Cool Recommendations

Nike Mercurial Vapor IX SE

via www.highsnobiety.com

In 1998 Nike launched the first Nike Mercurial football boot, a shoe inspired by and designed for Brazilian football phenomenon Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, popularly dubbed “El Fenómeno,” but more commonly known as Ronaldo. To celebrate 15 years since the debut of that boot, Nike has created a Mercurial Vapor IX inspired by the 1998 design. This version is a one-piece, seamless upper as per other Nike Vapor Mercurial IX editions. 1,998 pairs of the Mercurial IX Special Edition is available at select retailers around the world, including nike.com.

Almond Surfboards & Designs x Shakastics Custom Planks Skateboard

via hypebeast.com

Newport Beach’s Almond Surfboards & Designs has partnered with Shakastics Custom Planks to craft a co-branded, SoCal skateboard. Made by hand and screen-printed in Costa Mesa and measuring 24″ in length, the vintage-inspired hardwood board is smaller than Almond’s previous “Coffee-Break Commuter” and sees a kick in the tail while narrow trucks allow for increased maneuverability. The collaborative cruiser is now available online for $170 USD as a complete or $100 USD for the deck alone.

NIke Hypervenom Soccer Cleats

via uncrate.com

In soccer, every extra bit of advantage you have over your challenger counts. Nike kept that consideration front of mind when creating the Hypervenom ($75-225), a soccer shoe built to enhance agility and speed. Constructed from a soft mesh outer, coated in polyurethane film and special weatherproofing technology, the shoe feels like the closest thing to playing barefoot. It was designed with feedback form some of the biggest names in the game — Neymar, Rooney, Ibrahimovic — with a stud configuration that allows fast movement and swift kicks

Isaora x Meyerhoffer Slip-In 6.6 Surfboard

via definitivetouch.com

Having collaborated together on a clothing collection, New York’s Isaora and California’s Meyerhoffer decided to come together to create their own version of the latter’s famed ‘Slip-In’ surfboard. Taking a classic shape and injecting it with modern tech and design, the 6.6 features a blacked-out paint scheme with co-branding. For those who actually surf, they’ll be glad to know the board features a side-cut pintail for a tighter turn radius, as well as a hulled nose for old school high-speed trim. Finally, the piece is finished with a double concave V-shaped bottom and features polyurethane foam construction with a polyester resin. You can pick up one of these American-made Isaora x Meyerhoffer Slip-In 6.6 surfboards here for $995 USD.

Nike Celebrates 15 Years of the Mercurial & "El Fenómeno"

via hypebeast.com

Launched in 1998 with the tagline “ultralight, so your legs can be as fast as your imagination,” Nike‘s Mercurial football boot was specifically crafted for the creativity and speed of Brazilian football phenomenon Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima – “El Fenómeno,” better known across the globe simply as “Ronaldo.” Now, 15 years later, Nike is recalling the original silver-yellow-blue design – worn by Ronaldo in France throughout the 1998 World Cup – with the introduction of a celebratory special edition take on the Mercurial Vapor IX.

The contemporary update sees a one-piece seamless upper while retaining the motif of the original. Further tweaked with a metallic finish to its silver base, the original’s yellow accents have been scrapped in favor of Volt – a hue synonymous with the brand over the past decade-plus. Limited to 1,998 pairs as a nod to the OG, this Mercurial Vapor IX Special Edition is tough to come by, but you can pick up a pair on ebay.

Swami's Surfboards

via uncrate.com

Every once in a while you find a piece of sporting equipment so beautiful, you wonder if it even functions. But make no mistake about it — Swami's Surfboards ($1,250-$5,600) are perfectly usable. The question is whether you'll want to. With highly-polished resin finishes, a multitude of different sizes and shapes, and a few limited-edition collaborations with 20Ltd and Paul Smith, there's sure to be a board for you — whether you plan to ride it or just hang it on your wall.

The SK8room x ROA Skateboard Deck Series

via www.highsnobiety.com

To celebrate the launch of The SK8room, the first online platform to promote fine art skateboards, the brand teamed up with Belgian artist ROA, who created three unique visuals for the SK8room’s first production. Each of the 3 decks (Decay 1, 2 & 3) are printed on 7 ply Canadian maple and measure 80 x 20cm. Each of the 3 versions are a limited edition of 125 signed in the deck boards and 25 hand signed decks. You can purchase the decks here.

Twenty percent of all sales will be donated to Skateistan, a not-for-profit that teaches empowerment through skateboarding to children in impoverished countries like Afghanistan and Cambodia.

Nitraid x 7Stars Design 2013 Spring/Summer Skateboarding Collection

via hypebeast.com

Japanese creative firm 7Stars Design up with apparel brand Nitraid to release a skateboarding collection for Spring/Summer 2013. The collection is composed of transitional and warm weather essentials: T-shirts, hoodies, light cardigans, shorts and as shown here, custom-designed deck. A common motif throughout the collection is an intricate bandanna pattern designed by 7Stars, which can be found subtly imprinted on the pieces. Other highlights include a run of printed T-shirts, which take aesthetic cues from the ’90s to deliver a range inspired by classic skateboarding motifs.

Nike CR7 Spring/Summer 2013 Collection

via www.highsnobiety.com

Known for his fast-paced playing style soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo once again collaborated with Nike on his CR7 signature collection. Inspired by Cristiano’s love for all things fast, the line encompasses a range of items mirroring his performance driven playing style. Included are besides the CR Mercurial Vapor IX soccer boot in a completely new bold colorway a bunch of lifestyle items, such as the CR Pique and CR7 V-neck T-shirt, made of premium materials and carrying CR7 trademark “love to win, hate to lose”, as well as the white button-down Saturday Jacket and the vintage-inspired Nike Tennis classic, Cristiano’s first choice off the soccer field.

Nike Lunaraccelerate & Lunardominate

via sneakernews.com

The game of cricket may not resonate the most here in the states, but that doesn’t mean us Yankees shouldn’t be able to appreciate Nike’s latest batch of cricket trainers. Shown are the Nike Lunaraccelerate and the Nike Lunardominate, two models made for bowling and batting, respectively. The Lunarlaron equipped designs were unveiled today out in India by the likes of cricket stars R. Ashwin of the Indian national squad and former captain of the Austrlian team Ricky Ponting. Continue reading for a look at both designs and watch for the Nike Lunaraccelerate and the Nike Lunardominate at Nike accounts in India.