Slam Dunk at Greater Heights!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Nike Fan Club: Product Collaboration


Over the years, Nike has had numerous success in collaborating with various industry players across numerous niches spanning from the fasion industry, to pop stars, hollywood actors/ actresses and even (yes), The Transformers!

With its wide range of sports apparel and shoes for all occassions and activities, there is simply no reason why anyone would ont be owning a pair of Nike's or any other Nike apparel. In addition, contrary to some folks' belief that Nike's products are costly, there are various outlets across the globe that carry their own local range of products manufactured by Nike. Granted there maybe the possibility of imitations popping out across the stores, at this current age and time, discerning Nike fans and the current generation of fashionistas maybe experienced and alert enough to spot a fake, overpriced item. Now, it is not in my practice to name any of these stores here, so I guess you'll just have to do the homework yourself *wink*.

Remember "Back to the Future", which featured Michael J. Fox? Especially in Part II, where the character Marty McFly was spotted donning the futuristic version of Nike's apparels? Back then in the eighties, it would seem that such designs and technology involved in Nike's products on screen would have been a dream of the future. But look at today, much of the features covered in the movie are now in actual fact, a reality and are rather affordable due to economis of scale! As they say: never underestimate the imagination of man, as well as the possibility of turning dreams into reality!

And with everyone now talking about the movie "The Transformers", Nike's products although not specifically featured on the movie screen, has actually been adapted in the Japanese manga comics, as well as an actual transformable Nike sneakers! Before you go laughing at this toy product, it would be worthy to note that this toy costs just as much as its original pair of Nike's! IT actally mimics the Nike Air 180.

What will they think of next?

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Nike Outlets


For those who want the quality and prestige associated with the Nike brand but do not want to pay full price can make use of a Nike outlet store. These stores, located across the United States and Canada, offer off-season Nike products for a lower price. As these shoes are usually a year or two behind the current styles, you can acquire the quality of shoe or sports gear that you need at only a fraction of the price.

When you shop at a Nike outlet store, you will have access to the equipment that professionals and full time athletes use. The stores carry all ranges of Nike products, from shoes, balls and duffel bags. Like many other sporting boutiques, Nike outlet stores offer goods for men, women and children, and sufficient stock of most items to ensure that you can get what you want in your size. However, because Nike outlet stores do handle off-season gear and shoes, there is a chance that you will not be able to get the shoe or item you are looking for. This is particularly relevant when you are trying to buy the shoes that were the most popular when they were top of the line.

Typically, a Nike outlet store is only available in certain locations. However, there are some retailers that will put their Nike outlet stock online. These stores will usually only put their highest stock of goods online, as online selling tends to quickly drain the outlet of merchandise. If you are planning on going to a Nike outlet store, you should first check to see if the outlet has an online store or not. If it does, you will want to get an idea of the stock they have put up for sale online, as this may affect whether or not they will have the gear or shoes that you are searching for.

Like many stores around the United States and Canada, Nike outlet stores make use of seasonal sales, cutting their costs even further. If you are after a pair of expensive Nike shoes, or want that professional soccer ball, you should check at the Nike outlet store close to the high selling seasons. This is typically when the stores will have the best stock and the best prices.

Depending on region, there may be several Nike outlet stores in the area. If this is the case, it is in your best interest to check both of them, as different Nike outlet centers may offer a different selection of merchandise.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Nike Soccer Balls


If you are in the market for a Nike soccer ball, there are several things that you will want to keep in mind. First, you can purchase a cheap, all purpose Nike soccer ball, or a professional ball. The primary difference between these two types of balls in the technology used to craft them. The standard, cheap Nike soccer ball which utilises the classic soccer ball design, can be used on all types of turf and terrain, and will usually cost you between ten to twenty dollars. There are even some models available that cost less than ten dollars!

The professional level Nike soccer ball is in a league all of its own.

With prices starting at fifty dollars and going up from there, these balls use stronger materials to handle extra abuse while maintaining shape and balance. This lets these types of Nike soccer balls dominate the market. Due to the higher quality materials and the way the inside bladders are formed, a professional Nike soccer ball can be kicked further and more accurately, making them an optimal choice for those who take their soccer game seriously.

A professional Nike soccer ball, like the Total 90 Omni, make use of special cover stocks that optimize the energy used in kicking and passing the ball. By doing so, the ball retains it shape better when kicked, which is what directly affects the accuracy of the ball. Cheaper balls that tend to lose their shape when kicked are much harder to control.

When you decide to purchase your Nike soccer ball, you will need to decide what type of ball you want. There is little in the way of middle ground between the common, inexpensive balls and the professional quality balls, although there are a few. However, if you are intending on buying a Nike soccer ball that is higher quality than the cheaper balls you can buy at most stores, you should consider spending the few extra bucks on the full professional quality ball. The balls in the middle ground try to emulate the professional balls using cheaper materials, which often results in a barely satisfactory ball. IT is for this reason that Nike does not offer many balls that fit into this category.

There are many places that you can buy a Nike soccer ball. You can purchase them online or at a sports good store in your local area. You can also acquire them used from sports institutions that sell off the older balls. However, these balls tend to have seen a lot of use, and are usually only good as a basic practice ball.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Nike Golf


Nike golf gear is one of the ways that you can step up your game, regardless if you are a beginner or a professional. Nike offers a line of golf shoes, gold clubs and assorted accessories that are designed to let you make the most of your game. All of this combined results in escalated performance and comfort that is difficult to match.

When you purchase Nike golf gear, there are a few things that you will want to remember. First, there are several series of golf gear for you to choose from. All Nike golf supplies make use of the most advanced technology, and are tested by professionals, such as Tiger Woods, for the most consistent feel and performance. Unlike many of their other lines, Nike golf supplies, especially their clubs, are made with the professional in mind. While there is a series of Nike golf shoes for the beginners, the clubs are designed to be suitable for professional play, and good for a beginner to handle. This style of design requires more investment for the beginner, but provides a set of golf clubs and drivers that will last for years.

The primary set of Nike golf clubs are based off of the Victory line of clubs. There are three sets of different clubs, all of which have a different performance. There is a line for touring, which is typically purchased by professionals, and two other sets that have a different style for other gaming conditions. These clubs start at roughly eight hundred dollars a set and go up to over one thousand dollars for the touring clubs. Beginners will typically use the cheaper versions of the Victory clubs, as they are easier to control.

There are also several other styles of Nike golf clubs, in addition to the Victory line. These clubs vary in price, and are from older seasons.

If you are interested in purchasing Nike golf clubs and other golfing supplies, you may consider visiting your local golf store to handle the clubs before you decide which to purchase. Many golf stores will have tester clubs available for you, and an indoor or outdoor range for you to get a feel for each set of clubs. Once you have settled on which Nike clubs best suit your needs, you can purchase them from the local retail store, or you can buy them online. In the case of some of the Victory clubs, you may have to place a delayed order due to their popularity.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Nike Sandals - How to Make a Choice


Nike sandals are designed as summer casual footwear for those who are not intending to do a lot of active sports. While there are some Nike sandals models that allow you to run and otherwise play in them, the majority of the sandals offered are designed to allow you to walk long distances in the summer without causing foot pain. Nike sandals blend walking shoes with the comfortable practicality of sandals. By using the soles of some models of walking shoes and combining them with straps to keep them securely on your feet, Nike sandals are optimal for people who are spending a lot of time walking outdoors.

For those who are planning to go to the beach, there are even Nike sandals that are modeled after flip flops, which let you enjoy sandy beaches without the risk of ruining more expensive suede or leather sandals. As both suede and leather Nike sandals can be damaged through exposure to salt water, these flip flop alternative sandals are perfect and suited for those who are planning on going to the beach.

When you purchase your Nike sandals, there are several things that you will want to keep in mind. First, you will want to determine how often you plan on going to the beach. If you are intending to spend a lot of time at the beach, you may want to buy two pairs of Nike sandals.

Why 2 you ask?

One would be for general use at boardwalks and places where you will not be going near the water, and another pair specifically for the beach. While you can take suede or leather Nike sandals to the water, they will usually only last one summer. If you keep a pair for beach use and a pair for other uses, you will only have to replace the beach pair at the end of the season unless a new models of Nike sandals have been released that you prefer.

Nike sandals range in how much they cost. High end leather and suede Nike sandals typically cost the most, while flip flop style Nike sandals are much cheaper and are designed to be thrown out at the end of each summer season. When you purchase your Nike sandals, keep in mind how often you plan on replacing them. The more expensive the sandal, the better the chance that they will last beyond one season of use.

You should select your Nike sandals based off of how much walking and physical activity that you plan on doing. As a general guide, the more activities you do, the more expensive a sandal you will need to consdier.

Then again, what's your view?

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

How the "Swoosh" Logo Was Adopted By NIKE


The Nike swoosh is the brand symbol used by the Nike corporation on all of its merchandise. The original Nike swoosh was designed by Carolyn Davidson, a graphic designer student at Portland University. Originally penned in 1971, Davidson charged a rate of two dollars per hour for a series of designs. The Nike Swoosh was selected, and has been in use until this very day. The total fee for the Nike Swoosh was thirty-five dollars, making it one of the cheapest brand marks ever to make it to mainstream fame.

As a gesture of thanks, Phil Knight, the commissioner for the Nike Swoosh logo, gave Carolyn Davidson a diamond ring featuring the swoosh symbol. Included with the gift of the ring was an envelope full of Nike stocks as a gift of thanks for her earlier work. She received this gift in 1983, 11 years after the first shoe bearing the Nike swoosh was put on the market.

The Nike swoosh symbol was first presented in 1972, worn upon running shoes introduced during Olympic Trials in Oregon.

Ever since the establishment of the Nike swoosh, it has remained one of the top branding logos known on the planet. Famous athletes and celebrities wear Nike gear, whether it is on the court or for casual wear. It is now one of the most commonly seen brands, used on billboards, on shoes, and seen as sponsorship labels for Olympic games and other prestigious sporting events.

When you buy Nike merchandise, you can expect to see the Nike swoosh predominately displayed in the design of the gear itself. Shoes will usually sport the brand on the outer side of the material, usually using the classic white. However, in recent times, the Nike swoosh has adopted a variety of different colors to improve the appearance of more colorful shoes. Green, reds and blues have all made their entrance on Nike merchandise. There are even some Nike shoes with bright orange or pink swooshes for the women who enjoy wearing Nike products.

In efforts to improve their standing on the global market, the Nike Swoosh is being branded to show that the Nike corporation is a green company. By working to become more environmentally friendly, the Nike company hopes to associate their Nike Swoosh with the idea that success and environmental consciousness can be both acquired at the same time.

You can purchase shoes and gear bearing the Nike swoosh from a variety of online and local retailers, as well as at Nike outlet stores.

Monday, April 20, 2009

History of Nike Dunk


The Nike Dunk line is one of the vintage lines of shoes developed by Nike. The history of the Nike Dunk started in 1985 when Nike approached several college basketball teams for exclusive rights to gearing their teams in shoes. The benefit for the college was that their shoes matched their uniforms. These nine teams, and their nine distinctive color patterns, formed the foundation that would return in 1998 with the reintroduction of the classic Nike Dunk.

In order to live true to the classic Nike Dunk, Nike went out of their way to develop a manufacturing process that would make the shoes look like they had been waiting for twenty years before coming out of the box. This gives the modern Nike Dunk shoes a vintage feel while still maintaining the quality of new, unused parts. At first, the Nike Dunk line was released as it was back in 1985, with the same nine color sets. However, that quickly changed as Nike began releasing new versions of the Dunk. Due to the high popularity on the street and for skateboarders, Nike released a version of the Nike Dunk for skaters, dubbed the Nike SB Dunk. Adhering to the needs of skaters, the Nike SB Dunk included a puffy tongue and Zoom Air insole to provide the extra support needed by skaters.

When the fad of Nike Dunk grew, Nike took advantage of it and turned the Dunk into a collector's item. By making a wide variety of limited edition shoes, Nike guaranteed its place among collections for the years to come. Now, limited edition shoes, such as the 'What the Dunk?' line, sell for thousands of dollars at auction. Many of these limited edition shoes are never worn, allowing their legacy to continue on.

The Nike Dunk limited edition program has not been without fault, however. There have been instances of riots breaking out in stores and centers that receive shipments of the limited edition Nike Dunk shoes. One such incident occurred in New York, when over one hundred people waited in line and only twenty shoes were released to the store. This riot only highlighted the high demand for the shoes. That particular shoe, the Nike Dunk pigeons. There were only 202 of these shoes made, and they were only released in New York City.

If you are interested in collecting Nike Dunk shoes, it is not too late to get in on the latest trends. Nike releases several Dunk shoes each season, allowing new collectors to join in on the fad and enjoy the legacy of the Dunk.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

How to Choose Your Nike Boots


Nike offers a series of Nike boots suitable for winter wear. Combining warmth with traction, these boots are suitable for anywhere you might encounter, such as cold, snow or other poor weather conditions.


In addition to their winter boot selection, there is also a selection of hiking boots designed to provide superior ankle support for long hikes and rough terrain. Both of these styles of boots offer comfort and support for particularly different to walk over terrains.

When you are selecting your Nike boots, you will want to determine where specifically they will be worn. If you plan on hiking for example, you will want to avoid the types of boots primarily designed for winter protection or water protection. While these boots use some of the technology designed for walking long distances, the primary focus of these boots are to keep your feet warm and comfortable against chill, rain or snow. Hiking boots are typically used in spring, summer and fall, so they typically lack the snow traction of winter boots. In exchange, they offer superior grip on rocks and loose dirt, and protect the ankles against being sprained as you cover this sort of terrain. Hiking boots may also provide protection for your toes, as your toes are typically at risk of being stubbed against rocks and other natural hazards as you walk through the woods.

When you purchase your Nike boots, you will also need to factor the distance that you will be walking for on average. If you plan on going on hikes that last for several miles or days, you will want to be extremely careful about the Nike boots you intend on purchasing. It is very important that you pick the boots that provide superior support and comfort to protect against blisters. You also do not want the boots to be too heavy, as this will prevent you from walking as far before you are tired. If you plan on doing a lot of hiking, you will want to avoid Nike boots that do not completely cover the back of the heel. This will typically eliminate hybrid urban boots, as they do not offer adequate protection for the back of your foot.


For those planning on hiking, Nike boots are more suitable for the wear and tear associated with climbing over rocks, as the soles of the boots are designed to handle the friction caused from this sort of activity. Golf or running shoes, as an example, will be worn down extremely fast by using them on hiking trails. Cross country shoes would survive longest, as they are a hybrid between running shoes and hiking boots.

You can purchase Nike boots from online vendors, Nike stores, and Nike outlets. There are also many local retailers that will carry Nike products.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Nike Hoop Summit 2009



This annual basketball game is played under international rules and features the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Select Team, comprised of the top high school boy senior players, playing against a World Select Team, comprised of top players 19-years-old or younger from around the world.

The Nike Hoop Summit will make its second consecutive appearance in Portland in 2009. Overall, USA teams have won seven consecutive games and nine of the previous 11 Hoop Summit match-ups. The 2009 USA Basketball Men's Junior National Select Team roster is expected to be announced in early February, with the 2009 World Select Team announcement to follow in March.

The Hoop Summit has featured some of the NBA’s current stars including:Kevin Garnett • Tony Parker • Elton Brand • Mike Bibby • Ron Artest • Rashard Lewis • Mike Dunleavy • Stephon Marbury • Sergio Rodriguez • Kevin DurantMore Great Hoop Action in August: Nike Global Challenge


PS: Stay tuned for more updates on this Nike site


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