a look at this sample of the adidas The KOBE and check out the auction from poofyo101jumpmansneakers on eBay.

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For those who think camping for sneakers is strange or even ridiculous, remember that the practice of waiting overnight to purchase an item began before sneakers! Based on statistics, Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year, as it marks the unofficial start to the Holiday shopping season. Tons of department and retail stores begin slashing prices on items, and for the opportunity to cop a flat-screen TV at less than half the MSRP, eager shoppers will begin their camp-outs after the final slice of turkey has been served. For sneakerheads, the item of our affection will be the Air Jordan III Black/Cement (one of the few items in the retail market that will be purchased at full price). Undoubtedly the biggest Air Jordan Retro release of December (and perhaps the Holiday 2011 season, depending on if you prefer the III over the XI), the Air Jordan III Black/Cement will be a huge hit, and this new detailed gallery of images is enough to confirm that notion. If you’re willing to fight the crowds, keep Black Friday circled on your calendar, or get ahead of the game and cop your pair months in advance on eBay.

Air Jordan III
Black/Varsity Red-Cement-White
136064-010
11/25/2011

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Nike SB has gotten creative not only with devising concepts behind the releases, but with the actual construction of the shoes. Take for example the ‘Statue of Liberty’ Dunk High, which features a wear-and-tear upper that reveals a secondary ‘rust’ colorway beneath the refreshing sea green, or  the ‘Cheech & Chong’ Dunks, which featured a mossy green suede beneath the thin white upper. Rollomite of N-SB forums decided to ‘un-roll’ his Cheech and Chong Dunks by carefully ‘exact-o-knifing’ the outer white layer to reveal the entire sweet sticky goodness at the toe guard. Of course, you can creative with your own ‘custom’ Cheech and Chong SB Dunks, so let us know what you do to customize your pair, and if you still don’t have these once-scrapped SB Dunks, pick up a pair now on eBay.

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A site of a grizzly murder? No, it’s just the result of a party devoid of coasters. The Nike SB Zoom Stefan Janoski ‘Wino’ was spotted back in March, but it was initially thought to be a blood splattered colorway of the sneaker, much like the scrapped Freddy Krueger SB Dunk Low. Turns out the beige canvas upper is just stained with rings of wine, and this new set of images shows you that each pair is likely unique from one another. Although a release date for this colorway of the gods hasn’t been confirmed, a sample pair just popped up for sale, although the asking price is enough for you to cop plenty of Janoskis and Napa’s finest Pinot reserve to make your own Wino samples. Check out the gallery of images below and let us know if you’ve been interested in copping these, and in the meantime, check out the auction from antique-tb on eBay.

Nike SB Zoom Stefan Janoski
Net/Terra Brown
333824-102

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Having been completely forgotten following Nike Sportswear’s reorganization in 2008, the Nike Air Talaria ACG finally made it back to store shelves earlier this year with two pairs featuring laser graphics similar to the previous release back in 2007.  The laser cuts are gone from these two new Quickstrikes, but the Talaria’s unique sensibility remains in tact thanks to the one-of-a-kind perforations that mark its suede side panels.  Click through to see a Baltoro-style colorway and one that’s like the LA Lakers from the future, and expect these at select NSW spots including Wish this Saturday, August 27th.

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Already touted as the ‘it’ Air Jordan Retro of next year, the Air Jordan IV White/Cement Grey has been causing an insurmountable buzz here on Sneaker News. There appears to be some faint speckling on the grey areas of the upper, but still not quite matching the dark black of the original. Also a bit out of place is the black section of the outsole which is sporting a grey rim along the bottom on these early samples. These are, as mentioned, a sample version of the White/Cement Grey (or Tech Grey to be more exact), so expect the released version to be a bit different from these. Another shot of these drool-inducing Air Jordans await you below so take a look and let us know if these are a must have for you. via Sole Fly.

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It’s common practice for NBA players to get PE’s that pay homage to their NCAA days, but what about the select few who skipped that step on their way to the big leagues? Well in Kobe’s case you just go back another step to high school, which in this case is Lower Merion High. The Aces have been fortunate enough to receive a lot of Kobe love and this is another chapter in that saga, the Nike Zoom Kobe VI done up in the school’s colors with a nice ‘Ace’ logo hit near the heel clip. The sneaker comes in a mixture of cool greys, with varsity crimson for the swoosh and accenting. They’ll be hitting stores just in time for the back to school season, dropping on September 10th. Take a full look at the Nike Zoom Kobe VI ‘Lower Merion Aces’ and let us know in the comments if these will be in your fall rotation.

Nike Zoom Kobe VI ‘Lower Merion’
Metallic Platinum/Varsity Crimson-Cool Grey
429659-017
09/10/11
$130

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