Sunday, August 27, 2006

Nike ID Website



If you are browsing this page you are probably a fan of trainers and sneakers. You like to buy them, you like to look after them, you take pride in wearing them. Your trainers and the time you spend looking for them, lacing them and cleaning them makes you stick out from all the general-release high street sneaker wearers out there. Right?

Wrong! You have to buy trainers from somewhere and it’s pretty damn likely that that ‘somewhere’ has a bunch of them in stock and will sell them to every Tom, Dick & Harry who wants them. In a city especially, it’s fairly likely that ‘your’ sneakers can be spotted fairly easily. Alas, how can one remedy this unfortunate effect of our ‘Seen it all before’ post-modern existence?

Trainer customisation is not a new concept. Since kids had trainers and access to Biros and felt tips at school, the urge to make shoes personalised and unique has been a persistent one. Many people are into customising their trainers – some are very skilled artists who use dying and painting to achieve their results, others just like to select a nice pair of laces and stuff a jelly-roll under the tongue. For years complete trainer customisation, with truly authentic and professional results was not possible. At least until the advent of Nike ID that is.

Nike ID allows you, the customer, to call all the shots. Customise your footwear and accessories the way you want to. The Nike ID website was relaunched this year in glorious flash and has never looked more appealing, been easy to use or loaded so quickly. Nike ID is a fun experience for any user, regardless of you level of enthusiasm for trainers and sneakers.



The Nike ID process involves the following steps:

1. Start
Choose you shoe. The hardest part! Hmmm, I’ll take one of each please. See below for a list of all shoes currently available for customisation through Nike ID. Choose your size type (US, EUR, UK) and your size. Sizes range from (UK) 5-13 and I am also pleased to report that half sizes are available.


2. Design
This is where the fun really starts. Nike have kindly split up their shoes into an average of around 9 different parts (e.g. Swoosh, air bubble, laces, lining etc.). For each of these parts you can choose from up to 20 colours. Really you could just spend an entire experimenting with the thousands of available combinations… And then still not be sure! There really is a great deal to choose from. Which is exactly what makes Nike ID so fun and addictive.



3. Personalise
Here you get to make your shoe truly unique. Choose a Tag for your design. Most Commonly the Tags will be stitched in to the heel of the shoe, where the Nike logo is commonly found. If you don’t wish to have a personal message, you can opt for the standard Nike logo, but it’s much more fun to choose something personal to you: your name, your crew, a girlfriend’s name, children’s names, your business, something you want to promote, or maybe just “I’M GREAT”.

4. Review
Now look at your beautiful creation from multiple angles. Anything you’re not happy with? Back to the drawing board. All designs can printed, emailed, and saved in your own personal Nike ID Locker for future review before you commit to buying them. After completing your purchase, items are usually shipped to you within 3 weeks.

So what’s currently on offer at Nike ID? Nike have divided their customisable products into the following groupings:

SPORT CULTURE

MENS FOOTWEAR>
Nike Air Bruin Max - £75.00
Nike Shox NZ - £120.00
Nike Dunk - £60.00
Nike Air Max 1 - £95.00
Nike Air MAx 90 - £95.00
Nike Air 180 - £95.00
Nike Air Max 93 - £95.00
Nike Air Max 95 - £125.00
Nike Air Max 97 - £125.00
Nike Air Max 03 - £110.00
Nike Tennis Classic Luxe - £50.00
Nike Air Tiempo Rival TK - £55.00
Nike Air Tiempo Rival SG - £50.00
Nike Waffle Racer II - £60.00

WOMENS FOOTWEAR
Nike Sprint Sister - £60.00
Nike Shox NZ - £120.00
Nike Shox Rival - £75.00
Nike Air Max 1 - £95.00
Nike Air MAx 90 - £95.00
Nike Air 180 - £95.00
Nike Air Max 93 - £95.00
Nike Air Max 95 - £125.00
Nike Air Max 97 - £125.00
Nike Air Max 03 - £110.00
Nike Tennis Classic Luxe - £50.00
Nike Waffle Racer II - £60.00
Nike Air Rift - £85.00

ACCESSORIES
Nike Club Bag - £70.00
Nike Track Bag - £60.00
Nike Cross Country Bag - £55.00
Nike Prest Smooth Medium Watch - £55.00


RUNNING

MENS FOOTWEAR
Nike Air Zoom Moire+ - £80.00
Nike Free 7.0 - £90.00
Nike Free 5.0 V2 - £70.00
Nike Free 5.0 - £70.00
Nike Shox NZ - £120.00
Nike Show Turbo III - £100.00
Nike Shox Turb OZ - £100.00
Nike Shox 240 - £110.00
Nike Shox Cognoscenti - £100.00

BOYS FOOTWEAR
Nike Show Turbo III - £70.00
Nike Shox 2:40 - £70.00
Nike Shox Cognoscenti - £70.00

WOMENS FOOTWEAR
Nike Air Zoom Moire+ - £80.00
Nike Free 7.0 - £90.00
Nike Free 5.0 V2 - £70.00
Nike Free 5.0 - £70.00
Nike Shox Rhythmic - £100.00
Nike Shox Go - £100.00
Nike Shox NZ - £120.00
Nike Show Turbo III - £100.00
Nike Shox Turb OZ - £100.00
Nike Shox 240 - £110.00
Nike Shox Cognoscenti Womens - £100.00

GIRLS FOOTWEAR
Nike Show Turbo III - £70.00
Nike Shox 2:40 - £70.00
Nike Shox Cognoscenti - £70.00

ACCESSORIES
Nike Triax Swift Digital Watch - £70.00
Nike Triax Speed 100 Watch - £80.00
Nike Triax Speed 100 Super Watch - £80.00


FOOTBALL

Nike Air Tiempo Rival TK - £55.00
Nike Air Tiempo Rival SG - £50.00
Nike Zoom Total 90 Supreme Kit Boots - £75.00
Nike Air Zoom 90 III Turf - £70.00
Nike Free 7.0 - £90.00
Nike Pro Vent Loose Shirt - £27.00
Nike Pro Vent Loose Shirt (LS) - £30.00
Nike Merc Phase Ball - £30.00
Nike T90 II Swift Ball - £25.00
Joga Bonito Ball - £35.00
Nike Cuff TK Digital Sweatband - £40.00
Nike Team Training Duffle Bag - £40.00


BASKETBALL

MENS FOOTWEAR
Nike Shox Certified - £100.00
Nike Air Zoom Huarache 64 - £80.00
Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K5 - £100.00
Nike Shox Lethal - £100.00
Nike Shox UPS - £110.00
Nike Air Zoom Flight Five - £110.00
Nike Air Zoom Brave - £110.00
Nike Dunk Low - £60.00
Nike Air Bruin Max - £75.00
Nike Free 7.0 - £90.00
Nike Team Training Duffle Bag - £40.00


TRACK AND FIELD

MENS FOOTWEAR
Nike Zoom Rival D+ - £70.00
Nike Zoom Rival Sprint III - £65.00
Nike Zoom Forever - £95.00
Nike Zoom Waffle XC IV - £60.00
Nike Zoom Miler - £70.00


WOMENS FITNESS

Nike Air Zoom Danzante - £80.00
Nike Rhythm Lace - £60.00
Nike Shox Rival - £75.00
Nike Shox Rhythmic - £100.00
Nike Free 7.0 - £90.00
Nike Free 5.0 V2 - £70.00
Nike Free 5.0 - £70.00
Nike Dance Tote Bag - £60.00
Nike Imara Run Watch - £70.00

I couldn't end this post without a creation of my own, so here it is, the Trainer Watch Nike Air Max 1, coming soon to UK streets... Well maybe ;)

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

YO! MTV Raps Puma Clyde Competition

Though I didn't get a chance to buy them, I have seen the YO! MTV Raps Puma Clydes in the flesh and can verify they are stoopid fresh. Size? is giving one lucky soul the chance to get their hands on a very very limited green pair.

Here's the dizzeal:
In celebration of YO! MTV Raps 25th anniversary, PUMA have created the Forever Fresh Clyde.

PUMA's treasured heritage icon has been married with the identity of one of MTV's most memorable and ground breaking shows, YO! MTV Raps. On air from 1988 - 1995, YO! exposed hip hop culture to the world, hosted some of the best live performances ever and blessed us with the Ed Lover Dance.

2 colourways were released of this sneaker, a pink and a green version. The pink was limited to 250 pairs worldwide and sold out within hours. The extremely rare green colourway is not available to buy anywhere,with only 75 pairs produced worldwide!!

We have one pair of the ultra rare green colourway available for you to win!!
Enter the YO! MTV Raps Puma Clyde Competition here

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Saturday, August 12, 2006

Lacoste Trainers

Lacoste is a brand that I rarely tend to associate with trainers and sneakers, but I think that their presence on UK streets is now undeniable - they seem to have become the new Reebok for Britain's youth. Lacoste trainers are not daringly different, in fact a lot of their models bear striking resemblances to some Reebok and Adidas shoes, but they have identified their target market and are designing trainers that appeal directly to them.

Lacoste was founded in 1933 as La Societe Chemise Lacoste, by French tennis player Rene Lacoste, who had been nicknamed the Alligator by US press and subsequently le Crocodile by the French. Lacoste actually created and wore the first Lacoste polo shirts himself, originally plain garments that later saw the addition of the crocodile emblem after it was created for him by a close friend. After retirement Rene Lacoste went into business with France's leading knitwear manufacturers to produce his now famous crocodile-bearing sports wear - and hey presto! One of the world's leading high-end sportswear brands was created.



So what about Lacoste trainers? On the web, really you have to check JD Sports for the best range of Lacoste shoes and some nice garments too. An obvious Lacoste shoe would be something like the Lacoste Camden Retro, shown left in black / milk white. This trainer is actually reduced right now too if you're quick - at £39.99 (down from £55). It's a nice Stan Smith-looking tennis sneaker. A similar Lacoste trainer would be the Lacoste Carnaby Trim at £49.99, another sneaker that I'm feeling.

Deviating away from tennis styles, Lacoste have just introduced the Lacoste Descend Boot, shown right - a more rugged option for any Lacoste fans seeking something more sturdy for winter, school, work and so forth. At £119.99 it's slightly less affordable than the rest of the range, but the embossed crocodile logo is sure to turn heads.

In the sports fashion / casual market Lacoste also don't fail to deliver. The Lacoste Expel Code Red is probably my pick of the bunch, in the red / white colourway shown left. Available now at £64.99.



Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Converse All Star - Gotta Catch 'Em All

The folks at Cloggs currently have 46 different Converse All Star's in stock...! That's a lot of Converse shoes, so I have picked out a few favourites below, but I really recommend you check out their site if you are into this shoe. Great range of sizes and reasonable prices with many models reduced.



The white / pink All Star is a leather model, hence the £49.95 price tag - worth it though I am sure. Sizes 3-8. A hot colourway for the girls. To view, click here.







The Converse All Star in forest / gum is another quality release from Converse available at Cloggs. Ok, so I know I'm picking out the pricier models, but I think they warrant their price tags. This limited edition Chuck Taylor is made from rich, velvety nubuck and features a gum sole. Sizes 5 & 6 left £54.95 for both ladies and gentlemen. To view, click here.





Yellow. Whatever happened to yellow? You don't see enough of it these days. Converse All Star Limeade available in sizes 3-8 at £29.95. To view, click here.

Monday, August 07, 2006

Nike Free 7.0


The Nike Free range is based upon the idea of bare feet being the ultimate footwear 'solution' for athletes (have they really thought this through?). Running bare feet supposedly encourages muscle strengthening, prevents injury and aids performance. If you actually use trainers for running, you'll be very interested in the latest model in this range, the Nike Free 7.0. Whilst I'm not a runner, I must say I have recently warmed to this range of sneakers. I've yet to try them out, but aesthetically, they are getting better and better.

The Nike Free 7.0, shown above in the White /Black / Varsity Red colourway and right in the Varsity Royal /White / Black colourway are currently available from Kitbag at the reasonable price of £64.99.

The Nike Free website is really quite wonderful and well worth a look, both to discover the science behind the shoe and to revel in the site's beauty.

To view these trainers, click here.

Nike Air Jordan IV Military Blue


I finally picked a pair of these up at Size? in Carnaby Street, London at the weekend. I thought they were going to be crazy limited, but they now seem to be generally available - even from Size-Online. The Nike Air Jordan IV is one of the most popular sneakers in history, and this original colourway is a very welcome reissue, very popular amongst collectors and trainer enthusiasts alike. Available now at £79.99, but be quick.

To view these trainers, click here.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Puma El Rey Storytime & Puma 55 Grommets


The Official Puma Europe Shop is a great online store with a good selection of Puma produce. Of particular note to me was the Puma El Rey Storytime slip on, shown left in the black / vapor blue colourway. At only £40, it's a real temptation. The Puma Shop ships all over Europe and you're able to browse in many languages.

As far as the ladies are concerned, I thought the Puma 55 Grommets, shown right in the violet quartz-whisper white colourway was also real nice. Available from size 4-13 including some 1/2 sizes, it's another well priced shoe from Puma at £45.

To visit the Puma Europe Shop, please click here.