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Category: Entertainment
Picking out a sneaker to match 4 styles of pants
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Situated next to each other in an outfit, it’s imperative for a great fit that your sneakers match your chosen pants. But it’s not always straightforward knowing which combinations work best. That’s why this week we have picked out 4 popular styles of pants and matched them up with 4 sneakers available on our WOOVIN site to help you out with your outfits.
Sweatpants
Sweatpants have always been a great option for those among us who are concerned primarily with comfiness but, especially after the rising popularity of athleisure, sweatpants have become a legitimately fashionable choice. Their baggy fit makes them perfect to pair with a bulky silhouette that also adds to the sporty look, hence why we’ve chosen the New Balance 550. A once popular basketball silhouette, the shoes recently made their return, particularly thanks to collaborations with New York boutique Aime Leon Dore. Their subtle colorways mixed with a loud silhouette come together to find the perfect balance for a laid-back yet fashionable fit.
Image: Sneaker News
Jeans
When it comes to jeans there are two things to bear in mind. Firstly, whether they have a baggy or skinny fit, and secondly if their traditional denim color may clash with your sneaker’s colorway. As a general rule, neutral colors like white, black, grey, and brown all work great alongside jeans. And no matter the fit, a pair of Yeezy 700s, such as the Yeezy Boost 700 Analog , would be more than suitable. Their “dad-shoe” style is easy to work with, and the shoe’s bulky – but mesh – upper stops the shoe from being quite as clunky as other leather dad shoes, like the Nike Air Monarch.
Image: Sneaker News
Cargoes
A popular pant at the moment, the cargoes are popular for their multiple pocket utility, as well as their traditional olive-green hue. Their baggy fit and detailed nature make them great to pair with a simple silhouette, such as the Nike Dunk Low Reverse Brazil. Its basic color blocking, as well as its wide shape, will add to the baggy look and stop the sneaker from getting swallowed up underneath the pants. Especially in the Alternate Brazil colorway, as its striking green and yellow detailing will keep the sneakers as the center of attention.
Image: Sneaker News
Shorts
Perfect for the summer, and those warmer days, shorts can come in all kinds of varieties, with basketball shorts having a lower, baggier cut, whilst running shorts have a higher cut and tighter fit. What they all have in common though is that they rarely go below the knee. Whilst this ensures the entirety of your shoe is always on show, more hardy footwear like boots is more prone to looking out of place on this style of pant. Rather, we recommend a pair of running sneakers or at least running-inspired sneakers. Take the New Balance 1906R Aime Leon Dore Jade, for example, with its low cut, sleek mesh upper, but with stylish accents across the upper to make it suitable for lifestyle use.
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Sneaker Spotlight: The Jordan 4 Retro Thunder
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The latest sneaker to hit our site, the Jordan 4 Retro Thunder hits us with a bolt of nostalgia, thanks to its striking design. Originally released in 2006, the model brings us back to a time when Air Jordans were much less accessible than they are today. A time when hunting for sneakers involved huge queues around the block. But this pair in particular was exclusive to jumpman23.com. Whilst our methods of procuring sneakers have since changed, the Jordan 4 is still a timeless model we all want to get our hands on.
Image: DTLR
The Sneaker
Releasing this time in a “Thunder” colorway, this Jordan 4 comes in a black nubuck upper, with yellow detailing under the netting and on the crown eyelets. The tongue lining also comes in yellow, featuring an upside-down Air Jordan tag, as is tradition, whilst the rest of the lining is black. And the Jumpman logo on the heel and tongue tag comes in white. The upper is paired with a yellow midsole and black outsole, with another white Jumpman logo on the bottom of the sneaker. The pair comes in a splatter print box with the word “Flight” across the top of the box. Like most Jordan 4s, the sneakers fit true to size. However, if you have a wider foot, you might want to go up half a size just for comfort.
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The Context
As previously mentioned, the sneakers were first released back in 2006, alongside the Jordan 4 Retro Lightning, as part of a weather-themed “Thunder & Lightning” pack. Contrasting with the Thunder pair, the Lightning 4s switched the colors round so that the upper was primarily dressed in yellow. They then retired again in 2012 and, after the lightning pair re-released in 2021, we knew it wouldn’t be long until the Thunder was back on shelves. Especially after the success last year of the Jordan 4 Retro Red Thunder. A take on the original Thunder model, featuring the same color blocking but swapping out the yellow detailing for a bright red color. They are also available on our site.
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Whilst not a traditional color for an Air Jordan to come in, the bright yellow acts as a sign of the times. Taking us back to the 2000s, when the Jordan brand started to become more creative with their colorways and stray further away from the more popular team colors that Jordans were traditionally dressed in. Another example is the Jordan 6 Retro DMP, which was first released in the same year and added gold detailing to the Jordan 6. Although yellow isn’t the easiest color to style, the yellow accents are perfect for the summer. Especially paired with the Jordan 4s breathable upper, thanks to its mesh details on the tongue and midfoot of the sneaker.
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Where to get them?
The Jordan 4 Retro Thunder was released worldwide on May 13th, meaning they are therefore now available on our WOOVIN site. Available to buy and sell in full family sizing, pick up your pair of these classic sneakers today.
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Air: a sneaker story makes it to the big screen
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On the 5th of April, the movie “Air” launched worldwide. Bringing a niche sneaker story to the big screen in the form of a comedy-drama. Cleared by Kijkwijzer for all ages, the movie is set to have a wide appeal. But, whether you’re a film geek or a sneakerhead, here’s what you need to know.
What’s the film about?
Although the “Air” name and focus on the Air Jordan signature line would have you thinking the movie focuses on Michael Jordan, it rather follows the lesser-known characters in the story of securing Jordan’s rights for Nike. It will primarily follow Sonny Vaccaro, Nike’s marketing executive in 1984, as he chased down Jordan’s signature. Hence the movie’s tagline “Courting a legend.” In doing so, the movie will attempt to offer light on the characters who played a part in this story. For example, Phil Knight, Nike’s CEO, Jordan’s mother, and Peter Moore, who designed the Air Jordan 1 amongst others. The film offers just under 2 hours of entertainment, whilst also educating us on the story behind Air Jordan’s inception.
Image: SneakerNewsWho will be starring?
Ben Affleck took the role of director on this film, while also casting himself as Phil Knight. He will star alongside long-time collaborator and friend Matt Doman, who will play Sonny Vaccaro. Other big names include Chris Tucker, Marlon Wayans and Jason Bateman. Viola Davis stars as Deloris Jordan, MJ’s mother, by request of the man himself.
Whilst based on a true story, Affleck has admitted there will be some factual differences to the real story. That said, Affleck aims to bring realness, free from idolization to the representation of the characters within the story. Depicting both positive and negative aspects of their personalities as they clashed heads and tried to find common ground. All of this has us excited to see sneakers on the big screen, in a thoughtfully created context.
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Our top WOOVIN shop picks of the week
With the constantly growing number of shoes available on our site, we thought it would be appropriate to pick out some of our favourites. Offering a vast selection of brands and models, here are a couple of the shoes available on WOOVIN that stand out to us!
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Nike Dunk Low QS LeBron James Fruity Pebbles
Having just broken the scoring record, LeBron James has cemented himself as one of the greatest ever to play the sport of basketball. But, for some time now, he has also had one of the greatest signature sneaker lines. But a particularly interesting pair of LeBron’s is the recently released Nike Dunk Low collaboration with LeBron and Fruity Pebbles.It pays homage to the LeBron 4 Fruit Pebbles, which was insanely popular in 2006. And this nostalgia combined with the reigning points scorer of the NBA and one of the hottest models out right now, in the Nike Dunk, makes for an amazing sneaker. The Nike Dunk Low QS LeBron James Fruity Pebbles.
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Jordan 4 Retro A Ma Manière Violet Ore
One of our favourite shoes of last year, A Ma Manière have been on a tear in the sneaker industry, ever since they created that Air Jordan 3 back in 2021. And this pair is no different, made from top materials pulled together to create a luxury burgundy version of the Jordan 4 Retro A Ma Maniére Violet Ore. A model which is already super popular at the moment. What better time is there to get your hands on a shoe that will age like fine wine?
Image: Sneaker NewsAdidas Forum Buckle Low Bad Bunny Last Forum
Hot off a Grammys win for Best Musica Urbana Album, Bad Bunny has been instrumental in the success of the Adidas Forum in recent years. Keeping up with the Nike Dunk and the New Balance 550, the Forum has been a bright spark for Adidas in a time when their top selling Yeezy line has been thrown into jeopardy. Moreover, Bad Bunny’s latest forum, the Adidas Forum Buckle Low Bad Bunny Last Forum, is just as brilliant as the first pair he created. Offering a sleek colorway with faded sail detailing fitting the shoe’s vintage aesthetic.
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Nike Air Max 1 Patta Waves Monarch (With Bracelet)
Last but not least, we have chosen to highlight the first Nike Air Max 1 Patta Waves colorway to release. Back in 2021, the first time we saw the now well-known wavy transformation of the Air Max 1 was on a white and blue, and white and orange colorway. But it was the orange pair in particular that stood out as the most desired shoe from Patta and Nikes Air Max 1 collaboration. Not only are they available in several sizes on WOOVIN, but each pair will come with the original bracelet it shipped with. The bracelet features a Nike swoosh next to the Suriname flag, paying homage to Edson Sabajo and Gee Schmidt, the founders of Patta, and their Surinamese heritage.
The top 4 New Balance shoes available on WOOVIN now
Over the last few years, New Balance, a brand previously alien to the resale market has now established its place within the market. Including on our very own WOOVIN. And so, we’ve decided to pick out four standout New Balance silhouettes. All of which are available on our website now!
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New Balance 1906D Protection Pack Harbor Grey
After a slew of successful protection pack releases on the New Balance 2002R, in-house designer Yue Wu has brought his amazing idea to the New Balance 1906D Protection Pack Harbor Grey. With some of the most intriguing panelling on any shoe on the market right now, the 1906D is the perfect shoe for the distressed, worn-down look that the protection pack offers. Particularly since it’s said to be inspired by the worn-down New Balance’s rocked by everyday New Balance fans. The protection pack models controlled chaos continues to be a hit with sneaker fans.
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Patta x New Balance 990v3 Olive
Next on our list is Patta’s latest collaboration with New Balance on the 990v3. The Patta x New Balance 990v3 Olive is dressed in subtle olive greens, and then hits of neon green on the toe and heel sections. In doing so, mixing a bit of what we have come to expect from New Balance, with a burst of energy. This shoe is also a particular favourite given Patta’s Amsterdam roots, as well as their history of amazing collaborations.
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New Balance 550 Aime Leon Dore White Red
One of the most famous shoes of the last few years is the New Balance 550, which started gaining popularity, especially in New York, after it collaborated with Aime Leon Dore. A clothing brand and retail store also based in New York, the red and white colorway of the New Balance 550 Aime Leon Dore White Red stands out due to its its retro look which matches the 80’s basketball silhouette. And the sail-colored sole adds an aged look, fully leaving into the retro theme.
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New Balance 991 Made in UK Navy Sand
Last on our list is no collaboration but instead a classic silhouette, produced in Europe, in New Balance’s UK factory. The New Balance 991 Made in UK Navy Sand is a beautiful running model, with a streamlined build, and high-quality materials, that match New Balance’s brand identity perfectly. And its production in the UK, in New Balance’s Flimby factory, assures that you’re getting a very well-made product. The only downside to these releases can sometimes be the steep pricing, but pairs of the Navy sand 991’s are available now at WOOVIN for well below retail!
The top 5 Grails available on WOOVIN right now
Although only going live in the second half of last year, WOOVIN has already seen some of the rarest and most sought-after sneakers to date listed on the site. Grails, as they are often called, are shoes that would stand atop the rest of your collection. They’re the shoes you save up for and track down years after its release, so here are five of the best grails available right now on our platform.
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Jordan 1 Retro High Dior
Released in 2020, this Jordan 1 Retro High Dior was released in collaboration with designer brand Dior alongside a low-top pair, retailing for $2000, and $1500 respectively. Thanks to its high-end materials and only 8,000 pairs of the model being available to the public, this is the most expensive shoe on the list. And perhaps the most famous one too, as its release made mainstream news.
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Nike Air Yeezy 2 Solar Red
Before Kanye West’s saga with Adidas and recent comments, he worked with Nike from 2009 to 2014 to make the Nike Air Yeezy line. He released two models, the latter of which features a unique silhouette and a range of materials. A cross between West’s designer taste and love of basketball sneakers, the Nike Air Yeezy 2 Solar Red are available on WOOVIN now.
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Louis Vuitton Nike Air Force 1 Low by Virgil Abloh White Green
The only shoe on this list to release last year, the Louis Vuitton Nike Air Force 1 Low by Virgil Abloh White Green shares a special place in fans’ hearts, as it was one of Abloh’s last projects before his untimely death. But it was also a one-of-a-kind collaboration between two giant, yet polar opposite fashion brands. Such a collab is a key part of Virgil Abloh’s legacy, who worked extensively with both brands. And so, as well as its limited release and materials, it’s quickly become a grail for many fans of the designer.
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Jordan 1 Retro High Off-White Chicago
Another Virgil Abloh creation. When Abloh released his first collection of shoes with Nike in 2017, named “The Ten,” his reworked Jordan 1 Retro High Off-White Chicago was the standout model. Although it has since been released in several colorways, the classic Chicago colorway remains the most popular due to its classic Bulls colors and homage to the Air Jordan line with a high-fashion twist.
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Nike SB Dunk Low Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Dunky (F&F Packaging)
Ending this list is the hilarious and unexpected collaboration between ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s and Nike. The Nike SB Dunk Low Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Dunky (F&F Packaging) features faux cow fur on the upper and a dripping Nike swoosh, taking Nike back to the 2000s when the SB Dunk would often be used for their more outlandish ideas. More specifically though, you can get the friends and family pair on WOOVIN which, as well as being much more limited, came with an ice cream tub-inspired box, an extra piece of memorabilia for avid collectors.
Our list of the best sneakers of 2022 (part 2)
Over the last few articles, we’ve been counting down our top sneakers of the year, building up the suspense to this very moment. The final part of our top sneakers of the year list. So, without delay, let’s get straight into our picks for the top 5 spots on our sneakers of the year list.
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5. Jordan 1 Retro Low OG SP Travis Scott Black Phantom
Starting off the second half of our top 10 sneakers of the year list, Travis Scott has once again edged his way into conversations on the topic. A year of ups and downs, Scotts more recent silhouette adaptions haven’t caught on as much as his earlier work. But new colorways and renditions of earlier works (such as on the Air Jordan 1 Low) have kept his collaborations as some of the wildest and most sought-after releases of the year. Scott released two different colorways of the Air Jordan 1 Low this year, but we chose the Jordan 1 Retro Low OG SP Travis Scott Black Phantom – which came entirely in black save for some white branding – for our list due to its creativity. Deciding to stray away from previous Travis Scott releases and taking a much more minimalist approach. With over 3.5 million entrants in its SNKRS raffle, the fact that this shoe is only number 5 is a testament to the quality of the next 4 sneakers.
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4. New Balance 993 Joe Freshgoods Performance Art
Making his second appearance on our top 10 sneakers list, Joe Freshgoods rounded off his historic year in sneakers on a high, releasing three New Balance 993’s decked out in pink, grey and green respectively. The pack followed on from his previous “inside voices” collection, now taking on the name “performance art”, and involving a rollout which included entering a raffle for the shoe by donating second-hand books and art supplies to charity. The shoe’s simple colour blocking, using soft pastel colors, was a winning combination. So much so, that we thought the shoes were this year’s best proof of New Balance’s continued dominance at the top of sneaker culture.
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3. Nike SB Dunk Low Concepts Orange Lobster
It’s challenging to top one of the most coveted sneaker collaborations ever, but Concepts keeps raising the bar with its Lobster Dunk series, which began with the first red pair in 2008. Since then, there have been versions made into Kyrie Irving’s signature basketball shoes before all of his drama, as well as blue, green, purple, friends-and-family yellow pairs. The Nike SB Dunk Low Concepts Orange Lobster, one of the biggest mystery-filled shoes over the previous 12 months, was added to the lineup this year and debuted first at Art Basel. There was some debate over whether or not the early leaked pairs had black bands on the toe box (they did). They are unquestionably the best Nike SB Dunk this year, as that area of Nike has cooled off since it re-ignited a few years ago.
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2. Jordan 4 Retro A Ma Maniére Violet Ore
Coming in second on our list is Atlanta retailers A Ma Maniere, the debatable winner of 2021’s sneaker of the year. Specifically, we’ve chosen their Jordan 4 Retro A Ma Maniére Violet Ore above their other stellar collaborations as one of the best sneaker releases of the year. Coming in a luxury burgundy upper and a matching sail sole, the model continued from where the grey and burgundy A Ma Maniere x Air Jordan 2 left off and the upcoming Air Jordan 12 collaboration will follow. With the Air Jordan 4 already being one of the top shoes of the last few years, save for a special Off-White release in 2021, the model has seen few collaborations that have been able to capture the same genuine excitement as its retros. However, A Ma Maniere dismantled this trend, becoming the most anticipated Air Jordan 4 in 2022.
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1. Jordan 1 Retro High OG Lost And Found
Rounding off this list it is none other than the Jordan 1 Retro High OG Lost And Found. Coming in identical red, white and black colour blocking to the Air Jordan 1 Chicago, the model caused a frenzy online the second sneaker fans got wind of this release. Now, if this sneaker release was simply a Chicago Air Jordan 1 Retro, it may well have still topped our list, the original is that good. But this model cemented its place at number one by offering something new and piling on some extra nostalgia. Naming the colorway “Lost and Found,” the shoe references a story of walking into an old shoe retailer and finding a beaten-up pair of Air Jordan 1 Chicagos crumpled-up in the corner. The model therefore came with a fake receipt, a worn box and aged details on the model, all adding to the narrative of the shoe getting lost, before being found after years of aging. In doing so, the shoes honour one of the key parts of sneaker collecting, the process of the hunt. Searching for that rare sneaker at the back of a small independent store. And the adrenalin that comes with succeeding in finding an exclusive pair. Breathing new life into one of the best sneakers ever, the Air Jordan 1 “Lost and Found” is our 2022 sneaker of the year.
Our list of the best sneakers of 2022 (part 1)
After last week’s article, we are ready to start our breakdown of the best sneakers of 2022. Starting with positions 10-6, whilst the top 5 pairs will be announced later this week. Follow us at @woovinsneakers on Instagram to be notified when part two of this list is released, and remember that these are our own subjective choices, so many great shoes have been released this year, and this is our own personal attempt to pick out our 10 favourites.
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10. New Balance 9060 Joe Freshgoods Inside Voices
Beginning this list is the New Balance 9060 Joe Freshgoods Inside Voices, the collaboration which introduced us to the new 9060 model, as well as reminding us why Joe Freshgoods is such a core asset to New Balance. Part of his “inside voices” sequel to his previous “outside clothes” sneaker campaign. Freshgoods seamlessly debuted a new model whilst continuing his story telling from his previous collaborations. Building a body of work which showed his taste in soft colour palettes and luxury materials, from wide-holed mesh to fuzzy suede overlays. Although a phenomenal release, expect to see another Joe Freshgoods sneaker making an appearance in the second part of this list.
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9. Salomon ACS PRO Advanced Kar L’Art De L’Automobile
Next, we have the Salomon ACS PRO Advanced Kar L’Art De L’Automobile, a well-deserved entry from French sports brand Salomon after a stellar couple of years. Boosted by the success of Gorp-Core, Salomons sleek and practical trail running models have seen an uptick in popularity, boosted further by the number of exceptional colorway releases over the last few years. Few of these come close to the collaboration between one of the highest-rated Salomon models, the ACS Pro Advanced, and France-based streetwear brand and car dealership L’Art de L’automobile. Creating two versions which both added high contrast racing colors to the model. This emphasized the unique layering on the ACS Pro Advanced. These pairs deserve their place on this list for their involvement in pushing Salomon into mainstream sneaker fashion.
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8. NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe Tom Sachs
Tom Sachs’ heavily anticipated return takes our number 8 spot, with his unconventionally conventional brand-new silhouette. The NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe Tom Sachs shoe served to offer something new to sneaker collectors. A shoe that cared primarily about its wearability and value it gave the wearer as an everyday shoe, over worrying about the more superficial elements of sneaker marketing. With its unconventional “as simple as can be” and “creativity is the enemy” marketing, and minimalist silhouette, the model has split the sneaker community. The outpouring of love from those who have gotten their hands on the model, as well as its creativity in terms of its rollout, has earned it a place on our top sneakers of the year list.
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7. Nike SB Dunk Low Sandy Bodecker
A more recent release to sneak onto this list, is the Nike SB Dunk Low Sandy Bodecker ‘eBay‘. Only released earlier this December. This model was inspired by one of the rarest Dunks of all time, coming in eBay’s colors, that had one of the three pairs in existence shredded after its initial charity auction. This shoe honours this history with transparent panelling where the model was cut, as well as the late Sandy Bodecker, the man behind the Nike SB Dunk Low. Bodecker was gifted a pair of the original eBay Dunks. It’s very hard to hate this sneaker, hence their feature on this list, regardless of the recency of their release.
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6. Nike Dunk Low Union Passport Pack Argon
Ending the first half of our list, as well as continuing our appreciation of the Dunk is the Nike Dunk Low Union Passport Pack Argon collection. Primarily due to the shoes helping to keep the Nike Dunk Low, a model that debatably peaked back in 2020 and 2021, on top of the sneaker game well into 2022. Coming from long-time Nike collaborators, LA-based Union, the Nike Dunks have a “passport pack” theme, due to each colorway honouring a past region-exclusive Dunk release. Each pair is also fitted with an extra ripstop layer on the upper over the typical leather upper. With Union being famous for their attention to detail, small details like their skateboarder silhouette motif and loose stitching helped this pack of three colorways have a significant impact on the sneaker game. This pair earns its title as the best and most creative Nike Dunk collaboration of the year.
Everything you need to know about the 990v6
Image: Sole Retriever
With New Balance still popping in the sneaker space, the release of the New Balance 990v6 has garnered plenty of attention. Serving as the latest addition to the New Balance 990 line, and following up on the highly successful 990v5, the new model was advertised in a commercial featuring Sydney Mclaughlin, Action Bronson and other big New Balance ambassadors.
The shoes come in a mesh base with a nubuck frame across the shoe, fitted with oval-shaped holes similar to the 990v3. TPU accents are present on the top two eyelets and the new balance branding on the tongue. The heel counter also seems to have a plastic outer layer, covered by a nubuck overlay, which continues on to the toe guard at the front of the shoe. The upper is then paired with a white midsole at the front, whilst the back of the midsole is contained in a plastic casing, sitting atop a thin ridged outsole. New Balance’s “N” logo is front and centre on the lateral side of the shoe, whilst the model 990 branding can be found on the heel counter. Overall, the model hits a perfect balance between being cushioned and weighty, but still remaining sleek and running-inspired.
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Whilst the internet’s reception hasn’t been immediately positive, that’s only to be expected when debuting the latest version of a 40 years old sneaker line. But we think once the colorways start to hit the shelves, any doubters will be won over. Debuting in a predominantly grey colorway, as can be expected from New Balance, we have already got images of future releases, most notably in collaboration with rapper, chef, and New York hero, Action Bronson. Already giving New Balance some serious promo when he rocked them during his AEW debut this September. The contrasting colors on his model highlight the 990v6’s updated layers on the upper, and show how well the silhouette can be utilized for different looks.
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Released back in November in America, and finally hitting EU retailers this December, if you fancy picking a pair up for yourself, check out WOOVIN to make sure yours getting the best price without any hassle. And make sure to follow us @woovinsneakers on Instagram, where we will notify you on new blog posts and all things sneaker related.
Why do we collect sneakers?
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For a lot of us, the holidays are time for seeing loved ones, and for festive parties with colleagues and friends. And whilst this can be a beautiful time of year, it is also a perfect time for people to question your sneaker collecting as a means of making lighthearted conversation. So, if someone in your life decides to ask you what the fuss is all about, we have compiled a couple of reasons for our love of shoes which may help you survive these potentially awkward conversations.
First off, the complexity of a shoe must be admired. Whilst a T-shirt can be appreciated for its comparative simplicity, it is a much more straightforward process to create a T-shirt than a shoe. For a start, it needs fewer materials and the production of fewer parts, such as the torso and the two sleeves. A sneaker, on the other hand, has a tongue, upper, midsole, outsole, overlays, and more that each goes through an arduous production process before being compiled to create a shoe. Therefore, sneaker fans can find there is more to get excited about a shoe, as there is simply more going on.
We also love sneakers for their function, as something that we wear on us as a public form of self-expression, but also one that can serve many of our desires. For example, different shoes can be useful for playing different sports, walking on certain terrains, or keeping our feet warm during the colder months. We all have owned a pair of shoes we have found particularly beautiful, or that had an especially comfortable sole. All things that make you want to wear the shoes, or even go as far as collect them.
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Sneakers’ place in pop culture is particularly important when discussing why so many of us are addicted to shoes. Sneakers are present on our tv screens, in films or on sports stars. Our favourite celebrities wear shoes and collaborate with sneaker brands, and our favourite musicians may mention their love of a particular shoe in their music. Sneakers are an extension of pop culture, which connects us to our favourite characters and celebrities, allowing us to temporarily see how it feels to walk in their shoes (pun intended.)
Lastly, what makes sneaker collecting separate from sneaker appreciating, is not the size of a collection, but rather the love of the hunt. The love of chasing down that pair you want, from entering all the raffles or standing in line for hours, to scouring the internet for that rare sneaker in your size. Sneaker hunting means something different to every sneaker fan, but in essence, collecting can be like a treasure hunt, with your collection acting as your trophy cabinet.
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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
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.
Do we have to keep our white sneakers clean?
Many readers may be thinking that it is against a tradition as old as sneakers themselves. Since sneakers were shoes worn on croquet lawn by members of high society, they have often been a crisp white, as a marker of status. They showed everyone you could afford to own a pair of shoes that weren’t dirty. And since then, this ideology has remained a constant in the sneaker space, until the present day when rappers often make the news for only wearing their white Air Force 1’s once before chucking them. But just because this is, and has been the case, it doesn’t mean it has to be. Maybe you’ve just bought a grail off of WOOVIN, and you don’t want to get it ruined. Let me try and tell you why getting your shoes dirty is what it’s all about.
Image: Nike
Firstly, if you are going to spend your money on a lovely pair of shoes, you need to make the most of
them. And when you do, you don’t want to live with the stress of making sure you aren’t getting them
dirty or creased. Eventually, you will come to the same realization that I did, that it is better to rock what
you want when you want. The weather is out of your control, so wear your shoes and accept the
consequences.Secondly, any sneakerhead knows that their shoes are an extension of themselves. So how would you like to introduce yourself? As someone who doesn’t go outside often, and is careful to stay in their comfort zone? If that’s the case, then feel free to continue keeping your shoes white and crisp. But if that isn’t you, why don’t you want to show that in the shoes you wear? If you are adventurous, spontaneous and like to get your hands dirty, let your feet reflect that.
Image: SepRun
Lastly and most importantly, if scars look cool, then scuffs do too. Sure, when Buggin Out had his shoes
stepped on in Do The Right Thing, it was a major point of anger for him and was a relatable situation for
many of us. But looking back at that moment, it’s become iconic in the sneaker world, to the extent that
people have been adding matching scuffs to their own Air Jordan 4’s in tribute, and Jordan even
released an official version with the added scuff. We are meant to believe that one scuff ruined the
aesthetic of the shoe, but it is now understood as something that tells a story. It makes your shoes
unique. Scuffs really do add character to your shoes and are a device we can use to remember moments of our lives. So why not? Go out into the world and get your sneakers dirty.
What are some of our favourite sneaker features of the last few years?
As we collect more and more shoes, we become aware of all the different features and additional brand names tagged onto them that help to market these products. But it’s not all marketing, certain features have become marks of quality craftmanship justifiably, or exciting tech that extends past the gimmicks of sneaker-tech 30 years ago. We wanted to highlight some examples that have been particularly popular and point out what we think is so special about them.
First off, we have Gore-Tex. Possibly the name on this list that comes with the most respect and trust, Gore-Tex tech is known for its heavy-duty nature and waterproof status. Used on hiking and trail running shoes from Hoka and Salomon, the technology has seen many entries into more mainstream sneaker fashion, being used on the Air Jordan 1 and soon the Air Jordan 5, as well as the infamous Air Force 1.
Image: KicksOnFire
Next, we have Vibram soles, which cater to a similar demographic as Gore-Tex, making grippy and durable soles capable of withstanding any weather. The difference with Vibram however, is the scale of its monopoly over smaller sneaker companies, with brands like Brandblack, WeAreUnderdogs, and Nnormal all using their products. But the soles are respected by big names in the sneaker game too, most notably being used by Merrell and Hoka, who have recently seen a run of popularity. Whilst soles are normally focused on the cushion debates between Boost and Max Air etc., recent trends in Gorpcore have reminded us you can’t go wrong with a Vibram sole.
More of a general piece of tech, rather than a patented product, knitted gear has and likely will always have a place in the world of shoes. Particularly common in the world of running and basketball shoes, knitted uppers have revolutionized the world of slip-ons and sneakers that have forgone the traditional laces. All Birds are an example of a brand that has recently used Knit to great effect, on their Tree Dasher models, whilst PrimeKnit and FlyKnit continue to be go-to materials for Adidas and Nike respectively.
Image: Farfetch
Lastly, we have 3D Printed sneaker parts. Now, at first, this seemed like a bit of a gimmick. Adidas’ 4D looked very promising, but it ultimately failed to cash in on its buzz and was quickly forgotten about. But more recently, we have seen entire shoes being 3d printed. More specifically, slides have returned in a big way, partly due to their large-scale production thanks to improved 3D printing capabilities. Adidas and Yeezy Brand are possibly the most notable examples of this with the Adilette 22 and Yeezy slides, but smaller brand Zellerfeld has also pushing the envelope on how far this tech can go.
Is ASICS running past New Balance?
Whilst Nike and Adidas are still raking in the largest profits, the “It” sneaker brand of the last few years has debatably been New Balance. At first, as the cool brand making a comeback for those in the know, to nowadays when it has been reaccepted into popular culture by everyone, it seems like New Balance is on top of the world. But as we look into the future, we wonder how long this trend can last, and when it does pass, who will overtake it to become the new hottest sneaker brand?
Image: Slick Sneakers
Over the last few months, we think it has become clear that the brand that stands the most chance of taking New Balance’s crown of coolness in the next few years is ASICS, and here’s why.
First and foremost, ASICS are the kings of a specific style of shoe, the 2000s runner. Known for its mesh panelling paired with a usually leather frame, this style of sneaker came before the great takeover of plastics and synthetic materials, but as the industry was starting to move away from the traditional bulky leather models of the 90s. Such ASICS 2000’s designs from the Cumulus, Nimbus and Kayano lines are great examples of this style.
But why do we think this shoe is going to see a return to popularity? For a start, it follows nicely on from New Balance’s classic leather and suede looks. As people start to get tired of the 990s and the 992s, ASICS’ Sport style catalogue offers similar shoes that work in the same kind of outfits and for the same overall aesthetic. But crucially, with enough difference to give the consumer something new to get excited about.
Image: Sneaker News
Moreover, last year’s release of the Balenciaga Runner is significant, because the model, whilst relatively successful, was hounded online for ripping off ASICS aesthetic, with many fans claiming the shoes were too close to the Japanese brand’s products for comfort. For ASICS, this was a huge win, as not only is Balenciaga peddling this style of the shoe back into fashion, but the story gave some positive press to ASICS, reminding the public of their products.
Finally, the tipping point that we think will be looked back on as the start of ASICS’ return to popular fashion, was the release of the JJJJound x ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 earlier this year. Selling out instantly and fetching prices over double its retail price, JJJJound was one of the first collaborators to attract buzz around New Balance and their models, and it looks like he may have just done it again. This time, on behalf of ASICS.
Our feedback phase is over: ready to launch!
After a lot of hard work and preparation, building our website into a product that we believe will truly benefit the sneaker community, we are proud to present to you WOOVIN! So, first of all, let’s run you through the basics of how it works.
Image: WOOVIN
If you are interested in buying shoes, then you are in the right place. Our site has a constantly growing number of sneakers registered to be bought and sold. We have an increasing number of stores selling all kinds of shoes in different conditions, giving you a wider range of options in any given price range without any hidden fees. Buyers at WOOVIN are treated with respect, giving you the best deals on your favorite shoes. Can’t find the shoe you’re looking for registered on our site? Let us know. Any other issues and we are never more than a click away from helping you through the problem. We want to make the purchasing part as easy as possible, allowing you to focus on the fun bit: the shoes.
Image: WOOVIN
If you are also interested in selling through WOOVIN, we have a couple of different membership options for you to choose from. We can cater to your needs, from those selling off a couple of pairs from their collections to the largest resellers around. Starting from €4.95 a month, we give all sellers the ability to create their own store, which can be followed by buyers, and to connect their PayPal to be paid directly into without any extra fees. Moreover, all sellers will be verified to confirm their identity and will have an inbuilt review system so that they can build up trust within the community and be rewarded for their efforts. This safe trading system is an essential part of what we want to provide, with WOOVIN staff vetting out any sellers that don’t match our requirements in order to keep your mind at ease when buying through the site.
Image: WOOVIN
Our website will be constantly updated with new sneakers from our sellers who have created stores with us, as well as new blogs on relevant sneaker topics to provide you with all of your sneaker needs. So, take a look around the site and, next time you’re giving your closet a new look, come to WOOVIN to avoid those hidden fees and work with real sneakerheads that share your passion for kicks.
Top 5 sneakers to look out for this October
Nike Dunk “Panda”
Granted, this is not a new release, but in fact, a restock, of the Nike Dunk “Panda,” a shoe we have become accustomed to over the last few years. The black and white version of one of the most popular shoes of the new decade, Nike has chosen this colourway as the one they are happy to give to consumers again and again. Sure, for some this release is dull and they have become tired of the colourway, but since the shoe will be so popular, it would be unfair to not include it in this list.
Image: Sneaker News
Neckface Nike SB Dunk Low
Another Nike dunk, this time in its skateboarding variation, makes the list, thanks to an exciting collab with Graffiti Artist Neckface. Covered in a scattered number of patches, the shoe has a unique aesthetic reminiscent of the Artists style, that perfectly complements a skater’s look or outfit. These patches also continue onto the midsole which is a nice touch, and the untidy sewing makes it look like a DIY project gone right.
Image: Hypebeast
Nike Air Max Scorpion
A brand-new Air Max model is always a big deal, but the upcoming release of the scorpion is shaping up to be a special one. Featuring an outlandishly large air bubble that spells a significant step forward in air cushioning technology, the scorpion’s sole pops out from underneath the shoe, and is paired with a similarly modern upper to create a look straight out of 2030. We can’t wait to see this model in person, especially after all the commotion it caused online.
Image: Sneaker News
Air Jordan 3 SE
We all love Air Jordan 3’s, and any new colourways deserve to feature on a list like this, but the latest colourway to hit the stores is less than traditional. Rather than featuring team colours and basic colour blocking, the shoe features a brown upper and soft pink detailing that offers an earthy feel, a highly popular aesthetic for shoes over the last couple of years. Moreover, the hose updates its materials, adding mesh and suede, and replacing the iconic elephant print that would usually be used to identify the Air Jordan 3.
Image: Sneaker News
Nike Zoom Vomero 5 Cobblestone
Now for those seriously tapped into the sneaker world, this pick won’t surprise you, but if you are just getting into New Balance runners, let me put you on. The Nike Zoom Vomero 5 has been a popular runner since its original release in 2010, because, well… look at it. It’s a beautiful shoe that perfectly brings you back to that age of late 2000s/early 2010’s runners, thanks to its mesh panelling and plastic midfoot section. And as we have seen from the last year, with Asics and New Balance, this style of shoe is fully back in style. Moreover, a cobblestone colourway, that features muted colours that will be easy to put into an outfit, makes this shoe one to watch this October.
Image: Sneaker Freaker
Top 5 sneaker collaborators to look out for right now
Whether you can’t get enough of them or think they are overused these days, sneaker culture in 2022 revolves around the collaboration shoe. So, with so many different collaborators having their work blasted all over our social media timelines, we thought we could offer some help filtering out all but five sneaker collaborators to look out for right now. This list isn’t necessarily the five most popular collaborators but rather the collaborators with, in our subjective opinion, the most interesting and important creations to the sneaker world at this present time. All of the shoes listed are also available to buy and sell through our Woovin marketplace.
Image: End
Salehe Bembury
Starting off our list, Salehe Bembury has been on a tear since the start of the decade. After working his way up the sneaker ranks at Payless and Yeezy, he took on a role as vice president of Men’s footwear at Versace. Nowadays, he is collaborating with anyone and everyone and making hits every time. Whether it’s a revolutionary silhouette with Crocs or some of the most thought out and detailed collaborations with New Balance in the last few years, he simply cannot miss. And, in his spare time, he has even brought companies like Li-Ning and Brandblack into mainstream sneaker news across the world thanks to his collaborative projects with them.
Image: Nike
Billie Eilish
We have seen many music artists play it safe when they first enter the sneaker space, but Billie Eilish has held nothing back in her first forays into sneaker collaboration. Her models match her style effortlessly whilst also pushing the boundaries and rules of today’s sneaker world, favouring uniqueness over convention. Personally, we can’t wait for her new Air Force 1 Lows that recently surfaced online.
Image: A Ma Maniere
A Ma Maniere
Hot off potentially the best sneaker of 2021, A Ma Maniere and Jordan Brand have had a heavily successful partnership that is showing no signs of slowing down. Putting great amounts of thought into the materials they use, and producing aged, maroon/grey versions of some of our favourite models, A Ma Maniere has already put their magic touch on the Air Jordan 1, 2 and 3. And, with an Air Jordan 4 around the corner – as well as owner, James Whitner, revealing a pair of A Ma Maniere Air Jordan 12s – look out for more A Ma Maniere antics in the near future.
Image: Nike
Ambush
Yoon Ahn, the creator and designer behind streetwear brand, Ambush, has managed to push the boundaries of sneaker fashion whilst also remaining consistent, with her striking takes on classic Nike models. The latest of these is a soon-to-be-released version of the Nike Air Adjust Force, bringing back removable shrouds that offer extra customization potential.
Image: Nolis
Joe Freshgoods
Last but not least, Joe Freshgoods, like Salehe Bembury, has made a name for himself in the sneaker space after some phenomenal collaborations with New Balance. His collaborations have been praised for their intricate details, from the colour choices and the story behind them to the boxes they come in and the overall purchasing process. Joe Freshgoods has focused on emphasizing the cultural element of the sneaker game, not taking any shortcuts but rather getting quality products into the hands of real people, especially in his hometown of Chicago. Most recently, he put his own spin on three colourways of the Vans OG Style 36 LX, which sold like hot cakes in time for summer.
Written by Thomas Perry and Hannah Rodriguez
What’s with all the fuss about slip-on shoes?
Image: Adidas
Slip-on shoes have been one of the main talking points over the last year or so, most recently in the form of Kanye’s attacks on Adidas’ Adilette 22 slides (which we wrote about here) but also over the divisive appearance of models like the classic Crocs Clog or the Yeezy Foam Runner. Whether these crazy slides and slip-ons are to your taste or whether you find their designs too garish, at
Image: Heron Preston
The first reason for this incline in the popularity of slip-on shoes was the greater usage of modern technology to create foam shoes, made from a single material. This has been done through the rise of 3D printing technology in the world of shoes and the use of single mould designs. In this department, Kanye West’s Yeezy models were the trendsetters but Salehe Bembury’s Pollex Crocs and – to a lesser but still noticeable extent – Heron Preston’s work with Zellerfeld have also helped create a snowball effect that has shown no sign of slowing. Since then, Jordan, Adidas and Louis Vuitton have all jumped on the foam slip-on trend and, once the moulds for these shoes are made, the production process becomes much easier than traditional shoes to make quickly and in larger quantities: no stitching, gluing or sourcing of separate materials is necessary.
Image: Ambush
Furthermore, another cause of this boom in slip-on shoes is the context of the last few years, where periods of isolation and quarantine, and more people working from home, have forced people to spend more time indoors. This has caused shoes that can be worn around the house, like slides or Crocs, to be in much greater demand. Plus, with fewer eyes judging your shoe choices, spending more time at home has caused people to start wanting a bit more comfort out of their shoes. Style is still a key component, but now comfier models with ergonomic foam designs or comfortable neoprene booties are coming into fashion. As a result, brands have started to cater for this and we have seen an arms race of sorts, with brands competing to release their new models and ideas first before the others catch up and swipe at their profits.
If you are interested in getting in on the slip-on shoe trend or want to offload some of your own pairs whilst they are popular, check out Woovin’s reselling service for all your sneaker needs.Written by Thomas Perry and Hannah Rodriguez
Why Kanye and Adidas are feuding, and the essence of the takedown model
Image: SoleKitchen
Images: Adidas
On June 13th, Kanye West put out a post on Instagram taking aim at the newly announced Adidas Adilette 2022 Slide (pictured right), claiming it was a copy of his own Yeezy Slides (pictured left). Stating, “This shoe is a fake Yeezy”, Kanye West called out Adidas CEO Kasper Rørsted and “DC” – who is believed to be Daniel Cherry III, the SVP and General Manager of Adidas – for their lack of communication over the issue, expressing his anger at the alleged imitation of his own product. Kanye claims that the same brand stamped into his Slides are now copying its design.
Image: Adidas
Takedown models are common practice in the world of shoes, originally becoming a known term from brands’ practice of creating multiple signature sneaker lines for their athletes. These lines would consist of a main line that used their top of the range technology, and then other budget lines that copied many of the characteristics of the top range models but were available at a much more affordable price. These models, that share strong similarities with another, more popular, model at a lower price, are often called takedown models. For example, in this case, whilst the Yeezy Slide can be found reselling for upwards of $200, the Adidas Adilette 2022 Slide is retailing for $55.
Image: Yankee Kicks
Recently, however, takedown models of collaborations outside of the sports world have started to attract mainstream attention. Sometimes these models have their own identity but will take fashionable design language, such as how Virgil Abloh’s “The Ten” collection would spur Nike to release several of their shoes with a similar makeover. One of the clearest examples of this was the suspiciously familiar colourway of the Nike React Live Schematic (pictured above). But sometimes these takedown models can be seen as nothing more than a cheaper version of the original, such as the Adidas Tubular Shadow as a takedown model of the Yeezy Boost 350. That being said, Kanye himself has admitted that his most famous Yeezy model was heavily inspired by the Nike Roshe Run, one of the best-selling shoes of the mid-2010s.
So, this argument once again brings up the issue of inspiration versus imitation. Regardless, never has a takedown model, released by the brand that issued the original model, ever been called out by someone within the same brand. And it begs the question of how complicit other collaborators have been with brands working with them and then continuing to use their work to bring in higher profits, whilst also cutting them out of the deal in terms of royalties. Dennis Rodman revealed a similar situation in an episode of Sneaker Shopping with Complex, wherein he claimed that Converse wouldn’t bring back the All-Star React 91 Rodman’s, since they would have to cut him a check. So, brands being stingy about avoiding pay-outs to collaborators has been a contentious issue behind the scenes for some time. And, with Kanye West’s deal with Adidas currently set to expire in 2026, this does bring into question the two parties’ futures with each other.
So, what do you think? Do you take Kanye’s side and understand his frustration at Adidas for blindsiding him? Or do you support Adidas and the takedown model, since it offers a popular look at a lower and more accessible price? Or are you on the fence, finding good arguments on both sides? Feel free to air your opinion in the comments below.
By Thomas Perry and Hannah Rodriguez
A 2022 look at the resurgence of New Balance
New Balance has seen a dramatic rise in popularity over the last few years, transforming from the brand that your parents wear into the brand that your favourite icons rock. There are a number of reasons for this, but we are going to boil it down into two categories, sneaker collaborations and new models.
Image: New Balance
Firstly, sneaker collaborations have been a game-changer for New Balance, working with talents like Salehe Bembury and Joe Freshgoods to bring an air of coolness back to the brand. With thought out sneaker rollouts, and fine detailing down to the shoe boxes, their efforts paid off in the form of their sneaker’s resale values skyrocketing. Thanks to them, New Balance has been re-introduced to the younger generation, providing a breath of fresh air from the same Nike and Adidas silhouettes that have dominated the market over the last few years. And collaborations with brands like Bodega and Kith, whom are already established in the Sneaker game, have brought new eyes to what’s going on at New Balance, further increasing the pandemonium around their latest products.
Image: Aimé Leon Dore
But the real power of the collaboration can be observed by Aimé Leon Dore’s recent link-up with New Balance, primarily on the 80’s basketball silhouette, the 550. Once a forgotten gem, Aimé Leon Dore’s cosign and new rendition of the model turned it into one of the hottest sneakers in New York, and subsequently the rest of the world.
Image: New Balance
Secondly, New Balance has introduced new models that have managed to rival the success of classic models like the 990 and the 574. The New Balance 327 is the standout model, designed by Charlotte Lee, which has taken the world by storm. Whilst it hasn’t had the most hyped collaborations, it has consistently been pushing units across the world, and only a quick look at social media will show the love fans have for the model. Moreover, the popular running model, the FuelCell RC Elite V2 has taken leaps and bounds since its effective debut at the Olympics. And Jaden Smith’s Vision Racer is also worthy of a mention for diversifying New Balance’s catalogue and pro-actively moving towards a more sustainable future with its “Surplus” colourway.
How the Nike SB Dunk Hype Returned
Image: Bruce Hatoo
The Nike SB Dunk is one of the most iconic silhouettes to date, but in the last decade, the hype that once surrounded the model appeared to die out. That was of course until 2020, when the shoe had one of the greatest comeback stories in sneaker history, stealing headlines and evoking nostalgia in millennial skaters all over the world.
But how did such a return come about? Well, the Nike SB Dunk’s resurgence can be traced back to the Off-White Nike Dunk’s, Virgil Abloh’s rendition of the non-skateboard focused brother of the SB Dunk, but what really kickstarted the shoe’s newfound success, was the Houston rapper Travis Scott’s own Nike SB Dunk Low collaboration that dropped back in February, with a double-layered paisley upper.
Since then, the popularity of the SB Dunk has exploded, most notably with the highly publicized Ben & Jerry’s Nike SB Dunk Low “Chunky Dunky” edition that was released this June, and now fetches prices over $1000 on the secondary market. Then around a month later, the model broke the internet once again, this time in collaboration with the American rock band Grateful Dead, who helped create a pack of 3 Nike SB Dunk Lows which came in brightly colored faux fur.
But it hasn’t just been the Nike SB Dunk Low’s that have had a great year, the high-top version has also had a successful 2020, especially in the second half with its boot-like structure making it more favorable for the colder months. Possibly the most interesting pair to release this year was the Nike SB Dunk High Invert Celtics, which featured a pink and black suede upper on the lateral side, and a green and white leather upper on the medial side.
What Nike was able to do so well with the Nike SB Dunk though, was keep it true to its roots, and what made it special the first time it was released. It was the limited releases and crazy collaborations that nobody else was doing at the time that caused the SB Dunk to turn into such a popular collectible model in the 2000s, and its return has been no different.
Even more exciting however, is that it doesn’t look like the Nike SB Dunk will be going anywhere anytime soon, with plenty of hyped releases already set to drop in 2021. So, whether you have been following the model since its first appearance in 2002, or you are just hearing about it for the first time, it’s not too late to jump on the hottest sneaker trend of 2020.
Will the Air Jordan 1 be a classic forever?
Image: Nike
The Air Jordan 1 has been of the most beloved sneakers for its entire 35-year existence, and many deem it the shoe that kick-started sneaker culture as a whole. It’s these accolades, alongside the shoe’s retained popularity that makes it undebatable a classic shoe…for now. The question is though, will the Air Jordan 1’s classic status last forever?
A good way of guessing the Air Jordan 1’s fate would be to compare it to other classic shoes, and whether they have been able to hold on to their reputation. Now, a couple of the shoes that are debatably as well known as the Air Jordan 1 are the Adidas Stan Smith, the Converse All Star Chuck Taylor, and the Nike Air Force 1, all models that have had their dips in popularity, but all models that are still household names everybody continues to know. However, if we look at the models that are most similar to the Air Jordan 1, such as the Pony City Wings and the Saint Laurent Court Classic, those sneakers have not aged nearly as well. The difference is whilst the similar models were able to capture consumers at a point in time, the Air Jordan 1 has been able to entice consumers, old and young for over 3 decades. A shoe of its popularity so far is yet to lose it.
The biggest problem facing the Air Jordan 1’s current status though is possible oversaturation, since Jordan Brand are pumping out new colorways as well as retro’s releases every month, without leaving consumers bank accounts a chance to recover. Currently, the Air Jordan 1 is going through a resurgence and so Jordan Brand can get away with this, but in doing so they are jeopardizing the shoe’s popularity in the near future. At this rate, Sneakerheads will soon get tired of seeing Air Jordan 1’s everywhere, and its “GOAT” status may be challenged. However, again if we look at other classic models like the Air Force 1, whilst oversaturation has caused it to sit on shelves, it hasn’t stopped it from remaining one of the most popular and respected sneakers on the market, with everyone from LeBron James to Billie Eilish continuing to rock it. So, although it may soon lose its status as the “GOAT” sneaker, it’s highly unlikely it won’t continue to be known as a classic.
In conclusion, will the Air Jordan 1 go through waves of popularity and sitting on shelves, yes, but what makes a shoe a classic. Whilst the Air Jordan 1 may not always be the coolest sneaker to rock, and sneakerheads may get tired of it from time to time, the model shall always remain a classic because of what it has already achieved, even if the future does not look as bright.
