sneaks4freaks

Puma BBQ Competition Kicks

Last Monday , sneaks4freaks was invited down to Puma’s flagship store in London’s Carnaby Street to get some hands on action at the new Mongolian BBQ installation . The concept , to design your own shoe in the colourway of your choice . The shoe in question was the classic RS100 and true to form , we created a shoe in the blog colourways to be given away to one of you lucky readers .

The competition could n’t be easier !!!

What kick from the Puma Classic range was used last time out at the Mongolian BBQ in 2005 ?

The competition is open to anyone ( international readers get involved ) but please note that the shoe will be a UK 9 ( US 10 ) ONLY ! Hey , I’ll even throw in some Puma chopsticks which are limited to this year’s BBQ .

Please send your answers to puma_bbq@sneaks4freaks.com  and included your address . The competition will run until we receive the shoes from Puma which we expect to be in around 5/6 weeks .

Many thanks to everyone at Puma for making this possible .

Completing The END-to-END Project

As it was with the Adidas 25th Anniversary Superstar and Adicolor range , this year’s END-to-END project from Adidas and Footlocker will be no different , with an assortment of apparel available to go with the release of the 8 kicks in the collection . Covering T’s , caps , tracks and backpacks , there’s sure to be something for everyone here in all price ranges .

Unlike the shoes , where in some cases , design ideas got the better of practicality , the end results are simple but much more effective . With track designs spread over three cuts , the All City , Burner and Kings ( TBA ) , the artists have given us something very wearable with the END-to-END logo carried through-out the range .

The full range will be landing on and around the 17th March at all Footlockers in the UK .

The rest of the collection can be found below ………..

It’s good to see that Adidas attacked a new product with the release of these three backpack , when it would have been all to easy to stick to the norm of T’s and tracks . There are two different styles here and it will be interesting to see what the take up will be like to see if this idea is something that is carried over on future releases .

Lastly , four full tracks to choose from along with 2 tracktops ( 1 TBA ) to finish the range .

All City

Burner

Puma’s Mongolian BBQ Back For Second Course

Back in the early part of 2005 , the first brand to start offering a full hands on design feature for their shoes was Puma , having edged ahead of Nike’s iD online and studio contributions , the Mongolian BBQ experience landed at Puma’s London store on Carnaby Street . Last time out it was Cabana Racer that was the main coarse , with it’s 13 different components , it really let you create what was a truley individual shoe . Well now it’s back for a second serving and this time out , it’s the RS-100 that will top the menu .

The new menu will now boast 22 components for the RS-100 and will have a new take away option ( online facility ) that will enable you to create your own even if you can’t make it instore . Retailing at €130 from sizes UK3 - UK12 , these won’t break the bank either and with an expected turn around from design to the shoes landing on your doormat of 5-6 weeks , it’s a quick too .

Rolling out worldwide for 2007 , the Mongolian BBQ will hit London this March and run for a limited time , with the online BBQ available now for €130 + €7 shipped . So get creating !

** ONLINE SCREENSHOT **

What I like most about the BBQ experience is not only your choice in colours but the numerous materials that you can mix and match for your final design . I found the online BBQ easy to navigate through and the final 3D rendering was a useful feature .

sneaks4freaks will be heading down to the store for a full slap up meal in early March so watch this space for more photos and some competition give away kicks .

A big thanks to all at Puma for the headz up , see you soon .

Adidas Micropacer Gets Limited Approval

Over 20 years old now the Adidas Micropacer re-generation continues with 3 new designs adding to the ever expanding range of releases for ‘07 . If you’re a lover of these kicks , the new designs will certainly have you thinking twice before reaching for your CC . With an obvious lean towards new materials , the shiney threesome will have them looking while you rock ‘em , but IMO , all for the wrong reasons .

With 2 general releases available and a week old , one male - one female , so arrives the limited to 1500 Micropacer Leather SE , due to hit premium stores in the next 4 weeks ( already making an appearance on the Ran ‘coming soon’ page ) . The limited range comes with it’s own silver presentation box and foam inner ( think Adidas 1 ) , but the throw back to the ‘MICROPACER’ lettering on the three stripe from the OG ‘84 design looks lost . A kick as iconic as this doesn’t need to be labelled .

With it’s unispiring colorway , this would n’t be out of place on the shelves at JD and with the use of patent thrown into the mix , the design is really struggling for character - but maybe that’s just me ?

Next up are the two GR shoes , with the women’s design winning out for me over of the three 2007 releases . The pastel highlights sit well with 3M-esque pearlised goat leather upper in what could well be a colorway straight off the Oki-Ni production line . Let’s just hope they do large sizes !

Looking completely different under various lighting conditions they remind me of the Micropacer III . And lastly , this silver offering , with full grain leather on the upper combined with additional laser etched numerical detailing , I’m just shocked ……. ! TK anyone ?

The Round Up

If it wasn’t for the fact the I’m into my runners more than my baskets , you would have guessed right that the pages of my blog over the past few weeks would be awash with the news of the upcoming festival that is , the AF1 XXV celebrations . Having never owned a pair I just didn’t want to bring you news that really , my heart wasn’t in . Others will be in a frenzy over these , but to them I say this …..

If you like the shoe , buy it …… if you’re chasing the hype , now’s not the time to get your feet wet .

That aside , the rock that is the Air Jordan keeps rolling , with retro after retro hitting the shelves globally . Some good , some bad , with the quality of production changing with each shoe . The idea that one shoe can differ so much from another isn’t clear to me , although that will not be putting off die hard Jordan headz from rushing out to get them . Unfortunately , the take up , being better than that of previous retros has still past most of the UK by , with early releases starting to appear on those ill fated sale racks all to quickly . Whether this is mainly due to the pricing is not clear , but fuelled by eager US fans , these won’t be disappearing from the pages of ebay just yet .

The Jordan theme continued this week-end with the release of the black Spiz’ike Jordan , following on from the earlier release the the white shoe . A combination of the AJ III, IV, V, VI, IX, and XX went to make up these kicks and while not for the purist , I kinda like ‘em . The colours are fresh and the shoe is well executed IMO .

With AJI’s and III’s waiting on the sidelines , this will be a busy year for Nike , with your basic retro being mixed in with a colab or two , with the Spike Lee ‘Do The Right Thing’ probably registering most clearly on the radar .

Naturally this won’t be everything from Nike , with the re-issue of the Air Max Light approaching soon the colorways chosen will again have the true head crying murder , but hang tight as the OG colorways will soon be retroed .

The release I’m most looking forward to will be that of the Agassi Air Tech Challenge and although not being an exact retro of the OG ( less face it , which retro is nowadays - scooped toe and no wedge ) you know what I’m talking about .

The heel is the main alteration with these but that’s a small price to pay for a wearable pair that won’t cost you a small fortune on ebay for that of some originals .

Other Happenings ………….

The Reebok Court Victory Pump colab from Alife in the summer of last year got everyone to take notice that there are times when designers do get it right . The use of the tennis ball felt material for the upper was a great innovation and has been carried through with the release of two other colorways from ‘The Ball Out’ range . In white and fluro orange , I love these shoes . Premium stores around europe are still holding these and the production run was much more the the 48 pairs of the first release , so if you want them , get clicking - you’ll find them .

UK’s very own size? hasn’t been sleeping , with it’s long awaited Clyde range on sale ATM . With the option to bag some summer kicks early doors , the colours are vibrant and there should be a pair to suit everyone , retailing at £55 , it won’t break the bank either .

And finally ………. New Balance’s Team33 fish inspired threesome landed instore and online at size? and Hanon last week , the concept and the quality of build that is a New Balance trade mark has come up with some amazing results . I would imagine that the 1400’s are not to everyone’s liking which may explain that these can still be purchased a week after release , but if you want to break some necks this summer , spare a thought for these . Based on the Blowfish , Clownfish and the Butterfly Fish , these come with their own fish tank shoe box and were designed by US based Drew Nyssen . Limited to 33 stores worldwide , these are interesting !

Nothing But Love 4 The Man - BDK in the house !

Early doors and fresh back from the best brand related shoe launch I’ve ever been to . And I’ve been to a few ! Puma rocked the house at Canvas in Kings Cross , London . There was one name on the line up for me and that was Big Daddy Kane .

The choice of shoe on my part was inconsequential but bang on …….. I was so not interested in neckbreaking this evening but to see a personal idol - and so it happened . God love to you Alley , peace , respect and thanks for saying hello ( if only briefly ) . Word !

( above ) More than one reason to thank Alison this evening !!!!

Lets not forget why we’re here , the new Puma States touched down yesterday at size? and this evenings events was one last push for a shoe that was already flying off the shelves . 1000 pairs production run , but unofficially 250 pair of each colorway ( don’t sleep on these ) .

The invite said it all , top acts for a brand worthy of hosting the event . I was so up for it , BDK in the house , the man , a legend in my eyes from countless evenings listening to Westwood’s Capital Rap Show in my youth and here he was .

The venue was tight , adorned with Puma States behind the bar and rafters , once again the media clan had gathered to an event that could have been better served for a mixing of headz , but that didn’t stop the party .

The man was on stage , on time and in form ! Kane you rock , and muchos respect for stoping your set to shake my hand , even if it was to say , ‘ Apologies , but I don’t do Another Victory any more cause of that gang related shit ‘ - I LOVED THAT !!!!!! real personal ! ( still , just had to play it when I got home ) .

The Kane’s set was second to none and his relaxed vibe came to a head as ‘The Man’ went walk about in an already bouncing crowd , my hat tips for ya !

Some of the crew …………………

Lets not forget , it wasn’t all Kane …………… Doug , I love you n’all , but you’ll never match the Kane !

Against a wall of stars it would only be fitting to sign off tonight like this . My thanks to Alison , Lucy and all at Puma for another legendary night . My thanks also for everyone’s congrats for my trip away last week , Vegas baby ! you know what I’m talking about . 1love .

Harry .

PS - Lloyd , you saved my bacon ….. nuff said !

PPS - Good luck Chris to you and your family in your new job , keep us posted .

State Of Play @ The Puma Night

Back with a bang as sneaks4freaks enters the world of Puma . After only just recovering from the last massive shoe launch from Puma with last year’s Clyde release , on comes a line up to end all parties . With guests from Big Daddy Kane and Norman Jay to Doug E Fresh and Patrick Forge this promises to be a big one . But don’t fret , if you can’t get there and are not on the invite list be sure to check back on Thursday for coverage of the event . Ya know how to party !

Puma Crooked Clyde Launch

All has been quiet at the Crooked Tongues online store since the guys updated the website and got to grips with the new format , along with a move to their new London offices . Until now , if you’d click on the store link , you were greeted with a ‘Coming Soon’ message . Well the wait is over as CT’s all singing all dancing online store goes live tonight .

To coincide with the opening , CT will be pre-releasing their first colab shoe ( one of three ) with Puma and using the iconic Puma Clyde as the template . The production run will be 300 worldwide and these IMO will fly out to both die hard Puma headz and collectors alike . This is the first big test for the online site so I hope it can hold up , good luck guys , hope you’re not in for a late one . 

The shoe is due the hit Hanon and FootPatrol later this month in limited amounts ( 12 pairs each ) , so your best chance will be online at CT . Retailing at £75 , the CT orders will be joined by the regular freebies that come with a CT purchase , the best being a limited Puma CT t-shirt to the first 100 confirmed orders .

With a choice of laces included , the upper is premium suede with the inner sole paying homage to CT’s inspiartion , Wild Style , with typical graff typgraphy of the era .

If you want to know more about the design of the 3 shoes in the series , be sure to check the special feature at  Crooked Tongues  .

DONT SLEEP !

ryöüki Delivers : Undefeated AF1 Has Landed

Technical issues aside for sneaks4freaks , here’s what should have been posted on Friday and thankfully for you lot , there are still some sizes left if you missed them .

With big things rumored to be happening to the Nike Air Force 1 range for 2007 , this is just a little taster for all you AF1 fans . The Undefeated ‘On Your Feet Kid’ kick will come in 2 colorways and are retailing for £80 at ryöüki . These are now online , instore and available for telephone orders with only full sizes left at the time of posting .

The muted colours and the premium materials used have created a very pleasing shoe that will appeal to more than your usual AF head IMO and with winter rolling in , these would be an ideal kick to rock .

While you’re there at ryöüki , please be aware that Loki’s AW06 collection touched down at the week-end as well , featuring the Loki x ryöüki colab t-shirt  from the ‘lyrics’ collection .

With only 12 t’s in the black and silver ( not featured above ) being produced , don’t sleep on these . These will be uncoming on the website but can be purchased over the phone from a friendly member of staff .

+44 ( 0 ) 1865 241100 .

Harry Returns For The Wilderness

Well it all looks as though things are back to normal so I’ll be updating this post in particular to cover the last three weeks . So if you wanna see what happened , read on ……