Custom sneaker design has evolved into something of a fine artform with the most popular trend of late, borrowing legendary colorways and applying them to new silhouettes.  But what if you really want to stand out on your own; what can a sneakerhead do to establish themselves as an outlier in a world where obscure classics have become a part of the default curriculum?  How about trying on something way outside the box, like these new Dee & Ricky x Pony Slam Dunk releases?  High and lowtop pairs each offer their own crazy swag, the latter opting for a multicolor wild animal approach while the former allows you to deliver a text message to the world via your footwear felt board.  Click through for more proof that these audacious designs are in fact real, and look to Packer Shoes as one of the few US shops that’ll have them in stock.

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Just about two weeks ago, Sneaker News brought you preview images of the newly established ‘Classic’ range of New Balance 574s in a ‘Sunset’ colorway that mixed yellow tones for a sunny feel perfect for spring.  Tighten up the range of tones and switch out those golden hues for a rich red construction and you wind up with something like the burgundy edition pictured above.  Its main contrast comes from how the different materials express this warm and earthy shade, but you can’t discount the signficance of carefully placed grey and beige accent hits.  Click through for a more detailed look and stick with Sneaker News for more on this superb range of suede classic runners.  via Sneaker Freaker

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Nike Portland hosted one of the sickest sneaker release events of the year when it invited VIP guest Tinker Hatfield to meet and greet Air Jordan fanatics and offer autographs to their new Concord XI boxes. Having Tinker’s John Hancock on the best Air Jordan of all-time (as determined by our Sneaker News readers) is undoubtedly a sweet treat, so if you were lucky enough to attend the well-organized event on Friday, kudos to you! However, if you weren’t able to meet Tinker and get your Concords signed, you’re in luck: a few of the autographed Concords have popped up for sale, so get your bids in on one of the available pairs like this listing from cooperjane on eBay.

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As of midnight last night, the Sneaker News 2011 Readers’ Choice Poll results were officially in the books, leading us right up to tonight’s moment of truth and the unveiling of this year’s winners. There were runaway landslides and some neck-and-neck battles, obvious favorites and a few sleepers, and when it was all said and done, we’re left with a year-end awards list determined entirely by you, our faithful readers. You might not be on board with all the winners, and quite frankly, neither are we, but at the end of the day, majority rules and the people have spoken. Keep reading to see what shoes took the crown in each category and thanks to all who participated in the Sneaker News 2011 Readers’ Choice voting.

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In light of the six successful Foamposite One/Pro releases of this year, it’s very probable that the Foamposite insanity will spill over into 2012. With the confirmation of both the Metallic Red and Electrolime colorways dropping in the coming Spring season, sneakerheads will be given an early start on their Foamposite collections for the year – but are either the Metallic Reds or Electrolimes the frontrunner for the best Foamposites of the year? We don’t know what else is in store just yet, but the Electrolimes, pictured here, are a likely favorite thanks to its vibrant colorway. Check out the detailed images below and stick with Sneaker News for more Foamposite news and updates. via solewings.

Nike Air Foamposite One
Electrolime/Electrolime-Black
314996-330
03/2012

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Jordan Brand is making a concerted effort to establish a firm presence in the NFL. Getting fined $10,000 for a pair of cleats is definitely one way to do that. Jordan Brand NFL athlete Michael Crabtree of the San Francisco 49ers wore a pair of gold Jordan BCT Speed Low PE cleats against the Pittsburgh Steelers, during Week 15, catch 4 passes for 35 yards and $10,000 in the process. The NFL is especially strict about its uniform rules, fining players for wearing patriotic cleats and gloves during the games that commemorated 9/11. Is this good press for Jordan Brand, or a bad omen? Check out Crabtree’s cleats below and let us know what you think. via ninersnation

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The world of Nike GS releases is a mixed bag that leaves some room for interpretation. On some of the more feminine looks (does the above pictured pair qualify?), it’s natural to see an abbreviation for ‘girls’, and Jordan Brand even goes so far as to use this designation in lieu of labeling any of its drops as WMNS. But the original expression was actually grade school, which means this new Nike Zoom Kobe VII GS was crafted with young ballers in mind, NikeStore even going so far as to label these as a “boys’ basketball shoe.” It is indeed built in the Deep Royal shade of the color most often associated with males, but you can’t deny that the Magenta and teal details push the blue sections toward purple and an overall look that’s ‘berry’ good, irrespective of its intended users’ gender. If you’re looking for a standout colorway and happen to fit in US sizes 3.5-7y, grab a pair of these Kobe VII GSes fromNikeStore.

Nike Zoom Kobe VII GS
Deep Royal Blue/Metallic Summit White-Magenta
505399-400

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The Nike Zoom Rookie LWP features the kind of bold lines and eye-catching materials that make it anything but ordinary, so what happens when you apply one of the most basic colorways possible? Turns out, a ‘Blackout’ Zoom Rookie does nothing to diminish this Nike Sportswear hybrid from breaking necks, and they might even be more impactful in a sense because of the relatively unexpected way the Foamposite sections jump out at you under the right lighting. We’ve already seen two different white/black colorways released to great commercial success, and with the popularity of both Foamposite and Air Penny retros in recent years, there’s little doubt this one will be similarly well accepted. Click through and take a closer look, let us know where these rank against the other Zoom Rookie LWP releases and stick with Sneaker News for this pair’s US release date.  via in52

Nike Zoom Rookie LWP
Black/Anthracite
472688-010

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What other OG colorways of the Air Jordan X Retro are in store for us in 2012? Thus far, the OGs are outweighed by new colorways by a margin of 2 (Old Royal and Stealth) to 1 (these Chicago beauties). Kicking things off is the January release of one of the few remaining un-retroed OG colorways, and this new detailed viewing should only push you over the edge into must-cop-ville (population: you). These are beginning to arrive at retailers like AGS, so peek into the gallery below and let us know if these are a 100% definite purchase for you.

Air Jordan X Retro ‘Chicago’
White/Black-Varsity Red
310805-100
01/2012
$160

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Nike Sportswear hones in on the female foot even further with the debut of the Nike WMNS Air Force 1 Low Light – a slimmed down, form-fitting Air Force 1 construction that’ll surely appeal to the dainty sneaker-head. Like the Dunk High Skinny and NSW-inspired Air Max releases like the Air Max Zephyr, the Air Force 1 Low Light upholds that classic design while offering slimmer walls and noticeably thinner outsoles. We showed you the Spring-time ‘Julep’ colorway earlier this week, but this rustic Metallic Dark Grey might still be a fitting option for the current season. We’ve got another look at this Spring 2012 release below, so check out the additional angles and let us know what you think. via atmos-tokyo.

Nike WMNS Air Force 1 Low Light
487643-002

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Following up on our close-up look at the Midnight Navy and Team Orange edition comes this other newNike Zoom KD IV in a more familiar colorway.  This one comes with a clear ‘home’ look thanks to a white base on the upper, though they push slightly closer to the Dallas Mavericks than Oklahoma City Thunder thanks to a prominent black midsole.  OKC fans will recognize that the Thunder’s logo and jerseys are trimmed with navy and not black, but the latter often appears to be blacked out, especially under the lighting at NBA arenas.  That’s the same kind of thing going on here with this pair’s Midnight Navy midsole, and represents a big part of what makes this shoe more compatible with OKC than you might initially expect.  Examine them in more detail by clicking on the jump below and stick with Sneaker News for word on the US release date.  via SM

Nike Zoom KD IV
473679-100

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LA-based streetwear label The Hundreds has established their Footware collection over the past few years, issuing tried and true silhouettes in a range of contemporary colorups including the occasional collaboration or otherwise standout release.  One of the more recent of those was their ‘Mint ‘n Chip’ Scully colorway that applied a ‘Tiffany’-like steez to a shoe with clear classic running inspiration.  This new model reflects that same reach toward late ’80s/early ’90s running aesthetics, but The Hundreds Hoya is debuting in two different looks as part of a ‘Ben vs. Bobby’ design competition being held on their Facebook page.  There’s only 100 pairs of each design, one borrowing the signature print and earthy vibe found on the Nike Air Safari, the other opting for a black and silver getup that goes for simplicity as a means to show off the premium nubuck construction.  Click through for closer views of both and let us know for which pair you’ll vote.

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