Sneaker Freaker

[NEW RELEASE] ADIDAS x RANSOM THE PIER

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:00:00 +1100

All-encompassing Canadian cool kids Ransom re-up with another adidas colab! The retail spot, streetwear brand and artist collective team with adidas on The Pier, dropping the slip-on silhouette in three colours. With a clean, monochromatic canvas upper in royal, red or beige with tonal laces and metallic eyelets, the highlight is the basket-weaved midsole! Perfect for long walks on the beach, smooth jazz, and updating your online dating profile. More info at Ransom.

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[NEW RELEASE] VANS STAGE 4 (WAFFLE CUP)

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1100

Vans approached team riders Chris Pfanner, Gilbert Crockett, Chima Ferguson and Andrew Allen to colab on skateboarding’s first-ever vulcanized cupsole shoe design! The combination of a cupsole's support and durability and a vulc sole's grip and boardfeel, Vans' new Wafflecup is found on each of the new signature sneakers; known as the Vans Stage 4. Allen and Ferguson opted for low-cut kicks, while Chris Pfanner and Gilbert Crockett rolled with the mids. Take a look at pics of each sneaker, and check the behind the scenes development video below!

[NEW RELEASE] ADIDAS SUEDE CASUALS

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +1100

As part of their spring/summer 2012 range, adidas Originals introduces the smooth, supple stylings of the Suede Collection. A dapper trio consisting of the Adi Kiel in lone blue, with the Court Deck Vulc mid and Adi Navvy Boot in indigo, the triumvirate share a common theme of soft suede uppers. A work boot from the 80s, the Adi Navvy boot is given a facelift with polished hiking boot eyelets, waxed laces and washed twill gracing the heel. The Court Deck mixes boat and court shoe styling, while the Adi Kiel blends suede and leather for a classy finish. Look for these at adidas Originals retailers.

[ARTICLES] NIKE BASKETBALL'S 2012 ALL-STAR WEEKEND LINEUP!

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:15:00 +1100

NBA All-Star Weekend is only weeks away! While we've snuck a peek at the upcoming LeBron, Kobe and Kevin Durant All-Star editions, Nike have finally leaked the first official look at each shoe. If the cosmic alliance of the NBA's biggest scoring threats doesn't leave you starry-eyed, set your telescopes to the galactic-printed Foamposites, NASA Dunks or Nike Flight Ones. Take a look through the whole inter-stellar series here, and look for each one on feet or in stores when NBA All-Star Weekend rolls around from February 24-26.

[NEWSFLASH] DAVE WHITE x AIR JORDAN 1 RELEASE THIS WEEKEND

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1100

Jordan Brand colabs don't come around too often, and few pack the creative punch of Dave White's bold new WINGS for the Future Air Jordan 1 (see our special David White feature interview for the inside story behind this ultra rare release). Look out for them to drop locally this Saturday Feb 11th at Foot Locker and Kickz 101 along with a limited Dave White x Jordan tee. Priced at $220 AUD, you better not sleep because there's only 60 pairs in the entire country!

[NEW RELEASE] ADIDAS MARATHON 88

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1100

After a successful comeback from the Rod Laver only days ago, adidas Originals have looked further into the Aussie sporting archives to dig up Robert De Castella's 1988 running silhouette! The famously moustachioed marathon man dominated the long track in these timelessly tech trainers, comprising light-weight Clarino synthetic suede and different densities of foam in the mid-sole. Returning in black with hints of vivid blue, get your Marathon 88s exclusively at Size?

[NEW RELEASE] NIKE AIR FORCE 1 (GOLD DENIM)

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1100

Sneakers don't often have an opportunity to celebrate 30 years of popularity, but after hitting the hardwood in 1982 the Air Force 1 turns 30 in 2012! To mark the occasion, the staple silhouette dresses up in sophisticated gold leather in this brand new colourway. A soft denim completes the plush upper, complimented by a sport red swoosh for a classic finish. Look for these as part of Nike's spring/summer 2012 lineup. Pics via Sneaker News.

[NEWSFLASH] AIR JORDAN 2012 CONCEPT SKETCHES

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:40:00 +1100

With the Air Jordan 2012 ready to drop in only a few weeks, Hypebeast got the scoop on these concept sketches from the desk of none other than Jordan designer Tinker Hatfield. Featuring the same zoot-suit sketch we saw on the Jordan 2012 passport, the designs also indicate the paneling idea came before the brogue concept, and the jumbo Jumpman was on deck from the earliest sketches. Look for the Air Jordan 2012 to drop February 25.

[ARTICLES] LUNARGRAND WINGTIP by COLE HAAN (NIKE LUNAR)

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:33:00 +1100

Founded by Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan in Chicago, Illinois, back in 1928, Cole Haan quickly became renowned for making fine quality shoes for men. Always innovative, the brand diversified into loafers, saddles, bucks and other leather goods. In 1988, Cole Haan was acquired by Nike. Sometime thereafter, Nike's Air technology was incorporated into Cole Haan shoes, a fitting precursor to this stunning new project.

But first, a little background. In 2011 an image floated onto the interweb showing what appeared to be a traditional brogue atop some sort of Nike sole. Backyard experiment or legitimate leak, this curious image came with no explanation, but the memory lingers. Designer hybrids are a matter of personal taste and subjective opinion, but as an expression of melodious harmony, there was something sublime about this old fashioned mash-up.

I guess we'll never know, but that image came to mind immediately when Cole Haan reached out to introduce their latest design project. As you can see, Nike's Lunarlon tech has been fixed underneath a classic Cole Haan wingtip. As with the oil paintings of the founders by Aaron Smith that were commissioned by the brand, sometimes the ye olde days look their best when viewed through a modern prism.

So, here we are. Traditional shoemaking meets modern design. Craftsmanship and innovation fused perfectly into one killer shoe. If this is the future, where do we sign?

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Here's our exclusive interview with Phil Russo, VP of Design at Cole Haan.

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How do you explain this new project Phil? Mashup? Hybrid? Old meets new?
I'd describe it as craftsmanship through design and innovation, which has been a driving core value of Cole Haan since 1928. Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan were obsessed with fusing craftsmanship and innovation to improve both the form and function of Cole Haan products. As testament to this, many of their original designs such as the iconic Trafton wingtip are still being made and worn in 2011.
Today we continue to create classically-crafted products and have 'enviable resources' to tap into, in terms of Nike technology and innovations. However, it's the careful and considered combination of these ideas, abilities and resources that is unique to Cole Haan and takes the brand to new places and enhances their movement. The LunarGrand wingtip is a natural step in the evolution of our vision – a pioneering wingtip that perpetuates our co-founder's legacy and keeps things moving forward.

It's such an intriguing mix of old style and new tech. Is there a noticeable comfort difference with the LunarGrand? Is the weight reduction obvious?
Weight is really a personal preference in mens' shoes. At one end of the spectrum you have our Trafton wingtip with its substantial construction and traditionally crafted leather sole. This type of classic shoe is always going to carry some weight – it's expected. Then at the other end you have the LunarGrand, which is engineered to leverage innovative Lunarlon foam, delivering a lightweight, modern and more mobile reinterpretation of a classic wingtip.
The immediate reaction when wearing the LunarGrand is to its light weight and flexibility – its motion-enhancing properties which are unexpected in a classic-styled wingtip. Both of these styles are different expressions of one idea, brought to life through design and innovation. You get to choose which is best for you.

What was the impetus for this collaboration?
The idea came from our perpetual obsession to make our products better. If you understand what people are doing in their shoes today as well as their expectations in terms of functionality, style and movement, you can design with purpose and create solutions that provide real benefits.
Through design innovation such as the use of Lunarlon foam and its function-enhancing properties in the outsole of the LunarGrand, the boundaries of how classic dress shoes look, perform and function in modern environments are being redefined.

How did the partnership work? I assume this is the first time Nike and Cole Haan have actually collaborated together?
We have a very close working relationship with Nike's design and innovation teams in Beaverton, Oregon. Cole Haan has been part of Nike Inc. since 1988, launching footwear featuring Nike Air technology in 2000. Now, Nike Air technology is utilized throughout Cole Haan's footwear, enhancing the functionality of our products.
For the development of the LunarGrand, we combined the insights, experience and expertise of both teams to harness this Nike-invented ultra-lightweight cushioning system. Through considered and specific engineering, we created a unique wingtip that delivers enhanced cushioning, traction and flexibility in a classic, yet modernized silhouette.

Last question. Is this the future?
Wait till you see what we're working on for 2013.

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Available in five color ways, the Cole Haan LunarGrand ($248) is available from Cole Haan SoHo, 128 Prince Street, New York from Friday February 10th, 2012.

[NEW RELEASE] ADIDAS ROD LAVER VINTAGE LUX

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:00:00 +1100

Following the Australian Open, the time is right for adidas to bring back the Rod Laver! While the chunky vulc sole and heavier upper you see here may not be the classic tennis shoe you remember, this is actually the original Rod Laver silhouette from 1970. Dug up from the adidas Originals archive, the Rod Laver Vintage Lux is dropping in black, mahogany or navy, exclusively through Size?

[NEWSFLASH] SAINT SIDE ANNUAL SHOW OFF 2012