12.29.2017

Kicks Flow: adidas’s Ultra Boost Laceless “Triple Black”




Chances are, it’s pretty damn cold where you are right now. But that doesn’t mean you still can’t hit the streets for a good morning run. There’s nothing like starting your day with a few miles under your belt and if you have the right shoes to get it done in, you’re guaranteed a killer run. 

Laceless running shoes are starting to pop up more often, and the idea itself is pretty awesome. Especially for those of us who have had to re-tie our shoes during runs. adidas’s Ultra Boost Laceless is the latest silhouette to receive the “Triple Black” treatment, from the company. The slip-on sneaker is highlighted by breathable knit construction, a sock-like collar, and the brand’s patented Boost tooling.

They’re set to retail around $200, and would be a nice little addition to your running kicks collection, if you want something light and comfortable. The release for the “Triple Black” Ultra Boost Laceless is expected to take place next month. Pick these up if you can. 


SG
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12.21.2017

Tech & Toys: Shinola Canfield In-Ear Earphones






Flipping it to the tech side of things, we thought we’d show some love to one of our new favorites. And as music lovers, we all need a great pair of headphones to roll around with. So instead of keeping the secret to ourselves, we wanted to get into something we think you’d want to hear about, if you love your music as crispy as we love ours. 

In all honesty, those headphones you get every time you get a new phone are pretty terrible. When you see people out on the street with those things dangling perilously in their ears, screeching out tinny sound of whatever music their trying to enjoy, you just feel bad for them.

That’s because in-ear headphones may be the way to go. And Shinola’s new Canfield in-ear monitors are definitely some of the best in the field. We’ve tested these and can attest to their greatness. The Detroit design company has developed and tuned the hardware in partnership with engineers at Campfire Audio to give a rather tasty 8.5MM Beryllium dynamic driver to give a rich, authentic sound. 

With the in-ear memory foam cushioning that just gets you, bass notes are deep and robust while higher ones come out clear and crisp. There’s also an in-line microphone for vocal clarity and reduced environmental noise for when your phone starts acting like a phone. Here’s some stats: total harmonic distortion is less than 1%; impedance stands at 1.5Ω @ 1KHZ; efficiency is 115 DB SPL/V @1KHZ; sound pressure level is 104 DB.

You really can’t go wrong with these. Pick up your pair at Canfield’s online store.

SG

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11.08.2017

Kicks Flow: Union LA Black & Gold “Top 3” Air Jordan 1





Fall is here, and all kinds of flyness has been dropping lately. So we’ve been compiling our favorites to highlight and dissect. When the seasons change, we change how we rock our favorites. And this fall, there are so many different brands and models to choose from. So please forgive the overload of kicks we’ll be hitting you with over the next couple of months or so. 

Last weekend, ComplexCon was the place to be for fashion and sneaker heads alike. We had spies in the building scoping out all kinds of newness that we figured would hit shelves to kill sh*t this upcoming season. One of the shoes that we found to be undeniable, was laced by Union LA, and it made some noise, which is why we felt it only right to show some love today. 

As noted, Union Los Angeles officially unveiled a new colorway for the iconic and always classic Air Jordan 1, last weekend. Using black, gold and white patent leather, this iteration combines 2016’s “Top 3” color blocking with 2013’s black and gold colorway. 

We don’t have any info on price or current availability, but you may want to hit the reliable resell havens like eBay, to see if you can luck up in getting a pair. We’re pretty sure you won’t see too many people rocking these rare gems. So don’t sleep. 


SG
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10.27.2017

Fly Season: Moncler's Puffer Jackets for Dogs




We fought it long and hard, but lost. Fall is here, and those nice summer nights are a thing of the past for now. This is the time of year, where we start rearranging our wardrobes and getting those sweaters and jackets out. One thing about fall that’s pretty cool (with no pun intended there), is the fashion. We all simplify for summer, but when autumn comes back around, we get to pull a lot of our fly stuff out of the closet. 

But what about those of us who have pets? Most notably, dogs. Don’t they deserve to look fresh on their walks too? Doggie gear has always been cute and fun for all to experiment with and sport. But Moncler has really stepped it up this year, with some pretty nice threads for our little furry friends, with new puffer jackets for dogs. 

According to the company, the mini collection is designed to “allow our four-legged friends to follow us on the snow or to the harshest climates, staying warm and protected without limiting their movement in any way.”

The jackets come in two sleeveless dog-appropriate styles, a knitted jacquard sweater and Moncler’s classic nylon laqué puffer, both designed for small and medium-sized dogs.

The jackets range from $370 to $450 and are available at Moncler stores and online. If you can, pick up one of these for your little pal, and see how much he/she loves looking fresh out there during those chillier days and nights. 


Purposefully Fresh


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10.17.2017

Top Shelf: Aston Martin DB11 Volante Convertible








The weather is getting a little chillier, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t celebrate the coolness of a great convertible. There’s something very awesome about riding with the top down. Maybe it’s being exposed so everyone can see you rolling around in something nice. Or maybe it’s just having the wind hit you while you’re doing 90 on the highway. Whatever it is that makes it great to ride in a convertible, will never die. And we think it’s still one of life’s basic joys when it comes to cars. 

Aston Martin’s DB11 Volante is set to raise the bar for what the ultimate driving experience can, and should, be. The brand’s new convertible joins a coupé model that, between them, are some of the most eye-watering feats of design from Aston to date.

It’s powered by a 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 powerplant, courtesy of Mercedes-AMG, that generates around 503 HP and a ridiculous 498 ft-lb of torque. But power aside, one of the most striking elements that the Volante offers its lucky owners is the combination of supercar performance with this stunning convertible design. We’re sure James Bond would approve.

Deliveries of the 2019 Aston Martin DB11 Volante are expected to kick off in early 2018. But all this power and beauty doesn’t come cheap – prices start at $216,495.


SG
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9.25.2017

Kicks Flow: Nike Air Zoom Mariah Flyknit Racer “Multicolor 2.0”




It seems like summer vanished on us in a flash. Time is flying, and here we are, in fall again. The cool thing about fall, for most of us, are the clothes and kicks the come along with it. And we’re given the opportunity to bring out or go and buy some really fresh things to rock as the weather gets a little chillier. Nike is helping us in that department with the arrival of their new Mariah Flyknit Racer. 

The shoe is essentially a blend of the Air Mariah from the 80’s, mixed with our current favorite, the modern Flyknit Racer. So for its latest variation, the shoe comes with Flyknit construction, sock-like collar for snug entry, reinforced TPU heel counter, and a “Multicolor 2.0” colorway that features lighter tones to follow up on the first iteration that released earlier this summer. 

They’re available now overseas, and they’re expected to drop stateside soon. Priced at around $150, we expect these to be pretty popular once they hit stores. So don’t waste time in picking up a pair. We all know how quickly kicks like these disappear. 


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9.20.2017

Kicks Flow: Nike VaporMax “Triple Black”




There are just some kicks that we love so much, that we’d totally buy them in every color they’re made in. Nike’s VaporMax is certainly one of those shoes. Comfortable, functional for both running and casually chilling, but also great to look at. It’s become one of our easier favorites this year, and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down anytime soon.

After recently unveiling two fall-ready VaporMax colorways, an earth-toned shade and a warm “Berry Purple” hue, Nike has returned for yet another “Triple Black” update. In contrast to the smokey grey iteration we saw earlier this summer, the new release features a completely blacked-out sole, with the rest of the sneaker taking on a slightly softer tonal black shade. They’re set at about $190, and should be dropping soon!


SG
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9.14.2017

Top Shelf: Audi’s Aicon Concept







We’re clearly all about concept vehicles, as of late. And as they keep rolling all of these very awesome ones out, we find ourselves going crazy to highlight every single one that we think is dope. It’s so cool to see how creative engineers and designers are getting with these, so we have to share all of our favorites on a weekly basis. 

The 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show premieres yet another standout vehicle, this time with the new Audi Aicon — a fully autonomous concept car from the Germany luxury automaker.

With the Audi Aicon, the vehicle showcases the automaker’s vision of a world without steering wheels, pedals or the stress of driving. Boasting an aggressive yet sleek and streamlined profile, the car’s build is aimed at luxury and comfort, with a four-door, 2 by 2 seating design sitting on 26-inch wheels. The purely electric Aicon also has an ambitious driving range from its big battery, covering nearly 500 miles on a single charge.

To keep you informed, the Aicon uses Audi’s artificial-intelligence assistant PIA to offer up services before the passengers ask for them, based on situations and historical learnings, in addition to eye tracking, support for voice commands and gesture controls.

For the interior, LED lighting sets the mood, and everything from the seats to the air conditioning changes automatically. The whole interior is controlled with haptic and touch-sensitive controls, although Audi suggests the PIA assistant could also handle most functions, as passengers are able to browse the internet, watch a movie to relax, or use the car as a mobile office.

The company also envisions a world filled with sensor-heavy cars avoiding each other and possessing a high level of interaction intelligence so that seat belts will no longer be needed, however, that is still in further development. This concept really blew our minds, so we’re going to keep an eye out for any future details on this one. 


SG
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9.08.2017

Kicks Flow: BAIT x Diadora ‘Transformers’













Nostalgia is everything when it brings back your childhood memories and things you loved as  a kid. If you were born or raised in the 80’s, you know the cartoons and toys of the time were truly the best. Pair that era with a love for sneakers and you get a collaboration mashup that really is a dream for people like us. 

BAIT has partnered with Hasbro to bring Optimus Prime, Megatron, Bumblebee and Soundwave to famed Diadora runners. In making use of the N.9000s, S.8000 and Aeon, we see Diadora’s premium craftsmanship and materials take center stage, as various suedes and leathers have been utilized throughout the footwear.

In addition, Autobot and Decepticon shields have been placed on each heel, while complementary BAIT, Transformers and Diadora branding has been strategically implemented accordingly.

Alongside the sneakers, BAIT has tapped artist Les Schettkoe to design special “TV Edition” collectible figures that highlight each character in their respective colorway. All purchases in turn come with the coinciding toy. These drop tomorrow and are said to be priced at $230 each, and we feel they’re worth every penny. 


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9.05.2017

Top Shelf: BMW All-Electric MINI Concept








The theme around here lately has been pretty personal for us, and if you’ve been coming to AA for sometime, you know about our affinity for BMW. So it should come as no surprise, that we’re highlighting an awesome new concept today, from them. 

Scheduled to be unveiled at the IAA Cars 2017 show in Frankfurt, Germany next month is the MINI Electric Concept — a sub-branch of BMW Group, as it’ll showcase its take on future personal mobility in the city.

MINI has offered electrified versions of its existing cars, but the Electric Concept is designed from the ground up as an EV, and not just a combustion-powered car with an electric drivetrain option.

Boasting a go kart-esque profile, the two-door/four seater vehicle flaunts lines reminiscent of those found on the rest of the MINI lineup, but upgraded with new enhancements such as a closed front grill since cooling air flow isn’t required, while its charging hub, rearview mirror, headlights, turning indicators and body paint all sport elements of a stylized plug icon — a sign that this is definitely an electric car.

“With its characteristic go-kart feeling and powerful electric motor, the MINI Electric Concept is great fun to drive while also being completely suitable for everyday use – and producing zero emissions to boot. That’s how we at MINI envisage electric mobility in tomorrow’s world,” says Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad.

In addition, the car utilizes fibre glass body parts to help reduce drag and increase aerodynamics, while the electric drivetrain is based from the BMW i3 line.
Notably, the design of the vehicle’s dark-colored 19-inch wheels adds another visual highlight, as it contains aerodynamic inlays that were made using a 3D printer, and the same goes for the recessed surfaces in the simulated air intakes. We’re very excited to see what the future holds for more concepts like this, and we hope you stay tuned for more details as they come. 


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