The Top 9 Of 09.... By Nicekicks.com

2009 was definitely a great year to be a sneaker lover! Not only were the majority of the sneaker releases exceptional (”Space Jam”, Air Yeezy, etc.) but sneaker-related stories undoubtedly dominated 2009 (Marcus Jordan, DJ AM).
With that said, our staff compiled a list of sneaker stories that remained at the forefront of sneaker enthusiasts’ minds throughout the year. There were many more than nine stories; however, staying with the theme of the year, we narrowed it down to this specific number.
Hit the jump to view the Top 9 Sneaker Stories of ‘09.

The Recession Hits The Sneaker Heads.

2009 was a tough year for a much of America. The national recession put stress and strain on pocketbooks everywhere, meaning that hobby expenses had to be cut back. For many of you, that meant your love for sneakers had to take a backseat to more dire necessities. While lower incomes and tougher times have proved to be at least an inconvenience or worse for many people, many of us overlook the troubles that the stores we buy our shoes from have faced.
Looking back on 2009 in terms of sneakers, many things come to mind. High-tops were big, Jordan Brand made sure we knew MJ was being inducted into the Hall, and many other trends came and went. One trend many of us never considered though, was an economic one. So to look into the year in a fiscal sense, we look now at spending trends and receive insight from a boutique owner in a struggling local economy.
The one positive side of the recession is that if you do have money to spend, you had options and many of those shoes were on sale, as retailers wanted to make sure to unload product. On the contrary, that means that boutiques and resellers have had an even harder time choosing which products to put on their shelves.
This situation has made for an opportunity for sneakers that many thought would not be so successful to do just that–succeed. One silhouette that Jeff Brown, owner of Suite 160 in Las Vegas, has found sold very well was the Nike SB Zoom Stefan Janoski. “Blazers and Janoskis,” says Jeff, “are selling much better than say, $140 Jordans, where in the last couple years, people didn’t really care if something was over $100 dollars. They would buy it.”
Jeff and other owners have found themselves buying some products based on their price, rather than the more expensive sneakers that sell out in a healthy economy. The Nike Air Max 95 was specifically mentioned, as it released in a number of colors in 2009. “If someone already has a few of those in different colors, they’d pass on the other ones. I mean, they’re $140,” said Brown.
This trend is pretty easy to believe, as many collectors pride themselves on the diversity in their closet. For many sneakerheads, whether avid or casual, the ultimate consideration comes down to whether it’s worth it to own two of the same shoes in slightly different colors or two (or more) completely different shoes.
Just as interesting to consider is the way stores are reacting to our preferences for price. Jeff is an a very unique situation, as the two locations he owns are in vastly different areas. The flagship store is in West Vegas, far from tourist attractions, and caters to educated local consumers. The second is in the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, where flashier and unique shoes sell and the average consumer comes from foot traffic, which is “down about 40%,” according to Jeff.
It seems many retailers, and the brands they put on their shelves, spent the last year reconsidering the products they produce, carry and can sell. Obviously trends come and go, but the down economy had a lasting effect on our consumer-driven segment. The outlook for 2010 offers more hope than the last year did, and hopefully predictions will materialize. With the end of the year approaching in a matter of hours, how will you remember the last 12 months? Will you measure your shoe year in the ones you passed on, or the ones you justified splurging on?

Jensen Kirk (Jay.K)(Feat. Big Sean) - Paper Cha$er

Diamond Diamond Diamond...

KIlla

#2

New Balance...

New Balance has been coming storng with collaborations all year, and also with their in-house designs. These two 850s fall in to the latter category and are set drop in the Spring or Summer months of 2010.

The first uses a white, grey and red color scheme. The uppers and toes are made of leather, while the mid-panel uses a squared pattern. Black is also used for accent pieces throughout. The second pair uses the same mid-panel material in black, while accents come in the form of mint green nubuck accents. Finally, an electric blue color appears in small amounts all over.

Air Jordan 6 “Detroit Pistons” Detailed Photos

The reception for the Air Jordan 6 “Detroit Pistons” has been less than warm since we first caught a glimpse of it. And until now, lo-res photos and unflattering images are all that we have seen. Things are changing today though, as we get a detailed look and notify you that they’re available early at marqueesole.

We already know about the construction of the upper–nubuck and patent leather–but these photos better show the quality of the materials. We also get a better look at the splatter on the blue portions of the midsole, which makes them more intentional and methodical than when last viewed. These photos should serve to fuel the debate about these sneakers, and maybe change some opinions.

Cool Concept.....

Consistent with his usual brand of clean-cut designs, Giuliano Fujiwara returns for Spring with a new silhouette, adding another highly coveted sneaker to his footwear lineup. The kicks follow the signature mold of prior releases with a sleek platform and sophisticated color usage. Look for a drop in early 2010.

Source: High Snobiety

Giuliano FujiwaraSneakers

LAWD HAVE MERCY ON MY SOULLLLLLLLL...... Fight.

Vs.

WOW I'M BUGGING OUT HERE AT WORK....

ROSA ACOSTA..... WHAT SON C'MON

THIS CHICK IS FIRE. CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE PICS. IT WAS JUST TO MUCH TO POST.

What you Think... Best plays or Not...

Hoopz... Is that you....

I love BIG white chicks. hahahaha this chick can not dance.

I dont Know about this Joke

hahahahahaha they really messed up on this name.

LMAROFL

see more Epic Fails

thIS IS WHAT IT SAYS:

Roommate Fail

Free LCD TV.Yes it works perfectly.Yes it has a remote. No i wont deliver. Why is it FREE you ask????? My room mate thought it would be “hysterical” to pause “explicit gay video” on my TV while my girlfriend and I were on vacation for 2 weeks, thus burning an image into the scree. So… If you don’t mind a silhouette of a skinny white guy taking a load in the face from the biggest black penis in recorded history forever adorning your new TV, It’s yours.

Kanye West ft. Big Sean- Paranoid Remix

Consequence feat. KiD CuDi, Kanye West, Common, Big Sean - Whatever You Want G.O.O.D Remix

Its Cudi

Twerk Twerk

Official Twerk Team: How Low from DTP TV on Vimeo.

The Official Twerk Team adds their special touch to Luda's new hit single "How Low". Song available on Itunes now!!!

G Shock

Bringing a bit of a contemporary touch to the usual street stylings of Casio’s G-SHOCK, we get a peek into an upcoming project between Casio and Japanese menswear label Edifice. Two new watches will be produced within a set that finds inspiration from British design, while celebrating Edifice’s 15th Anniversary. Simple yet classy, both timepieces feature mostly white platforms with added stripe and polka dot motifs on the bands. Stay tuned for a further look into the project in the coming weeks.

Top 10 of 09. Complex

Vans Vault x Boots.

Next Spring and Summer will bring us solid Vans releases, as would be expected from the company who many agree perfected the essential Summer skate shoe. From the Vans Vault though, we’re going to see these two leather high-top Switchbacks, which use a boot-like design.

The last time we saw this silhouette, it came in a similar brown to the ones we see here alongside a black pair. The first pair for next year uses a mixture of maroon and orange leather in premium leather, sitting on a white vulcanized sole. The toe is covered with maroon, while orange is used for the remainder of the upper. The other pair is covered completely with worked brown leather, further completing its boot-like appearance.

Stussy x 30th x Jam Home Made.. These shits are fire I will be copping something from this collection.

Joining a slew of collaboration products to mark Stussy’s 30th anniversary is a capsule with Japanese accessories brand JAM HOME MADE. The 2010 spring collection includes a series of items revolving around an “XXX” motif and includes college rings, wallets and various chains and keychains. Available starting the beginning of January.

AccessoriesJam Home MadeJewelryStussy

These are Ugly..... I would not Disrespect my shoe game like this.

Nike SB unveils yet another silhouette from its January 2010 lineup. Dubbed the “Booom”, because of the comic book-esque explosion design on the swoosh, the kicks take on a black/white/blue colorway with red and yellow details. Look for these to make themselves available through Nike SB retailers next month as a quickstrike release.

Source: High Snobiety

NikeNike DunkNike SBSneakers

I would rock these...

Our resident blogger, Hikmet Sugoer, previews an upcoming collaborative sneaker design for his popular shoe boutique Solebox. Coming off a stellar year in 2009, as far as co-lab projects are concerned, Solebox looks to continue the success into the new year. Details on this silhouette include a neoprene in-shoe, premium materials, and hand-made construction. Stay tuned for a closer look and more information in the coming months. A release for these is set for February 2010.

SneakersSolebox

Year of the Tiger. Japan Drop Only.

With the Year of the Tiger upon us, Stussy Japan work up a new set of graphic tees, each referencing to the upcoming zodiac year of 2010. All four interpretations feature playful Stussy imagery in a vibrant array of colors and designs. Available now through select Stussy Japan retail stores.

These are rock with.... those Blue and Yellow ones..... those shits are whack...

Enjoying the retro honors in 2009, the Nike Sportswear Air Griffey Max 1 will come in the following gray/teal version down the road. A tonal gray upper features just the slighting touches of teal in the Air units, laceholes and Velcro tab Swoosh with a further silver Swoosh oner the forefoot. No word yet on a general release but available now through OSneaker.

This Dude is mad funny.....