A Bathing Ape

One of the most coveted sneakers for years was the Bathing Ape shoe. I used to want these sneakers during high school and even middle school. An extremely rare shoe, A Bathing Ape is only available in New York. The sneakers are also expensive, some on sale for $300. They also had the most intricate and flamboyant color ways. Although they had a similar design to Nike's shoes, such as the Air Force One, these shoes were special to me because of the star that was replaced the Nike Swoosh. Their exclusiveness also made them more desired and valued. Only one kid in my high school had a pair of Bapes. I do not think that Bape can make a comeback with their shoes, however, because they were more of a fad than a stylish shoe. Wearing a shoe with  outlandish color designs today would just seem tacky and would not be as appreciated as before. Additionally, the Bape brand has faded and is no longer regarded or valued. It is ironic to observe how trends can be popular for a certain amount of time and then forgotten later. This is why style will always be appreciated more than trendiness. Style is timeless and can never be duplicated, while trendiness only receives recognition for the time that it is "in." This is why I resort to buying sneakers based on my own personal interest in them and not because of the hype around them. Originality is much more valuable than imitation.

Adidas Equipment

One Adidas sneaker that I've always wanted was the Adidas Equipment. This was a basketball shoe that came in many different colorways and had a matching inner sleeve for your feet. It also was very supportive on the court. Off the court, people wore it simply for style and to match their clothes. The Equipment's were released around my freshman year of high school. They sold for $150. What I liked most about these shoes though, were their intricate colorways. There seemed to be a colorway that could go with every NBA team. I am not sure if they will ever be released again in the future, but I hope that they do come out. No rumors or information on the internet indicates or predicts another release. These are a pair of shoes that I regret missing out on, also because they are the only pair of Adidas's that I would buy. The Adidas sneakers being sold today are not as supportive, stylish or exclusive. The only shoe by Adidas that is somewhat relevant now is the Derrick Rose sneaker, but even those are not worth buying. They are a good basketball shoe because they are light, but I feel that that they are not that supportive. I need a shoe that gives strength to my feet when I'm on the court. I don't want to feel like I'm playing in slippers. Until Adidas releases the Equipment's, or another shoe that is as fresh and supportive, I will not buy Adidas basketball sneakers.

True

I wasn't aware that True Religion also sold sneakers until I saw them for sale at a local Journey's. Surprisingly, the shoes are much less than the True Religion jeans, only going for $60. The jeans usually sell for $200 plus. I have never been a fan of True Religion's and the sneakers don't have much of an appeal to me. Their design is more of a rugged, more detailed pair of Converse Chuch Taylor's. I also notice that the material is of low quality. For such a luxurious brand, I expected the sneakers to at least live up to the name. I was disappointed when I discovered these shoes. However, there were still people excited to buy them. What does this say about our society? Are we willing to spend our hard earned money on name brands and not on quality? Would we buy a product merely for the title that it bears, regardless of how it looks and its design? This pattern is also similar in purchases of the more recent Jordan releases. Many people bought the Jordan 14's that were released a few months ago in the white and red colorway. The shoe was made of poor quality, yet many people bought it because it was a Jordan sneaker. This is probably why True Religion shoes are cheaper than the jeans. Owners of the company know that more people will buy the shoe at a decent price, only because of the brand name and will ignore its quality and appearance.

MJ & Adidas

Recently, I just watched a video which discussed how Adidas turned Michael Jordan down on a sneaker deal. This is how Nike acquire Jordan and gave him his sneaker line. I  was shocked by Adidas's decision. They overlooked the greatest basketball player to ever play the game! Now his shoes are the hottest on the market, selling out as soon as they hit stores. Adidas must heavily regret the decision they made. Not only for the money their business could have made, but also the legacy that they could have created. Their rejection of Jordan most likely served as a motivation factor for him to be the greatest and to launch such a successful sneaker campaign. As I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs, in Jordan's first season, he was fined by the NBA for every game in which he wore his own sneakers. Finally, the NBA came to accept him having and wearing Jordans. It is remarkable how a dream can begin so overlooked, questioned and rejected and then grow into something successful and unforgettable. Now, the Jordan Brand is even more popular than Adidas. In surveying some of my friends, I found that most would prefer a pair of Jordans over the most popular and stylish Adidas shoe. Any sneaker with a Jumpman logo is well respected throughout the sneaker head community. I personally would definitely rock a pair of J's before I put on any pair of Adidas sneakers. I don't even own a pair of Adidas!

Top Ten

The Adidas Top Ten sneakers are a classic pair of basketball shoes. Sometimes they can be spotted on the feet of kids playing ball on Boston's outside courts.These shoes are a large hit in the Boston area. In the city of Boston, Adidas sneakers are very popular. Most of our sneaker stores sell the Top Ten's in the red, white and blue color way. I have never owned a pair. If I were to ever buy these shoes, they would either be used for me to play basketball in, or I would just keep them for the sake of collection. I would not buy these sneakers for stylish purposes. They are not versatile and cannot be worn with many different kinds of outfits. Despite this, I think these shoes would be a great hit for the summer, in athletic or casual gear. They would go well with shorts and a tee shirt, or tank top. They just cannot be worn with formal or semi-formal wear. Because of this, I am reluctant to buy a pair of Top Ten's, because they cannot be diversified with my outfits. I look for sneakers that can be worn with simple, casual clothes and formal, classy clothes. Sneakers are meant to serve as a compliment to one's outfit, not a distraction. With that being said, I will stick to other basketball shoes, such as Jordans and Nike's, and will leave the Top Ten's on the shelf. With respect to Adidas, I will always side with Nike.

Balance

One brand of sneakers that has been on the rise over the past year is New Balance. These shoes are being worn by many people for casual, athletic, and even (rarely) formal wear. As a little kid, I used to have a new pair of New Balances every school year. My parents bought them for me, because supposedly they were the most comfortable sneakers on the market. I also wore many of Reebok's sneakers. Recently, I thought about buying a pair of New Balances on numerous occasions, but I could never muster up the will to buy a pair. Something just didn't allow me to develop a desire for them. They seem too simple and subtle. New Balances also seem to only go with skinny jeans or really slim pants. Any heavier or straight fit jeans would make the shoe more unnoticeable. I prefer Asics, because they have more stylish and creative colorways. Though I haven't seen a pair of New Balances worth buying, I do not absolutely dislike the shoes. Some of my friends wear New Balances and I support their fashion decision. I just find it hard for me to connect to these shoes in any personal way, despite me wearing them as kid. Some shoes and styles just are not fit for everyone. An important rule in fashion is to find what style matches you. In trying to adapt to a certain look that doesn't align with you, your style will appear abstract and out of place.

Air Max

Air Maxes have always been popular, yet I have never owned a pair. Every time I set out to buy a pair of Air Maxes, I always end up buying another shoe. Recently, at the Nike Outlet in Wrentham, I tried on the Air Max 2012. These shoes were supportive, but not as comfortable as most people claimed they were. They fit extremely tight, and the tongue was scraping my foot. I like the colors and styles of Nike's signature running shoe, but I can never motivate myself to buy a pair. One pair that I would buy if it were released again is the Air Max 97 with a golden colorway. It has a tiny Nike swoosh logo which is red. I never saw this shoe in any store, except online. I first saw them a few months ago when my friend was showing me his brother's sneaker collection. I instantly fell in love with these shoes and searched for them on every sneaker website that I could think of. Narrowing my search down to pickyourshoes.com and flightclub.com, I still couldn't find them for a reasonable price. Unfortunately, on pickyourshoes.com, they were sold out, and on flight club, they were over-priced. They also didn't have them in my size. My only resort to finding this shoe is to wait and hope for them to be released again. Then I can become a member of the Air Max family, after purchasing my first pair. Hopefully  when they are released, they don't sell out too quickly.

The Blazer

What ever happened to the Nike Blazers? These shoes used to be hot during my high school years. Everybody had a pair of Blazers, especially the dancers. I never bought a pair though, because at the time, I felt that they were too much of a skateboarding shoe. In my earlier high school, I only bought basketball sneakers. My friends who did have Blazers, however, always told me that they were an uncomfortable shoe - really tight and barely flexible. They did have much style to them though, despite the pain they caused on people's feet. Blazers could be worn with simple jeans and a tee shirt, or with slacks and a dress shirt. Their versatility is what made them most appealing. Now, Nike still releases the Blazer, but the newer colorways aren't as stylish. It is almost as though Nike has given up on the Blazers and has just gotten lazy with their newer models. This is probably why they are not selling out as much as they were years ago when they first were released. Will the Nike Blazer ever make a comeback? Can they ever be as popular as they were among  high school kids a few years ago? One pair that I wanted had a navy, gold and red colorway, with a white sole. I loved this pair because of its patriotic colors. If it were released again, I would probably buy this pair, just to own a pair of Blazers. I always like to add some diversity to my collection of sneakers.

Asics

They're not your average running shoes. They're simple. Stylish. Can be worn with shorts, athletic gear or khakis and a button-up. Asics. These are running shoes that have been around for years, but I was introduced to them recently by one of my close friends. After browsing a selection of them on kithnyc.com, I fell in love with the shoes. There was just something different about them. Something more unique than the styles of the Nike running shoes, such as the Nike Free and Lunar series. Asics are shoes you can pretty much wear with anything. The most recent release came out last week on the Kith website, having a red and white colorway. These were released at eleven in the morning and were sold out by  the afternoon. With such a beautiful shoe, I can see why. I wonder if these shoes will grow to receiving the same hype as the Jordan releases. Jordan shoes usually sell out within two hours after their release. Asics are comparatively becoming more and more popular, yet extremely exclusive. I cannot find Asics at local Footlockers and Footactions, Champs, etc. They are onyl sold at fashion boutiques and some online websites that sell rare sneakers. Only true, dedicated and exploring sneaker heads will find these beautiful running shoes. So far, these are the most stylish running shoes I have come across. I might need to get a pair to go jogging with and a pair to relax with. Definitely a must-have for the summer.

Uptempo

Where can I find the Scottie Pippen Uptempo 97s? I've been looking for a pair of these sneakers for nearly three years and can't find them at any sneaker store, sneaker website, or Nike Outlet. I could only find one pair on the website for Flightclub New York, but they are extremely overpriced (like most of Flightclub's shoes). The Scottie Pippen's are special to me because they represent the retro basketball shoes of the 90's - heavy and bulky with large, supportive soles. These shoes bring me back to the long and memorable summer days spent on the blacktop. I want a pair because they were worn by Scottie Pippen - Jordan's underrated sidekick. Pippen was also a great player and a major contribution to the Chicago Bulls' championships; however, he was overshadowed by Michael Jordan. I  personally have great respect and admiration for all kinds of talent, even if they are overlooked. In buying his sneakers, I feel that I would be paying homage to the once-talented underdog. I once saw these shoes at the Nike House of Hoops in Cambridge, Mass., but they were also overpriced. They also didn't have them in the colorway that I am looking for. I want the original black and red Scottie Pippen's or the black and white colorway. The House of Hoops only had the black and grey colorway. Those were stylish, but not worth the expensive price that they had they for. These shoes shoes should run for $120 at most.

???

The tats. The raps. The flashy jewelry and stylish headbands. The player who inspired me to love the game of basketball. Allen Iverson. AI's whole persona and the swagger he brought to the NBA are what captured my interest in the sport. When I was younger, I was fascinated by Iverson as soon as I watched him lead the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals. Although they ended their season in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, I was intrigued by Iverson's creative style of play - his quick crossovers, his consistent scoring ability, and his careless trash talk. What was most interesting about AI was the stand he took as an individual. On the court, he played each game as though it were his last, and off the court, he never compromised his image to please anyone. Iverson didn't seem to care about the opinions of his fans, the media, or NBA Commissioner David Stern. He was the NBA's rebel. With this being said, recently Iverson was seen wearing his signature Reebok Question sneakers in a Chinese basketball game. During a later interview, he discussed his shoe and the possibility of it being re-released this year. The last Question sneaker in its original colorway was released in 2009. Iverson played his rookie season in these shoes, as they are most known for supporting his famous crossover on Michael Jordan. Although they aren't the most stylish shoes, if they are released this year, I will definitely buy a pair.

Jordan 1 Canvas

Three days ago, another two pairs of Jordans were released. The Jordan One in two different colorways. Both shoes include the colors red, white and blue. The sneaker that I am more focused on is a navy blue pair with canvas material. This shoe is special to men, not only because of its rare and unique material, but also because I  love patriotic colors. I am not much of a patriot, but I do cherish the red, white and blue colors. I also have matching Boston Red Sox hats that will go well with these sneakers. I also want these shoes because they are the first sneakers that Nike endorsed Michael Jordan with. I have always wanted a pair of the first Jordans, though these are not the same colorway as the originals. The NBA fined Jordan each game that he wore them. These sneakers are a symbol for rebellion and non-conformity. If Jordan were to compromise and give in to the NBA's demands, his sneaker legacy would have never grown to what it is today. Because he held on to his dreams, nearly every teenager and young adult owns a pair of Jordans. The Jordan Ones are also a favorite to me because this story behind them relates to my freshman year of college. In living on campus, there are many pressures and temptations to conform to the destructive social behaviors practiced by other students. These special shoes promote individuality and being oneself. Therefore, they are a must-have because they represent my personal ideals.

PYS

When it comes to buying sneakers, using the internet can be a little sketchy. From Ebay to Amazon, it can be hard to make valid shoe purchases, as there are constant threats of fraud and theft. However, one site I find most reliable is pickyourshoes.com. Referred to this website by one of my friends, I browsed the site and found that they held many rare and classic sneakers. Most of these shoes I was not even able to find in my local sneaker stores. They had nearly every pair of Jordan shoe ever released, although most of them were sold out. Most recently, I ordered the Jordan 15 sneakers off of the site, only for a small price of $110 (including shipping and handling). Being surprised and excited about finding the shoes for such a minimal price, I was even more relieved when my shoes arrived five days later in perfect condition. In the back of my mind, I somehow thought that the site could have been fraud. Some shoes on the site are more expensive, but every price is reasonable. Classic sneakers and the more rare sneakers are obviously priced higher than less valued shoes. All in all, Pick Your Shoes is definitely a credible source for purchasing shoes. They also sell clothing products, such as hats and tee - shirts and other accessories. I look forward to continuing my shopping on this site, and my next purchase might be a golden pair of Charles Barkley Air Force Ones.

South Beach

One of the most anticipated sneaker releases of 2012 is finally arriving on June 2nd: The Nike Lebron 9 "South Beach." These shoes are the second in Lebron James's serious of South Beach sneaker colorways, a line started after he started his new career with the Miami Heat. With their flamboyant pink, teal, and grey color schemes, a pair of South Beaches will sell  for $250. Despite their extremely high cost, these are a must-have for myself and many others who collect sneakers. They will undoubtedly be considered a classic, especially if Lebron James and the Miami Heat win this year's NBA championship. I was not able to buy last year's pair, but I am content with knowing that Lebron didn't get his first ring in those. If he does it this year, the shoes will not only be a symbol of a championship, but they will represent the triumph he has accomplished over all the doubt and animosity he faced for losing in last year's NBA Finals. I want the South Beaches not just for style purposes or to gather another shoe to my collection, but they are more important because of the story that is unfolding through them. These shoes will signify the greatest highlight of Lebron James's basketball career. What could be a higher act of paying homage to the "King" of basketball than to buy the shoes that he won his championship in? As most of the shoes in my sneaker collection, the South Beaches will be one of my favorite purchases, because of their cultural significance.

Kobe Elite

On April 28th, this coming weekend, the Kobe Elite 7's will be released in sneaker stores. These are the most expensive Kobe Bryant sneakers ever released at a retail price of $200. In addition, the Lebron Elite shoes will also be released. I find it ironic that these shoes are priced higher than the Jordans that are being re- retroed this year, because Jordan was the greatest player to every play the game of basketball - or so I think. Do these prices reflect people's beliefs that Kobe or Lebron could be the greatest? Some Lebron sneakers are even being sold at $250!! These outrageous prices obviously indicate that the players who the shoes are designated to are highly esteemed. My question is whether that esteem can be compared to the legendary number twenty-three. I wonder whether the shoes of Kobe Bryant and Lebron James will be as valued twenty years from now, as Jordans are. Will these younger players develop the same longevity? Can they live up to the expectations of basketball fans for them to surmount Jordan's legacy? Only time can tell. As for now, no basketball shoe should be priced more than Jordan's simply out of respect for basketball's greatest player.

This Summer

What will be hot on people's feet this summer? Sandals? Air Force Ones? Olympic Jordans? Converses? Last summer the most popular shoes on people's feet were Foamposites, Jordans and boat shoes. Will it be the same this summer? As I faithful collector of basketball shoes, I will undoubtedly stick to my b-ball kicks this summer, yet I still want to try various styles of sneakers and shoes. Boat shoes were great for last summer, because they are comfortable, simple, classy and somewhat formal. However, they can only be worn with no-show socks. Anything longer would kill the style, making the shoes look awkward. I, personally, am I fan of long basketball socks. Aside from basketball shoes, what I seek to wear this summer are Clark dessert boots. What I like about these shoes are that they are simple and classy but they still maintain a rugged look. They also look better as they crease and age. These boots are extremely stylish, but the only problem I have with them is that they are suede. Suede is harder to maintain than your average leather and thus the material on the boots could decay fast. No matter the case, I still covet these boots, because they are versatile and can be worn with nearly anything. I cannot say for sure whether I will start a trend of people wearing dessert boots in the summer, but I do know that I will inspire some to look twice at my feet when I walk by.

Skaters

One of my favorite shoes in my collection are Vans. Although I am not a skater, I love these sneakers, because they are simple, sturdy and comfortable. Vans with a black on black colorway can be worn with nearly anything, but they definitely look better in slim fit or skinny jeans.Vans can also be worn with more formal outfits, such as khakis or chinos and a dress shirt. I personally dislike the wearing Vans with shorts. They don't have the same appeal as basketball sneakers and shorts. I bought my first pair of Vans during my senior year of high school. Due to the rise in the amount of sneaker collectors in my school, I decided to abandon buying basketball sneakers such as Jordans and Nikes. I sought something more mature, formal and simple. Vans filled this position. Despite them being subtle in their appearance, I acknowledged that Vans accentuated my outfits more than sneakers did. However, my new found love only lasted for my senior year, as I resorted back to buying and collecting sneakers in the summer. So far, I haven't bought a pair of Vans since, but I still wear the classy shoe occasionally - when I want to keep things simple. Maybe the flashier sneakers are always more appealing to me because of my love for basketball. Vans are a skate shoe and therefore, I started to get bored with them. All in all, adding Vans to my shoe collection has allowed me to be more versatile and creative in the way I dress.

Olympic Seven

Of all the Jordan releases coming out this year, the most important sneaker for me is the Olympic Seven pair. I've wanted these shoes since middle school but never had the money to buy them. Now that I work I am glad they are being re-released. The shoe is expected to come out July 21st this year. I might even buy two pairs: one to play basketball in and one for casual wear. The only other pair of Seven's I own are the Raptors, but the Olympic colorway is my favorite.

12's

Today at 8am, sneaker stores around the country will be selling the Jordan Playoff 12 sneakers. These are the same shoes Michael Jordan wore in his 1996-1997 season playoff games. When they first were released in 1996, they sold for $135. Sixteen years later, they are being released at $160. Without a doubt, this release will call every sneaker head to their local Footlockers and sneaker boutiques as every Jordan shoe seems to sell out as soon as they are published. Although the shoe has a relevant history, I will not purchase this release because of the hype and popularity around it. I personally value shoes that are less publicized.

For the Love

On December 23rd, 2012, thousands of customers rushed to sneaker stores around the U.S., in pursuit of the new Jordan 11 Concords. Even from the day before, people waited in line for the 8am release. On the 23rd, I was relaxing at home, when my roommate texted me saying, "I got my Concords! 'Camped out here since yesterday." Although I also have a love for sneakers, I didn't buy the Concords because of the mass hype around them. For me, sneakers mean a lot more than just getting the newest pair. Sneakers have a more personal meaning. Once a kid who grew up playing basketball, sneakers connect me to my days spent on the blacktop. Though I wanted the new 11s, I resisted the temptation to buy them, because I hate looking like everyone else. There was once a time when Jordans and other shoes were more exclusive - left out of the mainstream. Now it seems like everyone is wearing the same shoe. Unlike many others who just buy shoes because of the hype around them, I buy shoes that are not as popular and have more significance. My most recent purchases are the Jordan 14 "Last Shots," and the Jordan 10 "Chicago." I bought these shoes not only because they are less mainstream, but also because of the histories behind them. The 14's are special because they were worn by Mike on his most famous game-winning shot against the Utah Jazz, in the 1998 NBA Finals. I bought the 10's because the bottom of the sole lists all of Jordan's accomplishments in the NBA from 1985 to 1994. So before you buy your next pair of Jordans, at least know the history or the significance of the shoe.