The newest addition to Deion Sanders’ Nike signature line is this previously unreleased grey-based colorway of the Air Diamond Turf II. Featuring a grey nubuck build, the shoe is accented by white leather detailing on the sides and touches of black on the tongue and midsole. Giving the shoe a little summer time color pop are hits of Vivid Orange on the tongue branding, Swoosh, ventilated areas of the side panels, inner lining and AIR notation on the midsole. A grey, white and black outsole caps off the look below.

The Air Diamond Turf II is available in this new grey-based colorway at Eastbay today.

05/2012 Nike Air Diamond Turf II
487658-080 Dark Grey Wolf Grey Vivid Orange
$120.00

WASHINGTON REDSKINS UNVEIL NEW NIKE ANNIVERSARY UNIFORM

words // Brandon Richard

via Press Release

The Washington Redskins officially unveiled their 2012 “Anniversary” NFL Nike Elite 51 football uniform at an event celebrating the franchise’s 80th Anniversary at the indoor practice facility at Redskins Park. Linebackers Brian Orakpo, and Ryan Kerrigan were on hand to showcase the new look, unveiling the latest version of this highly innovative new uniform system. The jerseys will be worn in two games this season that will be announced at a later date.

Nike worked closely with Redskins owner Dan Snyder and his staff to create a look that captured the team’s history. The alternate look is a balance between history and tradition featuring a rich darker color palate and updated numbering system. It is a modern interpretation of those worn back in 1937 – a year signifying the team’s move from Boston to Washington, D.C. as well as their first National Championship. The patch on the shoulder is one that was worn in early team history. The design also pays tribute to 1937 QB “Slingin” Sammy Baugh, who in his first year in the league led the newly relocated Redskins to their first National Championship. Sammy was the last surviving member of the 1963 17-member charter class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and has been honored by the Redskins with the retirement of his #33 jersey – the only number the team has ever officially retired.

“The Redskins are an amazing organization focused on team, unity and tradition. This new alternate uniform design for the Redskins is a very special one that truly speaks to the team’s long, rich history” said Nike Football Creative Director Todd Van Horne. “We have truly enjoyed working with Dan Snyder and his team on this project and look forward to seeing the new Elite 51 uniform system on the field this season.”

Completing the look, the helmet sports a unique feather-like finish and the words “Team, Effort, Tradition” are embroidered on the inside of the neckline serving as a reminder to each athlete of what it means to be a Redskin.

“In honor of 80 years of rich tradition this anniversary uniform displays our heritage” said Daniel M. Snyder. “We hope that it will bring back great memories to our fans.”

Designed and engineered from the inside out, the new uniform features a system in which the baselayer, padding, jersey and pant work in unison. Lightweight padding has also been integrated into the determined “hit zones” of the baselayer. Additional innovations include integrating Flywire technology into the neckline to reduce weight and provide lockdown fit over pads, increasing sleeve articulation for better range of motion, and integrating new four-way stretch fabrication to provide a streamlined shrink-wrap fit.

words // Brandon Richard

Ken Griffey Jr.’s latest Nike shoe preps for another release early next month. This Air Max Griffey Fury is treated to a metallic silver Hyperfuse upper, helped by black on the tongue, inner lining, pull-tab, Swoosh and midsole. Giving the shoe a little of that throwback Seattle flavor are hits of New Green on the “24″ emblem along the lateral ankle, 360-Max Air bag and outsole.

Look for the newest Air Max Griffey Fury to arrive at Nike Sportswear accounts on Saturday, June 9.

06/09/12 Nike Air Max Griffey Fury Fuse
511309-003 Metallic Silver/Black-New Green
$170.00

words // Brandon Richard

The second of two Nike Trainers being released in celebration of Manny Pacquiao’s June fight against Timothy Bradley is this militaristic colorway of the Lunar Vapor Trainer. Decked out in Cargo Khaki synthetics, the shoe features tonal graphic work toward the heel, a large white Swoosh on the lateral side, a Filpino flag patch on the tongue and shielded MP logo on the heel. The Lunarlon cushioned midsole is done in white, while gold takes care of the Swoosh border and outsole to complete the look.

Look for the Lunar Vapor Trainer MP to release alongside the Air Trainer 1.3 Max MP on Friday, May 18.

05/18/12 Nike Lunar Vapor Trainer MP
539861-300 Cargo Khaki
$100.00

words // Brandon Richard

Now a pre-Pacquiao fight tradition, Nike celebrates Manny’s upcoming bout with Timothy Bradley by releasing a special Philippines-themed trainer. Getting the call once again is the Air Trainer 1.3 Max, which sports a white Hyperfuse-constructed base, backed by a metallic blue material that mimics the look of Manny’s fight robes. Red and yellow are added to the equation with appearances on the laces and tongue, as well as a gradient look on the Swoosh, 360-Max Air bag and midsole. A durable red and yellow rubber outsole supports the ride below.

Additional Pacquiao details include the phrase “Ninong Knows,” which translates to “Godfather Knows” in reference to Pacquiao’s generosity to the Filipino people. Custom Manny insoles line the interior, while his logo is embroidered on the heel.

The new Air Trainer 1.3 Max MP will release on Friday, May 18. Pacquiao and Bradley will square off on Saturday, June 9.

05/18/12 Nike Air Trainer 1.3 Max MP
513697-101 White/Game Royal-Red-Yellow
$170.00

NIKE SOCCER UNVEILS ARSENAL HOME KIT FOR 2012-2013 SEASON

words // Brandon Richard

via Press Release

Nike Soccer and Arsenal have introduced the club’s new home kits for the 2012-2013 season, inspired by 126 years of innovation and style. Former Club Manager Herbert Chapman, who led Arsenal from 1925 to 1934, championed the use of floodlights, numbered shirts and white footballs in the modern game. Official kit supplier Nike has unveiled a home kit that pays tribute to club heritage, while offering players and fans a modern and stylish new uniform.

The shirt boasts the traditional red block body with white sleeves, as well as a new obsidian hoop detail on the collar, sleeves and socks. Long used as the third color on Arsenal’s shirts throughout history, the inclusion of obsidian in the kit for the 2012-2013 season not only salutes the past, but gives the kit a fresh, bold look.

Heritage details include an inner neck graphic which reads; “Victoria Concordia Crescit (the club’s latin logo meaning victory through harmony). The outer neck graphic is a nod to Chapman’s famous ‘WM formation’ that galvanized and shaped the modern game.

The new shorts are white but with a WM formation on the side, and ‘Arsenal’ in the back of the waistband. Home socks are white with red and obsidian hoop detail.

In addition to combining modern sport and youth style to give the club an iconic new look, Nike innovation gives the team our most technologically advanced kit to aid athlete comfort and performance. New home kits are made from the brand’s ground-breaking recycled polyester, making it the most environmentally friendly kit ever produced. Each kit is made using up to thirteen recycled plastic water bottles. The strategy reduces energy consumption by up to 30% compared to the use of traditional polyester. Since 2010 Nike has used an estimated 1115 million recycled plastic bottles to create its high performance kits.

The kits are made out of 23% lighter fabric with 20% stronger knit structure than Nike’s previous kits and feature Nike Dri-FIT technology to wick moisture away from athletes to help keep them cool and dry on-pitch.

Included in the kits are reinforced t-bar junctions that support critical seams on the shirt and shorts and inner welded seams with a flat finish construction that improves comfort and performance. Temperature regulation is helped by ventilation zones, consisting of a series of tiny laser cut holes from the under arms to the waistband, allowing air to circulate to keep players comfortable.

Nike Pro Combat base-layers are used by athletes to compliment playing kits to further improve comfort and increase protection from injury. Fans and players can enjoy the Nike’s Arsenal Sportswear collection off the pitch, inspired by the club’s heritage. Release details are still forthcoming.