New colorways for the AND1 Empire Mid (Japan Collection) out now

[Shoe News – 3.12.13] – New colorways for the AND1 Empire Mid (Japan Collection) out now

Inks and Images: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Two new colorways of the AND1 Empire Mid have recently hit the shelves in local AKT!V outlets & department stores.  Previously slated to arrive mid- to late December last year, these New York Knicks/Miami Heat–inspired kicks round up the 2012 footwear line-up for the 3^rd and 4^th quarter.

Empire Mid Japan Collection plus the original White/White/Silver colorway.

Price point is at Php 4,995/pair:

• Empire Mid (Japan Collection)
• BLACK/BLACK/VARSITY RED
• ROYAL/NY ORANGE/WHITE

Please also do check out this previously uploaded AND1 Ph blog article about the latest 2012 Q3/Q4 footwear releases. 

• More shoe models for 2012 Q3/Q4 now locally available!

Big thanks to Relzbach Ventures/AKT!V partners as always (especially to the Gola Greenbelt crew) for the regular update on these new arrivals.  Stay tuned for new 2013 Q1 & Q2 footwear.  Follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) and please LIKE us on Facebook (facebook.com/and1ph).  Check out the new models for yourselves, And Juans!

New York or Miami?

The And1 Empire Mids - Japan Edition 1 (performance)

[Sole Spotlight – 12.27.12] – The And1 Empire Mids - Japan Edition 1 (performance)

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Images: Flash, plus various other sources (CounterKicks, etc)

Hey AND Juans, the latest edition of the Empire Mid is out now locally.  Retailing for Php 4995, it now comes in dominant white with blue and red highlights that’s not only very Philippine colors-friendly, but also compatible with other countries using the red-white-blue hues (USA, Australia, Chile, France – among others).  As for NBA team jersey compatibility, it looks good alongside apparels for the Philadelphia 76ers, LA Clippers, Detroit Pistons, and Washington Wizards.

The latest silhouette sells for a thousand pesos less since it first came out in 2011 – check out our article back then by clicking HERE.  Locally, it has been released in at least three colorways prior to the latest Japan edition (black/gold, all white, and varsity red).  Tons of images below.

Lace 'em up!

For those looking for performance reviews of the Empire Mids, check out Sandy Dover’s article for SLAM Online and Bryan Hinkle of Counterkicks (click names to be redirected to their sites).

One key difference of this shoe’s latest incarnation is the heel logo.  The previous models (pre-Japan edition) used the old Player logo, whereas the new one now sports the updated look of the Player, with ridged and embossed lines that while subtle from afar, really looks detailed upon closer inspection.  More close-up images of the shoe below.

Close up pics of the shoe tongue, lateral view, medial view, and sole.

For more AND1 shoe news, sightings, and updates, follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) and please don’t forget to LIKE us on Facebook (facebook.com/and1ph).  See you again next year for Sole Spotlight and so until next blogpost…ONE!

More shoe models for 2012 Q3/Q4 now locally available!

[Shoe News – 12.6.12] – More shoe models for 2012 Q3/Q4 now locally available!

Inks and Images: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Available now in most AKT!V stores and AND1 outlets are new  models slated to round up the 2012 footwear line-up for the 3^rd and 4^th quarter of the year - three different versions of the much-anticipated Dragon Mid; plus a new colorway of the previously released Empire Mid.

Price point as follows:

• Empire Mid = Php 4,995

• WHITE/VARSITY RED/BLUE/GOLD

• Dragon Mid = Php 4,195
• VARSITY RED/VARSITY RED/24 KARAT
• BLACK/BLACK/GREY
• ROYAL/ROYAL/BLACK

Please also do check out these two previously published AND1 Ph blog articles about the 2012 Q3/Q4 footwear releases. 

• New AND1 footwear for 2012 Q3/Q4 have finally arrived!
• Additional AND1 shoe models for 2012 Q3/Q4 now locally available!

Another round of thanks goes to Relzbach Ventures/AKT!V partners (s/o to Joe Hook Up of Gola Greenbelt) for the regular update on these new arrivals and price points.  A couple more colorways of the Empire Mid from the Japan Collection are due out soon, so check us regularly.  Follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) and please LIKE us on Facebook (facebook.com/and1ph) so that our posts appears on your newsfeeds.  Check out the new models for yourselves, And Juans!

The And1 Empire 2.0 Mids (performance)

[Sole Spotlight – 8.24.12] – The And1 Empire 2.0 Mids (performance)

Inks and Images: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Mabuhay, AND Juans!  Sole Spotlight for the month of August features the follow up to the groundbreaking Empire Mid line of AND1 – the Empire 2.0.   

Coincidentally, this shoe gets featured on a review on the month named after a Roman emperor (Augustus Caesar), so please pardon the pun - BUILD YOUR EMPIRE indeed.  Posted below some images for everybody’s reference.

 Lace 'em up.

This yet-to-be-released shoe model was part of the care package I received last July courtesy of AND1 US (s/o to Rob Purvy, Becky Cheng, and AJ Vander Woude) and should hopefully reach local shores within late 2012 or early 2013.

What I love most about using this pair for malling/chilling out is that its vibrant blue and yellow highlights (reminiscent of the Golden State Warriors team colors) are definitely a head-turner, plus it’s lighter than its predecessor.  Speaking of its predecessor, check out some comparison images below. 

The Empire 2.0 Mid (right) features a sleeker design, 

but incorporates the same sole as the original.

The Empire 2.0 Mid features a different cut than the 1st Empire Mid.  

It sports a low-top profile instead.

Chillin' like a G.

On the court, I’m very pleased with the way it hugged my feet despite having a low-cut profile.  I’m going out on a limb here, but this shoe just barged right into my top 5 kicks that I’ve ever hooped in, and I’ve hooped in a lot of AND1 pairs already.  There’s something about the combination of perfect fit, low-cut profile, right weight, on-court grip, and L2G tech that makes this shoe a must-cop.

High socks, anyone?

Similar to the AND1 Guardian Mid that I’ve featured in last July’s Sole Spotlight, the Empire 2.0 also features a “stitch-less, no-sew construction for comfort” plus “asymmetrical toe increases support.”  It also has “mesh panels (that) reduce weight and increase ventilation,” much like the previously released Empire Mids, and the full-length airbag that helps reduce impact.  Add L2G tech, and you’re good to go.

More pictures of the shoe below.  The Empire 2.0 Mid is good for players looking for a shoe that is lightweight, responds well to sudden cuts and shifts in direction without sacrificing support, and maximum support for high-impact landings.

Check out more of Sole Spotlight in the succeeding months, only from And1 Ph.  ONE!

 The outsole - featuring L2G technology.

It has the same sole as the original Empire Mid 

(varsity red/white colorway, pictured below).