Image source: here.

New Balance collaborated with Almond. The New Balance and Almond 574 is in black color. The shoe upper is very interesting as it is covered in velco. This facilitates the sticking on of patches all over the upper. You can customize the look and change the look whenever you want. This shoe gives versatility in just one price.

The shoe has a black leather mudguard around its perimeter. The tongue is special as it has a blue colored New Balance design. At the tip, New Balance is printed in blue and yellow colors. The shoe is all black on the upper and has a black inner lining too. The midsole is white. The photos show how samples of patches that were stuck on the shoe upper. One small disadvantage of a velco upper is that dirt, dust and other unwanted material might also adhere to the velco.

This 574 shoe comes with two coordinated jackets. They are “Ninja” rain jackets. One is in shiny black and the other is in matt black. This pack will be released in autumn 2008. The raincoat in matt has a high neck and this protects the wearer more than the raincoat in shiny matt. It is a matter of personal choice.

Desp One was asked by a friend to create a pair of custom Air Force Ones with a Toronto Raptors theme. The designer mixed the Raptors colors with his friend’s love of leopard prints to create the “Laptors.”

The “Laptors” feature dark purple outsoles, dark purple leopard spots and a light purple background. There is a hint of orange or yellow on each leopard spot which makes the light purple background look like a thin shroud. Desp One added red to the Nike swooshes and shoe strings to complete the Toronto Raptor color scheme. The colors are well-balanced from heel to toe with a pallet-cleansing white space on the toe box.

Desp One posted his “Laptors” Air Force Ones on the Customsnkr.com blog linked here. While I am not a big fan of leopard prints, I am a fan of well-crafted shoes with great colors. I am sure the “Laptors” were met with appreciation by Desp One’s friend and I am sure there will be a few readers interested in these shoes.

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For fall, check out the Urban Outdoor Collection from New Balance. Using the M575J and hybrid H574J boot, this pack uses a dark upper that is a mix of nubuck, leather and fake fur. These shoes also have a speckled midsole.

These sneakers are a hot combination of outdoor flavor and urban appeal. This collection will be available at Mita beginning on September 6th. Personally, I like the hybrid H574J boot, which is a Mid, rather than the low shoe. However, both shoes are pretty nice. Via Sole Collector.

Yesterday we marveled over the Blue Team PE today we all drool over the Red Team PE. Although the two shoes use different colorways, color placement is the same. The same white base is used, with the same black pebbled leather side panels. The pair pictured above was made for Shooting Guard Tyreke “Too Easy” Evans, who is still undecided as to where he will attend college. Like Blue Team PE, these were also limited to 10 pairs given to the players. Tons of pictures after the jump.

**BONUS**

Jordan Brand All American Classic Home Team – Jersey & Shoes

House of Hoops continues to drop their in store exclusives, this time paying homage to the round mound of rebound, Charles Barkley for those of you wondering and his days as Philadelphia 76er. This 2008 edition is very similar to the 2005 edition, almost exact (if you ask me).

Like 05 edition this too is composed of a white leather base. Unlike the 05 edition more red accent is used with navy, the midsole is red and navy, no gold time this time. The tongue and sock liner are made of a metallic silver nylon material, great for those of you using these for physical activity. Philly Cheesesteak can be seen on the white sock liner in red with a green design accompanying it. If you’re anything like me, it’ll make you hungrier than it will help you to remember the city of brotherly love.

If you missed the August 22nd release date sorry, if theyre anywhere near as successful as the prior HOH releases, theyre all gone by now. eBay is probably your best bet, watch out for fakes.

Thursday we brought you the first look at the In4mation X Vans collab. Now more information (no pun intended) and pictures are available. Taking a cue from Nike’s Tear away Vandals, an additional layer of (houndstooth) material is under the denim. What does this mean? The more you shred, the more stylish these shoes get, especially great for all you skaters out there. These will drop December 12 at In4mation and their online shop, so make sure, there on your Christmas list. These will be limited to 500 pairs worldwide, so don’t sleep.