Reebok has been impressive lately with a slew of new offering for both the casual athlete (myself) and the more serious athletes out there. This summer, Reebok is unveiling a brand new running shoe called the ZJET. Like the way the jet engine blast is created by moving air from high to low pressure compartments, the ZJET enhances your running by moving trapped air in an underfoot current for maximum cushioning. Paired with extreme flexibility and Nanoweb upper construction for stability, the ZJET is the ultimate in maximum cushioning, providing unsurpassed comfort and quickness so you can jet up and down the open road. Some of the standout features include:

– Max Cushioning Speed Channels: Pressure changes created by your unique foot strike forces air from heel to toe, providing cushioning where you need it and resulting in a soft and responsive underfoot feel.
– Serious flexibility: Multiple flex grooves allow the foot to bend freely adding additional comfort and freedom of movement.
– Nanoweb uppers: Keeps your feet locked in, supported and centered on the platform.

We also appreciated the seamless upper that is super lightweight and provides a smooth and irritation-free fit.

Recently, we tested a pair of the new Reebox ZJETs and were impressed with the fresh look, crazy comfort and solid footing that they provide. The MSRP is $129.99, and you can check them out now at www.reebok.com.

The weather is finally starting to warm up, which means that it’s time to get out of the house and head to the park for a game (or two, or three) of pick-up basketball, where boys become men and men discover that they’re not as athletic as they used to be.

What’s that you say? The tread on your old shoes is worn down to the sole and you’re in need of some new gear? Foot Locker has you covered, man. The specialty retailer carries all the latest apparel guaranteed to make any guy stand out from the crowd, including shoes from NBA stars like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant.

Foot Locker sent us a pair of the new Nike Kobe Zoom Venomenons, and they’re some of the coolest and most comfortable basketball shoes we’ve ever worn. The latest collaboration between Nike and Kobe is comprised of a synthetic upper and a black carbon fiber heel counter with Hyperfuse and Flywire technology for lightweight strength and durability. Additionally, the Phylon midsole features a forefoot Zoom Air unit that provides super-responsive cushioning that will help you explode off the court to grab those big rebounds, and for those playing outdoors, the outsole has an abrasion-resistant material with a Blade Traction pattern designed for excellent traction. They also look great, with six electric colorways to choose from, and priced at $119.99.

Of course, if you’re planning on heading to the courts after school or work, you’re going to need a way to carry all that gear without having to make an extra stop home. That’s where the Nike Hoops Elite Team Backpack comes in real handy, because it offers plenty of storage space, including one main compartment, two zippered pockets, a place for a water bottle and even a 15″ laptop sleeve. It’s also made of water-resistant Tarpaulin, which keeps your stuff safe and dry from the elements, and features a padded back panel that provides additional protection.

That’s just scratching the surface of Foot Locker’s basketball range, however, so be sure to head to your local store or shop online to pick up the Nike Kobe Venomenons and Hoops Elite Team Backpack, as well as their many other new spring products.

Throwbacks are the hot items in sneakers these days, so we were thrilled to check out the Kamikaze I in black/blue from Reebok. Hot on the heels of the Kamikaze I white/black/green launch on Friday, January 17th, Reebok Classic readied the release of the Kamikaze I black/blue on Friday, February 7th.

Lightning struck every time Shawn Kemp stepped on the court. His larger than life persona set a new pace for basketball, and his groundbreaking athleticism inspired a shoe just as bold: the Kamikaze I. These kicks were hot back in the ’90s and they still have the look of a winner and serious baller all day long. That’s because Shawn Kemp and the Kamikaze I have been “A Cut Above Since 1994.” The color combo is sweet and the comfort level of Kamikaze I rivals just about anything on the market today!

On February 7th, Reebok Classic brought back the Kamikaze I OG black/blue at key retailers including Foot Locker, Champs, Jimmy Jazz, DTLR, Villa and reebok.com for $115. @reebokclassics, #THISisCLASSIC

For all of you out there who, like us, were hooked on the original Springblade shoe from adidas, you really have to check out the newly released version. Springblade, introduced last year, is the first running shoe with blade technology designed to help propel you forward. The Razor features a unique web design over sock-like Techfit technology that helps lock your feet in place and enhances breathability. The shoe’s 16 individually-tuned blades instantaneously react to any environment, compressing and releasing energy.

The Springblade Razor is on sale now at adidas.com, at adidas Sport Performance stores and retailers nationwide like Finish Line. The shoe launches in four colorways for men, including Solar Blue/Tech Grey Metallic/Black, Black/Tech Grey Metallic/ Light Scarlet, Metallic Silver/Black/Light Scarlet and Light Scarlett/Black/Metallic Silver, and three colorways for women, including Solar Blue/Tech Grey Metallic/Black, Black/Black/Vivid Berry and Bahia Pink/Metallic Silver/Black.

Your training will never be the same once you utilize the Springblade design and comfort. After testing the 2014 version, they only improved, as the Techfit technology is a real difference maker!

On July 17, 1994, two teams took to the pitch in Pasadena, California to play for football’s biggest prize. While all 22 players shared the same dream of winning, ten wore the same boot – Nike’s first for football – the Tiempo Premier. Its black and white color palette was classically football, but the athletes who wore them were anything but. These athletes would go on to represent a new guard, imbuing football with youth, speed, excitement, brilliance and forever changing the face of the game. They showed unparalleled confidence in choosing an upstart company, and over the next 20 years, this rebellious attitude would shape some of the best players football has ever seen. But one fact always rings true: it all began with the Tiempo.

As far as introductions go, they don’t get much better than Nike’s tribute to the debut of its popular Tiempo line, and in celebration of the shoe’s 20th anniversary, the company has released two new styles that are sure to please longtime fans and further revolutionize the sport as we know it.

First up is the Nike Tiempo ’94, a throwback to the original Tiempo Premier that draws inspiration from its iconic design, including a black stitched leather upper, contrasting white swoosh and suede overlays. Additionally, there’s a splash of orange on the lower instep that extends to the Phylon midsole fitted within the premium gum cup sole for lightweight cushioning, as well as exposed flex grooves designed to maximize comfort and natural motion. The coolest thing about the Tiempo ’94, however, is that it can either be worn with the retro oversized tongue attached or removed for a different (and admittedly more modern) look. Though the shoe may seem a lot bulkier than its closest competition, the Tiempo ’94 is comparable to the adidas Samba in quality and comfort, only without that annoying squeaking problem and with twice the flair.

For those looking to really leave an impression on the pitch, the new Tiempo Legend V is one of the flashiest boots around, combining a two-tone look with metallic flourishes throughout, perhaps most noticeably on the mirror-like tongue. But for as stylish as the Legend V may be, it’s the improved design features that warrant the most attention, geared towards providing players with the lightest touch and performing in all conditions. Through enhanced fit and innovative materials, the Tiempo Legend V not only brings the upper (and therefore the ball) closer to the foot, resulting in some of the best control you’ll ever experience, but also offers a solution to the age-old problem of water absorption. Nike’s All Conditions Control (ACC) technology has been applied to the ultra-soft kangaroo leather uppers to block moisture and allow for a consistent touch regardless of weather, while the second layer of hydrophobic mesh ensures that the boot dries quickly and absorbs less water than previous leather boots. That may not sound as groundbreaking as creating a more lightweight shoe or one with added protection, but most soccer players know all too well the effect that the elements can have on their game, so it’s nice to see that Nike has finally addressed this issue.

With two great styles to choose from, the question on most people’s minds will undoubtedly be: if you had to pick just one, which shoe would you pick? But the answer isn’t that cut-and-dry, because you can’t really compare the two. The Nike Tiempo ’94 is more of a casual street shoe, and although it’s not something you’ll necessarily want to wear to play soccer on a consistent basis, it’s good for the odd pickup game. The Nike Tiempo Legend V, on the other hand, is one of the best performance cleats on the market, and for those looking to upgrade, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better designed soccer boot than this. Of course, you could always just buy both.

The Nike Tiempo ’94 (in a low and mid version) and Nike Tiempo Legend V are now available for purchase on Nike.com and other retailers. For more information, follow Nike Soccer on Facebook and Twitter.