Nike Sportswear Mayfly LT

Alas the Mayfly the insect with the shortest lifespan on earth seems to bear certain similarities to it's aptly named sneaker counterpart. As the new year approached we got the news to expect the release of the Mayfly LT a suped up version of the original Mayfly which was one of the best concept running shoes Nike ever produced. But the release has now been cut from UK release and looks to only see the light of day stateside if at all. It is such a shame to see Nike cutting really good releases based on commercial viability considering the size of their business model its hard to understand why they can't let something of such importance to lovers of trainers to slip through the net. Nevertheless this shoe is something special, keeping the insect wing patterning on the upper this time laser cut into a more premium upper than the paper thin originals, but in keeping with the first they still look fragile and are still one of the lightest and most comfortable models in existence getting your hands on these may be hard but will be worth it...

Its so Yeezy...

Finally after various blurred, cropped and poor quality photos of the Air Yeezy 2 we finally get a decent look at the Black/Pink colorway. Although its not known wether these will be one of pairs released I think it is probably a good bet. Do you prefer these to the original Black colorway seen early this year? And what do you think the other colorways have in store?

Nike x Tiger Woods Free

The Nike Innovation Kitchen, the stuff of dream but alas the place where some thought things had gone stale. I must admit given the huge resurrection of much 'lesser brands' it was easy to say Nike has fallen off the the radar somewhat in the sneaker market. But I think what has happened is probably almost the opposite. By taking a step back from the continually saturating market I feel Nike has once again risen to the top because not because of extra money but because of experience. Given the rate of current releases by competing brands it seems Nike has taken the foot off the accelerator to concentrate on what in most cases is the most important thing the quality of the product. Yes they are still continually dipping into the archives and dishing out what the general populous are feeding on and why not. But they are also taking the initiative and creating the future of footwear. Take the Nike x Tiger Woods Free shoe, taking a concept from a running shoe and pitching it into a new environment (no pun intended). I really wholeheartedly love this shoe, I think it looks crazy but in a good way and more importantly is pushing the boundaries of footwear design...

 

Nike Dunk AC Premium TZ AW11

If your starting to think a running theme of tan leather is from my recent posts, this is not a conscious decision to promote this material but more of a trend that seems to be from a whole host of brands for the upcoming months. I had no choice but to post these because I have an always will be a massive fan of the Dunk AC since its release, the don't mess with a classic mentality has no place in my agenda, I have a rather simple like it or don't like it policy. This AW11 model seems more refined than previous attempts, the outsole is pure white with no accented outline and it seems they have taken away the texturing on the toe also. With an all leather tan upper and black laces this is the cleanest looking Dunk I have seen, they are also available in black but in my opinion the tan colorway is far superior...

Nike Sportswear VT Premium Pack

Nikes VT (Vac Tech) technology is definately pushing the boundaries of footwear design and production. This pack which contains the AM90, Dunk and also AF1 (not pictured) is dubbed the Wheat Pack given its earthy monotone colour scheme. The AM90's are often considered to be 'chav' wear here in England but more and more I have been seduced by them, this pair being the pinnacle of my fascination and im definitely considering adding these to my collection, I think the 1 colour gives you a chance to appreciate what a great looking shoe it is without having your retinas burnt by overcomplicated colorways, these are going to fly believe me...

Nike Air Yeezy 2

Some of you may have heard whispers, hold on let me back up a second. All of you will now have heard the Nike Air Yeezy 2 has been spotted on the feet of their proprietor Mr Kanye West here, there and everywhere. Gaining infinitely more hype with every step this is no doubt the start of another furious fight for the prize. There has already been alot of talk on the design/look of the shoe so here is my two pennys; Overall I think this a much more grown up shoe, it reflects Kanyes own growth as an artist and I really do like them more than the originals. I will reserve judgement until we get the inevitable retail versions, but enjoy these for now...

Nike Free Run+2 City Pack

London
The aesthetics of the Nike Free Run over its evolution have gone from strength to strength and in my opinion it is one of the best looking performance trainers out there. The Nike Free Run+2 City Pack takes the latest incarnation around the world with 5 colorways each associated with a major city. I think they are all great, the pastel colours are a perfect match for the hazy summer days in the city.


New York

Rio de Janeiro

Tokyo

Shanghai

Nike Footscape Woven Chukka Freemotion

When I first saw the Footscape Woven Chukka I was not keen on the design at all, but a few months later I saw someone wearing them and was shocked at how much I liked them. And with every release they grow on me more and more, this has reached a crescendo with this look at the next up and coming release. This latest take on the design incorporates the freemotion outsole, neoprene panelling and the woven detail I have come to love, these are lovely...

Nike QS AC Dunk Vintage

Although one of my possibly greatest pet hates is the vintage soles that seem to be everywhere right now, god knows why we can't make them dirty by wearing them they seem to have needlessly cut out the middle man. That said I do have a soft spot for the vintage block colorways of the recent Nike Blazers and Nike have seen fit to put these to good use by merging them onto the relatively new AC Dunk Model. So get some paint stripper and get a pair of these and rock with a pure white sole, available now at Hanon...

Nike Sportswear Hachi

Nike Sportswear bring us a brand new model for 2011 the Hachi. The design obviously takes inspiration from two of my favourite Nike models the vintage Sting with the half/half lacing system and the green/orange colourway and the Blazer with the basic mid top silouette and perforated swoosh. The honeycomb vulcanised toe and resemblance to the Sting could signal why they chose the name Hachi which amongst other things means Bee in Japanese. It also comes in a second straight blue colorway...

Nike Dunk Low TZ

Not a massive fan of the faux vintage soles on any trainer, but these are nice, the colourways do all the hard work. Now available via Crooked Tongues and Hanon...

Steven Alan x Nike Sporstwear Collection

I'll have to file this collection under unexpected, although Steven Alan has made a name for himself in the mens clothing world over the last couple of years a collaboration with Nike is an amazing change of pace. Not only is collection fairly extensive with 4 models (Air Zoom Magma, Air Zoom Toki, Talache Low and Air Zoom Lava Dome) involved. This is a very different from direction for Nike and may signal things to come this year. I think the collection is brilliant, blending clasic models with very simple modern colorways and materials, they are all available now...

Nike Sportswear AFE 3 Layer Jacket

Nike Sportswear brings us more from their AFE (Athletics Far East) collection. Bringing high technology and tradional eastern design together to great effect. The three layer jacket is made from a fully windproof and water repellent fabric. Lots of pockets and taped zippers make it a great looking jacket for this winter, available now via Tres Bein Shop...

Nike Gyakusou Zoom Spider TT+

Japan's Gyakusou are a group of runners who have gained notorioty in Japan for their love of running and constant roaming the streets of Tokyo at night like a pack of wolves. This attracted the attention of Nike and along with a full capsule collection they bring us the Gyakusou Zoom Spider TT+. Nike continues to push the boundaries of running shoe manufacturer and this shoe encapsulates all the latest technologies with Lunarlite foam, reactive Zoom Air, Flywire support and reflective elements all packed into one beautiful package. They will be available very soon from the 1948 store in London...

Nike LunarEclipse+

Given this year has been particularly slow for the top brand Nike have clearly been concentrating on continuing their heritage by bringing running to the forefront once again. Following the FreeRun+ earlier this year they bring the LunarEclipse+ which is not only a very good looking shoe but is also bursting with Nike technology, and I really like the hint of purple...

Nike x Livestrong 'Tour De France' Dunk

Livestrong had a very strong 2009 shoes wise and they continue to push out some great colorways of the classic Nike shapes, these Dunks are really nice love the use of the yellow edging on the black leather...

Nike Mayfly Bowerman Series 2010

This model is a classic, probably the one of, if not the lightest models ever made at under 6oz. It only lasts 100km hence its name taken from the insect with its short lifespan. It is also completely recyclable once its served its time. Its out now in the US hopefully won't be too long till we see a release here...

Nike Sportswear Perforated Leather Pack

This pack made me all nostalgic taking me back to my younger days when I lived for the brightest white trainers, I like the fact they have used the classic AF1 together with two of the modern models in the Auto Dunk and Toki, CLEAN...