KSM: Nike Air Barrage

This week we're featuring a pair of sneakers from Nike's vault that most of the younger sneakerheads probably don't remember.  We're featuring a Nike Turf classic, the Nike Air Barrage.

The Nike Air Barrage was the signature shoe for Marshall Faulk back in 1995 while playing for the Colts.  The Nike Air Barrage featured a predominately nubuck upper with a forefoot strap seen on many of Nike's turf shoes during that time.  The shoe itself did not boast many additional features but did stick in most peoples minds for the "Air" featured along the midsole and swoosh found directly on on the forefoot strap.

My mom got me a pair from the local Sports Authority store and these were my shoes for the good part of Grade 7 & 8.  I can remember my mom opted to purchase these shoes for me over other models cause they were on sale (a blessing in disguise).  Like many, I really liked Nike's runners that had their air units on full display.  At the time, I didn't appreciate these sneakers but I do now.  The Barrages were slightly heavier than your average runner due to their large midsole but I can remember that they had really good support around the ankle area and often felt like they molded to my foot.

Unfortunately, there are no future plans to have these bad boys retroed anytime soon.  For those who remember these bad boys, we can all dream and hope Nike will bring them back form the vault one day.

Image via: The Krusader

Trendsetting: Rolex Milgauss (Bamford Custom)

Love...

Source via: Hypebeast

Year of the III

Is 2011 the year of the Air Jordan III? Looks like JB is making a serious campaign at making 2011 the year of the Air Jordan III.

During the tail end of 2010 we saw the release of the Doernbecher IIIs and received confirmation on the True Blue, White amd Black Cements for 2011. On top of the already crazy fire set to drop, new news surrounding a special Black History Month version of the IIIs are hitting the interwebs hard!

Will JB decide to release more retros of the IIIs throughout the year as they've demonstrated with the XIIIs? Or will we be seeing new colourways of the 3s like they demonstrated with the VIs?

Could we finally see a re-release of the beloved Mochas again this year? I wouldn't put it past JB but only time will tell...

UPDATE: Sneakernews also feels it may be the year of the III

NSW Sleepers...

2011 is going to be a big year for NSW, one that you won't want to sleep on...

In my opinion, there are two breakthrough shoes you'll need to keep an eye out for in the Nike Lunar Orbit and Nike Air Footscape Woven FreeMotion.  For many traditional North American sneakerheads, these shoes will probably not appeal to you very much but our friends overseas will be all over these releases.  The Footscape Woven series has been ridiculously successful in Asia and this upcoming release will be no different.

I'm gonna go out there and say that these two pairs are crazy and will be highly sought after in the years to come.  

Grab your pairs now on pre-order at Kicks-Crew.

AF1 Supreme "Year of the Rabbit"

All I have to say is WOW...

Nike recently released some teaser images regarding an upcoming limited release to help commemorate Chinese New Year and the year of the rabbit.  Nike has opted to use some premium materials on this release and although some ppl will be critics on the make up of this shoe, it's undeniable that Nike China has really come out with a winner in this release.  Every year on top of the special make up of the shoe, Nike also ups the ante with special packaging.  This year is no different as they've decided to incorporate a classic Chinese candy into their design for the special limited release version.

If you're like me and grew up eating these candies, you'll surely appreciate the detail put into this design.

Images via: FreshnessMag

The Challenge 2011

With the new year comes a new quota.  

As you may recall, last year I started a quota system to help me curb my sneaker expenditures that I deemed The Challenge.  Here's a preview for 2011.  Same quota, same penalties...

1. Air Jordan III Retro ('11 Release) - Black/Fire Red-Cement Grey (Jordan Brand)
2. Air Jordan XI Retro - "Concords" (Jordan Brand)
3. Nike Air Penny I (HOH Exclusive) - "Highlighter Pack" (Nike Basketball)
4. Nike Lebron IX - White/Black-Varsity Red (Nike Basketball)
5. Nike Lunar Orbit+ - Black/Black-Summit White (NSW)
6. Air Jordan V Retro Pack - "Laneys" & "Grapes" (Jordan Brand)

Stay tuned as this list continues to grow and is updated as more releases are announced...

food4thought - Kicks & Cigarettes...

I had a very interesting conversation recently with a friend about sneaker collecting. He referred to sneaker collecting as an addiction and related it to smoking. Although I adamantly disagreed with this comparison at the time, it made me rethink whether or not sneaker collecting could be as bad as smoking.

Right off the bat, many of you will say that this question is stupid considering smoking can actually physically kill you. However, if you look deeper, when collecting becomes an addiction it can possess just as radical physical effects.

The first thing someone needs to consider is that we're talking about collecting as an addiction NOT collecting as leisurely activity. One can generally determine if they're addicted to sneaker collecting when they exhibit one or more of the following:

• You spend more than 50% of your income on sneakers (for personal consumption not for resale)
• You've opted to purchase a pair of sneakers over food/rent (i.e. necessities)
• You spend more time sneaker hunting than you do with loved ones

The argument is that if you do in fact exhibit the above (a) you're a sneaker addict and (b) you exhibit tendencies that can be harmful to your health. Here's why...

If you're spending more than 50% of your income on consumer goods like sneakers, you're not spending enough on other necessities (i.e. food, shelter and clothing) that should be taking a larger percentage of your income. To give you some context, one should realistically spend 36% of their (take home) income on housing.

Also, if you're opting to spend money on sneakers rather than food/rent, I would seriously question how healthy you are both mentally and physically.  Missing one meal may not seem like a big deal but if you're doing it so you can purchase a pair of sneakers (no matter how coveted they may be) your health/nutrition most likely isn't a priority of yours.  Food produces much needed energy to help sustain our bodies.  This will also apply to rent/shelter as well, doesn't matter how nice your sneakers are, if you're not protected from the elements you probably won't have many opportunities to wear those sneakers you opted to purchase.

Although the effects from addictive collecting behaviour do not have direct effects on your health, the indirect effects cannot be ignored.  We all know cigarettes have been scientifically proven to be deadly but if you take a look deeper into the effects from addictive collecting behaviour, they may not be as far off as you once thought.

Leave a comment here or on twitter and let us know YOUR thoughts.

Jay-Z Rhapsody Ad

Although an older ad, still a great campaign...

HUPBOX - Storage Solutions...

Storing sneakers have always been a problem especially when you receive your sneakers in a damaged box or no box at all.  For many, this has become a problem especially if you're a sneakerhead like myself.  

In the quest to find a good storage solution, I found out about HUPBOX.  From the HUPBOX website, they provided the following description of their product:

"The HUPBOX is constructed of high-quality, impact-resistant acrylic. From a visual standpoint, the HUPBOX provides a 360-degree clear view of the box's contents and provides the perfect display option for your most prized sneaker and footwear possessions as well as a good storage option."

Curious to learn more about their product, I reached out to HUPBOX who was super helpful throughout the ordering process.  I put in my order a little while ago and received my HUPBOX earlier today.  Upon first inspection, I noticed the care HUPBOX put into packing their product to ensure no damage was made during the shipping process.  

If you're looking for a way to store your grails or heat, seriously consider HUPBOX.

Image via: HUPBOX 


Update (01/07/2011):  Here's what I did with mine!

Year End Recap - The Challenge

2010 is finally over!  

If you recall, I started this year off with a personal goal to curb my sneaker addiction by issuing myself a personal challenge.  The Challenge consisted of an annual quota for the total number of sneakers I could purchase.  Any sneakers I purchased over the quota would result in a monetary penalty.  Here's a recap of how I did in 2010:

1. Adidas ZX Boat - "Yoda" (Adidas)
2. Air Jordan I Retro (AJKO) - White/Black-Varsity Red (Jordan Brand
3. Nike Air Foamposite One - "Eggplants" (Nike Basketball)
4. Air Jordan VII Retro (FTLOTG) - White/Midnight Navy/True Red (Jordan Brand)
5. Jordan CMFT VIZ Air 11 - White/Black-Varsity Royal (Jordan Brand)
6. Nike Air Max Lebron VIII - White/Black-Varsity Red (Nike Basketball)

Penalty Purchases
1. Air Jordan XIII Retro - French Blue/University Blue–Flint Grey (Jordan Brand)
2. Air Jordan III Retro ('11 Release) - White/Fire Red-Cement Grey (Jordan Brand) [x2]
3. Air Jordan XI Retro (Silver Anniversary)

Till next year!