Nike recently treated sneaker fans to the Air Raid Jungle Gym from 1993 (which we covered here at Sneakerjawns), and now we're getting the 2014 remake. The Air Raid brand has been building some steam this year with the Air Raid Low, Air Raid Jungle Gym, and Air Raid OG, and notably the Nike Air Max 1 featuring in the Live Together Play Together Pack with a Jungle Gym colorway. On top of that, the 90s silhouette is getting releases at the beginning of the year with the Air Raid 2014 remake and the Air Raid Ray Guns. The old silhouette is getting some attention from their makers, that is Nike, to give more variations to the classic style. The Nike Air Raid has much lore to it, designed by Tinker Hatfield as an outdoor counterpart to the Air Jordans, featured in commercials with Spike Lee, hence the Live Together Play Together ethos. The 2014 Black and White Air Raid is not as colorful as the jungle gym, but style doesn't always come with flare. Let's ...
Not many people know that New Balance was active in the basketball scene even before Leonard was even born, in James Worthy’s time, for reference. That long ago. The laker legend had his own signature pair of NBs, the New Balance P740 “Worthy Express.”
New Balance had signed athletes before James Worthy, but it was the first time they went a stepped further and designed a unique shoe for one of their sponsored players. James delivered, of course, with a career of three NBA titles in L.A and a finals MVP.
New Balance soon bailed on “The basketball” dream and focused on what they are primarily known for, running shoes.
New Balance got back into the scene in 2018, trusting in Leonard’s game and banking on him, and he won the NBA championship, putting light on NB’s shoes, and justifying their return and giving them a name again in the basketball scene.
In line with their ethos, curation over quantity, they signed Kawhi Leonard and Darius Bazley, players that fit their mold and brand’s personality.
NB’s “Inspire the Dream” Collection features OMN1S, 997S, 850, and 547. The OMN1S is the only on-court basketball shoe on the list, while the others share the familiar NB silhouette for off-court fans.
The OMN1S, a high-top sneaker with potential for future colorways, possesses a full-length FuelCell midsole, and that will assist in enhancing bounce, speed, and explosive movement with the help of a 3D Ultra Heel construction for an enduring locked-in fit. The OMN1S features red and gold detailing on an infused FitWeave upper showcasing the words “Inspire” and “Dream.”
New Balance’s “Inspire the Dream,” collection with shoes and apparel, in partnership with Kawhi Leonard, is scheduled for release on January 30th, 2020.
Written By: Craig Volney