AIR JORDAN 1

Since 1985, Michael Jordan and Nike have redefined footwear with the introduction of the Air Jordan 1, and because of this monumental delivery, many tend to overlook another silhouette released that year, the Nike Dunk. But as we know today, the Dunk prevailed and is just as popular today compared to its original debut. The Nike Dunk and Air Jordan 1 have similar qualities but are distinctly different and sought-after by many. Most recently, Nike has been focusing on releasing new colorways of the AJ1, and to garner traction, the latest version resembles one of the rarest Dunks ever- the ‘Wu-Tang.’ 

Since 1985, Michael Jordan and Nike have redefined footwear with the introduction of the Air Jordan 1, and because of this monumental delivery, many tend to overlook another silhouette released that year, the Nike Dunk. But as we know today, the Dunk prevailed and is just as popular today compared to its original debut. The Nike Dunk and Air Jordan 1 have similar qualities but are distinctly different and sought-after by many. Most recently, Nike has been focusing on releasing new colorways of the AJ1, and to garner traction, the latest version resembles one of the rarest Dunks ever- the ‘Wu-Tang.’ 

Reminiscent of the original, the latest Jordan 1 is featured in a full leather construction. A bold black leather base is treated with a tumble application for a slight textured difference compared to the bright yellow leather overlays. This yellow hue is transferred onto the flat cotton laces and signature imagery for a cohesive and monochromatic finish. The Jordan Wings insignia is placed at the collar while the inimitable Swoosh can be seen stitched at the side panels. The rubber outsole takes part in the traditional color blocking template as white and yellow harmoniously work together to create its signature look. Lastly, the sneaker is completed with a cushioned midsole that is emphasized by Nike’s Air technology. Upgraded and redeveloped over time, Nike’s Air cushioning has been providing distinct comfort that cannot be replicated. Its secure and distinct fit is beloved by many and the introduction of the sought-after color combination makes the ‘Pollen’ an even more desired sneaker. Many anticipate more releases of signature colorways as this is just the beginning of Nike’s Fall 2021 lineup. 

Grab a more detailed look at the Air Jordan 1 High OG ‘Pollen’ above. Ready to secure your pair? Follow the instructions below to enter the draw and to shop all of our other current releases. 

Feature Release – Saturday, August 14th

AIR JORDAN 4 RETRO ‘LIGHTNING’

Designed by footwear mastermind, Tinker Hatfield, the Air Jordan IV has set the standards pretty high for Jordan sneakers. Its unique design provided a streamlined and lighter weight compared to predecessors but ultimately reverted to the signature aesthetic commonly seen within the footwear lineup. When the sneaker was originally released in 1989, four colorways were included and had a high retail price of $100- making it one of the most expensive basketball shoes on the market at the time. But that didn’t prevent people from buying, as it hit the nail with basketball and Jordan fans. Its signature wing support system and webbed paneling were unseen in previous pairs and highly desired by enthusiasts. In addition to the unique design, the sneaker was performing well due to Michael Jordan’s outstanding athleticism. During this year he had his best statistics ever and dominated the hardwood floor during the playoffs. With everything combined, the Air Jordan 4 was a major success and continues to be a favorite in many sneaker lineups. 

Because of its popularity, Jordan Brand is set to re-introduce a beloved colorway nicknamed, ‘Lightning.’ First debuted in 2006, the Air Jordan 4 Retro ‘Lightning’ was exclusively released on Jumpman23.com with its sneaker counterpart known as ‘Thunder.’ Since then, the Air Jordan 4 Retro ‘Thunder’ saw a release in 2012 but it didn’t include the ‘Lightning’ variant. 15 years later, Jordan is set to launch the Air Jordan 4 Retro ‘Lightning’ once again. 

Reminiscent of its 2006 release, this sneaker is met with quality construction as seen with its complete nubuck upper in the colorway ‘Tour Yellow.’ To contrast the lively base, accents of ‘Dark Blue Grey’ make an appearance on the winged lacing system while the webbed paneling is dressed in a deep black finish. The iconic Jumpman branding is woven on the tongue which corresponds with the embossed version on the back of the heel. All of the colors come together with a tonal rubber outsole that offers a neutral approach. The inner cushioning includes Nike’s Air technology which is emphasized with the transparent bubble at the heel. Nike’s cushioning elevates traditional midsoles as they provide optimal responsiveness for a propelling effect with each step. 

Grab a more detailed look at the Air Jordan 4 Retro ‘Lightning’ above. The sneaker will be available in adult, toddler, pre-school, and grade-school sizing. Ready to secure your pair? Follow the instructions below to enter the draw and to shop all of our other current releases.

Feature Release – Saturday, August 28th

AIR JORDAN 1

‘SEAFOAM’

The timeless design of the Air Jordan 1 has become a go-to style every year since its inception in 1985. Created by Peter Moore, the Jordan 1 not only redefined basketball styles but also introduced the potential footwear companies had when pairing up with notable names. When Nike signed Michael Jordan and released their sneaker, sales skyrocketed as fans wanted to be just like Jordan. Wearing the same sneakers that Michael Jordan was wearing on the hardwood basketball court was life-changing, making the AJ1 even more popular during its debut. In hopes to make more of an impact within the basketball industry, Nike continues partnering with renowned athletes. Some of the names on Nike’s basketball roster include Paul George, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

Because of the Air Jordan 1’s great impact, Nike constantly produces iconic versions of the silhouette, and in 2021 the footwear giant re-introduced sought-after colors and new combinations; making it a big year for Nike. Hues including ‘Neutral Grey,’ ‘University Blue,’ and ‘Hyper Royal’ are some of the palettes that were major hits this year, and recently Travis Scott, Fragment Design, and Nike released their own version of the silhouette. As summer starts to wrap up, Nike is releasing their final silhouettes for the season which includes the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG in the colorway ‘Seafoam.’ Taking inspiration from the calming sensation of the color sage, the sneaker features a pastel overlay with corresponding orange and white laces.

Its traditional construction is emphasized as a white leather base is seen at the upper while smooth suede overlays contrast the overall design.The ethereal hue of Seafoam compliments the bold color blocking at the laces for a neutral finish. The toebox is detailed with traditional perforated hotels for enhanced airflow during wear times; allowing the foot to breathe and experience a comfortable sensation. Nike’s Air technology is also featured within its development for a responsive jolt of energy that can be felt with each step. A clean white rubber outsole is perfectly paired with cotton laces for a secured fit. Perfect for warmer temperatures, the sneaker will be available in women’s and kids’ sizing. In addition to the ‘Seafoam’ colorway, Nike is also planning to release more Air Jordans with their Fall 2021 collection. The latest addition from the fall collection will be the Air Jordan 1 ‘Pollen.’ 

Grab a more detailed look at the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG ‘Seafoam’ above. Ready to secure your pair? Follow the instructions below to enter the draw and to shop all of our other current releases. 

Feature Release – Thursday, August 12th

The Nike Dunk

The Nike Dunk needs little introduction as its monumental history spanning over 36 years has trailblazed footwear, fashion, and lifestyle culture. The sneaker’s yearlong paradigms have shifted the way we’ve looked at footwear and because of its great impact, we’d like to visit the origins of the silhouette in addition to its significant designs and releases. 

A young and hungry team of innovators were looking for the next basketball sneaker and with the recent release of the Air Jordan 1 and the growing popularity in the sport, it became difficult to declare a new and innovative design. Amongst the team was Peter Moore, a footwear designer that is now accredited as one of the greatest as he has developed the first Jordan sneaker. Instead of recreating a sneaker from the ground up, they combined the workings of the Air Force 1, The Terminator, and the Air Jordan 1 into one sneaker. When combined, we are introduced to the original Nike Dunk. A shoe made with a leather base with corresponding overlays that stand out against a rubber outsole and padded high-top collar or sleek low-cut design. Because the Dunk resembled the Air Jordan 1, they wanted to attract a basketball audience, and to do so they aimed for D1 universities in hopes to showcase a new side of the sport. 

1985 is known as the Golden Year for basketball as a young Michael Jordan dominated the hardwood court and showcased impeccable athleticism unseen in previous players. The sport was hot and Nike knew that this was the time to introduce their Dunk sneaker. The first-ever debut of the sneaker came in a series titled, ‘Be True To Your School.’ A collaborative effort between Nike and D1 universities in hopes that the newly designed sneaker would take off. Each sneaker would be given corresponding colors to the universities and can be worn by not only the players but also the fans. The University of Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Georgetown, St. John’s, UNLV, and Syracuse were the first colleges to confirm Dunk High as their official team shoe. Nerves began to grow as the release date neared but they soon dissipated as they became a ‘slam dunk.’ This was a non-traditional marketing strategy that landed with consumers as the shoes both supported the players and college at the same time. The ‘Be True’ pack would put the Dunk on the map (and as we fast forward to the present, it will become one of the most coveted sneakers of all time.)

As time progressed, so did footwear technology and the Dunk would become overshadowed by Jordan releases and upcoming brands. But instead of instantly falling to its demise, Nike would have a plan to reenvision the silhouette in hopes its longevity would prevail; and in 1999 the Dunk Pro B will make its debut but instead of honing down on college athletes, they would give the sneaker a new market that was not only experimental but a true test to Nike’s name.

‘CO.JP’ SERIES 1999 

In 1999 as the Dunk started to gain traction again, Nike looks towards Japan to release an exclusive that could only be obtained at specified shops in Japan. Known as ‘CO.JP’ or Concept Japan, Nike knew how eager the country was for sneakers and loved the Dunk long before its SB counterpart. Nike appreciated the Dunk community and decided to exclusively release the ‘Ultraman’ colorway which was inspired by the Japanese sci-fi hero. Resembling the same colorway of the UNLV Dunk from the ‘Be True To Your School Pack,’ this particular sneaker was predominantly grey and featured a classic slim tongue and perforated toebox. This sneaker kicked off the Japan-exclusive series but it was also the first shoe that garnered popularity across the globe as people from other countries were trying their best to secure a pair. 

‘UGLY DUCKLING PACK’ 2001

Similar to the ‘Ultraman,’ Nike continued to release exclusives with Japan and in 2001 the ‘Ugly Duckling Pack’ hit the shelves. This pack was unique in comparison to previous pairs as it introduced the Pro B line of Dunks; highlighting the fat laces and suede overlays. Three colorways were introduced and they all contained unorthodox color blocking that contrasted the typical tonal palettes; ‘Plum’ featured purple, grey, and red, ‘Ceramic’ is dressed with a brown base and bright green and blue overlays, and finally ‘Veneer’ championed colors of orange and green that perfectly contrasted the black upper. The pack isn’t officially paired together but when introduced many grouped them due to their eccentric palette and materials. With little hope on seeing another release, Nike brought back a retro version of the ‘Plum’ in 2020 and is rumored to release similar variants of the other colors. 

FUTURA X NIKE DUNK HIGH ‘FLOM’ 2004 

Leonard Hilton McGurr, also known as Futura, is famed for being one of the founding fathers of the graffiti movement in New York City.  Beginning his artistic journey in the 70s, Futura belonged to a group of emerging artists which contained Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. In 2004 the opportunity was presented to McGurr to create an exclusive pair of Dunks that would only be available to friends and family. The sneaker would be given the nickname ‘FLOM’ as an acronym for, ‘For Love Or Money.’ Designed with different denominations of money from around the world, the sneaker was designed with fat laces, suede overlays, and exclusive branding at the heel and tongue. It would be extremely rare to come across this pair but many still dream of acquiring it within their collection.

SOLE COLLECTOR X NIKE DUNK HIGH ‘VEGAS’ 2006

Respected sneaker publication, Sole Collector, was well versed in footwear for a very long time. OG collectors would immerse themselves in forums and magazines to stay up to date on all the latest styles and releases. To showcase the dedication of collectors and the community- Sole Collector would hold yearly events at NikeTowns across the country. In 2006 Sole Collectors would hold their grand finale event within Ceasar Palace’s NikeTown in Las Vegas, Nevada. Enthusiast and collectors would come together and present their collections, showcase rare sneakers, and rejoice with similar individuals. During this event, the duo would come together to produce 400 pairs of an exclusive Nike Dunk High that would only be available if you waited in line to secure a pair. The Dunk High was designed with crocodile leather and patent overlays with 3M reflective material.

When the sneaker is exposed to light, the upper would unveil different images throughout sneaker culture. When the sneaker hit the internet, many were completely in awe as it took the sneaker to the next level. In addition to the High, winners of the event were given a Low version with similar reflective details but a pink and black color palette. It is unknown as to how many were given out but it is rumored to be under 10 pairs. These moments were trivial in sneaker culture as they grew the community even more.