The Nike Basketball Elite Series is the very pinnacle of basketball footwear performance and design. Returning in this year's Nike Elite line-up are LeBron with his LeBron X PS Elite and Kobe with his Zoom Kobe 8 Elite. Joining the squad is KD with his improved KD V Elite - lower, faster, and more versatile than ever.
Today, I would like to quickly share with you, visually, what this new series is all about - from designer insights, to production briefing, to the break down of each shoe's tech upgrade.
So without further delay, here it is... The Nike Basketball Elite Series 2.0.
For more than 25 years the Air Max family has remained a flawless fusion of sport and visible technology. With roots firmly planted in the soil of sport innovation, Air Max grew to become a cultural phenomenon, making its presence felt in music, art, and most importantly, on the feet of those seeking comfort and a vehicle for self-expression. Last year, illustrator and designer Matt Stevens created the collectible book MAX100, a compendium of 100 visual interpretations of the Nike Air Max 1 — or, as he calls it, “the greatest sneaker of all time.” The book's visuals range from computer-generated images to photographs of physical objects. Coinciding with the release of the Nike Air Max Engineered Mesh series, Nike further celebrates the reinvention of Air Max by commissioning Stevens to expand on his tribute to the famed sneakers in a project aptly titled #AIRMAX. Creating additional images of the Air Max 1, Air Max 90, Air Max 95, and Air Max 97, Stevens sheds new light on the heritage of these sport classics. Along with Stevens’s personal reinterpretations, some images will align under the themes of design inspiration, color, cultural significance and reinvention.
I always say that shoes are my favorite way of curating history. From a certain decade's identity, to the technological wonders of an era, down to the bare sentimentality of a moment - for me, shoes are the best medium to immortalize time.
In our first infotainment exercise, Locker Room Legends will narrate the story of Nike's fabled "Air Pack", and how it saved the company from impending bankruptcy. I could have done this the old-fashioned way - a long-ass post filled with text and no photos... But I'm sure you wouldn't read that. Heck I wouldn't read that myself. So I made a nice infographic/timeline based on Brett Golliff's interview with Tinker Hatfield.
Check HOW THE AIR PACK SAVED NIKE after the jump. Scroll down and give it time to load.
_____________________________________ Images are in its true format. Please give it time to load.
When our big brothers Dennis, Raoul and Levon left us with the responsibility of running the Cork release, this might've crossed their minds...
Fortunately for them, we're too lame to pull that off.
So yes, as I was saying, a couple of Saturdays ago Miguel, Jeremy, Sudan, Paul and I lead the release of NSW's breakthrough product, the Nike LeBron X "Cork".
Through a "By Invitation Only" event, select Elite Titan Players Club members, celebrities, ballplayers, influencers, and media guests were ushered into the Titan Flagship Store in TwoParkade for an afternoon of wine, good company and merriment. Oh, and yes... Shoes.
It was an intimate gathering of friends and LBJ fans. It's safe to say that everyone had a great time. Some more than others (i.e. the folks that brought home the Corks)
Right after that, we decided to let the Barkleyposites loose via lottery. That went quick as well, not surprising for an ill shoe. It's our little token of thanks to the GREATEST CUSTOMERS IN THE GAME for the loyalty and love.
So there... Won't keep you guys waiting anymore! Check the photos below.
If I haven't said it enough (though I'm sure you know this very well by now), I am a big footwear DESIGN nerd.
There are pairs that I completely love that some see as weird or too outlandish. Regardless if it's manufactured in limited quantities or mass produced, Quickstrike or General Release - for me, a shoe's aesthetics come first, especially when there is some sort of innovation backing it.
Today in Nike's Inside Access, we tackle the EVOLUTION OF THE UPPER. Transforming uppers is a key example of Nike Basketball's focus on redefining shoe design since 1972.
Here they are - the shoe that everyone is waiting for. A month after it surfaced on local sneaker sites and on @Titan_22's Instagram, it's finally here: The Nike LeBron X EXT "Cork".
This is a shoe that even the most brutal of LBJ critics would want. Heck, I want one... And I don't even like LeBron! (That sounds like something a hypebeast would say, though! LOL) But truthfully, I want a pair because I'm a sucker for ground-breaking sneaker tech and new material applications.
The thin veneer of cork on this is unbelievable! I don't even know how to describe it: it's flat and smooth, but has texture... Ok, that does not make sense, but that's how it is. I've seen these in motion, and the shoe does not crease. The kitchen did it again.
I would like to think that the whole Nike NSW/EXT campaign rides on this flagship shoe. The leather is excellent, the waxed laces are top-notch, the construction is immaculate... It's damn near perfect.
Anyway, I took a bunch of detailed photos for your appreciation.
Titan TwoParkade - the only door that will release these - will have a special "By Invitation Only" event tomorrow. You might want to check your inboxes for an invite.
For more details, artwork, and full release mechanics, visit TITAN22.COM.
I've been on a basketball uniform craze as of late. I've been obsessing on materials, construction and quality (you'll find out why soon enough). I've been studying the intangible factors as well - like how the team's attitude would reflect on the uniform, or how their style of play would be enhanced by the tailoring and material of the jersey.
I wouldn't say I'm an expert at it already, but I know a good make when I see one.
Let me just say this: Adidas came up a solid uniform for this year's All-Star game. Check it out below.
My parents often told stories of how they barely had anything when they started a family. When I came along, my folks had to hustle real hard just to keep things afloat... Especially my dad. My old man had to sacrifice a lot of himself just to give his family a good life.
Looking at us now, we have come a long way. We are now living like kings in our own little kingdom. Every single comfort that I'm enjoying right now, I owe it to my father.
I thank him for being a man for his family, a good father, a loyal husband, a gangster and a hustler... And since he's an OG and the best ever, I broke these out the other night for his birthday dinner.
Michael Jordan once said: “By the time you see me
coming, it’s too late." His quote, and the way he approached the game of
basketball throughout his career, inspired the stealth aesthetic featured in
the Air Jordan
XX8. The special Jordan pack, comprised of an Air Jordan I, Air
Jordan III, Jordan MELO M9 and Jordan CP3.VI, takes its color cues from the Air
Jordan XX8's night vision-inspired look.
The pack will be sold in two separate offerings
scheduled for February 14 and 16. The first two shoes available in the pack
will be the Jordan MELO
M9 and the Jordan CP3.VI.
Both products will feature integrated UV ink throughout the upper that
illuminates when viewed under black light. The MELO M9 features a glowing
outsole while the CP3.VI features an illuminated Podulon midsole when exposed
to black light.
The offering on February 16 will feature an Air
Jordan I Retro Mid and an Air Jordan III that will include the color cues
aligned to the Air Jordan XX8. The Air Jordan I, which was first released in
1985, features a glowing outsole, laces and Jumpman logo when exposed to black
light. The Air Jordan III, which debuted in 1988, features an electric green
outsole and collar that draw inspiration directly from the color scheme of the
Air Jordan XX8.
The pinnacle performance product of the weekend
will be the Air Jordan XX8. Jordan Brand athlete Russell Westbrook debuted the
latest iteration of the classic Jordan line on December 4. Consumers will have
the opportunity to purchase two different color combinations of the Air Jordan
XX8, including the black/white/electric green version.
All pairs will be available at Titan's TwoParkade Flagship store. More details on their website. Peep the official photos below.
Last night, I was invited by Nike Philippines to experience the new NIKE FLYKNIT LUNAR 1. Along with veteran runners and athletic bloggers, we were the first ones to actually enjoy all the benefits that the new Flyknit model has to offer.
At around 7:30 PM, we gathered at Nike Bonifacio High Street flagship store to get familiar with the shoe. There was a quick huddle before the test run, lead by our friends from Nike Philippines, who gave us a closer and more intimate look at the shoe and its design. They also briefed us on how the technology came about and the new upgrades from the previous Flyknit silos.
The crew then went outside for the actual test run. I'm probably the noob of the group since I only started running this year, but I was able to keep up (thank goodness!) We took a couple of laps around High Street and both Parkades, roughly a little over a kilometer and a half.
I posted live updates via the LOCKERROOMLEGENDS Instagram during the run, but just in case you missed it, here's a more in-depth report of our Nike Flyknit Lunar 1 experience.
Wipcaps is one of those local companies that I truly admire. Each and every single outing they come up with tastefully crafted, thoughtfully designed caps, establishing themselves as the undisputed leader of the lid game here in the Philippines.
Repped with pride by everyone everwhere - from the gritty warehouses of Battle Rap, to the upper echelon of street couture, Wipcaps has a powerful chokehold on the cap market. I'm one for elevated design sensibilities, and a brand like Wipcaps has perfected it to a science. A deep local brand with a strong international appeal.
But with all these things said: the strong concepts, the sensibility, the hustle... What I like most about Wipcaps is that it endlessly, ENDLESSLY rep the P.I.
Whether by accident or by design, Wipcaps releases relevant and hard hitting Filipino themed caps on the regular. And to start the year, the local cap empire is releasing the HEADHUNTER series.
Power Plant Mall has this "Sartorial Fridays" feature on their Facebook wherein every Friday they scour the mall for their more fashionable shoppers.
Well... My girlfriend Cess got featured and they published her photo last weekend. I'm proud... Because those are my pants she's wearing! Haha I'm kidding. Anyway, excuse this proud boyfriend moment - I know it's not some billboard along EDSA or a TV commercial.
We were in our hotel in Bacolod when she showed me this, and she rambled a thousand things that was wrong with her photo: her pose, how her clothes fell, how her hair was this and that. She didn't like her photo because she looked tired and stressed... And exhausted.
I don't know what she's talking about. All I know is that she's beautiful.
I was working on this poster on a plane, over Visayan airspace, headed for Bacolod. "ATTACK FROM ABOVE" literally! But hold on, it's not about me... It's the shoes! Word to Spike.
This Saturday, January 26, the much awaited classic will finally return. Prepare for combat folks because this is a free-for-all, first come/first served release... So look alive!
But if you are a TITAN PLAYERS' CLUB member, you don't have to sweat that much; Just for today, January 24, Titan is opening up reservation slots up until 12:00MN. You have about an hour to safeguard your pair.
The Air Jordan 5 "Fire Red" will be available at select Titan doors - TwoParkade, Burgos Circle, Taft, Katipunan and also on the Webstore.
I was four when I saw my very first Air Max. My very young mind can not comprehend how that shoe worked or felt on feet. It was so strange to see a hole in its sole.
A couple of years after, I held a pair of Air Max 90s for the first time. Turns out it was not really a hole, but a bubble stuck in the foam sole! The six year old me put two and two together and thought that if I had those on, I can bounce endlessly... Higher and faster.
That little bubble in the sole changed everything, not just for me but for the entire shoe industry. From the moment it was conceived until today, the Air Max has stood as a symbol of stability, technology, and innovation. Simply put, the Nike Air Max was and still is that magical technology that made every other shoe boring.
Next in line in this proud lineage is the Nike Air Max+ 2013. Same technology, same magic... But a whole lot more flexible.
