Complex Blog » Sneakers

Nike Match Classic HF

Joe — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:55:40 +0000

Cleveland Browns x Nike? No, actually Hiroshi Fujiwara x Nike. The man known for his understated designs on sneakers took over an under-the-radar silo in the Match Classic, and hooked up it up premium suede, and this Eric Manginifriendly colorway. The sneakers already hit CaliRoots, but those in the state should check 21 Mercer to cop. Oh, and keep them away from Mangina, please.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Outsider Boot

Joe — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:43:27 +0000

Jordan has the Spiz’ike Boot, Converse has the Chuck Taylor boot. And we can’t front, the face lift on the 1971 silhouette came out pretty good. Although this brown colorway is our favorite, Converse cranked out a whole collection with multiple color options. To browse them all, and take your pick, click HERE.
$90, www.converse.com

Nike Sportswear Air Max 90

Joe — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:31:17 +0000

Not every cool sneaker has to follow the [insert brand name here] x [insert artist, store, etc. here] formula. Want proof? Check out these black Air Max 90s that hit Nike Sportswear retailers. By now you’re familiar with the sneaker that premiered over a decade ago, but now that it’s back in black, it’s time to get excited again, especially because you won’t have to wait in line to buy them. Throw some black laces in ‘em and they’ll look even better. Scoop them now HERE for $95.
www.nikesportswear.com

Vans Half Cab

Joe — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:13:38 +0000

The only thing we like more than one-toned Half Cabs, is three-toned Half Cabs. These regular in-line models throw the Heather Gray colorway into the mix, without disrupting the always popular black/red scheme.Perfect. You won’t have to search hard for these, check your local Vans shop to cop for $65.
www.vans.com

Nike Terminator High Supreme

Joe — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:05:33 +0000

The Terminator is going to get a lot of burn this season, and leading off the drops is this brown/black/red quickstrike. Not only is this colorway fall-friendly, but the premium leather on the uppers won’t break down anytime soon. The sneakers hit CaliRoots already, but domestic heads should check in with Nike Sportswear retailers around the country.

Supra ARMORED Vaider

Joe — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:35:20 +0000

Looking to come up on some sneakers for free? We got you. Supra and Sony hooked up on a special pair of Vaiders that were inspired by the forthcoming movie ‘ARMORED’ that hits theaters on December 4th. Using a color scheme inspired by the movie and a super-durable (get it armored?) upper, Supra delivered on the design. The sneakers won’t be sold in stores, but enter this sweepstakes to get a shot at free pair. You’re welcome.

adidas Top Ten

Joe — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:53:10 +0000

Want to know how to keep a silhouette that first debuted in 1979 relevant? Put them out every season in sick colorways. Although no one wears the Top Ten as a basketball sneaker anymore, expect these blue suede shoes to get a lot of wear on people who like to look cool. Nothing beats retro sneakers done right, and at $57 a pop these are a can’t miss. Get them now HERE.

DJ Clark Kent’s Top 50 Air Force 1’s Of All Time

Joe — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:52:31 +0000

A couple months ago, we laid out our Top 50 (NON-SB) Nike Dunks of all time, and judging by all the great comments we got, we’re sure you remember the feature quite well. Now we’re back to go through the Top 50 Air Force 1s of all time, but we called on the undisputed AF1 King, DJ Clark Kent to give us his master list. The legendary Producer/DJ/Sneaker Head came up with a list chock-full of holy grails, and special make-ups that only a few people have in the world. Yeah, he’s serious. Check out the countdown to see which styles made Clark’s favorite fifty…

CLICK HERE TO SEE DJ CLARK KENT’S TOP 50 AIR FORCE 1s

Nike SB Bruin

Joe — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:26:20 +0000

Last April, Supreme took on a Nike SB Bruin and helped introduced the low-profile sneaker to those who were strictly Dunk fanatics. Sure these Charcoal Grey make-ups don’t have the “x” factor but they’re a perfect addition to your fall rotation. Oh and the best part? You won’t have to wait in a long line for them. Cop them HERE now for $69.

Vans Switchback CA

Joe — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:24:16 +0000

If you’re a die-hard Vans fan, but are looking to expand into silhouettes past the Half Cab and Era’s, check out this Switchback CA style. Photos leaked of the half-boot half-sneaker this summer, but they’re just starting to go on sale now at select retailers. Besides looking awesome, the 4” sneaker features premium leather and a vulcanized sole, so you won’t have to worry about them falling apart, even in the middle of winter. Scoop them up at top-tier Vans outlets now for $85.

Release Reminder: Jordan Sixty Plus (Two Colorways)

Joe — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:14:42 +0000

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few months, you’ve noticed that the Jordan fusions/hybrids/mash-ups are getting a lot better. Tomorrow, JB drops two new colorways (hit the jump for the other one) of the Jordan Sixty Plus, a sneaker that pieces together the five sneakers that Michael wore in games when he scored more than 60 points. Yup, although it looks like the Jordan V, cues from the Jordan I, II and VII are also present. Check for the sneakers to hit general release stores tomorrow morning, and also be sure to read our interview with Justin Taylor, the man responsible for designing the sneaker.
$150, www.jumpman23.com

Bapesta OR

Joe — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:41:36 +0000

Are you still one of those people who say “no one wears Bape anymore”? Get over it. Nigo’s brand still kills it, and by re-releasing classics that established themselves as a powerhouse they’ve got everyone paying attention again. This “Bapesta OR” style hit the stores a couple weeks back, but just became available online. With an attention to details like faux-ostrich skin leather, we’re giving them the Complex co-sign. Check for this colorway and two more HERE for $225.

Air Jordan Retro 1 High

Joe — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:38:26 +0000

The release date for these dark navy patent leather Jordan 1s were sketchy on JB’s website, but apparently the sneakers have been trickling into overseas retailers. Don’t be surprised if you see celebrities pairing these with a suit on the red carpet, and the youngins wearing them to the prom and graduation. They’ll hit U.S retailers in a few weeks, but scoop them now HERE for $187.

Vans Chukka Boot (Vapor Blue)

Joe — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:14:04 +0000

This winter, expect to see Vans crank out a lot of Chukka Boots, some even lined with fur to keep your feet warm. Before the make-ups with the fur insides hit the shelves, look out for this Vapor Blue Chukka that has finally made its way to stores in the U.S. You can cop the sneaker for a reasonable $60, and if you’re really feeling the color, check for the Era that’s done up the same way. Available now.
www.vans.com

etnies Plus Jameson

Joe — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:10:43 +0000

After a couple Disney and Adult Swim collaborations, etnies Plus gets more serious with two new colorways of the Jameson model. The crispy blue suede and leather gray (after the jump) make ups are probably the best colorups of the silo to date. If you’re feeling ‘em like we are, check e-plus retailers right now to cop.
$75, www.etniesplus.com

Pointer Taylor

Joe — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:07:40 +0000

If you’ve always wanted to stretch the deck shoe trend past the summer months, Pointer’s got you covered with its Taylor silo. Sure it doesn’t have the same D.N.A as a normal shoe you’d hit the high seas wearing, but this mid-top finds itself right in the middle of winter boot and top-sider. Expect these to drop in a few weeks when Pointer’s fall/winter collection starts hitting stores.
$139, www.pointerfootwear.com

Creative Recreation Cesario Lo

Joe — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:13:17 +0000

White-on-white sneakers might be tough for us New Yorkers, but in Cali and other warm weather states, Creative Recreation kills it all year long. Although the O.G’s of cleaned-up sneakers pump out new silos every season, the Cesario is their oldie but goodie style. And if you do live New York, pack these for the mid-November Miami weekend getaway.
$85, www.zappos.com

Full Court Test: Fall 2009’s Newest Basketball Sneakers

Bradley — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:11:26 +0000

Last night, the new NBA season jumped off, with players rocking a whole new crop of sneakers. To get some real-life player perspective on the latest performance basketball kicks, we recruited three local players to hit the court in new releases from adidas, Jordan, Nike, Pony and Converse.

Keep reading to see what our team of testers—including RON JACKSON (6’2”, 245, PF/C), DO KIM (5’8”, 135, PG), and JUSTIN MONROE (5’11”, 155, SF) thought of the Nike Air Max LeBron 7, the adidas TS Commander, the Jordan Melo M6, and more. Game on…

Jordan Melo M6 $120, jumpman23.com
DK: “The Melo M6 is a great lightweight shoe, solid support and feel on the court. The shoe was responsive and allowed me to do what I wanted when cutting and making quick direction changes. It has a good level of padding and support throughout the shoe. It’s definitely a little stiff, so it does need breaking in. It’s a good overall middle-ground, versatile shoe for smaller and bigger players. The ankle support was good but stiff. A piece of the shoe was digging into my foot on the outer ankle, but other than that, no major complaints.”
COMFORT: 4/5
SUPPORT: 4/5
STYLE: 3.5/5
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adidas TS Cut Creator (T-Mac) $110, shopadidas.com
DK: “These have an inner sock liner/boot that was very comfortable. It felt like you were wearing two socks, which wasn’t always good, because it bunches a little and you have to get used to the buttery feeling, but feels great. It’s sewn into the shoe, so unlike some sock shoes, it’s not gonna come out. I didn’t notice the sock shifting as I made cuts, though, so that’s a plus. Of all the sneakers I tested, these had the best court response. I felt the most in tune with the court and my foot. It’s geared more towards guards than big men. I can’t recommend it to bigger players. The lowest cut of all the shoes, and if you need that you probably want to look somewhere else. Straightforward design with no fancy designs. You don’t have to pump or strap anything, which is good.”
COMFORT: 5/5
SUPPORT: 4/5
STYLE: 4/5
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PONY UL-38 (Chandler) $80, ponyfootwear.com
RJ: “These are a guard-type sneaker. They’re lower on the ankle than most sneakers I’d buy, but running in them is real comfortable. I did feel a little like I could roll my ankle from side to side, and if I’m playing in the post I want it to be tighter for more power and stability. When I come down and I feel like my ankles pop out, I have to stop and reset. Style wise, for Pony, it’s a miracle. The strap does nothing but it looks nice and I think without it it would be a pretty plain shoe.”
COMFORT: 4/5
SUPPORT: 3.5/5
STYLE: 4.5/5
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Converse Weapon EVO $80, converse.com
RJ: “It was cutting up my foot at the end of the laces, right above the bunion. If they softened up the shoe’s inside it wouldn’t be so bad. Be prepared to break these in for a while. They run slightly big, so keep that in mind. It’s an entry level shoe, a sneaker that is built to last.
COMFORT: 2/5
SUPPORT: 2/5
STYLE: 2/5
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Nike Air Max LeBron 7 $160, nike.com
JM: “The new LeBron is a great combo of a lightweight upper and a super-sturdy midsole. It feels secure without choking your foot out, and the airbag makes the sneaker really comfortable. Best LeBron yet, hands down.”
Support: 4.5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Style: 5/5
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adidas TS Commander (Garnett) $100, eastbay.com
RJ: “The padded insole in this sneaker is a great inclusion. When I ran around in this sneaker, it didn’t feel like I was running at all. With its extra cushion and support, this is definitely the best shoe for a big man. It feels like it’s battle tested and sturdy but not heavy. Better for people with wide feet. These are the sneakers that I would play ball outside in.”
COMFORT: 5/5
SUPPORT: 4/5
STYLE: 3.5/5
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Nike Hypermax $130, nike.com
RJ: “I have a wide foot but the tapered back felt good because it was snug on my foot and kept foot movement minimal. The Hypermax provided a decent amount of ankle support but the lightweight toe cap made me a little nervous on forefoot support. The toecap is a little hard, so make sure you get a pair that fits, otherwise you’re going to be banging your toes into the toecap-not fun. With low-cut socks the flywire cuts you up a little bit, so keep that in mind as well. These are sexy sneakers, though, I’ll walk around in these all day. In the sunlight they look purple instead of red and black.”
COMFORT: 3.5/5
SUPPORT: 4/5
STYLE: 5/5
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Jordan Schoolin’ $115, jumpman23.com
JM: “This sneaker is a little bulkier than the Hyperize (which I’ve worn) but the tradeoff is that it feels sturdier, which is good for a heavier guard. The cut-outs look cool but don’t do anything for you other than perhaps add ventilation. They lose shape a little and don’t hug your foot when you lace the shoes up tight. It feels like that could have been addressed, but as far as aesthetics, these are perhaps my favorite Jordan brand team shoes I’ve ever seen.”
COMFORT: 3/5
SUPPORT: 3/5
STYLE: 4/5

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New Balance H754 Boot

Joe — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:55:25 +0000

Regardless what Hov says, no one is off Timbs, but people are looking for sick alternatives to 6” classics. That’s where these New Balance H754BGY’s come in. The boot features all the technical features you’d need to hold you down during a messy winter, and they look pretty good too. They haven’t hit stateside yet, but cop them at trusted online retailer, Caliroots right now for $92.

adidas Originals L.A Lakers Superstar

Joe — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:50:18 +0000

With the NBA season opening tonight, and the current world champion Lakers playing in their first regular season game, adidas has produced these low-run Superstars that will release November 1. The sneakers take on a gold and purple design scheme to homage the rings players will be gifted at tonight’s ring ceremony. If you’re a die-hard Laker fan check Undefeated, NBA.com, the LA Lakers Team shop, NBA Store and adidas originals retailers to purchase the sneakers.