Akademiks is celebrating a successful decade of trendsetting with the brand’s Ultimate 10 Tour which begins this fall season in the Big Apple.

The first installation of the tour will be seen in the Akademiks ad campaign placed in national magazines featuring New York City talent like Buffalo Bills linebacker Nic Harris, Duckdown Records producer Illmind, DJs Self and Sussone and yours truly – The Sneaker Mann among others.

Akademiks was founded in 1999 by showcasing the next key individuals in the industry, and as evidenced in the Ultimate 10 Tour, continues to stay ahead, moving forward.

Nic Harris, Buffalo Bills LB

Illmind, Duckdown Records

DJ Self

Kiante the Sneaker Mann

This Fall New Balance is set to reintroduce the popular heritage running 320s silhouette for the first time since the 1970s. Originally released in 1976 for men and in 1978 for women, the 320 catapulted the brand to the forefront of modern athletic shoe design and was the first New Balance silhouette to sport the “N” logo.

These sneaker are light and ooz with classic snugg fit perfect for performance.  The retro 320 style has traditional New Balance elements like a long vamp and saddle construction, augmented by a new Astrocrepe outsole and nylon upper for greater performance and lightweight comfort.

The New Balance 320 collection will be available in August for $65.00. Please visit www.newbalance.com/lifestyle for a list of retailers.

RELATED: G-Shock Teams Up With Designers Dee & Ricky

RELATED: Jimmy Choo Introduces Luxe Sneaker Collection

The newest Adidas Originals Mega Collection are a play off the brand’s rich heritage. The collection consists of fresh sneaker models featuring two of Adidas’ most iconic technologies amplified for a stylish, modern look.

Taking inspiration from functional technologies – “Torsion” and “Softcell” – MEGA super-sizes these iconic elements to bring contemporary design to classic hi-top and low running silhouettes. The Torsion bar and Softcell design, both located on the sole of the sneaker, are scaled above proportion to create a blown-up sense of awareness and style.

They may not be the most fashionable but the Mega Collection sure are amongst the most comfortable. The collection is launching this August 2010.

Adidas Originals Torsion

adidas Originals Softcell

First, check out these high fashion, high-top sneakers courtesy of Fendi. Made in Italy, Fendi Monogram High-Top sneakers feature a stitched leather monogram with a leather-covered toe and belt strap. Their reinforced metal eyelids definitely provide a casual yet high scale look. Be warned though, if you’re not fashion savvy these kicks may not be for you, but if you are then go ahead and pre-order them now on Luisaviaroma.

However, for all of you out there who’d rather stay underground and still manage to stay fresh you might be more interested in the recent collaboration between skate brand Spitfire and Vans dubbed “Keeping the Underground Lit.”

If you want to be bright then the all-red suede and canvas Chukka is just for you. The sneaker is accentuated with waxed laces and Spitfire insignia along the sneaker’s heel.

For those of you who are looking for a mellow look then the AV6 is right up your alley – pun not intended. Similar to the Chukka, the AV6 features black suede but utilizes a touch of red along the inner lining.

The Spitfire x Vans Chukka Low and AV6 are available at Premier and other retailer nationwide.

Rocawear is set to celebrate individuals, destinations and fields of endeavor as part of their “NEXT” campaign to elevate culture. I was able to get an inside look at what Rocawear has lined up for 2010 and beyond.

As all you lovely ladies can attest to, looking pretty can be painful. So any time we can step out with style and grace and be accompanied by a certain level of comfort we’ll definitely take it.

That said, if you want to combine style and comfort then Italian shoe brand GEOX might be for you. The brand’s Respira – which means breathe in Italian – collection utilizes a unique technology that lets humidity and foot perspiration out without letting water in thus keeping your feet dry and stank-free.

All GEOX soles are breathable and waterproof thanks to a perforated rubber sole and a patented membrane that has millions of tiny channels allowing hot air and sweat to escape through the sole’s holes but prevents outside water from entering.

GEOX offers footwear and apparel collections for the entire family: women, children and men. The brand has created a cult-like following in 68 countries with its breathable technology and stylish Italian design offering trendy collections for women’s, men’s and children.

Headquartered in Italy, GEOX is available in more than 1,000 stores and 10,000 independent stores worldwide. In the U.S. alone the shoe is available at GEOX stores nationwide as well as at the best retailers and department stores.

For more on the shoemaker visit GEOX.com for store location or shop at ShopGEOX.com. Feel free to download GEOX Spring/Summer ’10 lookbook here.

Emporio Armani and Reebok originally announced their footwear and apparel collaboration in January, and now they are giving us a closer look into their joint venture.

The two brands will combine Reebok’s sports-inspired active wear with the label designer’s glamor and style. Apparently, Armani and Reebok will offer about 15 shoes and over 30 apparel pieces and 15 footwear styles for both men and women.

The Armani and Reebok collaboration is scheduled to arrive at Emporio Armani boutiques, select Reebok concept stores and preferred retailers worldwide beginning this July with prices ranging anywhere from $65 for t-shirts, $180 for waterproof technical jackets and $140 – $150 for footwear.

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In another piece of news, my 30th birthday came and went earlier this week and I was fortunate enough to spend it at a gifting suite with The Source magazine in Houston, TX where we gave away kicks from Rocawear, Reebok, Asics and New Balance.

Here I am with one of the lovely attendees who can out to celebrate with me.

Here’s something delightful for all you sneaker heads who love combining the comfortable nature of sneakers with the opulence of high-fashion. Luxury designer Jimmy Choo is happy to introduce the first collection of Trainers.

The pre-fall collection features six sleek sneakers (three low-tops and three high-tops) combining patent leather, suede and exotic “Elaphe” snake skin. The fast selling Trainers are now available via pre-order at JimmyChoo.com with a long list of sneaker freaks waiting for next month’s new stockpile.

As expected you will have to pay a pretty penny for these Jimmy Choos – anywhere from $500 to $600. However, if you have it to spend then you will be walking in exclusive style.

RELATED: Adidas Launches New Customization Site

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Everyone knows in order for you to crush an outfit your shoe game has to be up to par, otherwise you might be the butt of many unflattering jokes. And what better way to step out than with exclusive customized kicks?

With that in mind, Adidas officially celebrated their U.S. launched of mi Originals on the brand’s new e-commerce site, miOriginals.com/us, this past March. This is one of Adidas’ initial steps in broadening its product offering for the streetwear community. mi Originals’ customization site celebrates each individual’s unlimited creativity by allowing customers to design their very own personalized pair of sneakers anytime and anywhere.

The idea of owning customized sneakers comes in remembrance of those who strove to create the best footwear for all athletes. mi Originals continues Adidas’ lifestyle tradition of inspiring sneaker lovers to “Celebrate Originality” in its truest sense, enabling personal expression to be brought to life.

Four iconic footwear models are available for customization on the mi Originals site: the Superstar, ZX 700, Stan Smith, Stan Smith Comfort, Gazelle and the Forum Lo.

All shoes can be customized in terms of colorways and fabrics. But that’s not all; every visible footwear component like eye-stay, shoe laces, outsole and Adidas’ iconic three-stripes can also be personalized. The best part about it is that every consumer can personalize their own individual embroidery on their shoe as well.

We can be here all day talking about mi Originals but go and customize your very own pair of adidas at miOriginals.com/us, or if you’re in New York visit Adidas Originals Atelier store in Soho to design your own kicks.

adidas Gazelle

adidas Stan Smith

adidas ZX 700

I happened to be at Rocawear’s New York office yesterday where I received these new Rock the Boat sneakers that are part of the brand’s R+ spring collection. I snapped some pics with my iPhone just for you. Check out these kicks out and let me know your thoughts.

Also special shout out to the fine folks at Rocawear for providing wardrobe for my spring tour 2010 where I will be coming to your city and appearing on your local morning news show.

Nike’s Aerographics is an engineered mesh that can remove up to half the yarn in a garment. Normally, adding a mesh panel to a shirt means sewing in mesh and adding seams that can bunch and chafe. What Aerographics does is allow designers to incorporate mesh directly into a garment without adding any extra materials.

In fact, this new technique cuts down on the sneaker’s weight and adds comfort and passive cooling for the wearer of these kicks. Therefore, athletes will be more relaxed and perhaps even faster.

Nike Aerographics

Moving along, New Balance in also knee deep in technology. The release of the NBx Component Jacket, an innovative, translucent jacket that allows the wearer to display what he or she is wearing underneath for added style and visual interest.

Composed of a lightweight, water resistant nylon, the NBx Component Jacket contains X-STATIC® which offers a powerful antimicrobial and odor eliminating system while also providing thermodynamic properties that helps to regulate body temperature in any season. This unique jacket is equipped with front and back reflectivity, a music-friendly pocket with wire guide and an adjustable draw cord at the hem for a secure, custom fit. How can you beat that?

NBx Component Jacket

Lately, everyone has been asking me about Reebok’s Zigtech. With the highly anticipated launch of ZigTech, Reebok’s most advanced running and training sneaker, the sneaker maker is providing runners with support for key leg muscles used during training.

Everything about Reebok’s ZigTech footwear is designed to conserve and return energy to the athlete for a soft and springy ride. The one-of-a-kind ZigTech bottom unit features an innovative, lightweight foam that is engineered into a dramatic, geometric, zig-zag shape. This unique zig-zag shaped sole absorbs the impact of heel strike and sends a wave of energy along the length of the shoe to help propel the athlete forward with each step.

Reebok ZigTech

Last but not least, adidas Originals has created a virtual, or augmented, 3D world called the adidas Originals Neighborhood. Expanding out of a real-world collection of sneakers called the adidas Originals Augmented Reality (AR) Game Pack, the environment is a virtual recreation of the Neighborhood setting which is the backdrop of the brand’s 2010 Celebrate Originality advertising campaign.

AR Game Pack from adidas Originals; combines style and innovative technology. The AR Game Pack includes five of the most iconic men’s sneaker styles in bright, solid hues – the Superstar, Stan Smith, Forum, Nizza and Samba – with Augmented Reality technology embedded into the tongue of the shoe!

When holding sneakers up to a webcam, the user is able to access a 3D adidas Originals neighborhood that contains three exclusive computer games -  HOT! On top of all that, the five classic yet colorful sneakers are part of adidas’ eco-friendly “grün” collection, made up of sustainable materials and modeled after one of five elements: earth, fire, water, sun, wind.

Originals Augmented Reality (AR) Game Pack

Do you think these innovations will improve your game?  Let me know!

The sneakers have been styled using  shaded “naplak,” or simply patent calfskin, to create a shiny effect over a gradient in which colors fade to black. For men these high-fashion kicks are available in gray, yellow, red and silver, silver and grey and copper and smoke. Ladies can step in pink, orange, indigo and flesh colors.

Prada has done it again, what do you guys think about these?

Mens…

Womens…

Oh how time flies! A quarter-century has already passed since Michael Jordan first laced up a pair of his now legendary sneaker, the Air Jordan. With that said, Nike announced that His Airness’ 25th anniversary edition is scheduled for release nationwide on February 13th, 2010.

The 2010s feature a unique transparent thermoplastic urethane window, shaped as a basketball that provides the feet extra flexibility.  “[Jordan] said, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to see into the shoe, but not see everything,” said Tinker Hatfield, vice president of Special Projects/Design for Nike, about the TPU window.

The sneaker was also designed with a hinged light-weight toe layer which adds strength to the sneaker without losing flexibility. These latest Air Jordan will come in the Chicago Bulls colorways.

Jordan announced Miami Heat guard Dwayne Wade would be the first to debut the 25th anniversary edition at the All-Star Weekend in Dallas this February. Flash is Brand Jordan’s newest member after inking the guard to an endorsement deal.

”The celebration of the Air Jordan 2010 and our 25th anniversary are the pinnacle of a year full of milestones for me,” said Jordan in a statement.

Check out what Hatfield and Mark Smith, creative director for the Jordan Brand, had to say about the design and significance of the 25th anniversary Air Jordan.

Let me take a brief moment to introduce myself. I am Kiante the Sneaker Mann and I travel the United States promoting the freshest styles and trends in footwear. Now I’m stepping it up!

I’ll be reporting on some of the hottest kicks, but that’s not all. I am going to drop in and give you some lifestyle tips, introduce you to some cool taste-makers and show you some hot fashion trends that are not only affordable but are also accessible.

For starters though check out these sneakers I think are both comfortable and stylish. Stay tuned for more, and don’t hesitate to leave a comment letting me know what you think!

Jordan Retro 1

Always keeping the eyes of sneaker lovers twitching, Brand Jordan has done it again with the Jordan Retro 1. More of a fashion sneaker, it also performs very well. The upper is a combination of floater and nubuck leather, which is adorned with a TPU-jeweled “Air Jordan Wings” logo on the lateral side. The tongue backing features the exclusive numbering system dedicated to this retro style. An Air unit is encapsulated inside the solid-rubber cup sole while deep flex grooves and a concentric traction pattern provide increased flexibility and traction. Flexible, great traction and an air console for comfort, this sneaker reminds me of sitting in first class on a long, long flight! Champagne anyone? Available at Foot Locker.

Nike Hyperizer

This sneaker is the direct descendant of last year’s super-lightweight basketball sneaker, Nike Hyperdunk. Still light in weight, this sneaker comes in sooooo many colors ways. It’s equipped with a super-lightweight LunarLite foam in the forefoot for cushioning and support, embedded Flywire – tensile fibers that provide max support with the least amount of materials – in the upper for support, a thin TPU film with perforations that encompass the Flywire for breathability and support, a cutout area on the ankle for additional breathability and flexibility, a Nike Zoom air unit for cushioning and an outrigger on the outsole for stability. Plus the Nike Hyperize is built more efficiently than the Hyperdunk, so it’s even lighter. The outsole is state-of-the-art for the ultimate in traction; the heel treads are split to spread the force of impact more evenly. An exposed TPU shank plate helps provide lateral stability and an integrated forefoot pivot circle helps you turn quickly. Woo, these kicks are stacked! They are also available at Footlocker.

Asics Gel-Kayano 15

I am not a runner at all but if I did run, I would run in these. Asics provides cutting-edge performance running components with additions this year such as ASICS Asymmetrical Lacing design for improved fit and a new midsole platform that delivers the famous GEL-Kayano ride that runners expect. They are adorned with nylon upper and the GEL technology makes this sneaker shock resistant. These also provide advanced stability and arch support, and I don’t know about you but I could use all the arch support that I can get – I have no arches. You can find these at Zappos.com.

Adidas Nizza Hi Textile

The Adidas Nizza Hi are a canvas shoe that is etched with classic style and a retro flavor we’ve grown to love from Adidas Original. Named after a lost member of legendary Wu-Tang Clan, they will provide all-day comfort. These kicks are quipped with a durable, grippy rubber outsole that provides great traction, rubber toe cap for added protection, soft fabric lining in classic pattern so the shoe breaths and support moisture dissipation, this sneaker is so hot. Check out its cousin, the Adidas Nizza Hi-Zip. Find these at Adidas.com.

Nike Max LeBron 7

NBA superstar LeBron James is not playing around this season. Aside from releasing the film More than a Game and an international tour sponsored by Nike, he is releasing his seventh signature sneaker, the Nike Max LeBron 7. They will be LeBron’s lightest shoe ever and with a max air sole that runs the length of the shoe they will probably be one of the most comfortable. These are available at FootAction.

PF Flyers Bob Cousy All-Americans

For those of you who grew up in the 1950s, PF Flyers were a staple in your wardrobe. Now they are back and have been updating popular styles for the holidays! The Bob Cousy All-American has been revamped with luxurious glossy and metallic leathers and features leather laces for the very first time. Released in 1956, the sneaker was worn by one of sport’s first superstars Bob Cousy. The shoe features one-of-a-kind Gullwing Closure, reverse pigskin heel, counters for controlled heel movement and the authentic, model-specific logo markings and PF insole. These are perfect to rock with a suit or with a sport jacket. Between you and me, I am going to try and see if I get into the club wearing these. Available at Zappos.com.