Air Jordan X Blowout
Aw man, this is not how you want to see Air Jordans perform.
But getting an apology from His Airness is pretty cool.
sneakers
NikeBots, Of Course
While I never had looked into this, it should have been obvious. Whenever Nike (or any retailer) releases a new popular shoe, it sells out in seconds. It’s crazy trying to get a pair online. Why is this so? Bots, of course.
Via software shenanigans, these bots scour the online site, snatching up all the good stuff as they’re released. Spending a few hundred for this bot software to get high demand kicks for your personal collection or for resale? I can understand the appeal, but still, that’s an unfair advantage. Just be warned that all bots are not equal.
So Nike is attempting to remove this advantage with the implementation of access codes. Not sure how or when these codes kick in, but obtaining an access code does not ensure you have a pair, just the ability to order the shoes.
Here is Nike’s official policy of the Access Codes.
Unknown Nikes
I admit I’m stumped. I cannot identify these Nike shoes I found at Ross Pearlridge. They’re some kind of cross trainer featuring a Free sole. The laces are off-centered like the Nike Air Max Shake Ndestrukt worn by Dennis Rodman. The triangular pattern reminds me of shark teeth.
As the case with Nikes at Ross, they could be an import from Asia. Good thing never have my size.
Gotta Love 10 Signs You’re Out of Touch with Sneaker Culture
Are you showing signs that you’re out of touch with sneaker culture? I am, or at least I don’t want to partake in some of the insanity to get new desired kicks. No, I ain’t camping out overnight at a store though I will wake up early to try for an online release. I will buy my size since I will wear my purchases. I’ve pretty much stopped going to Foot Locker to find the latest and greatest although I have signed up for their release raffles.
Anyways, read 10 Signs You’re Out of Touch with Sneaker Culture.
Keeping the Griffeys
Thanks to the Seattle Seahawks’ victory in Super Bowl XLVIII, I’ve decided to keep the Nike Air Max 360 Griffey Hybrids I found at Ross. The Seattle win was a sign since Ken “The Kid” Griffey Jr. starred for Seattle’s baseball team, the Mariners, for years. Seattle win, keep Seattle player’s shoes – that’s how you rationalize in the kicks world. 😉
Retailing for $170 at Nike.com, this tonal grey colorway appeared at Ross in Kaneohe for 50 bucks. Yeah, so it’s heavy and on the bulky size, but this cross trainer has Air Max 360 and Flywire, and did I mention $50?! I’m liking this “dark grey” version compared to some of the other crazy Griff colorways.
Thanks for helping with the decision, Seahawks!
Back to the Structures
Not so long ago, I declared Nike’s LunarEclipse my running shoe of choice. That didn’t last long. After a painful stint with Nike LunarGlide 4 and seeing parallels with the latest LunarEclipse 4, I went with the Zoom Structure 17.
Here’s the longer story…
The Zoom Structures, LunarEclipses, and LunarGlides are part of Nike’s stability series of running shoes. I’ve had a few Structure models over the years, the 12, the 14, and the 15. On the 16th revision, I had heard Nike abandoned the stabilizing foot bridge and instead started using different densities of Lunarlon foam. Scanning reviews of the Structure 16, runners were upset at this change. About this time, I picked up a pair of discounted Nike LunarGlide 4 and hated them. Running in them started off okay, but then the soreness came and got worse fast. The pain in my upper foot and ankle made running almost unbearable. Often times, I stopped mid-run and also wore an ankle brace for protection. I finally abandoned the LunarGlide for the LunarEclipse 3, and the pain quickly subsided.
So why go back to the Zoom Structure line instead of sticking with the LunarEclipse? From the product pictures alone, the sole of the new LunarEclipe 4 reminds me of the sole of the painful LunarGlides.
Nike LunarGlide 4 sole.
Nike LunarEclipse 2 (bottom) and 3 (top) soles.
I didn’t want to risk the pain again, so instead I took a chance with the foot bridge-less Zoom Structure 17. Runner’s World reviews the Structure 17 favorably so I’m hopeful.
Oddly enough, I just realized that three of the four Structures I’ve owned are black. Here’s my latest Nike Zoom Structure 17.
Nike Zoom Wildhorse Reviewed
I submitted my mini review to Zappos for my recent purchase of the Nike Zoom Wildhorse, and it goes like this:
Lightweight and great looking but very snug. After a few wears and runs, the shoe still feels tight. It’s okay for short runs, but I’m not sure if the snugness will affect longer runs. You’ll notice the 4mm differential, but it’s not extreme. You do feel closer to the ground compared to regular running shoes. Keep in mind, these are not Nike+ shoes and don’t have space for the running sensor.
Yeah, I don’t know why but these shoes are bordering on tight. If you’re running with thicker socks, then definitely go up a half size. These trail shoes talk about the height difference between the heel and forefoot being 4mm. You can tell these shoes feel flatter and lower than traditional running shoes, but they don’t feel that different.
The rounded anatomical heel seems gimmicky especially with the angular lugs, but it looks cool. The Wildhorse isn’t well cushioned to keep that lean 4mm differential, but the tradeoff of feeling what’s underfoot is worth it. The outer layer hides dirt well so these shoes won’t look trashed after a few runs.
My only misgiving with the Wildhorse? It’s not a Nike+ shoe. There’s no space for the Nike+ running sensor that works with diminutive iPods. So if you want to track your runs, you’d need to use an iPhone or something else.
Some pictures of the Nike Zoom Wildhorse in black spruce, total orange, and flash lime.
The Real Reason I Love Kicks
What’s the real reason why I love kicks? It’s for the boxes.
They really come in handy when organizing and storing stuff. The boxes come in different colors too for even more organization. You believe me, right? That it’s all about the boxes.
Rainbow Warriors Wear Roses
So it seems some signature style is coming to the kicks of the UH Men’s Basketball team. The Adidas-affiliated Rainbow Warriors are wearing Derrick Rose’s 773 sneakers in the upcoming season. This team shoe comes in a multitude of colors including the Warrior-matching forest/running white.
Former Bow Rod Flemings would be proud.
Similar Reactions to iOS7 and the Air Jordan 11
The love it or hate it reactions to Apple’s newly released iOS7 mobile operating system remind me of the Air Jordan 11 when it launched. There is no middle ground with both iOS7 and the AJ11 polarizing its audience.
Too shiny, too unconventional, too flashy, too bold – the naysayers described the XI, initially including myself. When I first saw these Jordans, I was so confused. I really hated them, two tone black and white, and the leather, the shiny patent leather that no kicks used. But then, look at them, watch them move, look at the simplicity yet sophistication of the design, notice the elements combining together, see the possibilities, truly see the Air Jordan 11. Then love them. Love the most iconic design of the Air Jordan line. Watch it endure over the decades with retro after retro, colorway after colorway.
Now look at iOS7. Tinker Hatfield meet Jony Ive. iOS7 is definitely bold and bright, the apps fly around the screen, its flat UI is unconventional (no buttons?), but yet it all works. It just works. Maybe this isn’t the pinnacle of iOS, but it just may endure the test of time as users learn to love it.
Learning About Heel-Toe Drop for Shoes
With Nike’s recent Terra trail running line, the Swoosh is emphasizing the 4 mm differential between the toe and heel. I’ve never seen this type of detail before in typical Nike product information. So what’s with this?
Here is some useful information I found on this subject.
- Heel-Toe Drop or Offset: What Does it Mean in a Running Shoe?
- Why heel-toe drop can mean different things for different running shoes and different foot strikes
- Can someone explain toe/heel drop in shoes?
But like the last link mentions, it all depends on you and your feet. So best to try the shoes yourself. Zappos, calling Zappos…
Forget the Fear, It’s About the Trail
As in sports, you need to have a short memory. Win or lose, forget about it and move on to the next challenge. So I lost out on getting an Air Jordan Fear pack shoe, but that’s so this morning. I’ve already forgotten about the fear and moved on to a next potential win with Nike’s just released Terra trail running line.
While I like the description of the Zoom Terra Kiger, I don’t think they’re right for me. The Zoom Terra Wildhorse seems like a safer (and cheaper) bet. Both are also available from Zappos so returning them is easy.
Oh but wait… what’s this Free Hyperfeel Trail? Those heel laces are simply sick.
The Hyperfeel Trails are NOT available at Zappos and seem to be a Nike store exclusive.