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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

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 6, 2024

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

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

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

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

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 20, 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 >

Well these grew on me. The Nike SB Dunk Low “Tourmaline” (aka “Rodeo”) is one of 2025’s standout drops — a tribute to the legacy of Black cowboys and their impact on rodeo culture.

Decked out in vibrant green tourmaline suede with brown leather, Monarch orange piping, and a translucent red outsole, it hits hard with a blend of bold color and Western soul. Love the rope laces, cowboy-boot-inspired stitching, the star-stamped heel, and lasso-style Nike branding. So frigging cool.

Love an insole graphic too. So that's nice. And it sits atop a Zoom Air unit for comfort. Even the packaging goes all-in, coming with a custom bandana printed with cowboy and cattle artwork.

Released in May 2025 as part of Nike’s Black History Month collection, the “Tourmaline” celebrates the often-overlooked contributions of Black pioneers in the American West — honoring the history, artistry, and grit that shaped rodeo culture.

#nike #nikeair #nikesb

Vintage futuristic. Love my Baltic Blues 💙

10s. So comfy. And one of the best outsoles of any sneaker, in my opinion. 👌🏻

Reimagined 🐘

#nike #nikeair#airjordan #whitecement3s

Cap 🧢 Coffee ☕ Kicks 👟👟

#london #kingscross #nike #airmax #airmax1 #balticblue

🏀 The year - about 1988. The sneakers - Aerosports. This was the most dangerous court 😂 COVERED in dust 😂 And the sidelines had about three inches before you hit a brick wall 🧱 🤕 Still, loved every second of it. Except that foul. I still don't think that was a foul.

Life’s a bit hectic these days with work, kids, school holidays, life admin and the rest of it… but when I lace up my sneakers and hit the court, it’s just so bloody refreshing.

I’ve loved this game since I was 7. Played through high school, all the way into my 20s. Now at 43, I’m still out there — just with some slower spin-moves…

Nothing beats the sound of a swish 🏀

33 years I've been thinking these were my Converse Aero Jets. I was wrong.

I was, in fact, wearing my British Knights Control Hi. Oof. What a pair. I felt like more than a knight. I felt like a King. Alright, that's over the top, but bloody hell I loved these sneakers.

They had Dymacel. Dymacel for goodness sake.

Don't know how my parents managed to fork out for these back then, as they must've been $100 at the time. I did look after them though, and besides this photo, I'm sure I wore them strictly for basketball purposes only.

The mixtures of leathers, the two-tone midsole spray, the BK badge... And of course... THE DYMACEL 🤤

Dymacel, by the way, was a diamond-shaped silicone cushion that was embedded in the sole to “absorb impact and enhance rebound”. Not sure what impact it was absorbing from my measly 10-year-old frame… but it was BK's big attempt to compete with the likes of Nike's Air (see the midsole window), Reebok's Pump and Adidas' Torsion. And similar to Converse’s React, the gel cushion provided a comfortable ride.

BK was founded in 1983, and they launched the Dymacel tech in 1991 when the NBA was really hitting its stride. Their first pro athlete endorsement was Derrick Coleman, and what a player he was. Solid, agile, no messing around. Mid-range jumpers, hook shots, and of course the famous finger-waving dunk on Shaq. He was a great all-rounder for his size. There were some similarities between Coleman and me… well, apart from me playing for Parade College, and him playing for Dream Team II and all that…

🥤 It me 👟👟

@cocacola @the_urban_syndicate

An all-time favourite in my collection... Nike Air Max 90 x Dave's Quality Meat. 🐷🔥

From the bacon-inspired colorway to the crazy comfort, they're built different. Premium quality.

@123dortiz 👏🏼

Reimagine 💭...

Back in '88, I was 7 years old and my eyes were locked on MJ and his White Cements. Wanted them bad. 🤤

So, 37 years later, finally got my hands on the Reimagined pair. A perfect nod to the OGs. Took a while (and a friendly Depop price) to make it happen, but worth the wait. ⏳

All Sneaky Sprayed and ready to go 🏀👟

Growing up in Melbourne, basketball was a way of life for me. From the age of 8 through to my early 20s, you could always find me on a court - whether it was in my backyard, local school or park, or Diamond Valley Stadium. (For about $1 a pop at the time).

My whole family played. Even my dad was still out there in his 50s. It was strong in our family. 💪🏼

I played hard every time, once even taking 5 charges in a single game. My back, knees and ankles remind me about it daily. And I just need to keep working on my strength to try to get back on-court again. It's a slow and steady process, but I'll get there.

I’ve won premierships, represented my high school, made game-winning free throws and dropped 17 points in a game once (5 of those were threes—yes, I still remember 😅). I still remember it all. 🏀

But maybe what stuck with me most was the ritual - the feeling - of getting a new pair of sneakers each season. My mum would take me, and it always felt like a new beginning. I still try to pass that same feeling on to my boys today.

And every Saturday, walking into the stadium to play, I’d be checking out everyone’s sneakers.

I’ll never forget when my brother bought me my first Jordans - Playoff 13s. Pure magic. The comfort, the stitching, the hologram 🤤 I used to clean them after every single game 🫧🧴And I still have my Jordan 11 Breds from 2001. Some things you just hold onto.

Now living in London at 43, a world away from those courts in Melbourne, basketball and sneakers still give me so much joy. They were a big part of how I grew up, and I love it.

Larry Johnson was one of my favourite players to watch in the 90s. Explosive, strong and a great sense of humour. The Hornets back then played so well as a team, all playing their positions... LJ, Muggsy, Curry, Zo, Gill... All great players doing their jobs.

Jordan 1 'A Star is Born'. 💫

Perfect pair for a trip to Italy 🇮🇹

Wanted them for a LONG time. They're here and I love them.

🟢⚪🔴

Comfort. Jordan 2 X @shelflifestore 🇿🇦

@custardshopofficial socks unseen... but they're there 🙈

Ewing was a mountain of a man. Skilled in the post, rebounding, and such a clean jump shot. And to have John Starks and Action Jackson delivering the ball night in night out. Great to watch. 🏀

As for the sneakers... Another 90s beauty. They were just built different back then.

The Patrick Ewing Empire sneakers, released in 1995, were part of the Ewing Athletics line, which was founded by NBA Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing in 1989.

Boy they came out with some 90s fire 🔥

#patewing #patrickewing #knicks #newyork #newyorkknicks #ewing #ewingbrand

LOVE THESE. Arctic Blue Air Max 1. Cop that blue. Jeeeeeez.

#arcticblue #airmax1 #nike #nikeair #airmax #airmax1 @the_urban_syndicate

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.