Air Jordan Retro IV - White/Cement - The BUGGIN OUT shoe

Am sure a lot of sneakerheads are anticipating the return of the Air Jordan IV in the White/Cement colorways on the 18th of February 2012. There have been numerous pictures up on different sneaker blogs and video comparisons on YouTube as well. So basically, Jordan Brand is offering a classic shoe, marked it up 60% from when it was originally released back in 1989, changed the grey color on it and cheapen out the material. Does that sum it up for you? I hope it did, cause at that price point, they are basically giving us a cheap China made FUGAZI looking knockoff with a brand new Jordan box. I for one will NOT be purchasing anything new that Jordan Brand is putting out until they get some sense into their heads that for $160 (a lot of money in this recession) they need to make their product up to par with what they are charging. The Chinese that owns the factory is getting richer (more billionaire in China that anywhere else on earth) and I am sure Uncle Phil & Cheapo Mike is laughing all the way to the bank seeing how folks are living up and going crazy over these sneakers that will probably fall apart within a week.

Nike Zoom KD IV "Year Of The Dragon" edition - release date

When pictures of these surfaced on the feet of Leo Chang, the designer of the shoe, I knew I have to have it. No matter what! Now, after several months of waiting and listening to bogus sources, Nike finally decided to release that initially China-specific only shoe to the U.S, where they will probably get more love than over in China itself. I think out of all the Nike "Year Of The  Dragon" Collection offerings, these KD YOTD probably takes the cake. It's not too boorish and it actually was designed by a Chinese guy from New Jersey, so that makes it cool right? Well, look for these at select Nike Basketball retailers on Feb 3, 2012 or if you have a Finishline around your way, you can score some in certain stores as well for $5 cheaper than MSRP.


Nike Zoom KD IV ‘Year of the Dragon’
Green Abyss/Dark Mango-Current Blue
473679-300
02/03/12
$95

Air Jordan 2012 Passport

Each year, Nike & Jordan Brand comes up with some kind of a clever gimmick to attract the attention of sneakerheads all over the world. Limited release, hype new colors, viral advertising and now with passports. These were given to members of the sneaker worlds (basically those that are tight with the sales reps and bloggers and store owners) to preview the new Air Jordan 2012 that is set to release next week in February. Inside the passport, there are images of the shoes, the inspirations, sketches and whatnot that showcase the intricacy behind the Air Jordan 2012. I can probably do w/o the stuff on the inside, but that passport cover would be so dope to cover my personal passport. Images via Jordansdaily.com

Nike Kobe 7 System Supreme for Westhester High School Basketball team

This is grass root marketing at it's best. Why built a relationship with a public school in L.A and outfit them with the KobeSystem when Kobe was not even an alumni of the school? MARKETING! Nike Basketball has been building this type of relationship for the longest time. Of course back in the days, there weren't enough talent in high school for you to get notify, that's why Nike went after big program colleges and universities and made those school Nike Schools, UNC, Georgetown etc. Now, the talent  at the high-school  level might surpass those in the collegiate level. But, kids in high school can't sign a shoe contract, they can't get free shoes (or so we thought) but if the school was to get a Nike contract, then the budding talent can enjoy the perks of getting free shoes & gear that will eventually lead to them singing and endorsing Nike products when they arrive at the pro level. Nike, Adidas and Under Armour and the top three outfitters of high school and collegiate teams. They fight over talents, collecting them like they are stamps. Making sure that each team has the best to lure in the fan base into purchasing the gears that their hardwood heroes are endorsing. They want to make sure that the Michael Jordan case will never happen again, where Mike wore Converse and Adidas in school but jumped ship to Nike, although his loyalty has always been with the three stripes.

After all that, here we get the L.A based high school Westchester Comets Kobe System that are not going to be available for retail. Images via Nike Vault at Staples.

Nike Zoom KD IV "Year Of The Dragon" NikeID - Available January 31, 2012

Only 4 days into the Chinese New Year of the Dragon, NikeiD brings us their latest in footwear customization featuring the KDIV iD: Year Of The Dragon. Year of the Dragon is big for Nike but it is even bigger for the Nike Zoom KD line. Not only did we see a surge in popularity of the shoe thanks to super limited offerings like the NERFS & Weatherman, it is also because Kevin Durant was born in the Year Of The Dragon, 24 years ago. It just makes perfect marketing sense for this to happen. So for those wanting to get the Year Of The Dragon KD IV offering but like a different color than the ones they made for the general public, you can make your own. Stay tuned for the available colors and other options for this release.

Nike Dunk SB Low Quickstrike for Feb 2012 - SHRIMP

I love shrimp! So does Bubba from Forrest Gump and I guess so did Forrest especially since he made all them money from shrimp. Now, Nike SB, being the creative geniuses that they are are releasing a QS Nike Dunk SB Low based on the Shrimp? Well it is based on that popular Aussie saying "Put a shrimp on the Barby (BBQ)" Not too flashy in my opinion. There are subtle hits on the tonque of a hot grill and there is a shrimp on the outer heel. Red swoosh on an all black upper which could resembles charcoals I supposed with white & pink laces? Well look for these real soon at your local SB retailers.

adidas adiZero Rose 2.5 "LEI FENG" - available in the PH

Not to be outdone by it's counterpart the swoosh, the three stripes brand released a special make-up of the adidas AdiZero Rose 2.5 for the Asia region inspired by Lei Feng and the colors of the R.O.C soldier uniform. It's not as flashy as the Nike Year Of The Dragon offerings, but it does reflects Derrick Rose.


See below for pics and more detailed description via SoleMovement


"For those who aren’t familiar with Lei Feng, he was a soldier of the People’s Liberation Army in China. He was a symbol of selflessness and modesty, that up to this day, is celebrated by the country. Seeing his traits  are similar to how DRose is, the great guys over the Three Stripes put two and two together for this remarkable shoe. The special make up uses the army green color for the upper with red and gold hits throughout. There’s an embossed pattern of a screw on the SprintWeb as well as on the SprintFrame, this is in reference to a diary entry for the never-rusting screw in China’s revolutionary machine. Chinese characters are found on the heel, and to complete the Chinese Army look, faux fur is used in the lining right by the GeoFit ankle padding."