all things
sneaker
design &
history.

Photo courtesy of Marc Roberts/Flickr

Latest Posts

Adidas Basketball - The Comeback No One Saw Coming

Adidas, one of the biggest brands in the game, have had some hits and misses when it comes to basketball.

Sep 6, 2024

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The Rise of Chinese Sneaker Brands in The NBA

Chinese sneaker brands like Anta, Li-Ning and Peak are making huge waves in the NBA.

Jul 7, 2024

11 views

0 comments

Nike’s Perfect Shoe - Why It Makes Billions

The Nike Air Force 1 is easily the most successful shoe of all time. We look at how Nike created the perfect shoe.

Mar 10, 2024

5 views

0 comments

Inside Nike’s Most Controversial Lawsuits

Back in the day, when people heard the words “Nike lawsuit”, they used to think ‘sweatshop’ and ‘worker exploitation’, but after Nike...

Nov 18, 2023

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Top Under Appreciated Nikes

There are some amazing kicks that for one reason or another, never made it through the ranks to join the likes of Air Max 1s and 90s....

Nov 14, 2023

14 views

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Mizuno Contender Kintsugi

The Mizuno Contender is here, and it’s important, inspiring and beautiful. The Osakan brand brings us another quality sneaker; built to...

Nov 2, 2023

30 views

0 comments

Why And1 Failed

Basketball in the 90s was peaking; the popularity of the NBA was growing worldwide at a rapid rate under the watchful eye of Commissioner...

Oct 21, 2023

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Hey, I'm Kieran

An Australian with Irish heritage, I've called London home since 2007, but my passion for sneakers stretches back to the 80s - the prime of NBA basketball. Growing up watching and playing basketball, 80s and 90s NBA is a big part of my life, with Larry Johnson’s Cons Aero Jets from 1993 being my all-time grail.

My work can be seen on the BBC, The Sole Supplier, Offspring, Sneakerjagers, The Urban Syndicate, Sneaker History, and the YouTube channel ‘Nacho Average Finds’. I’m also a proud alumnus of the Fashion Institute of NYC, with a Certificate in Sneaker Essentials.

If I'm not reading and writing about sneakers, I'm teaching my kids how to clean theirs.

Get In Touch >

Coming Up

Air Jordan 5 “Black Metallic Reimagined”

In 2025, a major drop coming from Jordan Brand is the Air Jordan 5 “Black Metallic Reimagined”. The Tinker Hatfield designed Jordan will release in an OG 1990 colourway of Black/White-Metallic Silver-Fire Red, and comes with an icy midsole, a lace lock and, drawing inspiration from World War II fighter planes, an aggressive shark-tooth pattern across the midsole. It will of course come with the huge 3M tongue and the inimitable clear netting on the side panels.

Yet to see exactly what “Reimagined” will mean this time around… hopefully just back to the OG shape… and then I’ll be first in line.

Worth A Follow

ProZECH

A fellow “old-head” and footwear nut – ProZECH keeps us entertained online with his Kicks Khronicles Podcast. As a presenter for Crep Collection Club, Kicks n Coffees and Sneak Spply, he’s never short of snackable content to fill our feeds.

He speaks from the heart, always takes a positive outlook, and has a passion for sneaker history that’s matched by few others in the game. If you haven’t given his pod a listen yet, he now wields a back catalogue of over 100 episodes. Get listening.

Check out @prozech >

Catch Me On Instagram

Follow @allthatsneaks >

One take... for the first time ever. ��🏀

#london #basketball #airjordan33 @nike @nikelondon @mitchellandness

My happy place 🏀

Might be 43... but still want to put on some J's* and have a shootaround.

*(Oh... And ankle and knee support these days too 👴🏼)

Also, shout out to the Mitchell and Ness Billy Hoyle inspire shorts.

#london #basketball #airjordan33 @nike @nikelondon @mitchellandness

Poor ol Pandas 🐼. Getting a rough ride for essentially being one of the freshest looking, historically significant, versatile sneakers out. When they released, everyone wanted a pair. Great. Then EVERYONE had a pair. Oh no.

Someone was talking about them recently and it triggered me to write a quick piece about them…

The Dunk is a classic.

The Nike Dunk series originally released in 1985, the same year as the Jordan 1, with two-tone colourways representing college basketball teams. Although black and white weren’t released at the time, they landed in a sweet spot in 2023 where every man and his dog wanted their sneakers to stand out. And what better way to do that, than with a classic silhouette in black and white?
They’re versatile, affordable and stylish, and are consistently available. How can you hate that?

I like rare pairs as much as the next sneakerhead – but the Panda has received a lot of flack for essentially being an accessible, reliable sneaker that looks good on men, women, adults and kids.

Love it or hate it, it’s a solidified classic and looks to be here to stay.

📸 @nike

#nike #nikedunk #pandadunk

1968 Puma Suede 🟢⚫⚪
All-time classic. Had to keep it simple.
@dokumentpress @rossoism_projects

Love my Nike Air Raids. Gotta get these out when we're heading into the minuses 🥶 Thought I'd take a few pics to share the details of this incredible pair. The Kente print, the straps, the fusion of street style and rugged durability. Comfort, flair and warmth. Exactly what I want in a winter sneaker. 🤩

#nike #nikeair #nikeairraid @the_urban_syndicate

Absolutely swear by these @teva Reember slippers. Well packaged, fast delivery, and they're so bloody well made. 100% recommend. Fits true to size. 👏🏻 My last purchase for 2024... Literally 11.59pm on the 31st of December, while I was tucked up in bed 🤣👴🏼

A throwback to one of my favourite 90s sneakers I had growing up... The Converse Abolisher Mid. Felt a million bucks in these. I remember them being $100 too. Can't believe I was allowed to get them, as that's like $30k now right?

I had one pair of sneakers for basketball, and one pair of sneakers for everything else, so I'd always take my time browsing the shelves. I'd have to start by asking mum whether we could afford a pair before I tried them on. This pair were in budget, so bam. Got em.

The 90s was just SO GOOD for going into sneaker stores and seeing a real range of designs. Imagine seeing these, then an Aero Jam, then a Rodman, then a Voltage... And that's just Converse!

What a time to be alive. 🤩

📸 eBay

#converse #cons #abolisher

New additions #thrifted 🧢
@wrwhalershockey @athletics

A trip in town x @shelflifestore Jordan II
Covent Garden 🚇 Kick Game 👟 Batman Unmasked 🦇

#nike #nikeair #batman #batmanunmasked

A day in the life... of my Jordan II x @shelflifestore 🧡
Just a little trip to my local cafe @33s_theoldgrocerystore @☕ + @nighttalesldn for afters 🍸🍾

With a "Reimagined" release on the horizon, I'm looking forward to seeing more of these beauties about in 2025!

The Jordan 5 Black/Metallic is synonymous with MJ’s 89-90 season where, although he couldn’t take the Bulls all the way to a championship, he would secure his fourth consecutive scoring title, averaging 33.6 points per game. He was selected to the All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive Team, as well as being selected for the NBA All-Star Game, taking home the MVP trophy. He also averaged 36.7 points per game against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals.

What a season. What a shoe.

#jordan #jordanbrand #nike #nikeair #jordan5 #blackmetallic

📸 @nicekicks

Just a quick outing to the #londonillustrationfair and some pickups from @potatoprinter and @posterzinecollection 👏🏻 With a little @pizzaunion ... Via @offspringhq @grind and @oldspitalfieldsmarket ... Air Max 2 Light on foot... #nike #nikeair #airmax #pizza #pizzaunion #birramoretti #posterzine

@king.overman prints have arrived... And they're perfect. ✨ If you haven't checked out his work, do. It's incredible. How he captures the original images is really something. Can't wait to frame these and get them on the wall. 👏🏻

#larrybird #drj #kurtrambis @juliuserving

My Journey into Sneaker Culture

Growing up as the youngest of nine children in Melbourne, Australia, my life was shaped by many hand-me-downs. In a household where we were raised to look after our belongings, my older siblings took care of their kicks, so I was fortunate to inherit some of the most iconic pairs of the late '80s and early '90s.

Sneakers were a gateway to the world of basketball too, and like so many basketball fans during that era, I idolised the greats—Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird to name a few. Watching these future hall-of-famers on TV, while wearing their sneakers, made me feel like one day that could be me. The passion was born.

One of the first pairs I received were the Reebok Pump Omni Lites. Dee Brown. Dunk contest. Need I say more? And although The Pump was designed to increase comfort and fit… every time I wore them I imagined I could jump just a little bit higher.

The same brother also graced me with some Lakers Converse Weapons and Kevin Johnson Converse Run n Slams from 1993. The purple, the yellow, the strap, the react juice… just so cool.

Next came another brother’s Jordan 5 Black Metallics, one of the most coveted pairs in any sneaker collection. Although a little worn once they reached my feet, I didn’t care. They were Jordans, and that was enough.

And of course, I can't forget the Jordan Olympic 7s from one of my sisters, a pair that connected me directly to one of the greatest moments in basketball history; the 1992 Dream Team.

Since the love affair began, I’ve now worked my way up to my own small collection, and now regularly read and write about sneakers. From the Weapons to the Pumps, they’ve shaped my love of sneakers and thinking about them reminds me where I came from, and who they came from. My family passed that passion down to me, along with the love for basketball that is still strong to this day. The sneakers told a story, and now I’m telling mine.

#kk100 @prozech @thesolesupplier

Adidas Jabbar Hi 🏀

Thanks to @dukescupboard for these bad boys. They make me want to take a hook shot. 🏀🗑️

#kareemabduljabbar #adidas @adidas

Thanks @dukescupboard & @adidasbasketball 👏🏻 The @kareemabduljabbar_33 x @adidasbasketball are 🔥🔥🔥 Materials so good, and aged in a way they look like they could crumble at any point...

#adidas #adidasbasketball #kareemabduljabbar

Comfy @jumpman23 x @shelflifestore 2s
@
@renegadeurbanwinery

Jeff Hornacek. One of my favourite ballers from the 80s/90s... Fundamentally sound. Quick when he needed to be, great shooter, passer and team player. Excelled for each team he joined; be it Philly, Phoenix or Utah. Held his own against the all-time greats. 👏🏻

Probably the most cards I have of any single player besides Jordan. 🏀

Jumpman MVP... One of the best hybrids.

Parts of the 6, 7, 8... All from MJ's first 3-peat, it looks tough.

6 - Sole. Tongue. Toe.
7 - Upper. Heel pull.
8 - TPU Paint Strokes.

They all just work so damn well together.

Not mine though... Little bday present for my nephew's 13th bday 👏🏻 Lucky boy 👏🏻

#jordan #jordanbrand #nike #nikeair #jordanmvp #jordan6 #jirdan7 #jordan8

Sometimes I just take a minute to reminisce. Reminds me of the simpler times as I go through my old Jordan 13 shoebox full of my 80s and 90s NBA cards from my childhood... Absolute gems 🥹🏀

First Twos I've owned since 2001 👌🏻 And they're niiiiiiice... Jordan II x @shelflifestore 🇿🇦

Premium materials, super comfy, and that orange 🧡 Damnnnnn...

@scollard23 would be proud ✌🏻

#jordanbrand #jordan2 #shelflife #nike #nikeair

☀️ Sun's out 1's out ☀️

#nike #airmax #air #nikeair #nikeairmax1

Trying to stick with it 🏀 Slowwwwly building up my knees, back and ankles again... No 3 on 3 for me just yet, but I'll get there... 🏀 👌🏻

#london #basketball #nike #jordan #jotdanbrand #missyelliot

Good night for it 🏀 🌆

#finsburypark #jordans #jordanbrand #spalding

Just can't decide... The white is OG 🤍, the Purple pops 💜 and the Yellow helps accentuate the swoosh, tongue tag and air unit 💛

Trying to make a habit of this... 🏀 So much happier when I can get back on the court at the age of 42 😁 Feels good to just pop a 90s jersey on, some comfy AJ33's, and just relax 💆🏻‍♂️

@larryjohnsonnba

@jumpman23 @nike @the_urban_syndicate

#nike #larryjohnson #nba #jersey #nbajersey #charlottehornets

Few of my faves from @crepecity London 2024 👌🏻
What's your pick from this lot?
For me... It's always going to be those Air Max 1 Roundels 💂🏻‍♂️ 🚇

#london #boxpark #boxparkwembley #nike #adidas #saucony

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all things sneaker design & history.

Latest Posts

Adidas Basketball - The Comeback No One Saw Coming

The Rise of Chinese Sneaker Brands in The NBA

Nike’s Perfect Shoe - Why It Makes Billions

Inside Nike’s Most Controversial Lawsuits

Top Under Appreciated Nikes

Mizuno Contender Kintsugi

Why And1 Failed

Hey, I'm Kieran

Coming Up

Worth A Follow

Catch Me On Instagram

​

all things
sneaker
design &
history.