sneakers
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Weeks after Crocs revealed their latest Salehe Bembury collaboration, it’s being reported that Bembury will continue to design even more footwear attire, but for an entirely different brand.
According to GQ, Salehe Bembury has just been tapped to take his talents to Puma, where he’ll be tasked with breathing some new and stylish life into their basketball sneakers division as they’ve been struggling to get heads to take notice of their sports line for quite some time. Interestingly enough, the man won’t just be designing their next silhouettes. Apparently, he’ll also be recruiting professional talent to join the brand as he works on what they’ll be rocking on the basketball court.
Per GQ:
“Salehe has had unrivaled success of bringing to life the intersection of sport, culture and fashion through product design and storytelling,” said Max Staiger, global head of basketball for Puma. Together, the new partnership “will bring game-changing newness and excitement to basketball athletes.”
“My designs are a platform for storytelling and cultivating community; an opportunity to breathe new meaning into a product,” Bembury said in a statement. “While my work has been known to cater to the outdoor space, a space I recently developed an intimate relationship with, my partnership with Puma Hoops will allow me to tell a more deeply rooted personal story.” Bembury has spoken of his deep-rooted love of basketball that he cultivated growing up in New York City in the 1990s. “I’ve played basketball my whole life and have a deep history, emotion, and nostalgia for the sport,” he said. “I’m excited to leverage this collaboration as a catalyst to introduce an untold side of me and engage a new community.”
Man it looks like Bembury has his work cut out for him as athletes tend to gravitate towards the brands that have a Swoosh or three stripes on the side of their sneakers. Still, if you offer them a big enough bag with a dope silhouette you might be able to sway some big names to a lesser popular brand like Puma or even Under Armour.
Guess we’ll have to wait and see how this pans out and who’ll they’ll be able to sign to rock Salehe’s next creation on the court.
What do y’all think of Puma’s initiative here? Let us know in the comments section below.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Traveling to the biggest music festivals requires a few travel necessities and gear that should always be at the top of your packing list. You’ll no doubt be spending hours at the venue, which means you’ll need some comfortable footwear if you plan on making it through your list of must-see musicians.
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I recently traveled to Boom, Belgium, to attend Tomorrowland 2024 and while there were many unforgettable moments, I wouldn’t have been able to make it through the trip without a pair of supportive sneakers. I have flat feet, which means that support is essential if I want to avoid sore feet and back pain. Over the course of four days, I walked more than 45,000 steps while wearing Kizik’s Milan sneakers — and they not only felt weightless, but were so comfortable it felt like I was walking on clouds with each wear.
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Keep reading to learn more about Kizik’s comfortable sneakers, which will quickly become your new go-to pair.
Kizik Milan Nylon Slip On Sneakers
$99
$119
17% off
$119
All of Kizik’s shoes feature well thought-out construction that’s hands-free and saves time. With magazine-worthy good looks, the Milan sneaker is available in nylon or leather materials depending on your preference. I chose the neutral black and white style to make it easier to pair with casual and athleisure outfits. Outside of its fashion-forwardness, the shoe is designed to be a slip-on, featuring a bouncy heel that eliminates the need to wiggle your foot into the shoe, bend over to re-tie the laces or crush your fingers to keep the heel in place. This style can run a bit small and the brand recommends sizing up for a more comfortable fit.
Slipping the sneakers on is so easy it’s almost like magic. The heel is constructed from the brand’s HandsFree Labs technology that incorporates an internal cage that will push down as you slide in, then immediately springs back up once your foot is fully inside. There’s no need to bend down at all, which came in handy on the days when I was rushing out my hotel room to meet up with my group on time.
The laces on these Milan sneakers are reusable and can be adjusted to your needs while the upper is made from a durable nylon material that’s rip-proof and wipeable. Inside the sneaker you’ll find a cushy rabbit foam sole — AKA the secret to its lightweight comfort. In fact, these are some of the most comfortable shoes we’ve ever tested.
Kizik Sneaker
Courtesy of Kizik
I was able to wear these sneakers for nine hours a day and my feet only felt slightly tired at the very end of the night when I was leaving Tomorrowland. Wearing these shoes gave me enough energy to make it through multiple days at the festival whereas when I wore my usual sneakers (that have my orthotics inside) to Governor’s Ball in New York City, my feet were already feeling sore and tired by midday.
The insert in Kizik’s sneakers are also washable, allowing you to reuse them as much as you want. The rubber sole was also grippy enough to keep me stable as I trudged through the classic festival mud and dirt. I also couldn’t get over how similar the Milan design was to trendy Vejas sneakers, but felt more compelled to show off a pair of Kizik’s since they come with more cushioned support.
After long walks and dancing in these shoes, these will forever be the first thing I pack in my luggage especially during music festival season. When it comes to comfort and style, Kizik sneakers are unmatched.
For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best platform boots, comfortable sandals and celebrity sneaker collaborations.
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Source: adidas Originals / adidas Originals
Just when it seemed like adidas’ popularity was dead in the water following their breakup with Kanye West and the “cancelation” of his Yeezy line (they’re still being sold randomly), they’ve found a new lifeline in a silhouette that’s currently got the streets on fire (after the Samba).
According to Highsnobiety, the Adidas “SL 72” has become the new “It” sneaker as of late and though it seemed like Adidas had a hit with their “Samba” line, the retro SL 72 running sneaker seems to be emerging as its most popular silhouette in 2024. Though Adidas has been releasing it’s remaining stock of it’s Yeezy line over the past year and change, it’s popularity never recovered thanks to Kanye’s off the wall antics and statements.
Per Highsnobiety:
LYST’s quarterly ranking of the hottest fashion brands and items reveals that adidas’ SL72 OG — a retro running shoe that has quietly charmed designers and celebrities alike — is Q2’s second-hottest product.
It’s worth noting that Hadid has also co-signed adidas’ SL72 — she even appeared in a campaign for the sneaker, though the brand apparently dropped the advertisement over backlash to Hadid’s support of Palestine. (Whether adidas’ decision will affect the popularity of the silhouette remains to be seen.)
Regardless, we’re more than happy to move on from the Samba, for reasons that may or may not have to do with Rishi Sunak.
adidas is counting its lucky stars that so many people have a craving for yesteryear’s fashion. Heck, even baggy pants are making a comeback! Who would’ve thought? Once you see rappers or singers start rocking bellbottoms on the regular, it’s a wrap.
What do y’all think about adidas SL 72 being one of the hottest kicks out on these streets? Let us know in the comments section below.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Step into summer with style and ultimate comfort in these women’s Hoka Everyday Running Mach X sneakers. From sunrise to sunset walks, these shoes offer unparalleled support and sleek designs that complement any outfit. The Hocha Mach X has quickly become a favorite among runners and fitness enthusiasts for its speed feel, comfortable fit, and stylish look.
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Whether you’re on your feet all day or living an active lifestyle, these lightweight sneakers are a must-have addition to your wardrobe. With their high-rebound cushioning and robust midsole designed for all-day comfort, you’ll feel empowered to tackle anything that comes your way.
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You can get these sneakers in five different color combinations: White/Blue Glass, Cerise/Cloudless, Dusk/Illusion, Black/Silver (almost out of stock), and Raspberry Strawberry (running out fast). It’s available in U.S sizes 5 to 11.
Hoka
Hoka Women’s Everyday Running Mach X
If you are still on the fence on whether or not to add these shoes to your cart, check out the reviews. One Hoka customer said, “I use these as my workout and walking shoes. This is my first pair of the Mach X—but am an avid fan of Hoka. These were comfy from the start…they work for both strength and cardio training.”
For those recovering from an injury or experiencing foot pain, you might want to invest on these high-quality sneakers. Another Hoka customer said, “I wear several types of Hoka shoes and these are the best of the best. For someone like me who had major foot surgery, this really makes my feet feel better. It’s really comfortable.”
For more product recommendations, check out these Hoka Ora Recovery Slides, top 7 best shoes for travel, and Nike sneakers to add to your shopping list this summer.
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For the past few years, Nike has made it a point to go after any and everyone who’s been banking off their products whether it be through bootlegging, patent infringement or even biting their silhouettes.
Even sneaker customizers aren’t safe from Nike’s high-powered and well-funded attorneys. Revered sneaker customizer, the Shoe Surgeon, just became the Swoosh brand’s latest target as he’s been hit with a lawsuit over the custom remixes he’s created over the years.
According to Sneaker Legal’s official Instagram page, popular sneaker customizer, the Shoe Surgeon (Dominic Ciambrone, pictured above) has some explaining to do in a court of law as Nike has just slapped him with a trademark infringement complaint over the customizations he’s created over the years.
Accusing the Shoe Surgeon of counterfeiting and misleading customers who may think his creations are actual collaborations with the company, Nike wants to put a stop to Ciambrone’s bread and butter. The lawsuit also claims that they’ve tried multiple times to straighten the situation out without having to resort to legal action, but apparently Ciambrone would simply remove the customized Nike’s from his website only to resell them on other platforms.
Nike even singled out Ciambrone’s Shoe Surgeon Academy, which is problematic because it teaches people how to customize sneakers on their leading to more bootlegging out on these streets.
Nike doesn’t just want the Shoe Surgeon to shut down his operation, but they are also seeking $60 million, or the profits the defendant garnered from his work, along with their attorney fees. Lord knows how much Nike is paying their attorneys, but if they are constantly winning these kinds of cases, it’s no small fee.
Speaking to Complex about the matter, Nike explained why they take such measures when it comes to their sneaker products.
Per Complex:
“Our goal is to make sure consumers are not misled and have access to authentic Nike, Inc. products that are authorized and created according to our high standards with the performance benefits they expect. It is unfortunate that after many attempts to resolve this matter privately, we’ve had to take legal action against the Shoe Surgeon for counterfeiting, mass customization, and trademark infringement. In order to safeguard our brand and IP, and aligned with Nike’s commitment to protect the consumer from counterfeit Nike product, we are left with no choice but to seek a legal solution to address how the Shoe Surgeon is constructing counterfeit ‘Nike’ footwear from scratch and selling it as officially branded product. Further, the Shoe Surgeon is teaching others to create counterfeit ‘Nike’ sneakers. These activities are illegal, deceive consumers, and create confusion in the marketplace around source, authenticity, and quality of Nike products.
“We valued our relationship with the Shoe Surgeon and do not have any issues with the limited, one-of-one customization he’s been doing for us or his clients, when allowed under Nike-sponsored athletes’ contracts. In fact, we value opportunities for our athletes, consumers and partners to express themselves through their own style and creativity.”
Looks like the Shoe Surgeon has his work cut out for him.
What do y’all think of Nike’s latest lawsuit against a well-known sneakerhead in the game? Fair or foul? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: @CookSheriffIL / x
The sneaker reselling game definitely isn’t what it used to be, but that’s not keeping people from continuing to flip somewhat sought after merchandise, even if it means running afoul of the law.
Unfortunately, for one particular hustler and his right-hand man, authorities caught on to their operation and now the two men are facing some serious consequences.
According to WGN TV, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office of Maywood, Ill., uncovered a retail theft operation led by Flee Club owner Darris Kelly and his employee Jerry Walker, which they say led to authorities recovering $2.4 million worth of stolen sneakers, designer clothes and even some guns. Amongst the stolen merchandise were numerous pairs of the unreleased Air Jordan 4 “Paris Olympics” (which aren’t going for much on the resale market as no one’s really checking for these), the Louis Vuitton x Air Force 1s, and some other Air Jordan 11s that were sure to brick.
Still, a buck’s a buck. Unfortunately, for Kelly and Walker, the jig is up.
WGN TV reports:
The Sheriff’s Office says sheriff’s police executed a search warrant at a store in the 2200 block of West Taylor Street on Chicago’s Near West Side. According to authorities, employees of the store purchased stolen items and resold them to customers.
Dart explained Thursday how authorities set up the bust.
“This was, as they say, an undercover operation where we were sending people in to sell things that we told them was stolen,” he said. “We would then go back in with a different undercover officer and buy the stolen stuff we had just sold them.
“So we were recovering the stuff that everyone knew was stolen. We were getting tips from the people that operated (the theft operation) — the two people charged — on what they wanted us to steal, and they directed us in that way, as well.”
If Kelly and Walker are maintaining their innocence in the operation, that can only mean they’ll be flipping on someone else sooner or later and with the investigation still active, don’t be surprised if they start naming names.
The news comes almost a year after thieves crashed an SUV into Chicago’s Flee Club and made off with $100,000 worth of exclusive merchandise. Maybe Darris Kelly wanted to recoup what he had lost in that jux? Just sayin’, allegedly.
What do y’all think about this latest sneaker bust? Let us know in the comments section below.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Rihanna is ready for back to school season with her newest collaboration Fenty x Puma Creeper Phatty “In Session” sneakers. This new version of the Creeper sneaker is bigger and bolder, featuring a chunky sole, a Corduroy upper, and a leather Puma Formstrip on the side, making them the ultimate statement piece for any outfit. The new drop is now available in three different colors: Black, Classic Red or White Corduroy.
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Rihanna‘s role as creative director shaped the campaign, which was shot by Phillipa Price. In the campaign the singer featured a diverse cast representing different high school stereotypes, from theater kid to nerd. Euphoria‘s Chloe Cherry took the role of the emo girl, while Award-winning actress, Angelica Huston played the principal.
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Whether you’re looking for comfortable sneakers, getting ready for back-to-school shopping, or simply in search of a fashion-forward piece, the Fenty x PUMA Creeper Phatty “In Session” sneakers have you covered. This collaboration offers both exceptional comfort and a bold, stylish design. “Your whole school will be wearing the Creeper Phatty’s and this campaign plays with that vision. We chose these colors and material very purposefully for back-to-school. The black-on-black corduroy remind me of my very own childhood, a uniform approved shoe with the twist I always wish I had,” Rihanna shared in a statement.
The FENTY x PUMA Creeper Phatty In Session is now available at PUMA.com, Footlocker, and JD Sports.
Puma
FENTY x PUMA Creeper Phatty “In Session” Sneakers
The FENTY x PUMA Creeper Phatty “In Session” Sneakers retails for $120 and is now available at PUMA.com, PUMA Stores and global retailer. You can also find the sneakers on resale sites such as StockX.
Get ready for class in style and channel your inner Rihanna with these uniform-friendly sneakers.
For more product recommendations, check out these Snoop Dogg & Skechers Drop Limited-Edition Sneakers, Bad Bunny’s Latest Adidas Collaboration, and Nicki Minaj’s First Sneaker Collection.
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Ages ago the Nike Air Foamposite One was easily one of the most popular silhouettes out on these mean streets and though these days many sneakerheads ignore them for Jordans, Dunks, and even Crocs, Nike seems ready to try to reestablish the hype behind its late 90’s gem going forward.
Source: Nike / Nke
With OG sneakerheads patiently waiting for the re-release of the classic “Galaxy” Air Foamposites next year, Nike has decided to make a new iteration of their timeless creation which also pays homage to a hugely popular video game franchise that also blew up in the mid-90’s.
According to Hypebeast, Nike will be introducing the “Tekken 8” Air Foamposite One sometime in the future, and truth be told, we’re lowkey feeling this colorway and design. Similar to the colorway of the classic “Eggplant” Foamposites, the “Tekken 8” boasts some pretty cool details that will make them stand out amongst the rest and is sure to be a hit amongst video game enthusiasts and sneakerheads alike.
Source: Nike / Nke
Per Hypebeast:
An iridescent shell kicks off the look, with a thematic print covering the shiny finish. From there, black arrives at the leather eyestays, laces and tongue. Special Tekken motifs enter the mix at the tongue and sockliner branding, while a red “FIST” graphic adorns the icy translucent outsole. That’s not all — a special box featuring the game’s cover art of Kazuya Mishima and Jin Kazama is included too.
At the time of writing, Nike has not confirmed when this Tekken 8-themed take on the Air Foamposite One will be releasing. Stay tuned for updates as we currently expect it to arrive this September via Nike SNKRS and select retailers at a starting price of $250 USD.
Source: Nike / Nke
The box itself may be enough to get heads to line up for these, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Source: Nike / Nke
Would you cop the “Tekken 8” Air Foamposites or are you still cool on the classic silhouette these days?
Check out pics of the kicks themselves and let us know if you’ll be picking up a pair or passing in the comments section below.
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Photo: Nike
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Source: @salehebembury / Crocs / Instagram
Crocs are really coming to take their cut of the footwear market and to help them bolster the buzz on their latest Salehe Bembury silhouettes, they’ve enlisted the talents of Hip-Hop super producer, The Alchemist.
According to Sneakernews, the man who’s helped craft hit songs for the likes of Mobb Deep, Snoop Dogg and Nas has been tapped to star in Crocs latest Salehe Bembury campaign and truth be told, we’re not mad at it one bit. Styling in a pair of blue Crocs Saru Mule, the popular producer couldn’t look more comfortable as Crocs are known for their cozy feel and durable materials.
Per Sneakernews:
In case you missed our initial coverage of the Saru, the Saru Mule is an understandable evolution of the Pollex traction pattern that’s marked his Classic Clog & Slide output. Maintaining the brain-like layout underfoot, the top of the shoe is what’s transformed most radically, cutting out the “Sport Mode” strap and raising the foot entrance to ensure security despite the new mule life. Also in typical fashion, monochromatic executions remain in the spotlight; sunny “Citrine” and oceanic “Geneva” are the fourth and fifth colorways to grace the burgeoning silhouette.
Just as anticipation is sky-high for the Salehe Bembury New Balance 530, demand will no doubt carry over to this latest collection, so prepare for a contentious drop or aftermarket prices if you’re aiming to grab either shoe.
Don’t sleep. Crocs do be selling out immediately when there’s some hype behind specific releases. These will be no exception. So if you like what you see, prepare for the drop as they’ll likely fly off shelves especially at a reasonable price of $75.
Check out pics of the Crocs Saru Mule’s and let us know if you’ll be trying to pick up a pair in the comments section below.
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Source: SNKRS / NIke
When the Air Jordan 6 “Aqua” colorway released last year many sneakerheads began to call on Nike to just re-release the classic Air Jordan 8 in the “Aqua” colorway as it’s been almost 10 years since we’ve seen them.
Apparently Nike heard our cries loud and clear and according to Nice Kicks the “Aqua” colorway to the Air Jordan 8 is set to return in 2025! With 2025 already jam packed with classic Air Jordan retros such as the “White Cement” 4’s, “Metallic” 5’s, and of course the Air Jordan 1 High ’85 “Bred”‘s, Nike is trying to ensure that next year is a banner one for the company as 2024 is proving to be, well, a dud.
Now that heads will be getting a chance to get their feet in some classic Air Jordan 8’s (which originally dropped in 1993), once can only wonder what else Nike has up it’s sleeve for 2025.
Per Nice Kicks:
Re-released in 2007 and again in 2015, the Air Jordan 8 “Aqua” captured the hearts of sneaker enthusiasts and will return in Summer 2025, a decade after its last appearance.
The Air Jordan 8 “Aqua” releases in Summer 2025 for $210 via SNKRS and select retailers.
Easily a double-up or triple-up if you got the funds.
Check out pics of the kicks and let us know if you’re as excited as we are for 2025 in the comments section below.