Author: Sneaker Blogger

Esteemed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and ASICS have reunited for a second iteration of their popular Metaride AMU collaboration. Boasting a unique upper that draws from traditional Japanese bamboo knitting and a sandy color scheme inspired by Kuma’s lifelong love of the Sahara Desert, the new style serves as an apt follow-up to the two’s inagural Metaride AMU project from 2019.The shoe’s socklike knit upper provides a flexible, breathable fit and is cocooned in layered leather strips. Apart from supplying a latticed look that nods to traditional bamboo weaving with its bending, crossing shapes, this assemblage provides extra structure and even forms an ASICS Tiger stripe on the lateral and medial sides. A toggle lacing system often seen on hiking footwear is spread across the top of the foot for a customizable fit, and co-branded cork insoles supply a hidden dash of flair.Sail-colored heel tabs are made of Japanse washi thread, and boast Metaride AMU branding to contrast the ASICS hit on the aforementioned overlays. Down below, the midsole is split into two main pieces — one with a wood grain-like finish that’s made of Flytefoam, the other with uses a standard white shade and Flytefoam Propel tech. A thin layer of GEL is sandwiched in between these materials on the heel, and a cored-out midfoot cuts weight for a finishing touch of style.Look for Kengo Kuma and ASICS’ Metaride AMU to release via ASICS Japan on March 12 and again come March 19. The MSRP is set at a tax-included ¥39,600 JPY (approximately $374 USD). For more footwear news, take a look at Under Armour’s “fastest running shoe yet,” the Flow Velociti Wind.

Given Nike’s deep-rooted history in footwear, the brand possesses an extensive list of archival runners that it can revive in retro form. This season, the Swoosh is calling for the return of the Waffle Trainer 2 — a silhouette which originally hit the sneaker scene back in the 1970s — and fashioning it in “Midnight Navy” and “Starfish” color schemes.Let’s first dive into the “Midnight Navy” installment. Save for the bold “Max Orange” leather Swooshes, the top half is prepared with “Midnight Navy” nylon base builds propped next to “Mystic Navy” suede overlays. Vintage elements arrive atop the tongues which come with an aged aesthetic and classical Nike Sportswear logos. Additional cues to point out include the “Sail” shoe strings and stark black “Nike” branding spelled out across the heel. If this colorway seems a bit familiar to you, that’s because Neo Soul singer-songwriter Frank Ocean was previously spotted out rocking a pair of the OG rendition.Moving over to its release sibling, the “Starfish” offering is once of even louder thematics. While the same set of materials are kept consistent, this low-profile variation paints over its suede overlays and nylon bases in its titular hue, and offsets with solid black Swooshes and heightened heel overlays. Retro qualities such as the foam tongues and throwback Nike insignias are also adopted, while the heel’s branding is coated in dark grey.Both options are supported down under with off-white midsoles and waffle treading to channel an authentic 1970’s look.Check out an in-depth look at each pair here, and note that Nike SNKRS Japan is dropping them on February 28, 2021 for ￥12,100 (approx. $114 USD)Want more Nike news? Bodega-inspired Air Force 1 colorways have just been revealed.

After debuting a Krusty Burger-focused ZX 10000, The Simpsons and adidas are moving from food to beverage with a new Superstar “Squishee” and ZX 1000 “Flaming Moe’s.” Besides the ever-present Duff, the Squishee and “Flaming Moe’s” are two of the most famed beverages in Simpsons lore, and each is explored in great detail on its respective adidas Originals sneaker.A signature drink from Apu’s Kwik-E-Mart, the sugar-packed Squishee is transposed onto the Superstar in sweet style. Uppers use a green shade with a white oval on the quarter to represent the Squishee’s jumbo cup, while orange Three Stripe graphics and heel details plus pink laces nod to some of its flavors. Many pieces are bordered with thick black lines, a clever nod to The Simpsons’ signature animation style. The most direct call-outs to the drink arrive on the tongue and throat, by way of a Kwik-E-Mart graphic and a special enamel Squishee lace deubre. Icy blue-green toe caps and outsoles round off the look. First introduced in the tenth episode of The Simpsons’ third season, the ZX 1000 “Flaming Moe’s” nods to a drink invented by Homer Simpson that was stolen and renamed by Moe Szyslak of Moe’s Tavern. Made by combining Krusty the Clown-branded cough syrup with liquor and lighting it on fire, the drink — and the shoe it inspired — boasts a rich purple shade and blazing red accents. The thick black trim used on the Superstar returns, surrounding an upper made of purple mesh and suede. Red-orange detailing hits the midfoot and heel, and the former piece also boasts a fiery embroidered overlay. A “Flaming Moe’s” tongue graphic and special lace deubre complete the top half, with a white midsole rounding off the look.The Simpsons and adidas have yet to announce a launch date for their new collaborative projects, but both will likely arrive this spring.For more footwear news, check out a new see-through Superstar that channels some major Blondey vibes.