Month: August 2021

In recent memory, the Vault by Vans division has been heavily focused on pushing out various collaborations with the likes of JJJJound, Aries and FDMTL. Its next initiative however, draws our attention back to its inline offerings and involves the unveiling of its newest silhouette: the Vault by Vans Boot Skoot LX. This high-cut product is built with fashion-forward intention and draws from surf boot sensibilities.The upper build is formed with three main materials including neoprene, premium leather and rubber, the latter of which make up the overlays and give the shoe premium durability and structure. The tongues bear an oversized shroud that features velcro straps which wrap around the back along with zipper closures in the rear. Side panels usher in leather side stripes which speak to the Anaheim skate label’s classic Sk8-Hi and the bottom units have been sculpted with a sleek waffle material and icy blue tint. The Vans bumper banners are placed in their usual lower heel spots and get drenched in a bold red hue.Check out a closer look up above and note that two colorways including a black/white and a white will be releasing via select Vans retailers come August 28.Looking for more sneaker news? Vans recently revealed Andrew Allen’s Authentic Hi in a duo of fresh colorways.

Nike’s Nike SNKRS app is playing host to a “CO.JP Tournament” that pits sixteen of Nike Sportswear’s most iconic CO.JP releases against one another in a single-elimination showdown that aims to crown the “best” CO.JP sneaker. Short for “Concept Japan,” CO.JP was a Japan-only NSW initiative that ran from the mid ’90s into the early ’00s. In many ways it was a precursor to the “sneaker game” as we know it today — limited regional releases, shop-exclusive collaborations and more were given a launching pad by CO.JP’s unique release and distribution tactics. “CO.JP is the architect,” Jeff Staple told HYPEBEAST in an August 2020 interview about the line. “If it wasn’t for CO.JP, you wouldn’t have quickstrikes, you wouldn’t have segmented distribution, you wouldn’t have Tier Zero releases, you wouldn’t have SNKRS.”Similar to the “Vote Back” tournament SNKRS conducted with classic models from LeBron James’ Nike Basketball line, the “CO.JP Tournament” pits 16 sneakers against one another in head-to-head matchups that lets app users select what shoes will move towards the final. Standouts include the Air Force 1 Low “UENO Sakura” from 2005, the atmos x Air Force 1 Low from 2001, the Air Max 90 “Escape” from 2002 and the Dunk Low “Un-Tiffany” from 2006 plus some cult favorites and latter-day styles that drew inspiration from CO.JP products. A full list can be seen below.Nike Air Footscape Leather “UENO City Attack” (2000)Nike Air Zoom Seismic B (2000)atmos x Nike Air Force 1 Low (2001)Nike Air Max 1 B (2002)Nike Air Rift WMNS (2002)Nike Air Max 20 “Escape” (2002)Nike Dunk High Premium (2003)Nike Air Force 1 Low “UENO Sakura” (2005)Nike Dunk Low “City Attack” Pack (2005)Nike Air Force 1 Premium (2006)Nike Dunk Low “Beast Pack” (2006)Nike Dunk Low “Un-Tiffany” (2006)Nike Air Chukka Moc WMNS “Urban Night Pack” (2008)Nike Blazer Mid Perf TZ (2009)Nike Lavadunk (2010)Nike Elite Vintage NRG (2012)Until now, CO.JP hasn’t truly had a proper return to the spotlight. Though the Air Jordan 1 “Metallic Silver” and Air Jordan 1 “Midnight Navy” — both CO.JP releases — returned to market in 2020 after nearly two decades, the tournament will give some of the most famous CO.JP models a second chance in the spotlight. At the time of writing, Nike has not announced if the winner will be put into production, but more info will likely be revealed soon.For more news on upcoming sneaker releases, be sure to check out the latest installment of HYPEBEAST’s weekly Best Footwear Drops series.

Nikehas shown plenty of love to the Air Tuned Max since it made its glorious return earlier this year by dropping it in a sizable amount of colorways. After the silhouette was revealed in a “Smoke Grey” palette, it’s now being unveiled in a muted “Black/Metal Silver” colorway that aligns with “Roadman” street style.A majority of the real estate on this iteration is draped in a solid black hue. Everything from the mesh underlays and interior liners to the mid-foot cages to the glossy, patent leather overlays that reside on the forefoot and heels is executed with a stealthy finish. ‘Metal Silver” accents also get brought to the table here in small amounts, and drop off onto the Swoosh logos on the tongues and the branding that’s embroidered into the heels. Underneath, the chiseled midsoles are proceed along with the darker-toned theme and are joined by a translucent Air unit towards the rear.Of all of the Air Tuned Max colorways that have seen the light of day this year, this specific rendition is easily the closest we’ve seen to a monochromatic version. If interested, Nike Japan has these listed as “Coming Soon” on their website, but this likely means that they’ll be launching stateside in the coming weeks.In case you missed it, on-foot images of the Nike Dunk Low “Archeo Pink” have emerged.