SNEAKER STORE SPOTLIGHT: JD SPORTS

Being a Sneaker Fiend over 20 yrs, I've come across many hidden gems.  From mom and pop stores to slept on sneaker chains, JD Sports is a great combination of both.  Located in the UK, I've been a consumer of theirs for a couple years now.  

I was recently asked to select an item to try out from the store and I chose Nike Air Max 1. Introduced in 1987, the Air Max 1 has been a favorite of Sneaker Fiends like myself which made my choice a no brainer. Air Max's are one of the most comfortable silhouettes that Nike makes and always stylish as far as the colorway goes.  The package arrived a little over a week from the order date, a big plus knowing about international shipping horror stories that has taken a month or more.

One thing that JD Sports offers are "only at JD" items, which are items that are exclusive to store. Some Sneaker Fiends like to have "exclusives"......still getting the joy of being asked "where'd you get those?!". Another handy lil tidbit being a buyer of international stores, JD has one of the lowest international shipping charges.  

With Christmas around the corner, check out JD Sports.  The website is easy to navigate and if you're in the UK there's several retail locations.  There's something for everyone from sneakers to apparel & accessories and you'll get your package in time for the holidays.

ADIDAS ORIGINALS x JEREMY SCOTT HOLIDAY BEARS

With the holiday season fast approaching, Jeremy Scott and Adidas Originals will be releasing a Holiday Bears pack.  Seemingly inspired by Christmas, the pack features gold and silver colorways with an upper reminiscent of  tinsel and a glittered sole.

The pack drops Friday, November 15th, at Adidas Originals retail stores and ADIDAS.COM 

JEREMY SCOTT x A$AP ROCKY

If you're a fan of the Jeremy Scott 2.0 and looking to get your hands on the limited edition A$AP Rocky/Black Flag pair, Adidas has an exclusive online pre-sale registration that ends on Sept. 23rd.  

The collabo between friends Scott & A$AP resulted in an all black canvas JS 2.0, one side featuring stars and the other with stripes.  

Sign up for the online pre-sale here

Pic & info via ADIDAS 

HAVE AN OPEN MIND

I came across this old post of Sn'eads by artist Tyree Dillihay that in my opinion reflects today's state of the sneaker game.  There's some folks that are so committed to one specific sneaker brand that they refuse to give other's a try.  There are so many great brands out there.  I've heard some people complain about a certain brand hurting their feet yet they refuse to try another.  

Don't be a follower!  Create your own lane by wearing what you like and not just what's the current popular pair at the moment.  

Not to be preachy and lighten things up a bit, here's a hidden message crossword puzzle.  

If you find the hidden message, comment below.  Enjoy!

FTYA - FRSHR THAN YOUR AVRGE x SOLEXCHANGE EVENT REMINDER

The folks responsible for the FRSHR THAN YOUR AVRGE sneaker battle is back at it again! Saturday, July 27th it's going down and they're doing it big by shutting down Rutgers UNIV. They've teamed up with the good folks of The Solexchange to host an even bigger event with more vendors, more heat, more giveaways and most importantly.....the FTYA Sneaker Battle.  The winner goes home with what some call the Heisman trophy of sneaker battles.  A trophy which Female Sneaker Fiend's founder Lori Lobenstine had the pleasure of winning in the very first FTYA sneaker battle.

So if you're in the tri-state NY/NJ/CT area or DE/PA, swing by and enjoy the festivities.  For more information, you can follow them on instagram @FTYA_SNKBATTLE and @THESOLEXCHANGE.  And to my Female Sneaker Fiends, please rep for us fiends that are unable to make it and do it like you're doing it for TV!!!

Purchase tickets here


DIRECTIONS
From New York Penn Station:
Take New Jersey Transit train towards Trenton, NJ
Get off at New Brunswick stop (approx 45 min.)
Walk to 126 College Ave (approx 12 min) or take a cab

From NJ Turnpike S:
1. Follow signs for New Jersey Turnpike S and merge onto I-95 S/New Jersey Turnpike S Partial Toll road - 29.0 mi
2. Take exit 9 to merge onto NJ-18 N toward US-1/new Brunswick Partial toll road - 3.4 mi
3. Take the George Street exit toward Rutgers University - 0.3 mi
4. Sharp left onto George St - 0.1 mi
5. Take the 1st right onto Seminary Pl - 0.2 mi
6. Turn right onto College Ave
Destination will be on the left - 0.2 mi
126 College Ave
New Brunswick, NJ, 08901

SNEAKER CON EVENT REMINDER

For the sneaker fiends living in NYC or the tri-state area, Sneaker Con is back!  It's going down Saturday, July 13th at Pier 36.  If you're a Female Sneaker Fiend that will be in attendance, don't forget to teach the fellas and rep our slogan which is: Don't Sleep On the Ladies!!!.   

CINCINNATI SNEAKER SHOWCASE

It's that time of year again and the Cincinnati Sneaker Showcase is back!  Taking place Sunday, June 2nd from 12pm-4pm with exhibitors and vendors in the building, this will be a great way to kick off the month of June.  For tickets go to Cincyticket.com. There's also a hotel discount at Kingsgate Marriott when you mention the showcase.

Further info can be found on Cincy Sneaker Showcase

FSF Lookout

#fsflookout is something I started on my personal Instagram page.  Whenever I come across a good sneaker deal I post it along with the price and location, sometimes even with the sizes left.  So if there's someone that's interested in buying the pair, they know where to purchase it.  So here goes....

Up first, we have Adidas Attitude Logo Heart. A fresh way to welcome the summer!  On sale for $54.00 you cant go wrong. http://www.adidas.com/us/product/womens-originals-attitude-logo-heart-shoes/CP893?cid=G61012&breadcrumb=u3Z1z139loZ1z13ybjZ1z13071

Here we have Reebok Classic Legacy high.  This colorway is mean!  Accented with a touch of Gusto Green on the inside, some eyelets and the sole.  This pair is a sleeper on sale for $54.99  

http://shop.reebok.com/us/product/EI276?cid=V44442

The piece de resistance of FSF lookout today........ Vans Authentic Hi Skate for $29.99.  http://www.journeys.com/product.aspx?id=232451&sb=pa&pp=all

Happy hunting!   

Please feel free to post other deals / FSF lookout's via the comment box.  There's nothing more fun than sharing a deal with a fellow Female Sneaker Fiend.

Balling on the 4th--Crazy Light 2s

 

I do play ball on Wednesdays and tomorrow will be no exception. While I'm actually balling in my Bulls colorway adizero Crazy Lights 2s, I'm thinking this Olympic colorway is the crispest I've seen in a minute...

 

They dropped yesterday and are available (down to a men's 6) at Eastbay, Dick's Sporting Goods and adidas.com.  Happy 4th! (Don't wear 'em to a BBQ tho!)

adizero Crazy Light 2 coming out blazing!

adidas Basketball today unveiled the adizero Crazy Light 2. Weighing 9.5 ounces, it replaces its predecessor - the adizero Crazy Light  (9.8 ounces) - as the lightest shoe in basketball (nearly 10 percent lighter than the nearest competitor's. )

If it's as comfortable as the Crazy Light, which I still ball in regularly, count me in! 

 

According to adidas, the increased strength of the adizero Crazy Light 2 comes from an enlarged asymmetrical SPRINTFRAME, allowing for maximum motion control. Designers added volume to the midsole for a more supportive base.  The new aerodynamic three-layer SPRINTWEB is the thinnest ever, with a tighter web that gives players enhanced vertical and horizontal strength. Overall, the shoe's new geometry allows for maximum weight savings, energy return and motion control.
 

 

The adidas news website lists all sorts of elite men wearing these kicks: at the McDonald's All-American high school game, the men's Final Four, and the upcoming NBA playoffs. Funny, no word on the WNBA, women's Final Four or girls' Mc D All-Americans...  Come on adidas!

On sale May 24th, $140. They should start in a men's 6 or 7, which I appreciate. Check adidas.com, footlocker.com and eastbay.com.

I got the blues

I've really been feeling blue lately and not in a sad way. Blue has become the new black in my world. I've been feeling it so much I've bought some blue nail polishes and now I'm looking get me some blue kicks. Here are some of my blue favorites:

Brilliant Blue-Vans Authentic

Converse Women All star estate: Available at Rime NYC

AM90's Also Available at Rime NYC

Blue Static by Pointer

Adidas Womens Honey Hook-Available at Pick Your Shoes

 Aren't these blue's fresh? What colored sneaker are you digging right now?









PENSOLE teams with adidas to offer full-scale footwear design course

D'Wayne Edwards, Founder of Pensole

PENSOLE and adidas today announced the first full-scale class of PENSOLE, the accelerated footwear design academy, to be held at its new Portland, OR campus.

This inaugural three-week master class in partnership with adidas, called “PENSOLEOGRAPHY,” is June 4 to June 22 and open to applicants nationwide. The hands-on, intensive program is designed to share knowledge and help inspire, guide and challenge future footwear designers to reach their creative potential.

D’Wayne Edwards, a celebrated member of the global footwear community, founded PENSOLE to give talented young design students—regardless of socioeconomic background or gender—an opportunity to learn from the industry’s best, without financial barriers, and to provide the industry with a farm system for the next generation of footwear designers. (From FSF's perspective, we have seen no one more dedicated to supporting women getting into the industry!)

“PENSOLEOGRAPHY marks a very important milestone for our school,” Edwards said. “Not only is it the first full-scale class to be held at our new campus, but it’s also our first major-brand partnership for a single class.”

PENSOLEOGRAPHY’s curriculum will feature guest speakers and instructors from adidas as well as noted members from the marketing and branding segments of the industry. Core to the PENSOLEOGRAPHY course, students will be immersed in the footwear design process with a specific focus on performance design and innovation and how to bring to life creations with performance benefits.

To find out how to apply and to be considered for a full scholarship if needed, visit pensole.com.

adiZero Rose 2.5 "black and blue" colorway

Speaking of things we love about Chicago (go SnkrDivaMOB!), I'm loving these Rose 2.5s, and this colorway. I still rock my Crazy Lights, in part because the Rose 2s hurt my ankles. This design has solved that awkward ankle-dip problem with some lovely padding, while keeping much of what make the Roses eye-catching.

According to adidas, this black and blue colorway is inspired by Derrick's hard fought path to the NBA from the physical style of play at Murray Park in the Englewood neighborhood of his hometown of Chicago. Whatever it's about, I'm down for it.

It goes down to a size 6.5 men's at footlocker--woohoo! Another reason to wear adidas...
$110.

Win a piece of the Dream: Dreama's Adidas Decade lo's giveaway!

UK MC and fellow FSFer Dreama is giving away a pair of white and orange UK sz 5.5 (US 7) Adidas Decade lo's. All you have to do is answer these for questions:

1. I love a cuppa - and I have two favourite mugs featuring characters from Winnie the Pooh – Which two characters are these?
2. Which (trashy) TV Soap do I make an effort not to miss?
3. I love live music concerts! – Can you name 3 artists I have seen in concert this year?
4. I ran into a footy player this year & posted the piccy online – who was he and which football team does the man in question play for?

To enter, hit up Dreama's site: www.dreamasreality.com. Giveaway ends 1/1/2012. Good Luck!

Salute to RUN DMC ADIDAS mixtape MICK BOOGIE

The recent release of the 25th anniversary pack which was limited to 1,986 pairs naturally reminds us all of RUN DMC's historic era in hip hop, topping charts and setting a trend of wearing Adidas to another level! Nice Kicks and DJ Mick Boogie pay homage with this mixtape featuring Skillz, Bun B, Big Pooh, DJ Jazzy Jeff and others remix the classics like Rock Box, Run's House, and one of my favs Beats to the rhyme!

FOLLOW @nicekicks @mickboogie
PICS AND DOWNLOAD HERE: Nice Kicks

adidas honors Grete Waitz

Thanks adidas, for honoring Grete Waitz, an amazing marathoner who passed away this past Spring. In her heyday she won 9 New York Marathons, more than any other runner in history.



Now adidas is paying tribute to her by creating shoes in Norway-inspired colors (the one above patterned with her marathon times) and donating 100% of the profits to her AKTIV Against Cancer foundation.






Footwear will be sold at adidas' marathon booth and sport performance store in SoHo. adizero Adios 2 ($115), adizero Boston 3 ($110) and Supernova Glide 4 ($115)

Other fun marathon-inspired tees coming out too:

More fun for Chicago--Meet Derrick and Check his new Shoe!

On Saturday, October 15 basketball star Derrick Rose will introduce Chicago to his new shoe, the adiZero Rose 2. D Rose will celebrate the shoe's launch with fans at the adidas store on Michigan Avenue and the Foot Locker on State Street. (Fans are encouraged to arrive early as photo ops with Derrick are on a first come, first served basis.)

LOCATION

adidas Retail store on Michigan Ave (4th Floor)
845 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 409
Chicago, Illinois 60611
9:45-11 AM

Foot Locker on State Street
219 S. State Street
Chicago, IL 60604
12:15 - 2 PM

I can't make the event, but I will be testing my new adiZero Rose 2s the next time I get on the court! They're almost as light as the Crazy Lights, thanks to the Sprint Web technology...