Author: Bradley Martinez
When it comes to the best in outdoor footwear, sometimes the answers are in front of you. Salomon have been creating outdoor tech since the 1940’s, beginning with skiing technology which has since filtered down into trail running shoes and hiking footwear and at Footpatrol, we love the technology and design processes that go into these products.
With Salomon’s new season starting to arrive at Footpatrol, we thought we’d take their XA-Pro Fusion Advanced out on to some trails to see just how they held up.
When it comes to hiking and trail running, one of the key factors you need from your footwear is confidence in traction, the XA-Pro Fusion Advanced is equipped with a Contagrip outsole which provides expert grip which with it’s geometry of the 3D Chassis, the sneaker provides just the right amount of cushioning and stability for a secure ride that’s capable of tackling a number of terrains.
Take a closer look below at the all black colour way and head over to Footpatrol.com to see the latest offering from Salomon.
Extending on their vast range of past collaborations, Nike and Jun Takahashi’s UNDERCOVER team up once again bring his unique eye for details to one of Nike’s most recent silhouettes. Bringing through inspirations that extends the concepts explored in the label’s SS21 collection.
The Overbreak delivers head-turning style and unrivalled comfort by merging the iconic athletics aesthetic of Blue Ribbon Sports with hyper-modern OverReact tooling.
The design probes the interplay of fluid movement with fixed environment. A textile-based upper is buoyed by synthetic suede overlays and a Kurim eyestay, while embroidered rose graphics and UNDERCOVER branding elements underscore the look’s premium craftsmanship.
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To enter the ONLINE RAFFLE (UK Only), RAFFLE CLOSED!
To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above form, this WON’T be available in-store to sign up on.
To sign up to the Online raffle, you will be prompted to complete a pre-authorisation payment of the retail price of the product plus shipping costs. This will be held until raffle completion. Those successful will have their raffle win posted out to the address entered during sign up. Those unsuccessful will see a return of their funds, this can take up to 5 working days from when the winners have been drawn. The raffle is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
OG colour ways will always be supreme within true fans however, over the years there are some colour ways introduced that also fall into this category and one of those is the 2007 ‘Cool Grey’ Air Jordan III. Now re-releasing for the first time ever, this retro AJ3 returns with true-to-form colouring and upgraded materials.
With hits of Sport Red and Orange Peel on the tongue, eyelets, Air bag and heel tab, the upgraded construction features a genuine leather upper, matte-finished midsole and elephant-print overlays on the forefoot and heel.
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To enter the ONLINE RAFFLE (UK Only), RAFFLE CLOSED!
To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above form, this WON’T be available in-store to sign up on.
To sign up to the Online raffle, you will be prompted to complete a pre-authorisation payment of the retail price of the product plus shipping costs. This will be held until raffle completion. Those successful will have their raffle win posted out to the address entered during sign up. Those unsuccessful will see a return of their funds, this can take up to 5 working days from when the winners have been drawn. The raffle is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
A stand out model from an amazing 2020 from New Balance had to be their introduction of the Niobium silhouette with their Tokyo Design Studio division.
Wanting to create a sneaker for any situation, TDS and NB and come up with a fascinating way of exploring the world of hybrid sneakers. For this example, the Niobium is actually a 3-in-1 sneaker that covers all boundaries it may have to deal with.
To kick start, we have a boot that is ready to explore any outdoor trail/hike. For the easy life adding a great sense of comfort, you can unzip the boot and you have a mule (see imagery below) which allows you to just slip in and out of the silhouette but keeps the rugged outsole from the boot. Lastly, unzip from the mule and you will have an indoor slipper.
After first being introduced to the silhouette through a collaboration with the outdoor gurus Snow Peak, a handful of colour ways followed suit. To kick start 2021, New Balance and TDS continue to explore the possibilities of this silhouette with the introduction of their trusted all grey colour way, a staple for any New Balance and one that is always a winner.
Shop here! Sizes range from UK7 – UK11, priced at £270.
The Air Jordan VI silhouette was famously inspired by the MJ’s German sportswear. It’s very essence conveyed speed and class, laden with touches like a neoprene sleeve, a translucent outsole and etc. The Air Jordan VI was the model he wore en route to his first Championship title with the Chicago Bulls.
A part of 5 original colourways to release in 1991, the Air Jordan VI ‘Carmine’ colourway stood out from the other with its unusual red hue and colour-blocking, differentiating itself from the known Infrared that was used.
Since it’s release the AJVI Carmine has been a sought after iteration due to its lack of retros. Since its initial release, it has only been retrod twice. In 2008, it was part of a limited 2 pair duo dubbed ‘The Countdown Pack’ alongside the Air Jordan XVII and then again in 2014 as a standalone release.
For its 30th anniversary, Jordan Brand have delved into its roots by releasing the AJVI Carmine in its original form. Featuring a duo-tone combination of white leather and carmine unbuckle, black hits a used on the midsole, lining and tongue. Further white additions are displayed on the outsole combined with translucent details around air bubble and forefoot. The original form takes place through the addition of ‘Nike Air’ branding on the heel.
The Air Jordan VI ‘Carmine’ is coming soon to Footpatrol…!
Footpatrol: Mark thanks for spending some time with us! How have you been getting on with everything?
Mark: Thank you for having me. I’ve actually had a really busy January, I’ve been working on designs and launching the web store for Sneakers & Recreation, and I also celebrated the birth of my first child so it’s been pretty hectic but all good fun!
FP: We wanted to talk with you of course about your collection and where this passion all began. Could you start off by giving us an overview on how long you’ve been collecting and what was the catalyst behind your love for Jordans?
Mark: Yeah for sure, I actually got my first pair of Jordans when I was 16 and I started playing basketball at college. I was playing in some really busted cheap Nikes and a friend of mine said to me that he couldn’t bear to watch me playing in them any longer. He had a new pair of Jordan 16’s so he actually gave me his old pair which were the black/indiglo 14’s. I absolutely wore those into the ground as you can see by the state of them. I love them though and of course I got the retro when they came out a few years ago because they mean a lot to me. Then when I was 18 I bought my first pair with my own money which was the Jordan 18. At that time and for the next few years I was really buying Jordans just for hooping, and maybe I’d have one pair to wear casually too.
FP: Did you ever see yourself when you start owning as many pairs as you do now?
Mark: I definitely never envisaged having this many pairs. I remember in the early 2000’s looking in SLAM magazine at a pair of white cement 3’s and thinking that was the most beautiful pair of shoes I had ever seen. It was just unlike anything else. I absolutely loved MJ, and if I wasn’t playing basketball I was watching videos of him, as well as Penny and AI, but Mike was always the goat for me and that meant Jordan’s were always the shoe that I wanted. Plus not many people had them so they felt even more special.
I guess it just kind of built up slowly from there. I actually had more pairs at one point and it peaked in about 2014, (I blame eBay) there was just too many great shoes that came out in the mid 00’s and in around 2010 when I was earning some real money I was able to buy all the things that I’d missed out on!
So at that point I peaked somewhere between 150/200 pairs. Then in 2015 I went to live in New Zealand for a year and I only took five pairs with me and the rest were put into storage. Even though I bought quite a few pairs when I was there, I realised that I didn’t miss all of the pairs in storage and there were definitely some I could do without. So I cut my collection down to about 80 pairs and now I try and hover around the 80 to 100 mark at all times.
FP: Anyone that’s seen your social media will know you have got what almost looks like every colour under the sun. Including some customs! Is there one Jordan colourway that has always been your favourite?
Mark: I think most Jordan fans will say that there’s something special about Chicago red and white colourways on Jordans, and the Chicago Jordan 1 is my favourite shoe and colourway. I do absolutely love cement and elephant print too though on a white canvas, so the white cement 3 and 4 come in at second and third respectively.
FP: What about PE versions, is there any that you have or wish you had?
Mark: Actually when I was in New Zealand I did pick up a pair of PE’s, which is very random and the only pair I own. I went into a vintage store in Wellington and they had a few Jordans in there, nothing too exciting, and then I saw this pair with GW3 stitched on the back. I knew that Gerald Wallace was a team Jordan athlete but I thought there’s no way that there could be a PE in here. I check the tag inside and there it is: Promo, with his name, the style and the season on it. So I sent a photo of them over to friend in the US who collects PE’s and he hit me right back to say they were a legit pair.
I checked the price with the sales assistant, and they actually had a sale on that day. I picked them up for the equivalent of £22.50! So they’re really random PE but a PE nonetheless haha!
There is a lot I wish I did have though and number one would definitely be the Oregon duck 3’s. The Kobe 3 and 8 pack too, and any of the UNC team shoes that have come out in recent years.
FP: We brought you here to talk about the Air Jordan 6 for the return of the Carmine. As a model do you think the Air Jordan 6 has as much importance as other silhouettes within the Jordan range?
Mark: I think the 6 is so important particularly because its the silhouette the Mike won his first championship in so it’s going to be forever embedded in history because of that. However there might be some newer fans who aren’t as familiar with the model, and actually releases like the Travis Scott 6, and this Carmine release, are really important in order to bring this model to the forefront again and showcase to the younger fans of the line. Because it’s a beautiful Tinker designed shoe that has an important place in the history of the Jordan legacy.
FP: For a colourway to release only a couple times (including the Countdown Pack) since 91, how do you fair this latest iteration will do and do you believe that it will be appreciated as such?
Mark: I feel the same way about this coming back as I did the Fire Red 4 last year. It’s just so important that we’ve got it as close to that OG and with that in the Nike Air as well.
Looking at these I can see that the shape is much closer to the OG, in particular the tongue height, and there’s also some subtle differences like the colour of carmine red used, and the holes on the tongue. All of these go a long way to giving it that truly OG feel and the real heads definitely appreciate that, and I think that some of the newer heads will love them too!
FP: Do you own many 6s or even any of the previous Carmine releases?
Mark: Yeah I have about 10 pairs of 6’s, 4 of which are actually iterations of the Black/Infrared over different years. I love the 2000 release, so I have 2 of those, one which I turned into a Reverse infrared custom because I knew I’d never own that sample! I also have the Motorsport 6 which isn’t a pair you see very often but it has some really individual details and the elephant print lining is just too good. But the Carmine is my favourite 6, and compared to the 2014 version these are just perfect. So they’ll definitely be on foot a lot this year!
FP: Is there any memorable moment that you have surrounding the Air Jordan 6?
Mark: What stays embedded in my head with the 6 is that locker room footage of Mike crying, hugging the trophy after he wins that first championship. With his father next to him. Just the feeling of complete overwhelming elation getting to that point in his career. I also love the photo of the starting 5 with the championship trophy with Mike in the Carmines and Phil Jackson in Bred 4’s!
FP: I saw you have a custom AJ6 ‘Tour Yellow’ which looks amazing on that shoe, the 4s are one of my favourites! Besides that colour way, is there another that you wish you could transfer on to the Jordan 6?
Mark: Thank you so much, I actually made those six years ago because the 4’s are one of my favourite pairs too and I just thought that the colourway would translate really effortlessly onto a 6. I see that Jordan brand are actually rumoured to be bringing out a 6 low in the same colourway this year so I’ll be after a pair of those (and some royalties haha).
I would love to see the Mist blue colourway on the 6 as thats another one of my favourite 4’s and I think that would work really nicely. Aside from those, a real release of the Reverse Infrared 6 sample would be pretty awesome.
FP: Mark thanks for much again for talking to us about your passion!
Mark: Much appreciated, its been a pleasure to chop it up with you!
Founded in 1996, Tatsuhiko Akashi and his MEDICOM TOY empire have since become one of the most highly regarded and valued collectables within streetwear as well as the art world, producing some of the most sought after products, having collaborated with high end brands and artists across all fields including Chanel, Bape, Stash, Futura and many more…
Since its introduction, the BE@RBRICK figure has become one of MEDICOM TOYS iconic collector’s pieces, with some editions extremely popular on the secondary market.
As well as MEDICOM TOY, they also have FABRICK, which expands on desirable collectables, focusing mainly on textiles design, for home goods & accessories. Implementing exquisite Japanese craftsmanship on everything from wallets to sofas, FABRICK offers a more tactile experience, bringing the originality and uniqueness in a more wearable and usable form.
We’re excited to announce our latest collaboration with FABRICK, on a range of home goods and accessories.
We wanted to build on our love of graphic design, typography and the city where Footpatrol began, London. Often referred to as a concrete jungle, we played on this idea by building a maze, mirroring the intertwining streets and alleyways of Soho, taking inspiration from optical illusion artists such as MC Escher, we landed on a design that with closer inspection, reveals our name.
Made in Japan within the secret laboratories of MEDICOM TOY, the collection include two bags, a cushion and a pair of house slippers, the bags, a sacoche and a waist bag, are both lightweight with enough room for your everyday belongings, whilst the slippers and cushion add an extra sense of comfort within the home.
Shop here! Prices range from £35 – £50.
Before cementing its status as a streetwear icon and skateboarding staple, the Dunk began its journey on the hardwood as Nike’s first team basketball shoe. This high-top edition of the timeless silhouette features Velvet Brown with hits of Dark Curry.
The “Dark Russet” begins its appealing mix of hues with brown shades on the quarter panels, toe-boxes and collars.
Brown is also used on the throat, but the rest of the make-ups suede is swapped out for a classic nylon. Atop sits shaggy “Dark Curry” suede on the mudguard, heel, collar and eye-stays. The tongue swaps out suede for nylon while retaining the “Dark Russet” hue of its counterparts.
An essential edition of the high-top masterpiece, featuring wearable colours for the months ahead.
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To sign up to the Online raffle, you will be prompted to complete a pre-authorisation payment of the retail price of the product plus shipping costs. This will be held until raffle completion. Those successful will have their raffle win posted out to the address entered during sign up. Those unsuccessful will see a return of their funds, this can take up to 5 working days from when the winners have been drawn. The raffle is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
AMBUSH®︎, the Tokyo based label co-founded by its creative director YOON, partners with NIKE and the NBA, to design a 90’s inspired, basketball capsule collection complemented by a new take on the iconic NIKE DUNK.
With this partnership, the first female designer to partner with Nike and NBA, delivers an energetic attitude, signature AMBUSH® detailing and fresh-styling to female basketball fans.YOON re-imagined the iconic NIKE DUNK with AMBUSH® approach; inspired by Japanese bike, car and truck culture, the shoe is given an elongated and heightened form with Swooshes extending beyond the heel like bike pipes.
Additionally, YOON reimagined Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets apparel. The collection includes playful, seasonally appropriate attire thats a true ode to the 90’s.
“The project began with a conversation about making women feel proud to represent their favourite teams. We were considering how to balance the culture of the sport without losing style. I thought of all these amazing and strong female characters from the ’90s who would come out in men’s clothes and I wanted to see how we could carry that attitude but bring in more feminine forms” – YOON
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To sign up to the Online raffle, you will be prompted to complete a pre-authorisation payment of the retail price of the product plus shipping costs. This will be held until raffle completion. Those successful will have their raffle win posted out to the address entered during sign up. Those unsuccessful will see a return of their funds, this can take up to 5 working days from when the winners have been drawn. The raffle is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
Introduced in 1982, the Air Force 1 redefined basketball footwear from the hardwood to the blacktop. It was the first basketball sneaker to house Nike Air, but its innovative nature has since taken a backseat to its status as a street icon.
Arguably one of Nike’s most timeless silhouettes, the Nike Air Force 1 is a go-to staple for sneaker collectors and general consumers alike. The perfect canvas for multiple colourways and collaborations, since 1982, the Air Force 1 has gone through drastic changes with technology but will always be known for its originality and iconic aesthetics.
Before it became a streetwear legend, the Air Force 1 was a defining basketball silhouette—and this edition aims to revive the style with funky vibes inspired by retro basketball aesthetics. In tribute to Nike’s time-traveling all-star team, the Roswell Rayguns, it features a throwback colour palette, embroidered accents and other hip details that celebrate the ’70s. First seen in 2005 on the Nike SB Dunk Lows in both ‘Home’ & ‘Away’ colours, Nike retrod both releases with an updated twist. As far as classic models go, its only right to include the Air Force 1.
With a classic white leather base, this Raygun edition features orange on the heel counter along with a black Swoosh and yellow detailing to follow all in satin material. Black lining, laces and outsole add finishing touches and the Raygun insignias are placed atop the lateral heels, but this variation solely uses the alien-colored basketball head logo instead of the traditional full body silhouette to complete a throwback release.
Originally launched in 2008, the GEL-KAYANO 14 was the fourteenth model to release in ASICS’ long-running GEL-KAYANO series.
What makes this particular model unique is that it was the first in the series to be created by a designer other than its namesake Toshikazu Kayano. Kayano passed the baton to Hidenori Yamashita.
The inspiration for the sneaker was “flash”, Yamashita explains: “‘Flash’ for me references that burst of action where the runner lands at the heel and pushes away at the toes. Whether it’s the colour, the lines, the materials, the silhouette, or the texture all aspects of the GEL-KAYANO 14 are designed with that idea of ‘flash’ in mind.”
When it first released, the GEL-KAYANO 14 won the International Editor’s Choice prize in Runner’s World’s annual awards.
The model remains a favourite among runners.
