Pickup VII...

It's been a while since we've hit you with some pickups and some sneaker content but hopefully that will change soon. The boys over @ e n t e r s p a c e have been uber busy this past few months. Stay tuned for some exciting news and posts in the near future on some of the projects on the go!

Here's a recap of some of the more recent pickups that I've made. As you're all aware, JB released a plethora of sneakers these past few months. Once model in particular and the first to be released from the "For the Love of the Game" series, the Air Jordan VII Retro (White / Midnight Navy / True Red) was my most recent purchase. If you've been going on the sneaker blogs you already know that this particular model is retroed after the Air Jordan VII's MJ wore while winning the gold with "The Dream Team" in Barcelona. This particular model which is retroed after the 2004 version (the OG pair in 1992 sported a different colour scheme and boot design) features three significant variations from the other retros.

First, the colour of the navy accents on the soles is a more distinct blue colour whereas the 2004 and 1992 versions sport a darker if not blackish colour on the sole. Second, the placement of the "9" on the heel is similar to the 1992 version. The 2004 model had the "9" placement on a different angle. Third is the addition of the "FTLOTG" embroidery on the side heel of the shoe.

All in all this sneaker looks great and sports the same JB quality of recent retros. Shouts to Justin down @ C-apsule (Toronto) for hooking that up.

The second pair that I got were a gift and they were the "Nike Air BW Gen II (Netherlands)" from the "True Colors" series. I featured this sneaker in my Top 10 Sneakers of 2010 so you know I had to get these. These sneakers were not released in Toronto so I was fortunate to grab my pair online off the 'bay. I highly recommend these sneakers if you're looking for an ideal summer shoe that can break necks while maintaining comfort!

Source via: C-apsule


BONUS: How do these pickups play into "The Challenge", here's an update:

1. Adidas ZX Boat - "Yoda" (Adidas)
2. Air Jordan I Retro KO Hi (Jordan Brand)
3. Nike Air Foamposite One - "Eggplants" (Nike Basketball)
4. Air Jordan VII Retro (FTLOTG) - White / Midnight Navy / True Red(Jordan Brand
5.
6.

d o n ' t s l e e p...

This Sat, Nike will be blessin us with one of their classics. Releasing on the 24th, the Air Max 90 "Infrared" colourway is set to be retroed as a general release across North America.

The AM90's have seen a re-release (QS) about 1-2 years ago and instantly sold out. I'm sure even though this time around they'll be a general release like the AM95 "Neons", they'll sell out quick. Who can resist a fresh pair of "Infrareds" straight out the box?

I know I can't!

Don't sleep this Saturday, July 24, 2010. The AM90 "Infrareds" will be dropping at your local sneaker store, independents (LS & C-apsule) and online.

Will YOU be copping?

Image via: Primitive (you guys killed it!)

d o n ' t s l e e p ...

July. Footlocker. That is all.

P i c k U p s : P A R T III

In this edition of Pick Ups, we bring you an eclectic range of kicks. First up are the OG colourway of the AM1s. The AM1s are one of my favourite sneakers so when Nike released the OG colourway last year, it was only a matter of time before I jumped on them. I didn't get them when they released, but better late than never. Next up is a pair of boots, the Ransom x Adidas Summit boots in brown. Being from Toronto, it gets pretty cold and snowy. Thankfully this winter hasn't been that bad, but it seems like winter is coming late. And what better way to trek through the snow and slush than in a pair of boots from a local brand (support your local brands!). The third, and probably best pick in this edition are the Copper Foamposites. I was lucky enough to grab these from Nike.com on the drop date. They were definitely worth the hype but I must say, they do not pop as much as I had thought. Still gonna cop the Eggplants though...

k i c k s t a r t m o n d a y s: a i r m a x 9 7...

This week we take a look at another great sneaker from the Nike vault from their best decade, the 90's! This week we take a much needed look at the Air Max 97.

The Nike Air Max 97 first debuted in 1997 following the much appreciated Air Max 95. A great followup to the iconic AM95, the AM97 first debuted in the infamous Silver and Varisty-Red colourway. This sneaker which was made with running in mind as all early Air Maxes were, featured a visible air unit that encompassed the entire sole of the sneaker. Pushing the line even more, this sneaker contained one of the longest visible air unit to date and was furthered accented with 3M piping along the upper. The sneaker which was a low top fell just under ones' ankle and simply popped with the metallic mesh like upper. This sneaker much similar to its other AM brothers has been released in a plethora of colourways and also recently received a retro last year deemed the Air Max 97'X.

My fond memories of this sneaker once again falls to my boy Vic who also sported these joints during HS. Much similar to the AM65 Neons he owned these kicks popped and I knew I needed a pair. I was fortunate enough to cop a pair of these during last year's retro and rumour has it that they will be re releasing them again alongside the AM OG series rumoured to be dropping in 2010.

Will YOU be coppin them?

k i c k s t a r t m o n d a y s: a i r m a x 1

In this weeks, episode if you will, of kick start Monday's, we bring you the very first Nike Air Max...the Air Max 1 (AM1). The Air Max line have quite a bit of history behind them, dating back to 1987 when the first pair of Nike Air Max dropped - running was changed forever. The Air Max series brings together both style and performance, as well as Nike's air cusioning technology. The shoe gets its name from Nike’s air technology, which is used in all models. The Air technology has been around since 1979, but the Nike Air Max was the first shoe to make this technology visible. The heel area, and for some models even the forefoot or entire sole, is made with see-through plastic, exposing the wonderful Air unit.

Debuting in 1987, the Air Max 1 featured a Visible Air unit with synthetic suede and nylon mesh uppers. It was the visible air unit that propelled this shoe to iconic status. In 1988, Nike updated the AM1s with a leather edition. In 1992, they took some styling cues from their younger cousin, and updated the design of the shoe using the midsole and outsole from the Air Max 90. From 1992 and 1995, all the AM1 releases were in leather, but in 1995, Nike brought back the nylon editions. The last styling change game in 1996, when the swoosh was made smaller.

Like most Nike shoes, the Air Max 1s have been offered in many a colourway and collaborations, including HUF, CLOT, Supreme and my personal favs, DJ Clark Kent and Atmos. I don't have the two latter pairs, so if you have them in a size 11 and looking to get rid of them, holla. Of the over 20+ versions of the Air Max, the Air Max 1s will forever be the originator; often imitated, never duplicated. Nike recently released the OG colourways (see above pic) and while they did sell well, I doubt they are sold out. So hit up your local sneaker shop to cop a pair.

d o n ' t s l e e p...

The Nike Air Max Lebron VII has received much critical acclaim and love from sneakerheads and ballers since before its retail release. Marqueesole has recently received a shipment of a special colourway for these kicks.

The Nike Air Max Lebron VII has released a special limited quickstrike model unseen previously. This model which are dubbed the "Xmas" colourway features a deep red, almost burgundy gradient effect on the upper. This model is dubbed the "Xmas" colourway due to the fact that the insoles feature a picture of LBJ when he was child receiving a very special gift on Christmas. As always, expect to pay a premium on these bad boys to cop them early and to guarantee your pair.

What are your thoughts? Will YOU be coppin these?

Source via: marqueesole

n i k e i D - a m 9 0 ( p i g e o n s )...

We all know how dope some of the things that come out of the Nike iD studios are but someone seems to have found yet another way to WOW us. Check out this sick pair of kicks that came out of the kitchen and was posted by KicksOnFire. This pair of iD's pay homage to the classic Nike Dunk SB Low Pigeons Jeff Staple designed a while back. The colourway is on point with the greys and although the salmon is missing, I think the infrareds will do just fine.

Do you have them in a 9.5?

Source via: KicksOnFire

k i c k s t a r t m o n d a y s: a i r m a x 9 5...

Welcome to this week's installment of Kickstart Mondays where we feature a sneaker/sneaker line. This week we'll be discussing another installment of the ever popular Nike Air Max line, the Nike Air Max '95. The AM'95 was first released in 1995 after Nike designer Eric Avar came up with the idea to base a shoe on the human anatomy (i.e. the human ribcage) which is evident throughout the upper of the shoe. The AM'95 is considered to be one of the most iconic Air Maxes in the line, most notably the infamous OG Neon colourway which it was first released under. A huge success worldwide, the Nike AM'95 took new heights in the Asian market where it literally blew up overnight. The AM'95 also contained a number of other iconic features such as; the first Air Max to have air units compressed at different pressures, 3M material throughout the heal tab and also the gradient colour design found on the upper.

My memories of these kicks started back in '95 when they were first released. A hommie of mine used to rock all the Nike Air Maxes and this one was no different. I remembered the first day he came to class after his family trip to Asia and started sporting the OG Neons. They just popped and I fell in love with the shoe. Like most ppl, I couldn't afford them at the time cause they were real expensive but I've since been able to cop a pair or two...

To date, the Nike AM'95 has dropped over 100 different colourways not including the ones being created on nikeID. Do you have love for the AM'95s? Rumour is that Nike will be dropping the OG Neons again in 2010 accompanied by a full apparel line with the launch. Will you cop a pair this time through?

k i c k s t a r t m o n d a y s : a m 9 0 i n f r a r e d s...

Some people have their Js, some their AF1s...me, I have my Air Max 90s, specifically, the Infrareds. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the 90s were released in, well, 1990, but back then Nike called them the Air Max III. It wasn't until after the success of the shoe, that Nike decided to change the name. Nike celebrated the history of the Air Max shoes by releasing a campaign titled “History of Air Max” (HOA). Without question, the Air Max 90 Infrareds were part of the package; also part of that package was the Air Max 1. It was during the HOA re-release that I fell in love with these shoe. The details are blurry, but I think I was in either Foot Action or Finish Line in the States when I first set eyes on the Infrareds. I wasn't a sneakerhead back then, but I liked what I saw and I had to have 'em. Needless to say, my parents wouldn't spend the money on them and I was left heartbroken. It wasn't until 2008, when Nike decided to re-release them again via a Quikestrike, was I able to get a pair (actually got two). During this same re-release, Nike produced a "premium" version which included a Ostrich skin mud guard, gray leather, transparent plastic heel bag and perforated leather lining. I personally prefer the OG Infrareds, but the Premiums definitely add a bit of flavour to an already delicious colourway. There are some other popular colourways that are synonymous with Nike, like the Neon's or Safari's, but to me, nothing pops more than the Infrareds. Recently, the Infrared colourway has been used on the AF1, Hyperize (Supreme Decades Pack), Skyline and the Hoop Structure, but of course they don't come close to matching the allure and appeal of the AM90s. Rumour has it Nike may be dropping another release of the AM90 Infrareds in 2010, but do yourself a favour a cop a pair, or two, or three while you can.