FRESH KICKS:

New Balance Steps up the Deconstructed 696
The latest addition to the Summer Utility Collection.
Adding to their Summer Utility Collection, New Balance has dropped a remake of the classic Deconstructed 696. The redesign features some premium new upgrades, including a nubuck suede upper and a Revlite midsole. The material forms comfortably to the wearers foot, as the new design is also seamless towards the forefoot. The look is finished with subtle perforated branding, perforation throughout, leather laces, and a custom leather tongue tab. This comfortable and refined silhouette is available now, both online and in store for $130 USD.

The Nike Tennis Classic Gets the Premium Woven Treatment
The Swoosh celebrates the French Open with a new look for the retro low-top.
Nike’s Tennis Classic has been the subject of some of the brand’s most underrated drops over the past year thanks to the likes of the recent “Nai Ke” design, multicolored Flyknit construction, a “Hot Lava” tribute to the Air Tech Challenge II, an iridescent make-up, a fragment design collab and even a Velcro-equipped makeover. Now, after celebrating the Australian Open back in January, the kicks have returned in honor of the French Open. This time around, the design ditches perforated suede in favor of woven construction. However, unlike last year’s woven Tennis Classics — which saw clean Black/Ivory, Cool Grey/Gum and Black/White colorways — these eschew AC soles in favor of Ultra construction while switching up the upper for a combination of nylon and premium leather.
Expect both the black and grey looks to be available from NSW spots like HAVEN starting this Friday, May 27.

Nike Is Blacking-Out the Kyrie 2
Fresh off combining with LeBron James and Kevin Love for 71 points to take a 3-2 series lead over the Raptors (as part of a 38-point drubbing, no less), Kyrie Irving is getting some brand new kicks from Nike. Unveiled ahead of tomorrow’s game six showdown in Toronto, the latest Kyrie 2 follows the likes of the shoe’s Air Flight Huarache-inspired makeover and “Crossover” PE with an all-black look that pairs the shoe’s usual synthetic construction with a suede strap.
Will Kyrie get a chance to lace these up in the NBA Finals? Stay tuned and look for the kicks to drop worldwide July 2.

adidas Is Resurrecting the Gazelle in Its Purest Form
The Gazelle has long been a mainstay in Europe, but outside of a few sporadic releases, the retro silhouette has largely been absent from other markets — especially in OG form. Thankfully that’s changing next month as adidas presents the “Vintage Suede” pack for Spring/Summer 2016. Based on an early ’90s version of the underrated classic, the new release is a faithful reproduction of the original, right down to the off-white rubber sole unit, serrated Three Stripes and stark white tongue. Best of all, the pack is set for a worldwide drop, thus ushering in the welcome return of a classic.
All three colorways will hit adidas Originals stockists June 3.

Nike Kobe 11 Elite 4KB "Red Horse"
Earlier this year, Nike released the Kobe 11 4KB featuring an upper constructed of multicolored Flyknit. If you weren’t able to get your hands on that release, here’s another one that might pique your interest. Named the “Red Horse,” this pair of 4KBs includes a white leather tongue and heel, with an additional pull-tab only seen on the 4KB style. Its upper is constructed from a melange of red hues, culminating in the toe with a multicolored mix. These will release June 1 for $220 USD, and will be available at select Nike retailers worldwide, including RISE.