Sole Camp

Air Jordan XII Retro "Obsidian"

Today marked the release of some limited edition sneakers from Nike and New Balance. For some, that might have made this weekend. For Jordan fans on a tight budget, those releases were just pure distractions. People waiting for the “Obsidian” Air Jordan XII to release again have had to deal with plenty of distractions to keep them busy since 1997. The sneaker has re-released in all sorts of forms – low-top version, Air Jordan Fusion version, and others – but never the original until now. Tomorrow, June 23, Jordan fans will finally have a chance to get their hands on the “Obsidian” Air Jordan XII in Retro form from their local Jordan Brand retailer. Get prepared!

Don’t think we forgot about a certain Air Jordan Retro coming out this weekend! As I told you all long ago on the blog, the “Obsidian” Air Jordan XII Retro is still set for release on this Saturday, June 23. Take a look at that sneaker along with the “Gym Green” Air Foamposite Pro, set for release on Saturday, June 30, from Nike. As always, thanks to the folks at Exit 36 for allowing us to give you all a preview of both sneakers.

Air Jordan VI Retro "Olympic"

As the year goes on, more and more release dates are being revealed, with Jordan Brand’s coming out in full force. Today,  I have some updates on Air Jordan Retros coming out in June and July. The Air Jordan IV will hold strong in June, as the “Military Blue” Retro is set to drop on Saturday, June 9. Two weeks later, on Saturday, June 23, the never-before-Retro’d “Obsidian” Air Jordan XII will make an appearance at all Jordan Brand retailers nationwide. But the real big news? The “Olympic” Air Jordan VI Retro has a release date! Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 7 as one very hectic day to be a Jordan fan.

Air Jordan IV Retro "Military Blue"

Air Jordan XII Retro "Playoff"

Air Jordan XII Retro "Obsidian"

Air Jordan XII Retro "Cool Grey"

Air Jordan XI Retro Low White/Black-Varsity Red

We’re still quite far away from the release of the Summer 2012 Air Jordan Retros, but that has not stopped catalog pictures of the shoes from leaking online! Above, you can find new pictures of the Retro releases of the original “Miltary Blue” Air Jordan IV colorway, “Playoff” Air Jordan XII colorway, and “Obsidian” Air Jordan XII colorway. Below those three are two old silhouettes in new colorways. First, there’s the “Cool Grey” Air Jordan XII Retro, laden with Cool Grey nubuck and orange accents. In addition, a new Air Jordan XI Retro Low (NOTE: Not I.E.) will be released for Summer 2012 in a White/Black-Varsity Red colorway. Look for more news on all of these releases in the near future! (Pictures via Sneaker News)

Air Jordan IV Retro "Military Blue"

Air Jordan XII Retro "Obsidian" & "Playoffs"

Who doesn’t love an early look at some Jordans? kimchee2go on Niketalk got ahold of a few Summer 2012 Air Jordan samples, three of which are highly anticipated Retro releases. In the above pictures, we get confirmation that the “Military Blue” Air Jordan IV Retro, “Playoffs” Air Jordan XII Retro, and “Obsidian” Air Jordan XII Retro will all basically stay true to original form, with the same materials and color schemes. All a Jordan head can do now is wait for 2012 to hit.

Air Jordan XII "Playoff", "Taxi", and "Obsidian"

In 2009, Jordan Brand gave the masses a helping of Air Jordan XII Retros by rereleasing the “Flu Game”, “Cherry”, and “Nubuck” colorways, as well as by debuting a “Rising Sun” colorway. Two and a half years after the end of the last XII Retro wave (Summer 2012, that is), Jordan Brand will release another wave of Air Jordan XII Retros. However, this wave has some even more anticipated Air Jordan XII Retros than the last. For one, Jordan Brand will continue with its recent grey infatuation by releasing a new Cool Grey/White-Team Orange colorway of the Air Jordan XII. However, the rest of the colorways are classics. First, the “Taxi” Air Jordan XII colorway, which last saw a Retro release in the 2008 Air Jordan XI/XII Countdown Pack, will return. Going even further back, Jordan Brand will please the Jordan heads with an Air Jordan XII Retro whose colorway last released in 2004: the “Playoff” XII Retro. Finally, and most notably, Jordan Brand will bring back an Air Jordan XII colorway that has not seen the light of day on store shelves since its original release. The “Obsidian” Air Jordan XII colorway will see its first Retro release ever in the Summer of 2012. If you’re a fan of the Air Jordan XII, then it seems like 2012 will be quite the year for you! Unfortunately, all you can do now is wait for more information on these releases. (Picture via Sneaker News)

One of the regular models of Nike Sportswear is the Air Force 1. Unfortunately, so many colorways of the shoe release that we cannot cover every single one. However, I wanted to take some time to cover some nice colorways of the shoe that are releasing for summer.

Nike Air Force 1 Beechtree/Beechtree-White & Obsidian/Obsidian-White

Nike Air Force 1 Beechtree/Beechtree-White & Obsidian/Obsidian-White

White midsole and gum outsole? Most definitely classic. These Air Force 1′s are definitely summer shoes! The one-tone uppers of Beechtree and Obsidian are really nice for the sunny times. They’re just so simple, yet so cool. Not much else to say, other than that both of these Air Force 1′s are available at your local Nike Sportswear retailer now. Go get ‘em!

Nike Air Force 1 Premium “Denim/Bronze”

Nike Air Force 1 "Denim/Bronze"

Here’s another Air Force 1 with a gum sole. However, as you can see, that’s certainly not the only thing going for this shoe. In fact, this might be one of the nicest Air Force 1′s (material-wise) in recent years! Most notably, the upper on this AF1 is comprised of a rich blue denim material, a first for the Air Force 1 silhouette. Waxed blue laces add an even further luxurious touch to this premium Air Force 1. Not to mention the shoe also has some hints of off-white on the tongue tag, back tab, and midsole. Finally, as if that’s not enough, the shoe also has bronze-colored stitching on the swoosh and tongue. Definitely a nice shoe for the summer season! You can get your pair on Friday, May 20th at select Nike Sportswear retailers.

Nike Air Force 1 Foamposite White/White

Nike Air Force 1 Foamposite White/White

Looking for more of a Diddy-based all white look? Look no further. While the bulkiness of the Air Force 1 Foamposite might make it an option decent-at-best for the hot summer season, it does provide a great canvas for an all white colorway. The white matte upper of this Air Force 1 Foamposite just looks great in the summer sun. Furthermore, the ice blue translucent sole looks great when paired with white! These should be making their rounds at select Nike Sportswear retailers now. Grab your pair before they sell out! (Pictures via Nice Kicks)

Air Jordan Fusion 12 Black/Blue Sapphire-Cyber

Air Jordan Fusion 12 "Obsidian"

Looks like tomorrow is the day for Air Force 1 fusions. First, the “Foamposite” Air Force 1 is releasing tomorrow. In addition, though, Jordan Brand will bring back the Air Jordan Fusion 12 in two colorways. To start, there’s a Black/Blue Sapphire-Cyber Air Jordan Fusion 12. The shoe is primarily black, but covered by bright blue and bright yellow stitching. It’s a nice new colorway for an old dog, but what’s better than an old dog displaying its old tricks once again? That’s the attitude that Jordan Brand had with bringing out the Fusion 12 again. So, the other colorway of the Fusion 12 releasing tomorrow is the “Obsidian” colorway, taken from the Air Jordan XII. The “Obsidian” Air Jordan XII is one of the few Air Jordan’s that have yet to be Retro’ed, so this Air Jordan Fusion 12 comes as both a gift and a curse: a newer version of the “Obsidian” Air Jordan XII awaits us in stores tomorrow, but this is also probably a signal that we shouldn’t expect an “Obsidian” Air Jordan XII Retro anytime soon. Whether you’re a fan of these Fusion’s or not, expect them to hit Jordan Brand retailers tomorrow, August 14th. (Pictures via Jordan Brand)

Air Jordan Fusion 12 Obsidian/White-French Blue

Last year, three Air Jordan XIIs released, with two being Retros of older colorways. Sadly, as the “Cherry” and “Red Playoff” colorways of the XII racked up their third releases each, one colorway of the XII that remains un-Retroed is the “Obsidian” colorway (sans the low-top Obsidian XII). Well, at the end of August, we will get somewhat close to a Retro: An Obsidian/White-French Blue Air Jordan Fusion 12. Unlike many recent AJFs released, the Fusion 12 keeps many of the attributes of the Nike Air Force 1, while simply complementing the silhouette with various Air Jordan XII features. The Fusion 12 is modeled after the Air Force 1 Mid and the Air Jordan XII. The shoe has the strap, sole, swoosh, and toebox of the Air Force 1 Mid. The rest of the attributes of this Fusion 12 are of the Air Jordan XII. The heel and tongue have Jordan tabs. The shoe borrows the speed laces of the XII. Furthermore, the Fusion 12 uses the sun ray stitching found on the sun-inspired Air Jordan XII. And what better of a colorway to release the Air Jordan Fusion 12 in than the original Obsidian/White-French Blue colorway? Look for this Air Jordan Fusion 12 in Jordan Brand retailers when it releases in late August. Hit the jump for more pictures. (more…)