Released in 2006, socio-documentary Just For Kicks analyzed the global sneaker phenomenon, pointing out the underlying forces and layers that fueled the global market that nets nearly $26 billion per year. The film features appearances from Bobbito Garcia, Raekwon, and Damon Dash, who all contribute hilarious personal anecdotes and unique diatribes to the film.  Combine this with thought-provoking statistics, and you have an incredibly compelling piece of visual work.  That same year, adidas worked collaboratively with JFK’s producers to draft up a special limited release of the brand’s iconic Superstar.  Toned up in a monochromatic white/white color scheme, the shoe if enhanced by a “Just For Kicks” engraving that reads from lace-to-midsole along the model’s three stripes logo. You can win this pair on eBay here.

“It’s Sample Time” posts will be dedicated to the products from all brands that never reached retail. Shoes remain off of shelves for any number of reasons. In some cases, companies reason a shoe is underscored by a technology or color scheme that is simply too risky for mass production. Sometimes brands encounter poor sales for an initial release version, and decide to against dropping other iterations.

First up is the Jordan 9.5 Low, a hybridized version of the brand’s XI (9) and X (10).  The shoe features Asian lettering that marked the X’s worldly-oriented design, but features the distinct midsole tooling and full-length upper rand of the XI. The shoe is toned up in an all-white upper but is furnished by light green/gold accents. Via Joerdan23 of Niketalk.