Originally a lightweight running shoe from 1980, the PUMA Whirlwind II was built on a racing spike last with a multi-pimpled outsole for extra shock absorption.

Ideal for racing and training on most surfaces back in the day, it has now been re-issued in this classic Surf the Web Blue/White colorway. It features a quality suede and nylon mix upper with a sweeping white leather PUMA Formstripe and Whirlwind branding on the side.

 Now available exclusively at size? stores for £49.99

If you have a significant other who has a closet full of Christian Louboutin shoes, it may surprise you to learn that they also make shoes for men--and sneakers, no less. With eye-catching gold and silver studding in both a white and black models, the shoes are available now at Fred Segal Feet in LA (323-655-9500)

Since they will ship anywhere, there is no excuse not to call now--as they will surely sell out. For those who picked up the Louis Vuitton X Kanye West kicks last year--and have $995 to spend--these sneakers are a must-have and will certainly turn heads.

Oakland A's fans will be able to hit up Berkley sneaker boutique Bows & Arrows and grab a pair of limited edition Vans Chukka LX X MLB Oakland A's edition kicks on April 5th at 11 AM. The A's edition will be part of several other MLB Chukka's including the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox.

The recognizable A’s color scheme is run throughout the sneakers, topped off with the A's logo. In addition, an Oakland A’s Majestic jersey will release in conjunction with the launch of the sneakers.

Getting free stuff, including sneakers, often comes with the territory when you are a celebrity. But what IS rare is when a celebrity merits a customized sneaker based on their athletic accomplishments. Such is the case with comedian Eddie Izzard, who completed 43 marathons in 51 days in his New Balances on behalf of Sports Relief--a huge feat for even the most avid runners.

Emblazoned with "Eddie Iz Running" across the toecaps, New Balance rewarded Izzard with his own personalized 576's as a testimony to his amazing charitable and personal accomplishment. Job well done Eddie!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! It always makes me smile when I can tie in my love of sneakers to holidays and other events that force me to actually wear the shoes I always seem to be buying. When I came into work today, I intentionally limited my wearing of green to my Adidas "House of Pain" edition Campus 80's. My colleague Cory was kind enough to snap a photo, which gave me the chance to revisit my dusty blog.

Work has been busier than expected lately, so I have spent more time buying shoes and less time blogging about them. But today I turn over a new leaf and will continue to share some of the cooler kicks I come across. Thanks for your patience and keep coming back! (Follow me on Twitter @sneakrz

One of the favorites of my own personal collection, the detailing and design on the P-Rod sneakers are stellar, as you would expect from the likes of Futura.

Link to auction here
Description: Nike Paul Rodriguez Zoom Air Elite
Style number: 312953
Color: 012 neutral grey / white-black
Year: 2005
Size: US 11.5
Condition: New - has extra pair of black laces
Original Box: Yes
Box Condition: Very Good

As an ongoing tribute to the memory of DJ AM and in support of the current auction underway on eBay, I'm going to feature several different sneakers of the 800+ as they are listed.

Prices are already skyrocketing, with rare kicks in new condition being among the most sought after. So without further delay...bid now for a great cause!

Link to auction here
Description: Nike Air Force 1
Style number: 630117
Color: 571 deep purple / gold (LA)
Year: 2001
Size: US 13 Condition:
Used - gently worn
Original Box: Yes
Box Condition: Very Good

Starting today [11/15] at 4:30 Pacific, more than 800 pairs of the late DJ AM's sneakers and memorabilia will be auctioned off on eBay [link here] to raise money to help those battling addiction.

Renowned as one of the premier DJs and sneaker collectors around the world, many of the shoes have never been worn and are extremely limited. Contributing the the success of this auction are his label Deckstar, eBay, and Undefeated. More information about the auction can be obtained on Undefeated's blog here.

Given his extensive collection, there should be something for everyone--and a lot of money will be raised for a great cause to honor DJ AM's memory.

Known as one of the most eccentric comic artists of our time, R. Crumb's images are immediately recognizable--and now they will be on feet around the world.

Priced from around $60, the new kicks from Vans featuring R. Crumb's images of some of his most famous characters, including Fritz the Cat [shown above] and Mr. Natural. Word on the street is that this will be the start of an ongoing collaboration between the artist and the innovative skate company.

Super Shoebiz X TOMS Shoes X Youth Against Poverty Presents: "One For Two" Event
Date/Time: August 22, 2009, 12-6 PM
Location: Super Shoebiz, 1420 Haight St.

The Deal:  Local Bay Area Artists will customize any TOMS shoes purchased that day!
ARTISTS: Romi Acosta, Sandra, Crockett & Yuka, DJ: HAYLOW (D2S) With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Shoebiz will also match every pair of shoes sold in-store. So your purchase will provide not only one, but TWO children in need of shoes!

Between 08/22/09 thru 09/22/09 Shoebiz & youthagainstpoverty.com will customize for FREE any TOMS purchased online @www.shoebizsf.com, and will give a pair to an orphanage. See details at www.youthagainstpoverty.com

Created by the people behind the "Sneakers" app on Facebook, Sneakerlisting bills itself as "The Worldwide Market Marketplace for Sneakers", and will people flocking to the site, they are well on their way. Much like on Craigslist or eBay, registered users can buy and sell their kicks, or simply browse and dream.

You can sort sneakers by price, date listed, consition, and size--lots of features that helps users cut through the clutter. The listing costs nothing [yes it is FREE] and users buy/sell and leave feedback, just like on eBay, without the extraneous to hinder you finding your Holy Grail.  And since the price listed is what you will pay [more like Craigslist], you know exactly what that coveted pair of Jordans will cost you.

While they will face the same issues of counterfeits that other auction sites encounter, the aim is to create a community around trust--and finding the perfect pair of sneakers. Best of luck--hoping to try it soon!

Converse and fashion-forward label COMME des GARCONS are teaming up for another batch of sneakers centered around the classic Chuck Taylor All Star model. The shoes will drop worldwide at the end of August at select COMME des GARCONS stores, including their New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Seoul locations.

A second launch will take place in October at top Converse retailers in the US, Canada, and China as well as flagship COMME des GARCONS stores. Inspired by an original 50s U.S. Army model within the Converse archives, four different models will drop at $100 apiece.

VILLA, Philadelphia's premiere urban retailer of footwear and apparel, has collaborated with rapper Jay-Zand Udi Avshalom of Training Camp NYC to deliver the limited edition "Americana" Boot to celebrate 20 years in the biz.
 
With only 54 pairs and signed/numbered box artwork by graffiti legend Stash, these shoes will sell out quick.  Priced at $200, these handmade boots will drop on September 15th and will ONLY be available at VILLA in two colors, black and brown.

As we pried ourselves away from the action at The Mondrian hotel pool and made my way down LA's famed Robertson Boulevard, I remembered that Moods of Norway had recently opened their first US outpost in LA. With stores all over the world and a solid cult following, Moods of Norway combines classic styles with a bit of whimsy to produce items that allow people to both dress to impress and express their own creative style.

As it happened, Stefan Dahlkvist, co-founder and president of Moods of Norway, happened to be in the store and he was kind enough to give me some history and context around the brand, walk through their various lines, and show me some of the more thoughtful details--including the "Dancing Shoes" with their instructional packaging. 

In addition to learning more about the country of Norway through the details in the clothing and on the packaging, Moods of Norway leverages the tractor as their logo, so it seems only appropriate that they have a blingtastic gold-covered tractor in their front window (see above).  With the buzz and momentum Moods of Norway has, expect to see tractor-logo'd clothing at the discerning bar down the street as well as at your next Hampton's party.  And can a Lil Wayne/T-Pain song about tractors be far behind?

While in LA over the 4th of July weekend, I of course had to make time to hit up some of my favorite sneaker stores. While many of them were closed early because of the holiday (read I will be checking them out today), my friends at Undefeated(La Brea location) did not disappoint.

While I missed out on copping the Mr. Carton Nike's, I was able to pick up their other quickstrike drop--the Nike Air Max 1 "OG". Always great to see Nike reissuing the classics--wonder what will be next to drop from the vaults?

All of my friends and readers in NYC should head down to Bloomingdale's tonight for some sneakers and celebrities, courtesy of our friends at K-Swiss. Gossip Girl star and Brand Ambassador Ed Westwick and celebrity DJ Josh Madden will be on hand to sign shoes and keep the party going to promote the K-Swiss Remastered Classic shoes, complete with an old-school dance off with kids from local schools.

The event will go down at the Bloomingdale's 59th Street at 1000 3rd Avenue on the Metro level at 6 PM.

If you are not sleeping out in line right now or have some sort of a hookup, odds are that you will be paying $750+ for these on eBay or Craigslist.

The third and final colorway in the super-popular Kanye West-designed Nike Air Yeezy's are to drop tomorrow and word around the country is that people have been lining up as early as Tuesday to cop a pair. Good luck and sweet dreams, fellow sneakerheads! Pic courtesy of my friends over at Huf.

Love them or hate them, it seems that every other woman you encounter is rocking the gladiator look. Nike brings its own version, looking like one-half Russell Crowe, one half soccer boot. Thoughts?

Colette got a run of these in at 80 euros a pair, and they flew off the shelves in minutes.

Sorry for the absence, but I promise to make it up with lots of fun posts--these coming to you from Virgin America's wifi!

As a life-long tennis player, it always warms my heart when I get to see some of the classic kicks I wore growing up resurface as reissues and even get remixed a bit. Nike has done it again with the release of the hybrid Air Tech Challenge, made famous during the late 80's/early 90's by the one and only Andre Agassi.

Taking elements from the Air Tech Challenge models II, III and IV, this 3/4 shoe will bring back fond memories for both tennis players and sneaker historians alike. And they are sure not to set you b ack the $400+ that a vintage pair commands on eBay.

First let me forgive the long delay in providing new content to my loyal readers. But without further adieu or excuse, I present to you the newest member of the family--the Kayne West-designed Nike Air Yeezy.

Looking like it was put together in Kanye's basement lab while he was watching Back to the Future, inhaling Pop Rocks and waving glowsticks, the shoes are sure to be spotted a mile away--and almost assuredly will be knocked off by enterprising fraudsters.

For those who have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the aofrementioned kicks, it should come as no surprise that they incited people to sleep out and were snapped up quickly by those in the know, commanding massive amounts of cash on eBay.

For now though, I shall simply marvel at their design and wait for a sunny day to bring them out of hiding.

Renowned as one of the premier companies that offer workout apparel for top athletes and gym rats alike, Under Armour has now expanded its reach into the competitive athletic shoe market with an extensive line of running shoes that will drop at retailers starting January 31st.

The new line features proprietary technology called called Cartilage. Appropriately named, as the independent suspension system works like a “connective tissue” between a runner and his environment to enhance performance and provide an exceptionally stable and smooth ride.

Ranging in price from around $85-120, the line will launch with both road and trail shoes and are endorsed by NFL players Santana Moss and Brandon Jacobs, as well as the winner of the 2007 Ford Ironman Chris McCormack. An impressive launch by any standards--and if their shoes are anything like their athletic wear, you are bound to see Under Armour on trails and street everywhere soon.

Sometimes you do all you can to prepare for buying that sneaker you have had your eye on since the blogs dropped some knowledge on you. You know the date...the time...the price...how early you need to line up or how quickly you need to refresh the webpage. And more times than not, you end up getting shut out because everyone else has learned the same lessons over time.

My luck has been pretty good lately, so it was only a matter of time that others would snap up the booty and I would be relegated to scouring the pages of eBay for the dreaded secondary market. So to all of you lucky enough to snag the Undftd X Converse Poorman's Weapon, congrats.

Now back to training for the next sneaker drop!

I have always been mildly obsessed with the creativity that people put behind personalized license plates. I know there have to be other sneakerheads out there with plates that show their passion for kicks. Send them and I will post them!

What do you get when you combine one of the most respected clothing brands with one of the most innovative and prolific graffiti artists around? Lucky New Yorkers [including my better half, in town on business and kind enough to drop by to pick up a pair] got to see tonight at NORT/RECON's 359 Lafayette store with the launch of the Lacoste X Stash Revan waterproof sneakers.

With his collaborations and commissions for everyone from Nike to Tanqueray to Gravis, as well as his own brands RECON and Subware, Stash [Josh Franklin] has deservedly become one of the most well-known names in both the art and sneaker world. In the past year, Lacoste has also served up some amazing collaborations, including kicks with Kid Robot and Sneaker Freaker magazine, among others. Dropping in both blue and brown colorways, the shoes will be available soon through NORT/RECON.