Kicks appreciation!

If your reasong this blog than u are a lover of the ever lasting trainer. So here is a little something more! 

http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2015/jul/04/trainers-sneakers-global-obsession-history

Air Jordan 4 (flight) 1989

At school Someone came back from America with the first pair of these I had ever seen! That weekend I went to every Cobra sports, Footlocker and Olympus sports there was asking for flights. 

Only once did someone say to go to Thomas cook and asked where I was going. Lol

I wanted them but I was never lucky enough to laynd my feet in a pair. Times have changed now. But I still don't own a  pair. My problem is I only want originals. Mega bucks! 

I like the re issues. But it's not the same.

Like having a replica Ferrari. It looks the part. It may sound the part. But deep down you know it's not original!  

Air Jordan 3 1988

You have all see these back on cool feet in recent times thanks to re-issues and all new colourways. 

Original is always best.

Air Jordan II 1986

Original colourways! 

Nothing more to it. 

Nike air Rift 1993

Feet like a frog! That's what they used to say to me! 😟

The Nike air Rift has to be one of the most innovative and obscure designs to ever brace our feet. 

You might ask WTF were they thinking. Especially back then! 

Nowadays the split toe and sandle style of this shoe is not so much of a talking point (or pointing point) compared to some of the strange designs we see around. But in 1993, these things looked like they came from Mars or summin. 

Believe it or not, there is practicality to why Rifts look like they do. The shoe is a soft surface (gravel) running shoe designed using aspects from the Kenyan bare foot running team. For those that have never realised.....there's a Map of Kenya on the sole. 

I admit they look odd. But they are The most comfortable trainer ever.

Adidas Gazelle 1965

I'm sure you have all noticed the re-release of one of Adidas's biggest selling shoes lately? 

Well actually then haven't really re-released them. More just give them a big kick up the arse.

Gazelles have always been available somewhere. But Adidas has made a song and dance about them this summer for their 50th anniversary 

If only we could all look this good at 50 without any plastic! 

Still a very basic and classic shoe that deserves a place on this blog. 

Air Jordan complete history guide.

This is a great reference point for all your Jordan needs! 

http://www.sneakerfiles.com/2013/04/19/complete-air-jordan-retro-cards-guide/

Air Jordan 1 1985

When starting on such a journey as this, one should start at the first possible moment. (Lol) 

So here is the first instalment of the Jordan story. 

These were the first of the brands distinctive ikon's.

Michael Jordan caused a controversy in the NBA for wearing the banned colour way but all this did was spark more and more demand for the shoe. 

Many colour ways have popped up since the originals. But luckily they have never made a mockery of the style like some others 

Keep it classic! 

To see a few of the colour ways.....

 http://www.flightclub.com/air-jordans/air-jordan-1

KKAS Kicks care advice (washing Machines)

Should you put your prized pair in to a washing machine?????

Well..... there is a lot of debate about this. Unlike clothes, trainers do not come with washing instructions on the labels. This is a good indication that they really should not be put in washing machines or washed at all. lol
Personally cleansing wipes do the job for most and even some hardy stains. But if you decide to wear your beloved kicks on a building site or to change the oil in you car.... Your asking for the obvious trouble.
I admit that I have washed trainers in the past and had no trouble. But even on low heat, this can cause structural issues with the glues that bond the fabrics together and the fabrics themselves can become brittle or damaged. The water penetrating the soles can cause the cushioning technology's to fail or become water logged.  Neither is a good look.
I have heard of Air cushions expanding and destroying the trainers. Trainers themselves melting, shrinking or even falling apart in the machines. There are horror story's all over about this kind of thing.
My advice...
Don't wash them in a machine for these reasons...
1.The temperatures are not that accurate and can easily cause damage to Air soles, gel systems and even the specialist waffle sponges used in lots of soles.
2. The violent spins can damage the trainers and the machines.
3. The water penetration is not controlled and will saturate the shoe, combined with the heat, this could cause structural issues.
4. The soap used in machines can be harsh and corrosive to some fabrics used in trainer manufacture and this can cause structural issues.
5. Washing shoes will not always rid them of smell. The best policy for this is to remove the insole and place rolled up news paper or tissue paper into the shoe and leave them for a good few days or a week. If this does not work. Maybe use a fabric cleaner and a light/soft/tooth brush and scrub the inside of the shoe making sure you rinse the cleaner out by wiping with cleansing wipes or damp cloth.
then repeat above step.
if this don't work..........Id throw them away and seriously consider changing your feet. lol

There are many specialist fabric and shoe care product on the market. Unlike most clothes, trainers have can have many different specialist fabrics in their construction, so its best to check every product is suitable before use. this may seem excessive, but if your like me and very proud of you collection of vintage kicks, then this is no biggy if you want to keep them in tip top condition.
I have used products from footlockers range and was quite impressed. Although they were not great on every fabric they are good value for money.

http://www.footlocker.eu/en-gb/Accessories/Foot-Locker-Fl-Nylon-Foaming-Cleaner.aspx/9535047900
http://www.footlocker.eu/en-gb/Accessories/Foot-Locker-Suede-Foaming-Cleaner.aspx/9535045300


If you dont mind shelling out a bit of cash for a better more specialist product, Try this stuff....

http://www.urbanindustry.co.uk/brands/jason-markk.html


If you decide to ignore this advise and insist on putting your trainers in a machine. Please wrap them in a pillow case and tie it up. Only use a little washing soap, and put them on a short cool/cold delicate wash.

KKAS is against cruelty to trainers. any such ill treatment will be reported to the WSPCT. World Society of the Prevention of cruelty to Trainers and may result in confiscation of all trainers. LOL

Air Jordan 5's 1990 (introduction to Jordan's)

Where are all the classic Jordan's I hear u ask! 

The reason is I've just not got around to them yet. 

But to keep you quiet I will start with my personal favourite.....5's. 

The Jordan 5's were the first pair of classics that I never owned. Can't say why other than they just were not for back then. But now.......OMG my problem is that it has to be strictly originals for me and you all know what that means ££££££££££.

Nike Air Pressure 1989

Nikes arnswer to The Pump problem.

So.... Reebok was dominating the market with its fancy new pump it up designs and Nike being Nike did not like that one little bit. So.....these were developed using a similar idea, except that these had a separate inflating device (not built in like the reebok ones) and u had to keep carrying around a plastic fish to pump them up with.

Personally... Reeboks technology was far superior and mor practical. But these look like they were worn by astronauts, so they still win hands down. 

Nike Air Max Racer OG 1995

Well.......

Had to search under every rock to get an image of these baby's. Finally eBay pulled through! 

These are a hybrid cross breed ifs few classics. Air sole from the Air Max 93, details from 180's, structure, and a hint of classic BW 95's.

I love these and want a pair. 

A beautiful design well worthy of any cool feet! 

If the ones on eBay were my size.....I'd have um! 

Just in case anyone wishes to donate me a pair....I'm a UK size 11😀

Nike Air Grunge 1995

Not the most attractive trainer in the world, but these are rare as the proverbial rocking horse poop.

I had a pair of these back in the day (think I left them in Spain after a holiday)😦

They certainly stand out. The oversized logo was defiantly a prominent feature. In case you were not sure what brand they were! Lol

These may set you back £200 if you can find a pair nowadays. 

Nike air trainer 3 (re-issues) 1988

This classic has been re issued recently and is sure to be seen on the coolest feet out there. 

This classic was worn by Bo Jackson and was worn in the movie Do The Right Thing by Spike Lee.

Looking forward to getting these.

Available at SIZE

http://m.size.co.uk/product/nike-air-trainer-3

And JD SPORTS 

http://m.jdsports.co.uk/product/nike-air-trainer-3

Adidas Suisse 1987 Re-issue

A truly classic shoe has been re released from the Adidas archive this week. Until now these were a available in suade, but now they are back in leather and available from www.size.com.

Originally designed for football, this shoe was more at home on cool feet in the streets than on a court or pitch, although it was well suited for the sports because of its almost indestructible design. 

German engineering built to last. 

A must have for true trainer lovers.....

This is the cool advertising from the Size campaign. 

Thank you SIZE!

Vans Style 44 1966

Every skateboarders must have kick! 

Started out in 1966 and each shoe was custom made for you on the day. You could even bring your own fabric to have the shoes made from. 

This is an option that they need to bring back. Imagine the incredible designs you could create for yourself! 

This is just style 44. Others Will follow. 

I have added a link to sneakerfreakers interview with Steve Van Doran Son of the company founder Paul Van Doran. 

Worth a read! 

http://www.sneakerfreaker.com/features/the-history-of-vans/steve-caballero

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star. 1932

Today these are found in 100's of colour-ways and several styles. From knee high lace ups, to lace less pumps. 

One of the most famous styles of shoes on the planet. There are lots of similar, some almost identical looking shoes out there. But it's one detail that makes them Chuck Taylor All Stars........

The ankle logo. 

Now owned by NIKE. This shoe can trace its history back to 1908 and is still pretty much the same design. 

What a "feet" for any manufacturer. 

That's like ford only ever making one car for 100 years but just slightly tweaking it every now and then! 

Converse All Star 1917

Do not get these mixed up with Chuck Taylor All Stars!

These are the original design prior to Chucks endorsement of the shoe in 1932

Hard to believe they had such iconic footwear back then. And did they know how big their design would be. 

Originally for the basketball court. These ever famous shoes are now worn around the world and the brand is a universal icon. It seems that everyone can remember owning a pair of these at some point and most still do. 

If you need to ask why the logo is on the inside of the ankle! It's a padded feature designed to protect the ankle bones from bashing together........now you know. Lol

A basic yet instantly recognisable shoe. 

Nike Dunk Friday 13th edition 2009

It's not just Adidas that can do movie homage 's 

These scary creations have the details from the movie all over it. Even Jason would be impressed. 

Really well thought out. 

From inside Nike Town London.