Sounds like a record pool huh? Well its sort of the same deal; think of T-Shirt of the month club. Digital Gravel – the online clothing store started this club a while ago, but for undisclosed reasons discontinued it. Well its back, live and direct. Notable brands carried by the club were The Hundreds, Foreign Family, Freshjive, Mighty Healthy, MishkaNYC, Diamond, Reason, Red Clay, GrnAppleTree many more. Sign up for a year and watch a new tee roll in every month.

Info/Image: Digital Gravel

I’ve had the enjoyment of sitting with a stick of sugar cane and a knife before. Its a guilty pleasure slicing off a stalk and chewing on the sweet fibrous stuff. What better use than a sweet pair of jeans for sugar cane? We’ve seen denim from burlap all the way to hemp, but this is bleeding edge stuff. The Japanese art of denim has been taken to a new level with this brand and Caliroots has a boxfresh shipment. Get familiar.

Info/Image: High Snobiety

When sneakerheads talk shoes, they’re talkin’ bout Nikes. Yes, yes, I know — there are plenty of sneakerheads as obsessive and loyal to the three stripes, Puma or what-have-you, as Nikeheads are to the Swoosh. But the fact remains that when it comes to sneakers and the cats that love/collect/obsess over them, there’s Nike and really, nobody else. I’m not here to dispute this claim (which I just made) — only to explain why.

Let’s just say that Nike (and sneakers in general) owe a little bit of that to some guy named Michael Jordan. In the ’80s, Reebok was killing it by addressing women in general, aerobics specifically (jeez, remember aerobics?). Converse had the best ballpayers of the decade, Magic and Bird, choosing their Weapons. But then this Jordan guy started dunking on everyone in sight, wearing garish, bright colored sneakers banned by the NBA (for too little white on the shoe). He single-handedly pulled Nike from the doldrums in the ’80s, and promptly went on to become the greatest basketball player of all time, and the most popular athlete/endorser ever. Before Mike, only tennis players received signature shoes with their name on them (Stan Smith, Rod Laver…). His Airness became the first team-sport athlete to rep signature product, and nothing has been the same since then.

But it don’t stop there: since then, Nike has signed pretty much every significant/flashy athlete in the game (any game, that is): Andre Agassi, Bo Jackson (when that meant something), Charles Barkley, Mia Hamm, Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter, Serenna Williams, Lebron… The people at the Swoosh have always gone out of their way to have their products closely aligned to excellence, and flamboyant excellence at that. About the only two athletes that move product that Nike didn’t/couldn’t sign are Tracy McGrady and Allen Iverson (and at least Allen wore JXIs @ Georgetown — and wore ‘em well). Add this roster to their brilliant advertising campaigns (courtesy of ad giants Widen & Kennedy), and genius is really the only possible result.

Of course, all the endorsements in the world can’t save a lousy product. And product is another reason Nike shines. First, ever since technology has played a significant factor in shoes (let’s say the ’80s), Nike has consistently been on the cutting edge. If all they’d done was Air and velcro straps on basketball sneakers, Nike could call it a day and still reign supreme. But they had to invent the concept of cross-training, and add Hurache, Zoom Air and Shox technology to the repertoire as well.

And when you marry ill technology to even sicker design, there’s not much that can stop you. The Air Force 1, designed by Bruce Kilgore in 1982, is still getting significant play today. Every shoe Tinker Hatfield has ever designed (Air Max ‘87, Jordans 3-15, Trainer 1s) is a classic. If you think of sneaker companies as fashion houses, it’s true that the brand alone will still sell. But when you couple the brand with outstanding designs that inspire the imagination, then you have success. For whatever reason, Nike’s designers have never been constrained by the Swoosh: some of their most famous designs don’t feature a logo prominently anywhere. But designers at the three-stripes and RBK have never figured this out, somehow. And it don’t help when you’re already three steps behind to begin with (every other brand seems to imitate Nike’s latest technology about one to two years later).

This last part I can’t quite figure out, but it’s worthy of mention. In the blossoming world of limited editions/retro’s/cool-guy sneaker stores, Nike rep’s at least 90% of the product on shelves today. Any sneaker boutique around the world knows that Swooshie joints are the most-coveted by far, and their stock reflects this. Why? I suppose Nike is just the most in-tune with the market, and constantly offers the best of its extensive back-catalogue, in line with exclusivity (for better or worse) and crazy color-reimaginings. They put out artist-collaborations, and release uncountable “special editions” for every hot rapper/celebrity/athlete. I don’t know how, but Nike manages to own “cool” despite being the monolith of athletic apparel. Usually indie-minded hipsters just want a piece of the best too, I suppose.

To other sneaker companies and their enthusiasts: it’s not my fault Nike is always a step ahead, makes iller product and consequently has iller retro product. Step your game up, and cats will follow… (but it wouldn’t hurt for Nike to release a string of shitty product at the same time) And I see you, adidas, signed up Gilby and Chauncey along with your T-Mac, Duncan and KG — now you just gotta make better shoes.

Retro kicks complete with pony hair and crocodile skin? Nike doesn’t play with the latest Court Force Hi Premium, released today. Available in two colorways, Nike includes premium materials along with the normal leather in this sick release.

Info/Image: High Snobiety

Brazil’s finest come to the US. The Nike SB Dunks designed by Brazilian artists Favio Samelo, Cezar Gordo, Fabio Cristiano, and Rodrigo Gerdal, are now available at Vintage Kicks. Yeah, we’ve seen many color patterns for these kicks already… but what could four more hurt? They’re hot.

Info/Image: Kix-Files

We already gave you the lowdown on the Stash x Slick exhibit at Melt; how about a sneak preview also? Supertouch has an inside man who has been able to get exclusive access to check the lab and see whats brewing before the big show. Check some of the sick pieces that are gonna be up.

Info/Image: Supertouch

Want to be the first to get your hands on the Zoom LeBron IV China Edition? Register on NIKEBASKETBALL.com to receive an exclusive invite to attend the IV, the Ultimate LeBron James Exhibit. Aside from sneakers, guests can also buy apparel and collectibles. But only the first 1,000 to register are invited, so act quickly.

Info/Image: Nike Talk

Its that time of year again. Sihill design knows whats up. They’ve made some wrapping paper just for the occasion for those who are down with ill oldschool flows. You know that your present will be a good one if it comes parcelled with this wrapping paper.

Info/Image: Sihill Design

Holy sh*t! They jacked Ricky’s shirt pattern from Trailer Park Boys! This hoodie is hand made from the cats at Homeroom clothing. Neon green,orange, and yellow with classic patterning, it has a full middle zip and fresh design.

Info/Image: High Snobiety

So you wanna be a DJ? Might as well go all out and get the deluxe package then. This set of deck holders designed by Karim Rashid exemplifies the beats that radiate as sound waves from the two turntables. Made of moulded fibreglass and shiny Dupont auto paint, these are sure winners for the avid deck jockey.

Info/Image: Offi