Thunderstruck

I haven't been a fan of Brand Jordan retro issues the past few years. But this was one release I had to get...

The original Thunder Air Jordan IV that released in 2006. It was bittersweet for me because I was able to get the Lightning version...

But the Thunder was much more elusive & rare. With resale values hitting $400-500, I refused to bite...

So the 2012 release was a welcome site.  As far as quality goes, I was impressed. The past few IV releases were fulled with goofy shapes, piss poor quality (plastic-looking leather) & terrible fit.

I felt they did this one right.  Even the toe box looks on point. I still recommend gutting the flimsy cheap sockliners with replacement insoles.

Thunderstruck!

Gold Mine

Michael Crabtree and the San Francisco 49ers will be traveling to Atlanta this coming weekend for the NFC Championship game. Check out the Air Jordan XX8 PE cleats Crabtree will be rocking...
 

 Wonder if he'll lend a pair to former Jumpman teammate Randy Moss...

I almost like these better than the XX8 hoops shoe! I am wishing these had gold on them like his Super.Fly cleats...

...or his Jordan IX cleats.

#VINTAGE

I wasn't a fan of this whole yellowed sole thing that sneaker companies have been cranking out lately. Its like paying top dollar for jeans with excessive holes in them.....why buy something that looks used or used up?

Then I came across these VTG Infrared 90s and my mind changed. The yellowed soles actually give them a really nice look.

The yellowing is just right.  Hopefully they don't crack like vintage midsoles LOL.

FYI, unlike most of the Nike Sportswear stuff dropping nowadays, these fit true to size. 

Highway Robbery

200 bones.  Really?  The last release was $160.  $40 more for two words on the back?

The older cats like myself have been saying they are done with J's for years...but when you hear the younger generation cry foul, that speaks volumes.

K-B-8

I have been pretty excited to finally get my hands on these - the Kobe 8 System in the "Sulfur" colorway.

I plan on breaking these out tonight for my volleyball opener. The initial feel is that they are stiffer than the recent Zoom Kobe V, VI and VII.

The upper is now made of Engineered Mesh instead of a Flywire structure.  It does feel much more breathable than the V/VI/VII...

...the cushioning took a drastic change as well, going from Zoom Air to a Lunarlon midsole. 

Being a devout fan of the LunarGlide, I actually welcome this change.

I still love the VI best performance-wise, with the V second best and the VII third best.  With a stiff upper, I can see breaking these in & playing in them a few times before making a true judgement.

Let's see how these perform tonight!

Late Pass

Tim Tebow creates a cult following in Denver, goes to New York, gets benched by the Jets, is on his way out....and then he gets his signature shoe?! 

I guess its the curse of being a New York Jet and getting your own sneaker (Darrelle Revis & his ACL ring a bell?). 

Luckily, these might be a GS only release (like the Paul Pierce line).

Thunder and....Lightning?

For some reason I have Wiz Khalifa stuck in my head...

The Nike Kobe System 8 "Sulfur" & Nike Air Jordan IV "Thunder" QS.

I will review the Kobe 8 tomorrow before I test drive it for my volleyball opener Tuesday night & review the Jordan 4 later this week.