Month: July 2022

Following the launch of its “Bauer X” streetwear line, Bauer Hockey has turned its focus back on performance through collaboration with active recovery footwear brand OOFOS. Coming together, the duo created the “NEXT GAME” collection centered around enhancing hockey athlete recovery using advanced footwear technologies.Highlighting the pressure on ankles and joints brought on by skating, the collection features a set of slides that allow athletes to start the recovery process the minute they step off the ice. “Sport Slide – ‘The Bartlett'” and “Sport Flex” slides feature OOFOS’ OOfoam™ technology and patented arch support to absorb impact, reduce stress on the body and enable more natural movement. Receiving the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) Seal of Acceptance, OOfoam™ technology is proven to absorb 37% more impact than traditional foam materials.The Sport Slide – “The Bartlett” and Sport Flex slides are marked with co-branding and dynamic decoration associated with Bauer Hockey athletic equipment. The Sport Flex serve as a contemporary take on the classic slide, with an adjustable upper strap for a secure all-around fit. Both slide styles come in junior and senior sizes.”As the leader in Active Recovery footwear, OOFOS is dedicated to maximizing athlete performance,” said Steve Gallo, President of OOFOS. “There is no better feeling than pulling off skates after a tough game or training session and stepping into a pair of OOFOS. We share Bauer’s commitment to player performance and are thrilled to work together to help boost recovery between skating sessions and make it easier for hockey players to perform at their best, day after day.””Bauer and OOFOS are both hyper-focused on the performance of the athlete. Recovery is integral to performance, and it’s a growing focus for athletes at all levels of the game,” said Brad James, Senior Director of Strategy at Bauer. “Hockey players wear skates nearly all year, and when summer hits, athletes often switch to footwear that offers little to no support. Our NEXT GAME slides provide the opportunity for Active Recovery and support so that athletes maintain their strength between seasons and optimize performance between training and games during the season.”The Bauer Hockey x OOFOS “NEXT GAME” collection of slides will be available starting July 22 via Bauer, OOFOS and at select hocket specialty retailers.For more footwear news, images of the Stüssy x Nike Air Max 2015 “Black” and “Pink” surface.

Kyle Ng’s Brain Dead is in its element, as it follows up from its Vans collaboration, Vibram FiveFingers Geta, and the release of its Spring/Summer 2022 collection with yet another collaboration, this time around working with THEM SKATES.Founded by Jon Julio, THEM SKATES is the offshoot brand from THEM GOODS, an independently-owned label with its roots in rollerskating and skateboarding.For the collaboration, Brain Dead takes THEM SKATES’ 80mm big wheel frame and applies its signature aesthetic all over. Branded wheels and a brown and baby blue colorway that sees the TPU Impact Resistant plastic UFS street skating frame sport a yellow firey pattern throughout it — looking a bit like a special-edition vinyl record if anything — combine on the pair, while THEM SKATES’ branding sits embossed on the uppers alongside a print of the Brain Dead head logo on the rear collar.Baby blue laces and a black synthetic padded collar complete the look, but that’s not everything for Brain Dead. Coinciding with the launch, the label is premiering Dear Audrey, a video premier and skate release that will air at Brain Dead Studios in Fairfax, Los Angeles.A full range of skates are set to release on Brain Dead’s website on Tuesday, July 26, at 10 a.m. PST, while the collaborative rollerskates seen above are available on THEM SKATES’ site now for $399.99 USD. View this post on InstagramA post shared by @wearebraindeadIn case you missed it, take a look at the MSCHF Gobstomper “Jimmy Fallon Edition” on foot.

Virgil Abloh’s posthumous Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2022 show brought together a medley of the late designer’s greatest hits, and littered throughout the show was a strong presence of accessories. We’ve had the Paint Can Bag, and now Louis Vuitton unveils its LV Trainer 2, a high-top take on the first sneaker to take off during Abloh’s tenure.The original LV Trainer takes from the world of skateboarding, serving a chunky low-top design that’s infiltrated with house cues all over. For the second iteration, Louis Vuitton looks to basketball, presenting a high-top sneaker that has clear references to the Air Jordan VIII, mostly because of its strap that runs over the tongue.As for the tongue itself, you’ll find a custom LV basketball insignia sitting on top of the padded piece, while more padding has been added to the collar in true basketball fashion. The theme is continued around the rear where a heel piece sports the same basketball logo, as well as on the medial side where a panel of perforated padding can be found.Reflecting this on the lateral is the LV logo, while further touches of this appear on the tongue. LV’s floral monogram graces the vamp and the rear section of the multi-piece sole unit, while tonal Louis Vuitton branding is printed onto the tongue straps across both feet.As expected, Louis Vuitton has left no detail unturned, which results in a seven-hour-long process to stitch the pair alone. Take a look at the Louis Vuitton LV Trainer 2 in its black and white colorways above, and purchase the pair in-store and online now for £1,140 GBP/$1,660 USD.For more LV goodness, take a look at its latest selection of $2,000 USD socks.