Superb snake skin shoes

About a couple of days ago, I received a nice little package from a nice seller at eBay – my basketball shoes have finally arrived. Taking a long (very long) break from competitive basketball due to injuries, it is not surprising to discover that most if not all my playing shoes have disintegrated beyond wear. I guess it is part of Nike’s (and other shoe companies’) cunning plan to make you go back to them and purchase their shoes on a regular basis (and as inflation goes..at a higher price). Now that I have decided to go back to play for my old team, the Spartans, I knew I needed to get new kicks…and fast.

Left: Delivery package | Right: My orange shoe box

I guess basketball shoes nowadays have a very short life span compared to the older series designed about a good decade ago. Back in those days, the mid sole and sole are made of strong rubber like material which can take just about any intensity during a basketball game for long periods of time. To top it off, such shoes can last for years and when retired, they become a collectible. However the downside is the weight…kinda heavy.

Although basketball shoes these days have improved significantly in terms of aerodynamics, weight, technology and design – a result of much effort put in R&D, the material used are never lasting. I can’t begin to tell you how many pairs of Nikes I as an ex-collector have thrown away. Shoe purchases for me these days are solely (pun intended) for sports purposes only, unless something extremely unique or nostalgic that has caught my eye.

Now back to the subject of my new shoe purchase, the series I got this time is a 2004 remade edition called Nike Air Max Huarache 2K4. This series was worn by Kobe Bryant back in 2004 while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. What makes this pair so unique is that as remade edition goes, Nike tends to throw in a little extra design or two to give it an identity of its own. The pair I purchased in particular, has a white snake skin exterior, giving that bling yet deadly look. And oh, did I mention limited edition?

Left: My kicks | Right: My shoe and Eddy at the background (I told him that if he is going to stand there, he might as well make himself useful and wave at the camera)

Honestly, the real reason why I picked this pair out of the hundreds if not thousands of Nike designs is the price. For about $140, it covers both the shoes and shipping cost, around the same price for a decent pair of basketball shoes sold here. Another reason why I chose eBay compared to buying one here is the rarity of owning such a pair in Singapore. Yes I know, I am vain like that.

But before you animal loving tree huggers start collecting stones in a bid to pelt me to death, trust me, it ain’t real snake skin. Its just a design and I am sure Nike has no intention of harming any animals out there just so they can jack up the price of a pair of shoes they label ‘Limited Edition’. I mean they are already busy enough fighting countless lawsuits for managing sweatshops in Vietnam and other third world countries I can’t pronounce. But I could be wrong .

Moving on, I will be wearing this for my comeback game in about 18 hours time. I am seriously hoping that this baby will give me mad game or at least make me look totally pimped out with our new team jersey…or both. I guess this purchase is one of three I am considering on getting this year. Why more shoes? Check out Len’s article here and you’ll see why .

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5. Nike One Concept: Not hitting the F1 tracks anytime soon