Nike SB x Air Jordan 1 by Lance Mountain

When news broke out earlier this year about Nike SB hooking up with Jordan Brand for some sneakers, the skate geezer in me rejoiced because this official collaboration was a long time coming. When you look at skateboarding, the uneducated opinion is quick to associate it with rebellious attitudes that serve no place in "proper" society. But most of those people have never stepped on a board in their life. With skateboarding comes creativity, quick thinking, and a masterful sense of repurposing things. To a skateboarder, the functions of stairs, rails, and roads are challenged, creating new venues for breathtaking performance art.

Now if that sounds too high-brow, all it really means is that this collaboration was the result of that mindset to find new uses for old things. And if you didn't know, the Air Jordan 1 enjoyed the distinction of being an unofficial skate shoe among skaters of decades past due to their superior cushioning and durable leather construction. Among those leading the charge during the 80's was skate legend Lance Mountain. He would intentionally rock mismatched Jays in some attempt to preserve the life of his shoes. Old photos would show him rocking a Carolina Blue AJ1 on one foot, while a Royal AJ1 adorned the other. So it all makes sense to see the mismatched look come full circle on his designs for the collaboration.

Upon first glance, you see predominantly black or white uppers with hints of red and royal blue. You get the idea of the mismatch, but the real kicker is that the black and white are actually painted on. And through continuous wear and actually skating in the shoes, the painted areas will give way to a couple of classic Air Jordan 1 colorways. It's a move that's reminiscent of how Maison Martin Margiela worked on the Chuck Taylor, because it ensures that no two pairs will be exactly alike. And the choice of colorways will certainly take the hype level up a couple of notches for sure. To finish them off, a special "Paint Shoes Not Walls" graphic by Lance Mountain can be found on the insoles.

Whether you like them to start off in black or white, Lance Mountain's Nike SB x Air Jordan 1 designs will be released in limited quantities at select Nike SB retailers and on Nike.com on June 7.

WeLegendary brought out Craig Stecyk's designs, so here's to hoping they bring out Lance Mountains as well! Check back often for any updates leading up to the release!