Your basket is currently empty!
Month: November 2022
What you need to know about the Air Jordan 6 Chrome Metallic Silver
Image: House of Heat
What’s releasing?
The Air Jordan 6 shall be returning this winter, this time in a brand-new Silver Chrome colourway. The upper comes primarily in a black durabuck, with silver accents on the heel tab, midsole and the Jumpman logo on the tongue. The outsole is then also black, with transparent blue details adding a pop of colour and contrast to the sneaker. And, as a nice attention to detail, the shoes will come in a matching box, half covered in silver and the remainder in black. Because of its appearance, the model has fetched many comparisons to the DMP Air Jordan 6, which was re-released in 2020. But, instead of the gold detailing, the model features fetching silver detailing, reminiscent of the Jubilee 11s which also came out in 2020.
Image: House of Heat
This is not the first time such a colourway has been present on an Air Jordan 6 but it is the first time it’s been featured on an Air Jordan 6 High. The black metallic colourway debuted on the Air Jordan 6 Low back in 2002 and then returned due to popular demand in 2015. And, as much as we love the Air Jordan 6 Low, the high-top version is just so iconic that the excitement about this release is hardly surprising. As a predominantly black colourway, the Air Jordan 6 High becomes a very versatile shoe, capable of being worn with smarter outfits, comfy sweatpants and everything in between. Plus, the bulky, cushioned build is ideal for keeping your feet warm during the colder months. And, whilst a predominantly black silhouette may not scream “Christmas,” it makes for an undeniably clean colourway either way, which complements the shape of the Air Jordan 6 High very well.
Where & when?
Although it has already been released stateside, the Air Jordan 6 Silver Chrome will become available in Europe from the 2nd of December, where it shall hopefully become available in one of the many stores registered on WOOVIN soon after. So, keep an eye on your favourite stores to skip out on all buyer fees if you want to pick up this beautiful Air Jordan 6 just in time for Christmas.
Image: House of Heat
The next sneaker to look out for: the New Balance 580
Image: Sabukaru
For today’s article, we wanted to draw your attention, or better yet, make a prediction for a certain silhouette we think will be making quite the comeback over the next year or so, the New Balance 580. Palace Skateboarding brought back the model with New Balance earlier this year, releasing two bright silhouettes, and US Streetwear brand Stray Rats followed closely behind with another two equally bright renditions. Moreover, with a New Balance 580 Beef and Broccoli colourway, alongside more general releases, set to debut next year, it looks like the model’s production is only getting started.
Now it must be noted , the aforementioned collaborations haven’t been flying off shelves as quickly as a JJJJound or Joe Freshgoods release, but they show an important trend that we will likely see continue. What they show is New Balance pushing the model, giving brands license to work on it, and giving it a greater focus as part of their marketing. A similar trend happened this year with the Air Jordan 2, whose releases were hit and miss in terms of immediately selling out, but Jordan continued to push a bunch of releases out with collaborators throughout 2022, followed by an upcoming end-of-the-year OG release of the Chicago’s, hoping to cash in on a years’ worth of hype off the back of the collaborations.
Image: Sole Collector
In terms of New Balance, we saw this happen with the 327. Granted, the silhouette was brand new, but it followed a similar trajectory. Pushing in-line colourways to the masses, alongside high-profile collaborations to draw people’s attention to the model. In some ways, we can see the 580 taking a similar path. Its bulky silhouette offers a different aesthetic to both the sleek 990s and the 550 Basketball shoes, diversifying New Balance’s portfolio as they attempt to keep consumers coming back after their recent wave of popularity.
And we couldn’t be happier, we love the New Balance 580. An originally Japan-exclusive model, that has TPU accents and colour blocking not too dissimilar from the Air Max 90, but with a greater use of rough suedes that are in keeping with New Balance’s focus on its materials. Moreover, what the 580 has that the 327 and similar new models don’t, is that it already has an iconic history behind it. As well as being a popular model throughout Japan in the late 90s, it was also one of the first silhouettes New Balance collaborated with another brand on, making it an even more perfect choice to bring back in today’s collaboration-central day and age.
Image: Sneaker Freaker
It’s time to start getting excited about Christmas shoes!
Image: Sole Collector
It’s almost that time of the year again, which means one thing: Christmas shoes are back! The commercialized nature of Christmas hasn’t escaped the sneaker industry, which takes every year as a chance to release Christmas-themed colourways of their best-selling models in time for the gift-giving season. So, without further ado, here is a compilation of some of our favourite Christmas shoes to get you into the festive mood.
First off, the Air Force 1 High Nordic Christmas, released back in 2020, is your gold standard for Christmas sneakers. Rocking a snowflake print and red, green, and white detailing, these sneakers are like having a Christmas sweater for your feet. The silhouette itself – a high-top with a durable leather and rubber sole – also makes this model perfect for the colder months, with its plush ankle support doubling up as a great extra bit of material to keep the wearer warm. This pair is available on WOOVIN right now should you wish to snap them up.
Image: Sneaker Shouts
If you thought that model resembled a Christmas jumper, just wait until you see the Nike SB Dunk High Concepts Ugly Christmas Sweater. Originally released in two separate colors, both decked out in snowmen and assorted festive flowers and images, it returned once again, donning the same snowmen with some new Christmas iconography in 2017. While they will set you back a pretty penny, the shoes have earned their price tag through their iconic status within the sneaker community as potentially the most esteemed Christmas sneaker over the nine years since its release.
Image: Sole Collector
On to a personal favourite, the Nike LeBron 7 “Christmas” is a perfect example of a Christmas model staying true to its theme, whilst also being capable of looking great all year round. Nike has released several Christmas-themed basketball shoes through the years but the LeBron 7 stands out thanks to its more subtle maroon and black upper, featuring flashes of silver and some green highlighting. The best detail, however, is the insole, which features a young LeBron celebrating Christmas with a cartoon present superimposed onto the insoles.
Image: Kicks On Fire
Finally, this sneaker may not have been released but, as the headline act of Christmas shoes this year, it would be wrong to not give it a mention. Longtime collaborator Cactus Plant Flea Market and Nike have come together to create potentially the wackiest Christmas sneaker yet. Named the “Overgrown” Dunk Low, the shoe features a thick coat of green hair, with instructions attached to cut the hair on arrival. Its furry green look, however, earned the shoe the “Grinch” nickname, furthered by the shoe’s rumoured holiday release.
Image: Sneaker News
Everything you need to know about the Air Jordan 1 Lost And Found
Image: Nike
What?
The latest rendition of the all too-famous Air Jordan 1 has stirred up some serious buzz in the months running up to its release, namely due to its identical appearance to the Air Jordan 1 Chicago. Only differing in terms of some purposely aged detailing, the Lost and Found Air Jordan 1’s are inspired by mom-and-pop shops (a name for a small independent retailer). Namely, the experience of finding an old, crumpled box of Chicago Air Jordan 1’s hidden away in the basement. This story, therefore, explains the subtle yellowing on the sole and cracked leather around the heel, as well as the mock receipt that comes with every pair. Whilst a nice story that emphasizes the idea of “hunting” for shoes, a feeling which many sneaker fans can relate to, it’s ultimately the fact that these shoes are practically just Air Jordan 1 Chicago’s which fans are so unbelievably excited about.
Image: Nike
Where and When?
The Air Jordan 1 Lost and Found is releasing globally on the 19th of November, so this coming Saturday, in full family sizing. This date comes seven years after the last general release retro of the Air Jordan 1 Chicago, so there has been a significant build-up of demand for such a shoe. Similar shoes have been released in this time, such as the Trophy Room 1’s or the Spiderman: Into the Multiverse pair. But this is the first time since 2015 that this look is expected to return in significant quantities, if the full family size run is anything to go by. Moreover, this is the closest to the original Air Jordan 1 Chicago we have seen in a while, even if the cracked leather means its out-of-the-box look is slightly different. It all adds up to create a vintage, and nostalgic feel, which is why we get Air Jordan retros in the first place right? After its original release, you can expect to see it pop up on WOOVIN, where you can filter your search results to find every store stocking it. So why not save yourself the stress of trying to cop it on release day and trust that WOOVIN’s zero buyer fees will secure you the best deal on the secondary market.
Image: Nike
Ranking our top 4 Kith/Ronnie Fieg sneaker collaborations
Ronnie Fieg is a legend in the sneaker game and his sneaker collaboration résumé, as well as his highly successful “Kith” sneaker stores, proves it. What is so impressive about his collaborations is the number of different brands and models he has worked with – all to a consistently high quality. So, without further ado, we have picked out five of our favourite models, in no particular order, that show why Ronnie Fieg and sneakers are a match made in heaven.
Starting off this list is the latest to release, the Kith x Asics EX89, which we just can’t get enough of. Continuing Asics and Kith’s long-time partnership, Asics gave Ronnie Fieg full permission to go through their extensive archives and pull out the old basketball model, the EX89. Giving it a modern-day spin whilst very much keeping the vintage look, the EX89 offers a fresh alternative to the New Balance 550, with a similar shape but with different panelling, which we think will make this Kith release go down as one of their best.
Image: Sole Retriever
Second, on this list, we have the Kith x LeBron 15 “Long Live The King” pack. Tackling a very different kind of silhouette to his other works, this release saw Kith work with a modern basketball sneaker design – and quite a bulky one at that – and still turn it flawlessly into four separate works of art. The performance model stands out for us in particular, since it featured a floral design detailing the shoe as well as a zip down the middle, adding a luxury lifestyle air to the sneaker fit for a king. More specifically, fit for King James!
Image: Kith
Our third pick technically wasn’t designed by Ronnie Fieg, but rather has Fieg to thank for its return. The model in question is the New Balance 997 United Arrows and Sons. A beautiful silhouette originally released exclusively in Japan by Japan-based United Arrows and Sons, Fieg brought it back for a wider release, keeping it true to the original version, as well as applying the colourway to a couple more of his favourite New Balance models.
Image: Flickr
Lastly, we have potentially the most famous sneaker on this list, the Ronnie Fieg x Asics Gel Lyte III Salmon Toe. There are so many amazing Gel Lyte models that could’ve featured on this list but we decided to keep the entries to just one so we could highlight Fieg’s range of amazing work. That being said, we are very confident in our decision to pick out the Asics Gel Lyte III Salmon Toe to feature on this list. Featuring a dark blue upper save for pink detailing around the toe, this was the first of Ronnie Fieg’s collabs to release at his own store, Kith, back in 2011 and has also been debatably his most famous. Offering a great introduction to the sneakers he would go on to release, the Salmon toes featured a pastel salmon colour that would indicate his affinity for soft colour palettes on his shoes. In addition, they contain a smooth nubuck showing his famed attention to detail, especially when it comes down to the materials of his shoes.
Image: Sweetsoles
Why the Air Force 1 is currently at the top of its game
The Air Force 1 is one of Nike’s most famous sneakers of all time, reportedly netting them over $800 million a year. During the shoes’ history, the model has had its peaks and dips in popularity but, whilst it is currently extremely popular, that shall not be the focus of this article. Rather, we would like to consider why the Air Force 1 is currently going through an amazing run of releases at this very moment.
Firstly, we must acknowledge recent and upcoming Air Force 1 collaborations, as collaborations have become such a huge part of sneaker culture these days that looking at their recent quality is a necessary step in reviewing the calibre of a model at any given moment. In the case of the Air Force 1, we have seen recent collaborations with Off-White and Louis Vuitton, spearheaded by the late Virgil Abloh, whose contribution to the sneaker space is still in full effect. Moreover, releases of collaborations with Drake and Billie Eilish have been gathering our attention alongside Los Angeles streetwear brand, Undefeated, who are looking to bring back the patent leather Air Forces of the late 2000s.
Image: Hypebeast
But the best evidence for the Air Force 1 being in a great place at the moment is their general releases, particularly their throwback themes that remind us of previous Air Force 1 golden ages. For example, the recent return of the West Indies Air Force 1 sees the widescale return of a beloved 2002 model. Furthermore, the upcoming release of the Air Force 1 Chilli Pepper, although a brand-new colourway, brings us back to the still popular 2000s aesthetic, thanks to its faded upper and classic embroidered detailing on the heel.
Image: Sneaker News
Moreover, Nike has decided to bring back the “Colour of the Month” theme. The history behind this is that, when the Air Force 1 was first released and discontinued soon afterwards, “Colour of the Month” promotions in Baltimore stores showed that Air Forces were not only very successful but were enough to make Nike reinstate the model on shelves for good. Now Nike is bringing back the promotion, debuting some traditional colour blocking on the Air Force 1, with light blues, browns and red detailing returning to the silhouette. These pairs have also been coming with Nike toothbrushes, referencing sneaker culture’s obsession with keeping their clean Air Forces scuff-less.
Check out our huge range of Air Forces, available now at WOOVIN!
Our top 4 most impactful sports in today’s sneaker culture
We all know sports and sneakers are heavily intertwined, with sneakers – and, by default, sneaker culture – being entirely founded on sports footwear needs. But we can often forget the ongoing presence of sports, not just in the lanes of athletic footwear, but in what we casually wear on a day-to-day basis. So we thought it might be nice to take a brief look at four of our favourite sports that have shaped, and continue to shape, sneaker culture as we know it.
These days, Tennis’ impact is often overlooked, bar the occasional hype around a Roger Federer release or Naomi Osaka x Nike collab. But the foundation of sneaker culture was heavily intertwined with Tennis and its fashion. We have all heard of Stan Smith’s, named after the 1972 Wimbledon champion, and may have come across Andre Agassi’s relevance to the Nike Air Trainer 1 or Arthur Ashe’s legacy with Le Coq Sportif. But, more generally, the formation of the classic sneaker, the Tennis Shoe, as the name suggests, has its legacy steeped in the all-white sports shoes needed to play tennis.
Image: Complex
Possibly the most relevant sport to sneaker culture right now is basketball. The star power of the NBA players who reach the pinnacle of the sport is unparalleled. And, with the legacies of players like Jordan, Kobe and LeBron, come very lucrative endorsement deals and yearly signature shoes that are sold to the players’ millions of fans. The Air Jordan line and the Air Jordan 1 in particular are often seen, not as the first sneakers to be part of a cohesive sneaker culture or as the most popular ones, but the sneakers that caused the largest impact on how we consume sneakers to this day. Basketball shoes’ typical high-top shape, fuelled by their star athlete endorsements, have allowed them to transcend the courts and become some of the most popular shoes to wear casually.
Image: Complex
Although the youngest sport on this list, and the one with the fewest participants, skateboarding is no little sibling compared to its other sporting counterparts when it comes to its impact on sneakers. Skateboarding culture and style have led the way for rebellious fashion movements and the free-spirited aesthetic that has had such a grip on young adults over the last few decades. From its mix with surf culture in easy-going California, where Vans was first created, to the Nike SB Dunk becoming everyone’s favourite collectable, queuing outside their local sneaker store to get their hands on a pair. Something about skateboarding looks so effortlessly cool. And its heavy ties to fashion, no more noticeable than in the Parra X Nike get-ups of many skateboarders at the Tokyo Olympics last year, have bled into the shoes we wear. Sometimes, to skateboarders’ despair, these shoes have made it onto the feet of those who have never thought to step on a board.
Heavily engrained into the history of almost every sneaker brand, the demands of running have often caused the sport to push the limits of sneakers to where they are today: from the creation of waffle traction and improvements in cushioning to Kipchoge’s sub-2-hour marathon in a prototype of the Nike ZoomX Alphafly. Runners have merged with athlesiure fashion to create some of the most popular styles to date. Take, for example, the Adidas UltraBoost. The comfort these sneakers provide has now been realized for their everyday usefulness, to the extent that they are now casual shoes first, before they are running shoes.
Image: Sneaker Magazine
What do you make of Drake and Nike’s latest collaboration?
After Jordan’s long-running partnership with Drake’s OVO, the rapper has taken his talents over to Nike, recently debuting his Nocta clothing and sneaker line. But Drake’s latest model might be his most anticipated, as well as his most controversial yet.
First surfacing online around the release of his 2021 album “Certified Lover Boy,” the model has continued to be pushed back, and there has been plenty of internet speculation over whether they would ever see the light of day. But it looks like not long after Drake and 21 Savage’s collab album, Drake’s third album since the shoe was first seen, the Air Force One x Nocta will finally hit retailers. Look out for the model on December the 2nd, and on WOOVIN shortly after.
Image: Sneaker News
The shoe looks at first glance like a standard triple white Air Force One, a model we already know and love, but on closer inspection, a few key details are changed. For a start, the midsole’s usual Air branding is swapped for the quote “Love You Forever” which seems in line with the theme of Drake’s Certified Lover Boy album. Moreover, the rubber soles’ small star-shaped studs have been replaced with mini hearts, once again referencing this theme of love. Otherwise, the upper is kept almost completely unchanged, bar, the inclusion of some silver aglets on one of the spare pairs of laces the shoes are expected to be shipped out with, and the Nocta logo embroidered onto the heel tab of the left pair. Lastly, the light blue insole features Drake’s Nocta branding and logo.
Image: Sneaker News
So why has the shoe been so controversial? For the same reason it’s so anticipated. It’s extremely similar to a traditional Air Force One. Whilst, on the one hand, we all love the Air Force One, many fans are complaining the collaboration is too close to the original, and by playing it safe, Drake and Nike have created a lacklustre model which they have little interest for. But if it ain’t broke, why fix it? That’s the view that other sneakerheads are taking, especially with a model like the all-white Air Force One that has such a unique history within rap music. It makes sense for a rapper to make their own white Air Force One, and there has been plenty of praise levelled at Drake for keeping his model so close to such an iconic shoe, only adding some subtle detailing for the more observant sneaker fans.
Image: Sneaker News
So, what do you think? Either way, check out WOOVIN for all your sneaker needs, whether that is to get the original Air Force One or Drake’s Nocta version.
Our top 5 sneakers expected to release before 2023
This week we aren’t playing around, we are going to get straight into our list of the top sneakers expected to release later this year. All of which will become available on WOOVIN once they are released.
Air Jordan 1 Lost and Found
Starting off this list with a bang, possibly the most exciting release before the end of the year is a new, but very familiar, Air Jordan 1 colourway, toted the “Lost and Found” 1’s. Featuring the same look as the Chicago’s, many will be treating this release as another OG Chicago retro, but this colourway is offering slightly more than that. Not only will the model come with a slightly faded sole, tongue and cracked leather collar, but the box will contain a mock invoice for the sneaker inside. This all adds up to tell a story of stumbling across a loose pair of Air Jordan 1 Chicago’s at the back of a mom & pop shop (a small independent retail store for our European readers.)
Image: Man of Many
Air Jordan 2 OG Chicago
Well, if you like the Air Jordan 1 Lost and Found, but would’ve preferred the OG Chicago version, don’t worry, you will have a chance to get your hands on another classic Chicago-themed Jordan this year. After a successful year of collaborations, the Air Jordan 2 is finally returning in its original glory, sporting those white, red and black Chicago Bulls colours that bring so much nostalgia to anyone who witnessed MJ in motion.
Image: Sneakerjagers
New Balance 990 V6
New Balance has been on a mean streak the last few years, and one of the trailblazing sneakers in this regard has been their quintessential shoe, the New Balance 990. Well, this infamous line of shoes will be taking its next step forward this November, with its sixth version finally going on sale. A hilarious ad featuring rapper Action Bronson and Olympian Sydney Mclaughlin amongst other stars has set this model up to be a very significant sneaker for the brand, and its future.
Image: Nice Kicks
DJ Khaled x Air Jordan 5 pack
Not a singular shoe, but an assortment of pastel-coloured Air Jordan 5’s. The “We The Best” pack has stirred up some serious buzz online thanks to the outspoken collaborator behind them, but also because of how beautiful each colour looks. And with the infrequency of Air Jordan 5 collabs, this release is set to be a big deal.
Image: Empire Media Kings
Air Jordan 11 Cherry
Lastly, The highlight of the holiday season for many sneakerheads is the obligatory Air Jordan 11 release, and 2022 shall be no different. This year, a white and shimmering red rendition, known as the “Cherry” Jordan 11’s will return for the first time since it debuted on the Air Jordan 11 Low back in 2016. Although not as popular as the Air Jordan 11 colourways of recent years, such as the “Breds,” expect these Christmas stunners to still attract lines around the block.
Image: Sneaker News
