Alert! Nike and Cole Haan To Eliminate Use of Exotic Skins

I ran upon this article on Sneakerobsession and the subject definitely caught my attention. First and foremost, both brands are widely known for everything that their shoes provide such as its use for function providing comfort and the look of the shoe itself, providing the fashion. Just recently Nike and their affiliate, Cole Haan, whom they bought in 1988, decided to stop selling products made from exotic skins after PETA presented Nike with video footage from an undercover sting in Asia exposing the horrific suffering caused by the exotic-skins industry. Upon reviewing the footage, the company decided to never use exotic skins again, starting with their Fall/Winter 2010 collection....and rightfully so. Nike’s revised company policy says, “Animal Skins must not be any species considered to be exotic. Examples include, but are not limited to alligator, crocodile, lizard, snake, ostrich, fish, marine mammals, etc.”

There is a partial video as to what was actually seen by Nike that you can view. After seeing the video, myself, I could not fathom what happened to those animals. The treatment is unbearable cruelty and there is no wonder as to why Nike chose to stop selling their shoes with exotic skin. I will say watch at your own risk. The footage is pretty graphic, but this is the true reality of how people can manage to have the luxury through certain animal skins.

Futuristic.Biker.Style

Moccasin Inspired

 

Via hypebeast

Watermelon Frenzy

Check the blog out via http://dennysworld.tumblr.com/

Watermelon Vans $45 Vans.com

Lookbook Style

 

Check his blog out via http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniele268 

                             Puma Kicks

Amazing LV Kicks!

While stumbling through hypebeast, I found this street shot that ABSOLUTELY had to be seen....

Hupbox v1 Clear Shoe Box

Ever imagined a shoebox that allows an array of hues to pop out at you just from looking at the box? Well, Eugene Kan, hypebeast editor, and others decided to give you the option with the new HUPBOX v1 Clear Shoebox. The Hupbox v1 Clear Shoe Box is constructed with high-quality acrylic, and offers an unhindered 360 degree view from all angles of your fav kicks with measurements in at 13 1/8 in x 9 1/4 in x 4 13/16 in (approximately 33.3 cm x 23.5 cm x 12.2 cm) fitting up to a US size of 12. The boxes are now available at HUPBOX.com with a retail price of $40 USD.

 

  

  

Photos courtesy of hypebeast.com

Reebok Zigtech Shoes

Want a shoe that helps in empowering your legs and enabling full force speed without too much strain on them? Check out Reebok's newest technology buzz, the Zigtech. Debuting on March 11, the shoe is considered "an energy drink for your feet" being the most technologically advanced running and trained shoe. The concept of the Zigtech shoe is all in the zig-shaped foam sole that helps absorb energy from initial takeoff and transfers the energy to the forefront of the shoe whilst providing a "soft and springy" stride which also helps sustain energy for the athlete.

 

Reebok says the technology in the Zigtech shoe causes up to 20 percent less wear and tear on key leg muscles, being particularly shins and hamstrings.

 Bill McInnis, Reebok's head of advanced innovation says, "Traditional energy return is focused only on the vertical impact of the heel strike. In contrast, ZigTech is designed to transfer energy horizontally along the `zigs,' so the athlete gets that energy back in the forefoot."

Peyton Manning says this about the Zigtech:
 “Shin splints are extremely common for pro athletes like me. Wearing ZigTechs give players a bounce, an energy that lets us train longer with less strain on key leg muscles, like shins. This ultimately enables athletes to stay healthier during the season.”

The shoe is will be selling March 11 at select retailers such as Finishline, Footlocker, and Reebok.com for a suggested retail price of $100 USD.

Also! If you were paying attention on the sidelines of Super Bowl XLIV, then you noticed that both coaches of the Superbowl, Jim Caldwell and Sean Payton, were already sporting the Zigtech shoe. Recently Reebok set an auction up for the Zigtech shoes that were worn by each coach with their signature autographs on them. You can check it out on BiddingforGood.com. Some days are left as the auction will be held from February 11, 2010 to February 21, 2010. The proceeds will go to Sean Payton’s Play It Forward Foundation and the Jim & Cheryl Caldwell Foundation.

 

  

 

  

  

 

Photos via solecollector

Air Jordan VI White Black Release in March

The Jordan Retro VI will be released at Foot Locker and House of Hoops stores on Saturday, March 20.

 Provided in the colorway, the upper is a combination of white leather and black suede and the outsole is partially translucent. White speckles contribute to the black midsole and spoiler.

 

Photos courtesy of  Footlocker

“Copper” Nike Air Foampsite Midnight Release

Just yesterday (02/13), Nike released the highly anticipated "Copper" Nike Air Foampsite to select retailers across the US. The shoe started selling exclusively at midnight at the New York Footlocker on 120 West 34th Street with a price of $200. The shoe features a copper colorway with black accents and a fully translucent sole which is considered to be an important aspect of the shoe itself.

 

  

  

  

Photos courtesy of kicksonfire

Vans 2011 AWT Collection

Many footwear companies have already produced upcoming lines way ahead of schedule. Vans are definitely not too far behind. Vans is already giving us a preview into the company’s 2011 AWT Collection from it’s Snow division offering three models: Chuikka Low, Mountain Edition, and a newly developed Switchback. All have a similar colorway with a variety of technical details including 3m Scotchguard infused premium leather, fully gusseted tongue to keep out moisture and debris, thick water repelling shoe laces, and an inverted waffle sole for superior traction.

 

 

Photos courtesy of www.solecollector,com