Jordan Brand Team Shoes 09

Air Jordan brand has released several great performance shoes this year.  Keynoted by the Air Jordan 24 and punctuated with the addition of several throwbacks and built for style mix and match across the years conglomeration shoes, the Jordan Brand has successfully played to the booming streetwear only market.  We often see the streetwear shoes on the court, but understandably the technology and performance harkens back to the previous era when these shoes were popular. 

Below are the Jordan Brand shoes designed for some real action.  The Jordan 09 is a great all around performer and except for its wieght issue is a solid long lasting kick with its own unique style.  Also seen below are the  Jordan Hallowed Ground which is a mix of the past shoe that actually does perform, the Jordan Element – a next generation of Air Jordan, the Jordan CP3, Jordan Ol’ School III, the Melo M6, the Air Jordan DMP 7, the Jordan Schoolin, Jordan Dentro, Jumpman Elite, Jordan 2.5 Team Shoe and finally the Jordan Flight 45.  You could also play in the Jordan 6 rings… however my personal experience with the sole cushioning was poor enought the first time around that I’ll forgo adding it to this list

Jordan Brand has made an effort in the Team Shoe category by offering multiple colorways in the Jordan Team Shoe, and with the Jumpman Elite, Melo M6 and finally the Jordan Ol School.

Sources: nicekicks.com, theshoegame.com, geeksneakers.com, individualsole.com, bayareakicks.com, dimemag.com  and eastbay.com

Nike Team Shoes 2009 – 2010

Here is the full lineup of the Nike Team Shoes that we discussed briefly in our Nike Hyperize post last week.

The TB Lineup is impressive starting with the ultra high performer the Kobe 4 and dribbling down the price all the way to the not so soarin $55 low end kick.  The team lineup is designed to encompass all player types and all school colors.  Look for the  Zoom Kobe IV, Nike Hyperize, Nike Hypermax, Nike Shox Vision, Nike Air Max Go, Nike Blue Chip II, Nike Air Flight Soarin in NCAA basketball games, Highschool games and on the not so official pick up court.

More colors are available in each shoe…

Sources: nicekicks.com, theshoegame.com and eastbay.com

Lebron Soldier

Lebron Zoom Soldier

One of the best shoes I have played in this year is the Lebron Soldier III.  Dual Zoom Air cushioning units plus industrial strength lockdown with two velcro straps across the top of the foot ensure that this is a real game shoe.  You can rule the slab, hardwood and neighborhood in the Nike Zoom Soldier III.  NBA superstar Lebron played in these shoes in last years playoffs.  The quality design and lightweight strength match his style of play.  These attributes have lengthened the product life of the the Nike Zoom Soldier III which has now become on of this years best nike team shoes.  Now offered in more than a dozen colors, the Lebron Soldier gains strength from the combination full-grain and synthetic leather upper.

The lockdown straps located on the top of the forefoot and medial ankle regions secure the foot snugly.   This basketball shoe is great for both guards and power players with high-performance no matter how hard you slice or how powerful you takeoff.

The ZS III provides comfort and ankle support for extended periods while running the floor and finding the open man all game long.  The shoe profile is fairly slender and may cause a little forefoot discomfort during initial wearings.  Strength in the shoe upper is created by a solid toe cap and triple stitched seams on the primary support sections.  The Bron Bron Soldier is definitely not designed for just hanging out or chilling out without lacing because the velcro straps have to be secured across the top of the foot or they will snag the laces and nylon upper.

The sole of the Soldier III is lacking an arch support graphite or plastic shank which allows the shoe to almost fold in half without your foot in it…  This may create longevity issues as the sole breaks in after several wearings.  The outsole has a unique square block pattern that contains non-traditional expanded herringbone which provides great traction which also includes a solid edge all the way around the sole perimeter.

See All Nike Team Shoes

See All Lebron Soldier III Colors

Reebok “The Pump”

Celebrating 20 years since it’s air-filled inception, The Pump has returned. Keeping the materials and colors clean is the lesson here, and according to our friends at Crooked Tongues, “the leathers feel just right, that Pump isn’t one of those placebo salesman sample dummy ones, and you can happily unleash that satisfying hissssss at will.” All is well for fiends of The Pump.

A collection of limited makeups from the likes of Solebox, Patta and Bodega are also on the horizon, while these ones here will likely be available at top retailers (such as the aforementioned) this November.