Nike Air Force 1 Ultra Flyknit

 The Nike Air Force 1 holds revered status in sneaker culture. It's transcended seamlessly from hardwood to street fashion. Sneaker trends come and go, but a clean pair of Uptowns always looks good in any rotation. While it may seem like an insane idea to mess with such a legendary silhouette in any way, Nike brings it to the present by utilizing a combination of Flyknit and Flywire. The result is a lighter, stronger Air Force 1 that's open to some crazy design possibilities. Pick up a pair from today at retailers such as Commonwealth in SM Aura and Titan Two Parkade.

More release details after the jump.

Nike Flyknit Roshe Run

It was bound to happen.

The Nike Roshe Run has enjoyed its status among casual sneakers that appeal to a wide group of consumers. It's safe to argue that both hardcore shoe collectors and non-sneakerheads alike can appreciate the Roshe Run's marriage of minimalist design and maximum possible comfort.

Since 2012, a number of variations have hit the market. Stiff competition has emerged as well, most notably in the form of the Adidas ZX Flux. But this latest version looks to keep the Roshe Running well into next year.

Utilizing a fully knit upper and sitting on a Phylon Natural Motion sole, the Flyknit Roshe Run looks to be the latest addition into the already huge Roshe Run family tree. You'll have to wait a little while to get your feet in them though. Because barring any early releases on this side of the world, retailers are going to be getting them in stores come Spring 2015.

Check out other colorways after the jump.

Nike Flyknit Racer Summer 2014 Releases

Just because a good chunk of the sneaker community has embraced the retro running trend doesn't keep Nike from putting out heat from their contemporary runner line. And given that our country is right in the middle of a brutal summer, either of these two Flyknit Racers could be a great, ultra-breathable choice to add to your sneaker rotation this season.

The Nike Magista has been Revealed

Nike's Flyknit technology is absolutely blowing up this year!

The material made its first foray into the world of basketball with the release of the Kobe IX Elite last month. And now, look for it to head to the pitch with the unveiling of the Nike Magista.

Although it doesn't hold the distinction of being the first football shoe to employ a knitted upper, it doesn't really matter. Flyknit's still the material that makes athletes, sneakerheads, and menswear bros alike collectively cream their pants. I haven't played a serious game of football in a couple of years, but just looking at the shoes makes me wish I still did.

Big in 2014: Flyknit.

Now that the holidays shoe releases are over and done, it's time to regroup (assess finances) and look ahead to what 2014 holds when it comes to sneakers. 

One thing I've been particularly interested in is how Nike plans to use their Flyknit material, which I'm a big fan of. Honestly, they could keep pumping out colorways of their existing models and people would still cop them. But we all know it wouldn't be Nike's if they didn't at least try to come up with something new. 

Below are two examples of new models integrating Nike Flyknit technology that could be the tip of the iceberg of what I'm thinking is a big year not only for Nike, but for the sneaker game itself. Other shoe companies should consider this a warning. Time to step up, both literally and figuratively. 

Nike Air Max Flyknit 

Pair a lightweight, breathable upper with a comfy yet supportive sole, and you've got a winner in my book. I can't say much about either the Flyknit or the Air Max models in terms of running, but I can definitely picture myself wearing these on days where a lot of walking is a sure thing. Good looks for keeping the look close to the original Lunar Flyknit silhouette, too. My only concern would be the structural integrity of the full-length air unit. Given time, once that thing crumbles, it won't be pretty.   

Nike Kobe 9 Elite

If you trace the history of Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike, you'll find that certain shoes really shook the world of basketball sneakers up. When the Kobe 4 dropped, it suddenly became alright for basketball shoes to be low-cut and not lack in terms of ankle support. Now the Kobe 9 looks to change the game again by not only going back to a high cut, but also by being the first basketball shoe to feature Flyknit technology. What interests me the most is how the material affects the wearer's range of motion. It's supposed to fit like a sock and feel like playing in a low top. I'm no Kobe, but once I get a pair, I'll definitely test them out on the court and write up a review. The only thing that worries me is the crossover appeal. They look pretty tough to pull off casually. 

Heading into the new year, expect to see some more prediction posts! I hope you're all enjoying the holidays! 

Nike Free Flyknit - Initial Impressions.

It was only a matter of time before Nike would roll these out in the Philippines. Thank goodness for working in an office a street away from Nike's flagship store in Bonifacio High Street. Now that I finally got to see these things up close, here are some initial impressions that might help anyone looking to pick up a pair.

I. Aesthetics

Just when I thought the Nike Flyknits couldn't get any sleeker, they announced the impending arrival of these bad boys. While it would have been easy to just slap on the Free sole on some previously designed Flyknit upper, I like how they brought out a new pattern that integrates itself rather well with the Nike Free sole. And seeing the colorways that have dropped from both the Flyknit and Free lines, there's a lot of good stuff to look forward to.

I'm honestly intrigued with the construction of both the "lace holes" and the portion of the upper where the feet are supposed to enter. While Nike's intention was for the marriage of sock-like fit with almost-barefoot flexibility, one worry that comes to mind is how long the stretchy portion of the upper can retain its initial form, like when socks get old.

Regarding the "lace holes", while they may look cool in an when-old-world-design-meets-modern-technology kind of way, I worry about their durability. If there are videos showing how some people choose to cut off the laces on theirs for a true slip-on feel, then it seems to me that it might be pretty easy for them to snag and get cut loose either on a run or when worn causally.

II. Comfort
While I don't own a pair of Free Flyknits, my point of comparison comes from having a pair of both the Flyknit Lunar 1's and Free 3.0's, so whatever impressions I have in this section are pretty speculative.

I'm a huge fan of the Flyknit upper and how it fits to your foot, so I can only imagine how much more precise the fit of the Free Flyknit will be given its intent to be worn barefoot. And because of the unique construction of the upper, the shoe is pretty breathable.

I'm not a hardcore runner, but whenever I have the time, I go for a run in my Nike Free 3.0's. Despite the absence of the Lunarlon cushioning that went into the Flyknit, the Nike Frees aren't a slouch in the comfort department either. Pretty cool for shoes which were intended to mimic the benefits of barefoot running as closely as possible.

III. Price Point.

Ouch. Simply put, these things cost more than buying a pair of either Flyknits or Frees.

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The jury's out for a real in-depth look for now, but if you want to pick up a pair or check out the other available colorways from the initial drop, head out to Nike BHS!

5 Pairs of Sneakers To Rock Right Now.

When you get older, there are some habits you have to let go of. However, there are always a few that die hard.

I used to be a pretty big sneakerhead when I was younger. Day in and day out back then, that was pretty much all I had on my feet. I'll admit, the feeling of copping a new pair was pretty addicting. In the years that have passed since college, I've since learned to appreciate footwear that isn't a fresh pair of dunks, but I still try to keep myself updated with what's out there.   

If you're big on sneakers, this should pretty much be old news to you. But if you're not, or if you're looking for a cool new pair to show off, try these on for size: 

1.       Nike Roshe Run

I think it's safe to say that Nike's made themselves a modern classic. The Nike Roshe Run is an good example of winning over people not through innovation, but with effectivity. There's no ground-breaking technology in its construction, it's just a product of minimalist design with a clear intent for everyday use. The version I have is the one with the mesh upper, which really allows your feet to breathe. Couple that with a crazy level of comfort and you've got a shoe that makes for a great shoe to wear if ever you'll be walking a lot. 

2. Nike Flyknit One

If the previous shoe was an example of minimalist design, I think the Nike Flyknit One is a good example of the opposite. The revolutionary upper is intended to ensure a fit that really conforms to the wearer's feet, while Nike's Lunarlon technology brings the comfort whether you'll be running in them, or wearing them just to show off. 

3.       Converse All-Star

You can never go wrong with a pair of Chucks. You can wear them to dressier occasions as much as you can wear them into the ground. The pair in the picture has seen a good 2 years of use. They're relatively affordable, and they're one of the few sneakers that just looks better the more beat up they get. 

4.       Vans Authentic

I used to think Chucks and Vans had some sort of East Coast-West Coast thing between them. Regardless of where you're from, the Authentic is a timeless silhouette, one you don't have to be a skater to appreciate. Definitely my favorite style out of the whole Vans range. 

5.       New Balance 574

I'm pretty late to the New Balance party, but this silhouette reminded me so much of a pair of dream sneakers that I just can't seem to find now (Nike Air Stabs, bring them back). Retro styled, yet sleek enough to not look out of place in 2013. 

Do you have any other choice sneakers to wear right now? Don't hesitate to tell me about them! :) I'm always up for hearing your opinions :)