As we saw Nike Basketball designer Eric Avar and Kobe Bryant himself discussing the Nike Zoom Kobe VII System yesterday, it became apparent that the inspiration behind the Black Mamba’s latest signature was heavily based upon three striking predators. Combining the reptile appeal of the ZK6 with great white shark and leopard DNA produced a kind of ‘Kobe Skin’ that gives the Zoom Kobe 7 a unique texture, the same kind of look echoed on this sick new Kobe VII System Supreme Backpack that’ll be available at Nike Vault in Los Angeles on Christmas Day. Only 50 of these angular hard shell cases will be released starting at 9:30am local time, so if you time it just right you’ll be able to watch A Christmas Story, grab a backpack with the ‘Del Sol’ Zoom Kobe VII Supreme and be back in time for to see Kobe’s Lakers take on Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls as part of the NBA’s tip-off spectacular.
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Quick — which of your friends has the most unique and appealing smartphone case? Chances are, you can pick a winner instantly, because even as many handsets as are on the market these days, the ability to personalize and protect your phone with a case is what makes even the most popular lineup-impetus stand out. So when rumors of a Vans Waffle Sole case for the iPhone 4 started to circulate, you can only imagine how many Cali-styled skate sneakerheads were thrilled at the chance to eschew black or white for gum. This new set of images suggests that they’re a bit wider-spread than previously thought, and offer a strong suggestion that this product will in fact make it to retail sometime soon. Click through to see more angles, and let us know which sneaker’s traction pattern or signature texture you’d most like to see wrapped around your digital life. via Complex
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United Arrows’ Beauty & Youth label has worked in concert with Vans quite a few times over the past several years, but now they’re branching out to get up with another US-born brand who’s known for their numerous Japanese collaborators. The Beauty & Youth x New Balance CM1700 brings in Japan’s Briefing luggage company to add two bags to the package, one that looks like a laptop case plus a fanny pack that makes you wonder if there’s enough ‘no nonsense’ in common between NB and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin to ever spark such a tag team. You won’t have to wrestle with your wardrobe to find a variety of suitable matches for these NB 1700s, though, because like many of the brand’s best loved classics, these are downright stunning in the go-to premium grey suede. B&Y adds a red lace to match the bags’ details, and the whole set should be available at United Arrows retail spots come January.
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adidas’ ClimaCool technology is familiar to sneakerheads thanks to its inclusion on a variety of Three Stripes runners, but did you know they also have an answer to cold weather as well? The VEIL x adidas Oscillate Warm Trail Runner ‘Purple Swamphen’ comes in a colorway like you might find splattered across the feathers of its namesake bird, but we’re guessing the Oscillate’s ClimaWarm technology is a bit more advanced than even the fattest goose. The Hong Kong streetwear brand responsible for this collabo hasn’t announced whether these will actually hit retail, but if they do, you can expect a matching backpack with more pockets than you have stuff to fill them. Click through to see more angles and let us know if you’d buy these were they to release. via HS.
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With notable releases including the infinitely expanding LIVESTRONG collection and the annual Doernbecher Freestyle, Nike is known for using its standing in the sneaker scene to raise funds and awareness for some of humanity’s greatest challenges. But this new capsule offers several firsts, namely, the first All Conditions Gear boot released for charity and the first Nike Sportswear Melton Destroyer peacoat, period. The Nike Sportswear (RED) set will drop on Thursday, December 1st in support of World AIDS Day including the aforementioned jacket and an NSW Cheyenne Backpack both done in the same black, red and white palette as the latest Nike ACG Zoom Meriwether boot. You can see the whole range by clicking on the jump below; are these the best (RED) products yet? via NoCauses
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Ready for things to get hairy out at your favorite retail spots? We’re less than 48 hours away from the commencement of the biggest shopping period of the year, set off like a firecracker with sales crazy enough to get even the laziest consumers out of bed and into line before the Harbaugh Bowl goes final. If you’re in LA or Tokyo and sneakers are are the top of your list for day-after-Thanksgiving shopping, consider the deceptively named Brooklyn Projects, who’re offering a raffle ticket for every purchase on the 25th. Giveaway items include a Nike SB backpack in a golden yellow with black and red accents that’s vaguely reminiscent of Dom Deluca’s ‘Reign in Blood’ Dunk Highs SB from earlier this year. That bag is an unreleased sample that’ll never make it to retail, but might the Eric Koston-signed Kobe x Koston Lakers-leaning basketball jersey be more valuable? Add in a third mystery item to be revealed in the store on Friday, and you’ve got all the makings of a must visit; will you adjust your shopping plans to include Brooklyn Projects?
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After Converse wrapped up its 1Hund(RED) Artist collaboration a couple years back, its PRODUCT drops have trickled to a stop, leaving another Nike, Inc. branch to step in with a few AIDS research-benefiting designs of their own. Coming from Nike Sportswear’s All Conditions Gear division comes this brand new PRODUCT(RED) x Nike ACG Zoom Meriwether boot, a design notably different from the majority of releases to this point for its use of a smooth leather upper rather than suede. This buttery smooth black base works great with red laces and a white midsole, and that combo perfectly matches the NSW Melton Destroyer peacoat and NSW Cheyenne Backpack. Expect these at the most exclusive Nike Sportswear stockists starting December 1st, and click through to see the entire collection in the meantime.
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One could argue that no single brand or division of any footwear company has ever had such a sudden and profound impact on the entire industry as the branch of Nike, Inc. that’s coming up on its 10th birthday next year. Nike SB set the bar for innovative release strategies, collectable colorways and crazy colorways, and a look into the summer 2012 catalog reveals a brand whose identity has increased in complexity and refinement just like a bottle of wine. Take the Nike SB Team Edition series for example: non-existent in 2002, a big ‘ol chunky tech rider in the early DC Shoes vein in 2007, and all the way to a brogue-embellished beauty with nods to classics both casual and skate. Or consider the P-Rod series, an annual expectation by this point whose consistent excellence paved the way for other sigs like Stefan Janoski’s super-seller. And you can’t forget about the shoe that started it all, the SB Dunk Low, Mid and High ready for your viewing pleasure along with more models, apparel and accessories when you click on the jump below. via sidious on N-SB
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