Winter time is always a time where companies of all trades bring out there biggest heat so consumers can go and unload there hard earned Christmas bonuses on themselves or there families. Whether it's that huge deal on a brand new TV, the hottest new video game from (insert mega game franchise), or what we're focusing on today, Nike & Jordan Brand, you can ALWAYS expect to unload your biggest coin into these companies at the end of the year. After the jump you'll find the hottest "sneakerheads" shoes releasing this holiday season!
Starting off first is Jordan Brand. Last year JB sort of had an off year, not offering many retros, and the only real "heat" they served up were the Raging Bull pack released in May, and the highly anticipated "Space Jam" 11 retros. It was definitely a down year, after the stellar 2008 where the Jordan 23 was released alongside the incredible countdown packages every month, with two retros equaling up to 23, i.e. 11+12, 7+15, 3+20, etc.
This year JB has unloaded tons of retros onto the sneakerhead crowd. Classic Jordan 9 color ways of "Charcoal" & "Columbia Blue" returned for the first time in over 17 years. The incredibly hyped "Infrared 6" pack was released, that had sneakerheads salivating at there mouths to grab a rare package. As well as Jordan 2's being retroed, Olympic 7's, and some very nice new color ways of the Jordan 9. Saving the best for last though, there really piling on the wallet killers over the next 2 months.
Starting off in late November, the 26th to be exact, is a classic color way on a classic Jordan. Returning is the "Flint" 13s. The 13s design base came from a Black Panther (take a look at the show from the side and you'll see it), and it's definitely is an eye catcher with it's classic "23 Air Bubble" on the side of every pair. This the second time the Flints are being retroed, the first was in 2005, and you can pick up a pair for yourself for $160.00.
Second on our list here, is another Jordan 13. This colorway was originally released in 2005 as a limited "Quickstrike" release, and it held pretty high numbers on the resale market. Returning for the first time in 5 years is the "Altitude" 13s. I had never ever heard of Altitude Green in my life prior to this release, but it does strike the eye, with it's sultry Black-Altitude colorway. You can pick these up on December 4th, also for $160.
Third on the list is true classic. One of only 2 other Jordan 13s (the other being the "Playoff" colorway) to have never been retroed, is the White/Red colorway, no special name here. It's a truly classic shoe, that has seen resale prices well over $300 in brand new or very clean condition, this is definitely a crown jewel of the holiday season. For the first time since MJ actually balled in them back in 1997, this retro will be available for release on December 18th, for $160.
Fourth on our list is our only non Jordan Brand sneaker, but it is still a Nike product! The past 2 years have seen sneakers go through an interesting transition. Instead of solely focusing on retros & new released, Jordan, Nike, Adidas, Reebok, and just about every sneaker maker out there has focused on "Fusions". A company takes elements of two, or more of sneakers in there catalog, fuse them together to make a brand new shoe. We've seen a huge amount of it being done by JB & Nike. Despite being hated by most sneakerheads, the fusions of Air Force Ones and Jordan retros have been widely acclaimed by the general marketplace, and it has put tons of money into the pockets of both brands. But this particular fusion has been well received by the true sneakerhead community, and boy is this one a beauty!
Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway is one of basketballs biggest disappointments. He had all the game, attitude & like ability to become one of basketballs all time greats, but due to some horrible injuries, Pennys career became a joke, and he never really did recover and get back to the glory days of his early career. One thing he did have a major accomplishment in is, he definitely has one of the best signature sneaker lines ever! And Nike took advantage of that by creating the "Penny 1/2 Cent". Anyone who grew up in the 90s remember the Penny sneaker commercials that had the character "1/2 Cent" (and if you don't here you go, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URNwiRPQf1A). Originally releasing in the classic "Foamposite Blue" with black accents, and a Silver/Black colorway the 1/2 cent was well received (I have 1 pair!). THis holiday season the 1/2 cent returns with this beautiful Red/Black mockup dubbed the "Cranberrys". This should be a limited release, so if your looking to grab a pair, definitely call ahead of time and find out if your local retailers will be getting some! You can also pick these up on December 18th, for $190.
Last on our list, is our TRUE gem of the holiday season. When most people think of Michael Jordan sneakers, there probably going to think of two images. One is the Jordan 1's, due to the amount of times Jordan has retroed them (JB PLEASE STOP!! YOUR DESTROYING THE VALUE OF CLASSICS!!! /endrant), or, quite possibly the greatest basketball sneaker ever created, the true Magnum Opus of the Jordan sneaker line, the Jordan XI. With not a single bad colorway to its name, no goofy fusion (yet, *gulps*), no garbage low quality retro served up just to sell a bunch of shoes, the Jordan XI is most sneakerheads all time favorite sneaker and for good reason (Not sure where I rank it, but it's definitely somewhere in my top 3).
2 years ago Jordan Brand set the world on fire saving there best countdown package for last. With the most classic Basketball shoe ever made, and one of it's last Jordan 12s to be retroed, JB let loose the 11/12 CDP, which included the "Bred" 11s, and the Taxi 12s. It was no surprise it was the biggest selling countdown pack of the year, and you couldn't go anywhere without seeing a Jordan 11 somewhere on someones foot.
Last year JB shocked the world again, setting sneakerheads everywhere on FIRE, when information came about that for the first time in 9 years, another top 5 all time sneaker, the "Space Jam" XI was finally being released again. Collectors were unloading heat after heat to grab the change to pick up a pair, and people all across the states and internationally, prepared for brutal camp outs on December 23rd. Some people paid extra to get them early so they wouldn't have to deal with lines (like yours truly :)), and some bought extras and camped out anyway so they could grab a second pair of these classics (yours truly as well, second pair has still never been worn!). Girlfriends camped out to buy there boyfriends Jordans offering, sneakerheads slept outside for days, even weeks, to make sure they'd get a pair. And parents sat on Footlocker.com hitting refresh every second at 11:59PM the day before so they could make sure they get that sneaker for there child, and once again, Jordan brand has created the same hysteria for the 2010 holiday season.
Once again, for the first time in over 10 years, Jordan Brand is bringing back a true classic, the "Cool Grey" XI's. Whispers came around as early as January that Jordan would bring back another classic in December, some saying Cool Grey 11s, some saying a Jordan 3 or 6. But when it was finally made official in spring, the sneaker world has been waiting patiently since then to get there hands on a pair. Returning with an "Ice" bottom instead of a clear sole, this is without a doubt, not only the most anticipated, but the biggest sneaker release of the entire 2010 calendar year. Leave it up to Jordan Brand to provide you with great sneakers all year, and finally destroy your wallet just a few days before the new year. You can pick these incredible sneakers up on December 23rd, for a steal of a price, $175. And I advise you, if you are a sneakerhead, BUY THESE!!! Because after December 23rd, your probably going to be paying between double or more to get your hands on a pair!
That wraps up this holiday season! For the casual sneaker fan out there, check your local mall throughout the next 2 months and I'm sure you'll find a gorgeous new sneaker to cater to your tastes. But if your a real sneakerhead, your definitely going to be buying ATLEAST one sneaker on this years list.
But don't blow all your money just yet! Because Jordan Brand already has all of 2011 layed out to be theres, with the return of White/Cement III's, True Blue III's, Bordeaux VII's, and Playoff XIII's, all coming in the first quarter. Now all we need is a confirmation of a retro of the White Cement IV's and 2011 might be the best sneaker year in Jordan Brand history!
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