The Year's Best Sneaker Releases

This was an extremely tough call for me to make, especially being a bit of a sneakerhead myself. Yes I queued up the day before to try to get a pair of Air Yeezy's (the black and pink ones), and no I still didn't get a pair. And though I like the feel and will hands down give the Yeezy's the nod for BIGGEST release of the year (more on that later) I cannot in good conscience give them the nod for best release of the year. This may be partially influenced by Kanye's stage-stealing, partially by a bit of bitterness at not having a pair myself and partially by my reluctance to admit that Kanye has serious style (I'm sorry people... despite some of the terrible trends he has started... he does). HOWEVER, despite the success of all of the Yeezy releases, the freshest, best looking pair of kicks from this year were both inspired by films and both released by Nike (I will freely admit my bias).

(Titanimg and Collider)

First up: the White Men Can't Jump inspired Nike Air Flight Lite High. These caught their fair share of both ups and disses, and the comment made by Nice Kicks contributor Matt Halfhill about the fact that he cannot remember Billy Hoyle wearing these bad boys at any point in the film is a valid point. However, the key here is the inspiration rather than the historical validity, and the inspiration created by Billy Hoyle's "chump" style is well worth exploring. While this is arguably one of the greatest films of the early 90s (if not the entire decade) it should be notice that these are about as true to Hoyle's persona and style as might be expected or wished for.

 Fresh'uns From Billy's Closet (Nice Kicks)

This is not an argument to say that a shoe based upon Sidney Deane's sense of style would not have been even hotter, HOWEVER, that said... this sneaker inspired by Billy boy is true to form and well executed. The selection of the Air Flight high's and their colorway is perfect for the mishmash style (tie-dye hat, work shorts, tube socks... come on) of Billy.

Billy Hoyle Driving on Sidney Deane (Uncoached)

Obviously, I would have been equally excited to see them bring back the Air Command's initially worn by Billy, but for a new and fresh film-inspired kick I couldn't possibly ask for more.


The next choice are the Nike Hypermax McFly (NFW)... another movie inspired sneaker and about as filthy a colorway as you will ever see (gray, white, pink, blue). This particular release is one of my favorites as well because it does more than simply make use of a nice colorway and the name of a film. Drawing inspiration from the ill shoes sported by Marty McFly in Back to the Future II (with a self-locking system and some serious light-ups) Nike took their hypermax and stripped the flywire out of them

McFly on His Hoverboard (Sneaker Hunt)

This is a cool decision to have made for two reasons: one flywire is a bit notorious for ripping despite it's lightweight and implied strength, TWO (and perhaps more importantly) it is a cool and literal approach to taking "back to the future" and bringing it to life a la Nike. Nike took one of their most technologically advanced sneakers (well known for its use of flywire technology) and flipped it old school by giving it a plain gray flat nylon/satin upper. The combination of the past and the future comes together nicely and a nice hit of glow-in-the-dark on the soles does nothing but make the drop even fresher. Argue if you like about the Hypermax NFW and the Hyperdunk McFly (from 2008), but they are both fresh as any sneaker I saw this past year.

Nike McFly Hypermax NFW 2009 (Highsnobiety)

End of an Era (The Year's Best)

As we are getting towards the end of an entire decade I thought I would announce a schedule for a recap/highlights of 2009. These will be looked at individually and in depth over the next few weeks but the winners are...

Best Sneaker Release: This one is a draw... both movie inspired, both redic releases. Nike McFly Hypermax NFW, Nike Air Flight Light

Biggest Sneaker Release: Nike Air Yeezy's

Best Menswear Collection: Junya Watanabe MAN for Comme des Garcon

Best Runway: Jeremy Scott Flinstones (S/S 2010, LFW)

Best Designer (Streetwear): Carri Munden, Cassette Playa

Best Accessory/Line (Men): Dita 2009

Best Gadget: iPhone (I hate to do it, and I know it's not new... but it's true)

Best Mixtape: 10Deep Presents: Donnis - Diary of an ATL Brave

Best Update: Windows 7

Best Album: Draw... Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More & Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3...
Honorable Mention: The Temper Trap - Conditions.

Image Credits (in order): Highsnobiety, Hypebeast, Nike, Hypebeast, London 

Fashion Week, Cassette Playa, Gear Culture, Apple, 10Deep, Complex Magazine, 7Digital

Drogba Does Something Cool

I was trying to figure out why on earth Didier Drogba was wearing red laces in his boots at the Emirates this weekend as Chelsea demolished Arsenal (3-0). I saw him pointing to the boots after the match and couldn't for the life of me figure out why... well now we know.

Nike and project (Red) have launched the laces as a fundraiser/awareness campaign and Drogba as the (Nike)RED global ambassador was just doing his part. The launch took place at the Nike store last night and featured many famous footballers (Arshavin, Dempsey, Joe Cole, etc.) and everyone's least favorite do-gooder (Bono).

The laces are available at the Nike Store as well as at NikeTown, London (presumably they will be available at other major sports outlets as well). For the full article hop over to Nike Football.

Come on CP!

One of my all time favorite designer's (London's own Carri Munden of CASSETTE PLAYA) has been commissioned by Nike Sportswear along with Amsterdam's Parra in order to "create a sports team" and do battle in the 2009 RIVALRY collection (to be released this holiday season).

While I've always respected Parra's work, I've gotta say that--my East London bias aside-- Carri has absolutely killed it again. Staying true to her more street-inspired collections of a couple of seasons ago this latest capsule collection for NSW is unreal.

For more details about the rivalry and the individual pieces from the collection hop over to Hypebeast and in order to help the superior team (CP's "The Chimeras") win... buy some of Carri's collection as it becomes available at finer Nike retailers.

Speaking of those Lebron Air Max VII's...

Check out these DOPE customs by Chicago based Artist Jeff Zimmerman.


These are truly incredible customs and given that Zimmerman is, by training and profession, a mural artist... these details are absurd (trust me, I've tried kicks, it is an incredibly tedious process) and he even managed to weave in the Chicago flag.

via: Kicks on Fire

Coming Soon

Officially screened at the launch of the Air Max Lebron VII (click for a boatload of photos from the launch), the new film "More than A Game" (click for trailer) takes an inside look at 'Bron 'Bron before he became the "King" that he is today. The film follows he and his teammates in high school in Akron, Ohio and looks pretty dope.

According to Nike Basketball, the film is set to have a limited release on October 2nd in L.A. and Cleveland, and should be released more broadly soon thereafter.

Via: Cool Hunting