Sneakers are getting recognition this year, what with the many big name collaborations and retros. That’s why BusinessWeek did a special piece entitled, “The 25 Coolest Sneaker Designs of 2009.” The renowned magazine teamed up with Sneaker Freaker for the ultimate collaboration in sneaker compilations. The list includes brands such as Nike and Supra, including the best silhouettes such as the Supra Skytop II and Nike Air Yeezy. Check out the list and see if you agree with the businessmen.
Via BusinessWeek.

For those of you who liked what they saw with the Asics GT-II “Yankee Doodle,” here is another shoe that might peak your interest. The collaboration that resulted in the pair of X-Caliber’s pictured here included Japan’s Onitsuka Tiger and Denmark’s Wood Wood- with the X-Caliber’s that originally released for the first time in the early 1980′s as the focus point. As has become customary with Onitsuka Tiger products, this pair of X-Calibers is comprised of a suede and mesh base. As different shades of grey run throughout the entire shoe, they are also accented with slights hints of blue and white. These X-Calibers can be found online at certain international retailers, so you can’t blame us if these evade you. More pix after the jump.

Via mashKULTURE.

Nike SB has dropped its latest additions to the Nike SB clothing line for June 2009. Six t-shirts and two fitteds have released to match the latest Nike SB’s. The fitteds rock a checker design in black and white and blue and white, respectively, with both sporting the Nike SB logo on the front corner of each hat. The six tee’s come in the form of two pocket tee’s in white and black, two printed Nike SB logo tee’s in blue and white, and two Nike 6.0 tee’s in tan and white. Be sure to check these out at your local Nike SB retailers to get fitted for the coming summer months!

Via Weekly Drop.

California’s favorite skate brand, Vans, recently partnered up with independent artist Parra to produce a limited version of the Era. The vulcanized lowtop draws inspiration from a number of sources, and features Parra’s cursive logo stitched into the tongue to go along with its white/orange/pink/robin’s egg blue color scheme. The term, “Don’t Forget to Skate in These!” is printed onto the model’s sockliner, a byword I wouldn’t mind being attached to all collaborative skate shoes. The Parra x Vans Era will hit retailers early this summer, so stay on the lookout.

Via Sneaker Freaker.

With the plethora of sneakers releasing last weekend, Jordan Brand has decided to tone it down a bit this weekend with only one pair releasing. This weekend’s release will consist of the Air Jordan Fusion IX (9) in a black/varsity red/dark charcoal colorway. Featuring a black leather upper accented by a dark charcoal stripe, red inner lining, and red stitching, this pair yields an overall clean colorway which is definitely worth checking out. Though this weekend has only one sneaker release, many will argue that quality trumps quantity. The Air Jordan Fusion IX (9) – Black/Varsity Red-Dark Charcoal is set to be available for purchase on May 09, 2009 for a retail price of $160. Be sure to check out the larger picture and tech info after the jump.

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Air Jordan Fusion IX (9)
Release Date: 05/09/2009
Style Number: 352753-061
Colorway: Black/Varsity Red-Dark Charcoal
Retail Price: $145

This weekend was the start of the 2009 NBA Playoffs, and many of you tuned in. Now whether it was for the action, or to see what sneakers your favorite player might have been wearing – that’s a different story. Boston Celtics star Ray Allen debuted his own PE colorway of the Air Jordan Element, a shoe that at first appeared to be another colorway of the Air Jordan XI (11). The Air Jordan Element is definitely clean, and seems to be taking over the feet of other star players such as Joe Johnson.

Via Yahoo! Sports.

Vans Vault has been dishing out packs left and right as of late, and we now get a first look at a perforated pack which is set to drop in the Summer of 2009. This pack consists of three models: the Vans Sk8 High Lx, the Vans Authentic Lx and the Vans Classic Slip-On Lx. All three sneakers host white uppers with black perforated leather and turquoise accents seen under the perforated leather and on the inner lining. The Vans Vault Perforated Pack should be available for purchase at your local Vans retailers early next month.

Via hs.