We already get plenty of blog teasing from JD Sports and their many wonderful Air Max collabo sneakers.  Recently, Uniform Experiment worked with Nike on a variant of the “Special Force” boots.  These were originally intended for our troops.  With that in mind, noticeable is the Nike Free sole.  But include Kevlar sheath, premium uppers and Natural Motion Cushioning units and you’ve got yourself a very technical boot.  As a part of this collabo, Uniform Experiment and Nike are also offering a brief case with the same design cues.  Here comes the bad news.  Unless you’re near a Soph or Isetan brick and mortar, these will not available anywhere else.

Image Source: Sneaker News via Hypebeast

With winter slowing creep up, its nice to know Nike’s ACG line has a new colorway for the Air Max Abasi boots.  With elements taken from the Safari printed AM90 boots and the Air Max 180, these Air Max Abasi’s are tough.  I simply love the nubuck olive green with carbon fiber accents.  As of right now, theres a limited amount of sizes available at Mad C in Japan.  But I’m sure a lot of us are hoping that some local quickstrike account will get them soon.

Image Source: Sneaker News via Mad C

Ever since the tier zero 3 Decades of Cushioning and Tech Pack Air Max 90’s, I’ve felt the need to own Nikes with a black base and contrasting accents.  From afar, the colorway combo may only consists of black and volt.  But take a closer look and you’ll see a splatter pattern was snuck into the outer ankle collar.  Theres no confirmed date of a US release, nor a seasonal time frame attached to it.  So we’ll all just have to keep our eyes peeled.  And its been a hot minute since I’ve bought any pair of Air Maxes.

Image Source: Sneaker News via in52

Its not quite spring 2010 yet, but Nike already has these pair of Air Max 95 samples for Nike Running fans to salivate over.  The usage of snake skin (0r any animal print) is nothing new, but incorporating them subtlety as opposed to being the main attraction is a definitely a good start for 2010.  Noteworthy is how the snake skin comes in a dark grey and metallic colorways.  Currently a pair in size 9 is available at cigar0330’s ebay.  But I’m sure quickstrike accounts across the globe will be receiving them shortly after.

Image Source: Sneaker News via cigar0330

Nike comes out with an abundance of Air Max heat come 4th quarter.  As seen in the gallery below and image above, the Air Max family receives a bit of hybrid treatment as well as new colorways for existing fan favorites.  As discussed before, hybrids can be a hit or miss.  The Air Maxim x Air Trainer 1 and Air Huarache x Am90 Currents are definitely a hit.  Air Trainer 1 fans would appreciate the return of the chlorophyll colorway with AM1 characteristics.  As for me, the Air Max 90 Current x Huaraches really hit the spot as I love the pairing of the two lightweight sneakers.  And I’m sure Dave would agree the DQM colorway is ridiculous.  Look out for these hybrids, AM1’s, Air Structure Triaxes come this winter.

Image Source: Sneaker News via Unheardof

Coming out this weekend is a pair of summer time Uptowns.  The upper consists of mainly all white leather.  However, the outsole receives a translucent “UNC” blue treatment which reveals the air unit.  And as mentioned in the title, this marks another hybrid sneaker coming from Nike.  After successful rounds of mating Air Force and Air Max, Nike is now integrating Huarache ACG with Air Force Ones.  For this particular sneaker, the mesh tongue with “Huarache ACG” logo is the dead giveaway.  Overall, its a clean execution with a solid colorway.  I can’t wait to see these at a local quickstrike account.

Image Source: NiceKicks.com

Another one of my favorite Nike running sneakers, the Nike Air Presto, makes a comeback for 2009.  The “T-shirt made for the feet” made quite the impression back in the early 2000s with its overall lightweight frame and non numeric sizing.   If I recall correctly, they were quite affordable as well.  Comfort and the price tag made it easy to pass up on any pair of Air Maxes back then.  The above Air Presto may seem kinda bare with a black and white colorway, but I wouldn’t be surprised if ten more colorways come out before Spring 09.

Image Source: SLAMXHYPE via chajinyoung.com

So I had my arm twisted by my cousin to highlight the top 5 sneaker releases of 2008.  Selecting just 5 is a tough feat as I love a lot of sneakers in all sizes and shape.  In no particular order, below are my top 5 favorite releases for 2008.  Longtime Killahbeez readers will notice that I’ve expanded beyond the almighty Air Max 90.  Here goes…

In 2008 (and 07 too), Uptowns were being pushed out by Nike like hot cakes.  I’ve gave mention to pairs in canvas and Air Max inspired Uptowns.  But if I had to pick one pair that I’d rock in almost any season, it would be the Nike Air Force 1 “WP”.  Aside from the waterproofing feature, I just love the colorway combination of olive khaki, light brown and white.  Nowadays with my means of travel being my two feet, i walk a lot.  My interest was heightened with news that the “.44 Sticky Rubber” means I’ll decrease my chances of falling on my ass during inclement weather.

I first spotted the In4mation x Vans Half Cab on the Off The Wall Site Forum around summer time.  I mean just look at them.  Mate the most comfortable pair of Vans and add denim, gum houndstooth lining and laces.  Vans have broke my wallet on several occasions this year and these will be another reason why it’s still rather light these days.

My very first pair of ALIFE “Everybody” mids were courtesy of Dave.  I gave him the heads up that Wu Tang was doing a collabo tee and sneaker with this brand called ALIFE.  His nerd juices were overflowing with joy that he made haste and copped 2 pairs and 2 shirts.  Two years later, ALIFE is still making classy sneakers.  Although, there are more silhouettes to gawk at while paying a visit to Rivington Club or ALIFE NYC next door, the Everybody Mid still remains my all time favorite.  Just take a look at the tweed mids below.

Last winter, Y-3 opened its doors to its New York flagship shop.  To commemorate this moment, 50 pairs of the below denim meets leather high tops were sold.  $500 dollars may sound hard to swallow.  But at an extremely small run for such a graceful pair of footwear, it would’ve been “nice to met them” and copped them in a heartbeat.  On a side note, Y-3 shoes are extremely comfortable.  Don’t let the sole fool you.

Another big theme for the past few years with Nike were hybrids.  Remember the One Time Only’s circa September 2006?  Which then became two time only’s only to continue due to the popularity of mating the 360 sole with previous Air Maxes.  Years down the road, Nike killed it with hybrid this and fusion that.  Some were hits while others were complete misses. The below Nike Free Boot is part ACG Mowabb, looks to be part Considered, but definitely a hit in my book.

For those wondering where’s the love for the AM90’s??? I’ve actually considered putting up the History of Air AM90s, but do I really need to spotlight a shoe thats been retroed several times now? It’s in its own category of classic.  The above 5 are my tried and true pairs (in one way or another) for 2008.  Feel free to comment with your own top 5.

The safari print and Nike Air Max go hand in hand.  We’ve seen endless amounts of it on AM1’s and AM90’s.  With some recent releases, I’ve felt there was overkill in the print and not enough of other textures to balance things out.  My idea of the perfect Safari Air Maxes are the August 2004 sable green with light graphite safari on the mud guard Am90’s.  They were re-released again in August of 2007 as a Nike Boot hybrid.  With a fair share of nubuck mated with the safari print, it was hard not to fall in love.  So why am I highlighting the above release?  Thanks to great photography from Proper and Nike’s keen sense of colorway and material combo, I am forced to take back what I said about wayyy too much Safari print.  If you’re feeling these, give Proper a call or simply head down to their shop.

Image Source: proper