AD__sneaks

With Nike/Jordan releasing a whole bunch of heat next year, especially with Union doing another AJ1 High, it got me thinking about this pair of Storm Blue Jordan 1s.

These were my grail for the longest time. Like many, I wasn’t able to get a pair when they released and ended up selling off a bunch of other pairs in my collection to get these.

Personally, I think these are the best Jordan 1 collaboration ever. The concept, design, and overall quality of the shoe are perfect to me.

My pair has seen some wear and creasing, but I think they look better that way.

With a loaded 2025 on deck, what are you looking forward to?

This coming weeks sneaker rotation

- Black Cat Jordan 13
- Asics X Hidden NY - Gel NYC
- Travis Scott Jordan 1 Low ‘Elkins’
- Nike SB Dunk Low ‘Paisley’
- Saucony ProGrid Omni 9 ‘Autumnal Equinox’

From the archives | Vol. 31

For the past few years, I’ve been photographing sneakers almost daily, building up a huge collection of photos. A lot of these haven’t been shared in a while, or at all. Some are great, some aren’t, and some are just me experimenting. Every Saturday, I’ll try and share some with you.

Enjoy the archives ✌🏼
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This stuff is just fun for me. 📷 

Pretty much every single day I like to take photos. There is just something therapeutic about the process of taking photos and trying to tell a visual story through them. 

These custom SB Dunks done by .concern were a pair that I had my eyes on for a while, and I really loved the transformation he did with them. Taking a simple Nike SB Dunk colorway and elevating it with reclaimed coffee bean jute bags and some thick laces. 

I love the look of these and tried to do the design some justice with the photos. 

🧢+👕+🧦: .ppf
👖:

I’ll let the pictures do the talking on this one.

Thank you for these beautiful pieces of wearable art 🙏🏼

Low Key Highs

Something I’ve always appreciated about Nike SB Dunks is the attention to detail in their collaborative projects. It’s clear that extra care goes into making sure each design hits just right. While a few pairs might not be my personal favorites, the majority feature some of the best designs in the sneaker world.

But when most people think of Nike SB Dunks, it’s usually the lows that get all the love.

Lows are easier to style and wear, and when it comes to skating, they offer more freedom of movement. However, when it comes to design, some highs don’t get the appreciation they deserve.

These x Dunk Highs are a perfect example.

Inspired by hiking boots, everything from the materials, laces, and eyelets to the overall aesthetic works so well together. My favorite detail has to be the embroidered logo on the lateral heel counter.

Anyway, I’m rambling now, but these are really good, and I’m a big fan.

🧢+🧦: .whendry
👕:

Sometimes the end of one trail is the start of another.

When these YCMC x New Balance 990v3s released, I had no idea it would be the last collaboration the brand would do before they closed shop. I found the name of the collaboration interesting in that context. YCMC’s message to ‘Blaze Your Own Trail’ felt almost poetic.

Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but this pair is a pair that typically stays by the door to go get the mail, take the dog out, etc., and I had this thought about them the other day.

If anything, it’s a subtle reminder that no matter the path we walk, only we can define it, no one else.

Random thoughts on a Tuesday.

I posted a poll asking which pair I should UNDS this week. I figured I’d just UNDS all 3.

1. Passport x Nike SB Dunk High
2. A Ma Maniére x Jordan AJ4 ‘WYWS’ (UNDS)
3. Air Jordan 3 ‘White Cement’
4. Jute Nike SB Dunk Low by .concern (UNDS)
5. OW UNC Jordan 1 Low by (UNDS)

From the archives | Vol. 29

For the past few years, I’ve been photographing sneakers almost daily, building up a huge collection of photos. A lot of these haven’t been shared in a while, or at all. Some are great, some aren’t, and some are just me experimenting. Every Saturday, I’ll try and share some with you.

Enjoy the archives ✌🏼
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There is a slow shift happening.

Being a middle school teacher I see a lot of my students sneakers and this year in particular it’s been interesting to see what trends are popular amongst them. Ive seen the waves of Jordan 1s, Jordan 4s, New Balance 550s, Adidas Sambas, Nike Air Force 1s, and more. This school year has been different though. There really hasn’t been 1 style of shoe common among students.

It has also been interesting because when I wore these Asics Gt-2160 ‘Paris’ earlier this week. Lots of kids were asking what they were and said they really liked them. In years past, if I wore anything other than Nike/Jordan, kids would let you have it lol. 

So in short, it’s been cool to see kids open up their sneaker minds to other brands and styles. That being said, I still haven’t seen any kids rocking Asics yet, but they are starting to get their attention. 

Mr. Dutton has some more teaching to do 👟👨🏻‍🏫

The OGs

In my opinion, these four pairs are the best of Travis Scott’s work.

I recently completed the original set of Travis Scott Jordans by adding the AJ4. I placed a low offer on a clean, used pair on eBay and was excited when the seller accepted!

When these pairs originally dropped, the sneaker game was completely different from how it is now. But even after 5+ years, these original colorways from Travis still have staying power.

Personally, though, I wish they’d slow down on the Jordan 1 Lows and focus on some new models. Maybe even a three-way collab—like a Nike SB x Travis Scott x Jordan 4.

Less is more

Since the Fragment x Jordan Air Jordan 3s released, I have loved the simplicity of the design. My favorite detail is the heel tab that is yellowed compared to the rest of the shoe. Intentional design or not, it just works.

At the end of August, we took a long weekend trip with some close friends to southern Utah. It was the perfect getaway before the school year kicked into full gear and a great chance to spend some quality time with the fam.

Since moving to Utah, I’ve been captivated by the red rock landscapes. There’s something truly breathtaking about the rock formations and the vibrant desert colors. I fell in love with photography because of the incredible scenery here, and every time I get outside to shoot, it brings me back to those early days of picking up a camera.

While we were there, I thought it would be cool to do a quick shoot with one of my favorite pairs from this year—the Futura Labs x Nike SB Dunk Low. The contrast between the red rock and the shoe’s blue tones was perfect!

Hope you enjoy the photos! ✌️

This weeks classroom sneaker rotation 👟🔄

1. Travis Scott Air Jordan 4
2. Nike SB Dunk Low - Unbleached
3. Asics GT-2160 - Paris
4. New Balance x Size? 1906r - Diamond District
5. Jae Tips x Saucony Grid Omni 9 (UNDS)

From the archives | Vol. 29

For the past few years, I’ve been photographing sneakers almost daily, building up a huge collection of photos. A lot of these haven’t been shared in a while, or at all. Some are great, some aren’t, and some are just me experimenting. Every Saturday, I’ll try and share some with you.

Enjoy the archives ✌🏼

Also, keep an eye out for a physical photo book of some of my favorite photos coming soon 👀
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Fall is creeping in and summer fading away.

Over the summer I picked up a few more color ways of the Adidas Anthony Edwards 1, and wore the silhouette a lot. My favorite color way has been these velocity blues, but I’ve loved pretty much all of them.

The shoe seems to be either a complete hit or miss with people, Where do you sit with the AE1?

The rate that sneakers release these days it’s easy to move on from what has released, and focus on what’s coming up next. Especially with so many great pairs coming later this year, and a stacked 2025 around the corner. 

 But I wanted to look back to last year, and these Year of The Rabbit Jordan 1 lows. Quality and materials on these things are crazy good, especially considering the quality we’ve gotten as of late on Jordans. My only gripe with these was their limited nature and how they released. I ended up paying resale for these a few days prior to the official launch, because they never released here in the US.

This is one of many pairs I picked up last year, my attention shifted to other releases, and I haven’t worn these out yet.

With my goal to UNDS a pair of sneakers every Friday this school year, these are definitely on my short list of pairs to wear.

What’s a pair that you’ve picked up within the last year that you still want to UNDS?

🧢:
👕: all star crew neck
👖: camo joggers
🧦: .ppf

Bodega x ASICS Kayano 20 ‘Small Wins Add Up’

Releasing Thursday, September 12th via
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Stories behind sneakers are essential. They offer a deeper context to the design and resonate with our emotions in ways that mere functionality cannot.

In their latest collaboration, Bodega celebrates the small victories that shape our everyday lives.

Rather than rephrasing their message, I’ll share it directly:

The Bodega X ASICS GEL KAYANO 20 is inspired by the challenges and triumphs of daily life. With a rich legacy of athletic excellence, each ‘tiger stripe’ logo embodies a competitive spirit that extends beyond the track. This sneaker emphasizes the often-overlooked small wins in our daily routines, making it a reminder that every step counts. After all, life is a marathon, not a sprint, and every stride is significant.

Short work week sneaker rotation, Bodega style 👟🔄

1. Bodega X Saucony Grid Hurricane
2. Bodega X Saucony Grid Shadow 2 ‘Jaunt Woven’
3. Bodega X New Balance 9060 ‘Age of Discovery’
4. Bodega X Asics Gel Kayano 20 ‘Small Wins Add Up’ (UNDS Friday)

Happy September ✌🏼

In general, one of the most slept-on Jordan silhouettes is the Air Jordan 2. A few years ago, there was a small resurgence for the model, with multiple collaborations and some great inline colorways. One of the best pairs from that era of releases was the Air Jordan 2 ‘United Youth International.’

The detailing, the packaging, and the clothing around the release were all so good!

I don’t understand why sneakers like these aren’t highly sought after by the masses, but a lot of sneakers I like aren’t, and that’s fine. Certain sneakers like these just resonate with people. If we can see past the hype machine that is social media at times, there are many beautiful sneakers out there.

What are some of your favorite Jordan 2s?

From The Archives | Vol. 28

For the past few years, I’ve been photographing my sneakers almost daily, building up a huge collection of photos. A lot of these haven’t been shared in a while, or at all. Some are great, some aren’t, and some are just me experimenting. Regardless, it’s fun to look back and share them.

Every Saturday I’ll share some of them. Enjoy ✌🏼

Had to include the last slide, we are celebrating my youngest’s birthday today. HBD lil man 🎉
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It’s been a while since I have worn these and need to get them out again.

When New Balance first launched the 9060 model, they did it with a stellar collaboration with Joe Freshgoods. These followed up his “Outside Clothes’ collab, and brought about some subtle pastel colors that really meshed well with the story telling for this ‘Inside Voices’ collaboration. 

I remember hitting on these on the JFG Instagram shop, but was in such a rush to checkout, that I had them sent to my old address. Once they shipped I tried to get Fedex to hold the package at a location so I could pick it up, but that wasn’t an option unfortunately. I was checking tracking and saw that it was at a Fedex facility near my house so I drove there and asked them if I could just pick it up before it went out for delivery, and the fortunately agreed to give me the package.

I’ve heard plenty of horror stories about shipping/delivery issues with sneakers, but I was happy I dodged one with these. 

What are some of your favorite 9060 models?

🧢:
👕: .wrk
👖:
🧦:
👟: x 9060

The Nike KD 4 ‘Nerf’ is just a fun pair.

When I told my kids that I needed to use their Nerf toys for a photoshoot, they were excited to help me set it up, and even more excited to play together after we were done with photos.

It was a full circle moment shooting these. Appealing to my inner child picking these up, having my kids help set up the shoot, and playing with them after.

Sneakers should be fun. It doesn’t need to be more complicated than that.

Getting this pair of Laney Jordan 5s has been 20+ years in the making.

I grew up in Idaho, a place not really known for sneaker culture. I was always keenly aware of sneakers as a kid, mainly because I played basketball, and was constantly looking through Eastbay Magazines, dreaming of shoes I could wear while playing. 

I can’t remember the specific year, but I was watching a local high school game with my dad, and saw a player on the opposing team wearing a pair of the 2000 Laney Jordan 5s. My eyes were glued to them the entire game, and at the time, I didn’t even know what they were, but I wanted them.

Flash forward to 2013, The Laney 5s re-released, I didn’t have the money to get them, but was able to pick them up on eBay in 2015, but I still wanted to get a pair of the original model that I fell in love with as a kid. 

Earlier this year, I was searching eBay, and find a pair of 2000 Laneys in my size, with the upper in amazing condition, but the soles we cake. I bought them and another pair of 5s for the donor sole in hopes to get them restored.

I reached out to multiple people to get them sole swapped so I could wear them, and my guy did an amazing job on them. I can’t recommend his work enough, truly appreciate your efforts on these 🙏🏼

The side cages are going to need replaced soon (You can see them separating a bit), but I’m so happy to have these childhood grails to wear and love, and grateful these can be restored so I can get years of wear out of them.

That feeling you get when you chase down a grail is priceless.

Earlier this year I was able to secure a pair of Kaws Jordan 4s after years of wanting a pair. These are just so unique compared to other Jordan 4 collaborations. The heel tab, the premium suede, the glow sole, leather sock liner, and the kaws mits embroidered though out, it just all fit so well together.

After having this pair though, I’m very tempted to circle back and try to get the black pair.

Also, wearing these the first week of school, it was funny the number of kids that thought they were the Wet Cement 4s. I Had to take a moment to educate them 😂