THIS WEEKS INSTAGRAM BEST 11

As most major leagues across the planet wind down, brands/teams are quick to get the jump on next years kit releases. Man United, City, Bayern, Roma, PSG and others have already unveiled some of their 18/19 offerings with many more sure to follow suit. From jerseys to boots, soccers biggest keep it moving in time for the World Cup as Nike drop the “Just Do It” collection and New Balance release the pristine “Otruska Pack”. Elsewhere Waka Flocka hangs out with Edgar Davids for an Atlanta United match and Sergio Ramos flexes his Off White Vapormax’s.

So that was El Clasico 🍿

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🕶 👟👟🕶 #offwhitexnike

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Coming soon

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NEW BALANCE RELEASES HOMAGE TO ICONIC “MADE 990”

New Balance‘s MADE 990 silhouette has remained a benchmark for quality, craftsmanship and performance for the sportswear company since its debut over three decades ago now. First introduced back in 1982, the runner disrupted the athletic footwear market with its $100 USD price tag that boasted unmatched innovation at its time, despite its understated look. While we know the ’80s to be a very vibrant era, NB instead opted for a nondescript grey for its pigskin leather and mesh upper. The shoe has since received several iterations in colorway and construction, however 36 years from its inception, NB harks back to its original form for its 2018 version.

In true homage form, the MADE 990, now dubbed the New Balance MADE 990v4 “1982” in its latest rendition, makes a come back in its original grey, with added navy accents to create what can now exclusively be called the “1982” colorway. To continue its tribute, the shoe’s upper cremains constructed in premium grey suede and mesh, and to top it off, they’ll retail for its original price tag of $100 USD. However times have of course changed, so without being stuck with two feet in the past, the runner comes with updated technical improvements and modernized details, namely the navy tongue logo, the classic “N” logo in a navy boarder, and the “EST. 1982” nod on the heel counter.

As mentioned, the new release comes in a very limited quantity of only 1,500 pairs, and will be sold at a curated selection of locations the world over – with the North America spots listed below. Have a look at the New Balance MADE 990v4 “1982” in all its OG glory with the images throughout, then be sure to stop by a location near you come April 14 to get yourself an inevitably legendary pair.

– New York City, NY – New Balance, 150 5th Ave
– Atlanta, GA – Foot Locker, Greenbriar Pkwy SW
– Palo Alto, CA – Shoe Palace, 451 University Ave
– Philadelphia, PA – Kicks USA, Roosevelt Mall, 2339 Cottman Ave
– ​San Francisco, CA – New Balance, 856 Market St
– Washington, D.C. – YCMC, 1060 Brentwood Rd NE
– Windsor Mill, MD – YCMC, Security Mall, 6901 Security Blvd

BEST 11 KITS OF 2017/18 SEASON

Summer is officially over and most leagues across the worlds are now, thankfully in full swing. While most teams unveiled their arsenal of kits prior to their respective seasons, there were a few stragglers that dropped as late as yesterday. With other media outlets releasing their lists weeks ago, we patiently waited for the aforementioned late drops and sure enough one of those kits made our list. A calculated risk but well worth it. Now without further rhetoric, let’s take a big ol’ subjective dive into our favorite kits for the 2017/18 season. 

11. Newcastle United Third by Puma

After an unprecedented “Step Out” campaign which saw every team under the Puma umbrella receive a black kit, we picked Newcastle’s as the best of the considerable bunch. The all black shirt features subtle, monochrome, gradient stripes that take from the club’s iconic home strip. The Newcastle crest perfectly compliments the metallic gold accents by way of Puma and sponsorship branding. An all around clean, stealthy and classy kit.

10. Liverpool Home by New Balance

So many of the best things in life are simple. Music, food and especially a good soccer kit. New Balance clearly took this to heart when designing Liverpool’s 2017/18 home strip. Marking the club’s 125th anniversary, the simple shirt takes direct inspiration from the Red’s 1984 European cup winning side. The throwback vibes come from a  distinguished white v-neck collar and cuffs along with tonal pinstripes all on that legendary Liverpool red. Of all the kits on the list, this one wins for its off-pitch versatility.  

9. Hamburg Away by adidas

adidas came strong with their classic inspired kits this season. Naturally, the bigger teams got the majority of the hype, but we fancied Hamburg’s away number as a standout. Though the print never actually featured on any of the club’s previous kit’s, the all-over diamond design which took from the club’s crest, screams of brilliant 90s panache. The bold and beautiful marine blue also gives the shirt a fitting, vibrant backdrop for the white accents. 

8. Shakhtar Donetsk Home by Nike

Sometimes a team’s kit is hindered by its coloroway. Making orange and black look good can be difficult, but Nike has been slaying jerseys for the Dutch National for nearly three decades. On Shakhtar’s latest it appears they’ve taken from that history. The typically solid black stripes are reworked with a gradient blue beneath diagonal pinstripes. The classic orange stripes remain proud and untouched as ever along with solid black sleeves. We also love how clean that sponsorship logo looks across the chest. This kit is a rework of a classic, masterfully done. 

7. Manchester United Away by adidas 

This was the first kit that set the precedent for what adidas (and many other brands) would be doing for several of their releases. Dipping back into their archives, adi resurrected this iconic print which was worn by Manchester United’s legendary “Class of ’92” in their first season. Opting for a tonal black/grey with white accents, the kit perfectly plays homage to its inspiration but with a sleeker, more modern fit. With high hopes for the season ahead, the Red Devils look for some good luck from successful seasons past. 

6. UNAM Pumas Home by Nike

Pumas have notoriously had some of the best kits in all of soccer. Last year’s Aztec print jerseys were absolute fire. It was a tough act to follow but Nike killed these. More minimal than its predecessor, Pumas home kit shines with simplicity and bold design. The white shirt employs that iconic navy-blue lion head with unique, rarely seen, horizontal stripes on the sleeves. Lisa MX jerseys are known for getting creative with sponsorship blasts and this one is no different as the DHL branding sits super high on the chest, near the collar. Another killer for the boys from Mexico City.

5. Huddersfield Town AFC Alternative by Puma

Not one to pass on the retro driven madness Puma joined the soiree with the newly promoted Huddersfield Town. Inspired by the famous ‘Flash Kit’ worn by the club from 91-93 this shirt is an almost identical throwback to one of the wildest designs ever. It features unique, horizontal, red and black stripes that mimic lines you’d see on a seismograph after an earthquake. Of all the throwback inspired pieces, this one was the most brazen, but Puma did an incredible job of bringing back a beloved cult classic. 

4. Inter Milan Third by Nike

This will probably be the most controversial of all the selections. Nike has taken flack for using the same templates across most of their jerseys. Especially this year, nearly every one of their third kits features the same tonal camo. What makes Inter’s stand above the rest for us, is the colorway. The folks at Nike are masters of color schemes and this kit is an example of that. The dark blue serves the minimalist vibes of the shirt brilliantly. Add the iconic volt accents from the branding and you have a smart kit steeped in simplicity with subtle doses of flair. 

3. Kaizer Chiefs Home by Nike

The Nike kit template is a few seasons old now. Tweaking it a must for the sake of maximizing its longevity. One simple way of doing so is by adding print that was previously only reserved for goalkeeper kits. As basic as that may seem it works brilliantly on the Kaizer Chiefs 17/18 home shirt. The South African club is given a loud all yellow kit with a gradient diamond print on the sleeves. We often talk about how branding accentuates the overall aesthetic of the best jerseys, this one is no different.

2. Celtic Away by New Balance

This kit is absolute fire flames, plain and simple. Created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Celtic’s iconic Lisbon Lions European Cup victory. The shirt features Verdant and Eden Green horizontal stripes with gold accents on the New Balance branding, sponsorship blast and team crest which is specialized to read ” Lisboa 50 Aniversario.”  A woven two-button collar and gold trimmed shoulder seam tie up the jersey beautifully. This is a must have for Celtic fans, collectors, casual fans, dudes that like soccer, dudes that hate soccer etc..

1. Club America Home by Nike

While other brands went HAM with their retro repertoire, Nike, for the most part, stayed a more modern path with their releases. Then they came with this Jaw-dropping, nostalgia-gripping piece of Mexican legend. This harkens back to the days of a young Cuathemoc Blanco bunny-hopping around the Azteca like a madman. The iconic diamond print is gorgeously resurrected with modern tweaks but it’s all done so well while staying true to the club’s rich history. Without out a doubt our kit of the 2017/18 season. 

NEW BALANCE RELEASE BLACKOUT & WHITEOUT BOOTS

Fresh off the unveiling of the brand new Furon 2.0 and Visaro 3.0, New Balance has announced the Blackout and Whiteout colorways for their signature boots. In a move rarely seen, each boot gets a black and white out respectively rather than one being bound to particular paint job. The new Furorn’s in particular look stealthy in black and regal in in all white. 

The lightweight Furon 2.0 is built for the cunning striker while the Visor 3.0 is built for  playmaker at the heart of a team. For more on the tech of each boots and to check out the launch make sure to check out our recap HERE

Both boots are available now at Newbalance.com

NEW BALANCE FURON 3.0 LAUNCH: LONDON

Last week we were out in London for the New Balance Football Furon 3.0 and Visaro boot launch. The exciting event took place in East London and we had the opportunity to connect with the players who wear the boots, chat with the product team who created them and put them to the test in a variety of challenges.

The latest version of the Furon is highlighted by their latest innovation in boot design. We caught up with Rob Sheldon, Global Head of Product of New Balance Football, to get insight into the design and development process. Sheldon says. ” We always focus on three major things: Speed, Accuracy and Acceleration.” Having this at the core they work closely with the players for input and gather player data. The result is a lightweight TPU/Polyester engineered mesh upper. “When talking about devastating the defense, we really bring it back to data to design and engineer the product.” Sheldon further adds. The Furon 3.0 encompasses a “Fantom Fit” which is specific fused areas on the boot upper for added durability, structure and overall support around the foot without the need for additional material and stiches. Even the boots foam inserts have been tailored to enhance in-boot traction and cushioning with its REVlite foam insert. 

So what do the players have to say? We asked Kevin Mirallas about the new Furon 3.0 model, “Its so different from the 2.0. More comfortable, the material is much different, lighter… A great boot.” Having the boots in our hand and testing on pitch, we can’t deny.

Also showcased at the event was the latest colorway of the New Balance Visaro 2.0 boot. We spoke with Yohan Cabaye who’s wearing the new Energy Lime/Black/Alpha Pink colorway to get his thoughts on this model and the new color. With the boot designed to dictate the play, Cabaye adds, “Details are really important for me. The upper material on the Visaro helps with my pass and shots – and overall control.”

With these two boots, players have an optimal opportunity to tailor their football footwear to their style of play.

 

NEW BALANCE UNVEIL LIVERPOOL 2017/18 3RD KIT

Today New Balance has officially unveiled the new 2017/18 Liverpool FC third kit. As with the home and away, this years 3rd strip has been launched as part of the ‘Pure Liverpool FC’ campaign. In continuing the celebration of iconic periods from Liverpool’s 125 year history, the design inspiration comes from the original wooden signage of the famous Kop stand. The shirt is dominated by a Bold Citrus and accented with black on the collar, sleeves and logos. Further commemorative details are seen via a special 125th anniversary crest as well as the 96 emblem, encased by the eternal flames that sits at the nape of the neck and pays homage to the tragic events of Hillsborough.

The New Balance Liverpool FC 2017/18 Third Kit is available now at Newbalance.com

 

NEW BALANCE UNVEIL 2017/18 KITS FOR ATHLETIC CLUB BILBAO

Every season, New Balance increase their soccer clout by bolstering their stable with quality kit partnerships. This year is no different as some of the world’s best and most historic clubs are rocking NB on their chest. The latest feather in the New Balance cap is the addition of Athletic Club Bilbao. The Basque giants are notoriously proud of their heritage and New Balance has paid proper homage with their kits of the 2017/18 season.

The home shirt features the iconic Bilbao red and white stripe, the colors that have identified Los Leones throughout their history. The kit has a white flat knit rib collar with a black insert and an embroidered full color woven Athletic Club crest with an NB logo on the chest. The Ikurriña flag, synonymous with the Basque region, is printed on the back neck.

The away design has a solid black base splashed with dashes of Alloy and Athletic Red, a design inspired by the great Athletic teams of the 1940’s. 

The third strip pays tribute to legends of the past who won the club’s first Copa title in 1903. Key design features include the ribbed v-neck collar and embroidered full colour woven Athletic Club crest and NB logo on the chest. The shirt features UV blue and white stripes with fine red striped detailing.

Athletic Club player Mikel San Jose said “The team are proud to wear the colours known to everyone at Athletic Club. These kits pay tribute to our great history and I am sure the supporters will be excited to see them next season.”

The New Balance Athletic Bilbao 2017/18 kits are available now at Newbalance.com

NEW BALANCE UNVEIL PORTO 2017/18 THIRD KIT

New Balance keep firing with more kits for this upcoming season. Today they unveil the Porto 2017/18 Third kit which launches as part of the ‘Joga Sem Fronteiras’ or ‘Play Without Boundaries’ campaign.

The design for the brand new third kit features an Air blue colorway with navy accents on the embossed trimming around the sleeve cuffs, v-neck collar and hem of the shirt. Classy details come by way of the line ‘Futebol Clube do Porto” which sits to the nape of the neck, along with emboss patterns  which draw influence from the Latin American flair which has always been a staple of the team. The jersey is finished with a rib collar, full color club crest, along with navy New Balance and sponsorship branding. 

The New Balance Porto 2017/18 Third Kit is available now at new balance.com

 

NEW BALANCE UNVEILS THE CELTIC FC 2017/18 AWAY KIT

 

New Balance has officially unveiled the Celtic FC 2017/18 away kit. As with other releases this shirt was created with the ‘Live the Legend’ paradigm in mind as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of the iconic Lisbon Lions victory.  

The new Away kit keeps in Lisbon Lions theme by incorporating verdant and Eden Green horizontal stripes with gold accents featuring on the crest, New Balance branding and Sponsorship blast. A woven two-button collar and gold trimmed shoulder seam really round off the kit nicely. As we mentioned the Jersey pays homage to European Cup victory from 50 years ago with a specialized gold crest. The two teams who competed in the 1967 final have been commemorated in the inner back neck of the jersey, where the green and white hoops of Celtic and the black and blue stripes of Inter Milan are featured.

The New Balance Celtic FC 2017/18 Away Kit is available now at newbalance.com

 

NEW BALANCE UNVEILS THE LIVERPOOL 2017/18 AWAY KIT

Today New Balance has unveiled Liverpool FC’s 2017/18 away kit. Just like their home strips, this years away shirt is part of the ‘Pure Liverpool FC’ campaign which draws from the club’s 125 year anniversary. Continuing to honor historic period’s within the club’s illustrious existence, the 2017/18 kit is inspired by Liverpool’s  first ever jersey worn in 1892, which featured a blue and white quartered pattern. Naturally a modern era requires a more modern design and fit. As such, the kit features contemporary and subtle green pinstripes in place of the sold slate it draws from. Black accents come by way of the collar, New Balance Branding and Liverpool crest.

The New Balance Liverpool FC 2017/18 away kit is available now at newbalance.com