Sandy Dover tweets about the And1 ME8 Empire Mid as a great training shoe (and And1Ph is mentioned)

[Sneaker Review – 11.30.11] – Sandy Dover tweets about the And1 ME8 Empire Mid as a great training shoe (and And1Ph is mentioned)

Sandy Dover (@san_dova) just tweeted a couple of hours ago that the And1 ME8 Empire Mid is also a great shoe not just for ballin', but also for training. Check out the screenshot of his tweet below and notice that he also mentions the And1 Philippines twitter account (@And1Ph). We appreciate him showing us love.

Featured his shoe review for SLAM a couple of weeks back, and click HERE to check out that And1Ph blog article.

Sandy Dover's personal page can be found here, and be sure to check out his Facebook fanpage (www.facebook.com/sandydover) too.

All-white Taichi Mids and Taichi Lows are still ON SALE!

[Shoe News – 11.29.11] - All-white Taichi Mids and Taichi Lows are still ON SALE!

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Images: Various sources and FLASH (in store shots)

One of the most iconic And1 silhouettes ever made, the Taichi model has been re-released in various colorways over the course of its decade-old existence. From white/reds that Vince used in the 2000 ASG Dunk Contest (Larry Hughes wore them that same night too, in white/black CW) to possibly every color combination that would put Skittles to shame. However, I’m very partial to its all-white colorway, and I personally recommend getting a pair while it is still locally available (just got a pair of the Taichi Lows last week).

I know I’ve already written a Taichi blog article last August (click HERE), and that featured a price point that even went lower as of this writing.. so that just means now is the best time to purchase either a Taichi Low for chilling (currently at Php 2095), or a Taichi Mid for regular ballin’ (down from Php 2795 to Php 2395).

Posted below is a pic of the all-white Taichi models (Low and Mid). Those Taichi Lows are absolutely perfect to match with a pair of And1 shorts, or some loose fit denims. So don’t forget to check out your nearest And1 / AKT!V store to find out if they still carry your size. Definitely a must-cop.

Just copped a Taichi Low pair courtesy of Joe Hook Up. White/white.

New colorways for the And1 Release Mid are now out

[Shoe News - 11.25.11] - New colorways for the And1 Release Mid are now out

Inks & Images: FLASH
Official Images: And1.com

A full month after I posted the local drop of the And1 Release Mid (October 25 article, please click HERE), two new colorways have just been made available to local retail. Joining the White/Black/Red CW, both the White/White and Black/Black Release Mids are sold for Php 3295 a pair.

I’m reposting a Youtube video that Zappos has uploaded, and it shows the features, tech, and feel of the Release Mid (in the all-black CW - click HERE for the video). More images below, in-store shots were taken from the And1/Akt!v store in Glorietta 4.

New colorway for the And1 Fortune Mid (navy blue) out now

[Shoe News - 11.23.11] - New colorway for the And1 Fortune Mid (navy blue) out now

Inks: FLASH
Images: And1.com, & FLASH (in-store shots)

Recently visited a SM Department Store shoe outlet (SM Manila to be exact) last weekend and was surprised to see a different colorway of the recently released Fortune Mid (1st two drops were white/white and black/white). This new colorway is navy blue with white sole, and in my honest opinion..it looks a whole lot better than its two other versions. Check out the images below.

Retail price is still at Php 4225 per pair, and do check my write-up last week for more in-depth information about the Fortune Mids (November 16 article, click HERE).

Curiously, the latest colorway was not yet available at the And1/AKT!V store in Glorietta 4 Ayala (Makati) when I visited last night (Tuesday). It would appear that SM got the new stocks before the main outlet/s offered those in retail. That, or the shipping was just delayed. Either way, this new CW of the Fortune Mid looks really good in that navy blue scheme and you guys might want to check a pair out soon.

Strap a pair of the Fortune Mids and feel free to do a shoe review. You can share it with us via email (and1pinas@gmail.com), and we just might be able to feature it here at the And1Ph blogsite. ONE!

And1 Japan EXCLUSIVE Empire Mids – Christmas CW (limited to 60 pairs only!)

[Shoe News – 11.21.11] – And1 Japan EXCLUSIVE Empire Mids – Christmas CW (limited to 60 pairs only!)

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Images: And1 Creative Team / Rob Purvy (Executive Director)

This just in! Just got an email from And1 that Japan will be releasing an exclusive Christmas colorway of the And1  Empire Mids this week, and it will be so limited, there will only be 60 pairs available!

Quick background, Monta Ellis rocked a Christmas version of the ME8 Sovereign Mids (when the Golden State Warriors played the final game on Christmas day – a 109-102 win at home over the visiting Portland Trailblazers). During last year’s game, Monta dropped 39 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and a block (stats courtesy of ESPN – click HERE for more).

As And1 Executive Director Rob Purvy puts it, this is “..an already proven and very critical/effective way to spread the brand message.”

I will get more info about the retail price and ordering details (I’m pretty much assuming some of these would make it to the And1 Japan online shop – click HERE, or you just might have to visit the And1 Fukuoka store – find them HERE or follow them on Twitter @and1fukuoka). For now, check out the images below for that exclusive pair.

Dang I wish I could be in Japan right now. Those pairs are sooo sick, and I want to cop a pair ASAP!

If you want more And1 news, updates, and, shoe sightings/sales on the fly, follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph). Also feel free to e-mail us at and1pinas@gmail.com. And that’s the 411, And Juan.

The And1 ME8 Empire Mid Shoe Review by Sandy Dover

[Sneaker Review – 11.18.11] – The And1 ME8 Empire Mid Shoe Review by Sandy Dover

Sandy Dover (Foot Fancy review), a featured columnist for SLAM Magazine and ESPN's Nets Are Scorching (NBA team New Jersey Nets), has written a full-length review of the recently available locally ME8 Empire Mids. He has also posted some pictures of the pair that he weartested (all black Empires, SAH-WEET!), and you can check those out here.

Read the shoe review by clicking HERE (redirect to SLAM Online post).

Sandy Dover's personal page can be found here, and be sure to check out his Facebook fanpage (www.facebook.com/sandydover) or follow him on Twitter (@San_Dova).

Happy 36th birthday, Jason Williams!

[And1 Baller Birthday – 11.18.11] – Happy 36th birthday, Jason Williams!

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Images: Various (NBA / Gettyimages / And1.com)

Tsokolate Blanco aka Jason Williams gets to blow his birthday cake today as he turns 36, born November 18, 1975. One of the NBA’s most electrifying players during his 12-year NBA career, Williams is best known for his dazzling passes, pull-up threes, and a very “streetball” style of play. He is a one-time NBA champion, winning it all with the Miami Heat back in the 2005-2006 season against the Dallas Mavericks.

Jason has worn a lot of And1 shoes during his stint with the Memphis Grizzlies (after being traded by the Sacramento Kings, his 1st NBA team) and his kicksology includes the Chosen1 Mids, Mystique Mid, Player X Mid, Rekanize Mid, Rise Mid, Uprise Mid, Taichi Mid plus a ton of PE versions of the 2Chi Mid (he was mostly seen wearing this model, and seems like he favored this silhouette above all).

He has represented the And1 brand during the majority of his stint with the Memphis Grizzlies and has once graced the cover of the And1 Mixtape 7 compilation (click HERE for the short clip, with AO); he was also one of my favorite players during the late 90’s/early 2000’s.

Check out the pics below of J-Will wearing And1 shoes through the years, and click HERE and HERE to view some of his NBA highlights.

From everybody here at And1 Ph, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WHITE CHOCOLATE!

J-Will on the cover of the And1 Mixtape 7.

2Chi Mids.

Williams using the And1 Rise Mids.

Skipping a pass in the Uprise Mids.

Chosen1 Mids.

Jason hoisting a trifecta in the Player X Mid.

Hesitation dribble in the Rekanize Mids, custom shoelaces.

J-Will in Taichi Mids while playing for the Miami Heat.

A dream fulfilled.

The And1 Fortune Mid is now available locally.

[Shoe News – 11.16.11] – The And1 Fortune Mid is now available locally.

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Images: And1.com & FLASH (in-store shots)

Just got news over the weekend that local And1 retail outlets (department stores/athletic shops) have received their stocks of the latest And1 shoe, the Fortune Mid. This silhouette offers comfort and support via its leather and synthetic upper, and a padded mesh heel tab provides easy entry and (ankle) support. Combine that with a compressed EVA midsole to ensure cushioning from impact plus an engineered herringbone tread design to provide increased traction, and you’ve got yourself a wealth of support (get it? “wealth”, “fortune”, uhm…never mind).

Personally, I would recommend this shoe to players who man the small forward position. Its weight is considerably light, and will be a good compliment to wingmen who like a good amount of heel cushioning with decent traction. Since my natural position is that of a point guard, I’d prefer lower cut models (or those incorporating L2G tech, at least), and that somewhat elevated heel design is not really suitable for my taste. Power Forwards/Centers might want to check out this model too, as the cushioned heel is a huge plus for big men who man the paint.

This silhouette currently comes out in two colorways:

- Black/Black/White

- White/White/Black

The Fortune Mid is being sold at Php 4225 per pair. Props to And1/Akt!v G4 store (s/o to my man Joe Hook Up) for the heads up.