LI-NING WAY OF WADE 2.5 ENCORE – CHANGE THE GAME WITH WADE’S KICKS
When it comes to basketball shoes, the brand and the player behind it are everything.
The top-sellers are well known and very popular, which means they’re widely used by hoopers.
But when everyone is wearing the same thing, the footwear landscape becomes a bit dull.
Enter Li-Ning, a Chinese brand which is, for the most part, unfamiliar to many casual basketball fans, especially in the western hemisphere.
The company has put shoes on the feet of a number of former and current NBA players, including Shaquille O’Neal, but their biggest ambassador to date is Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade.
The two-time champion and eight-time All-Star has been one of the faces of the NBA since entering the league in 2003, so any shoe he wears has instant appeal for those trying to emulate him.
You could be like everyone else and wear the usual brands in your pick-up games and recreational leagues, or you could get your fellow hoopers’ attention with the Way of Wade 2.5 Encore.
Wade’s signature logo on the tongue is hard to miss, as are the unique colourways, which come in eye-catching forms such as Fontainebleau, Red Lava and Flamingo.
They may be flashy, but these shoes have also been built for supreme performance.
The WoW 2.5 Encore are immediately responsive out of the box, giving players a locked-in, stable feel, while providing breathability for your feet.
The cushioning is ideal and the durability means they’ll last you more than just a couple seasons on the hardwood.
Bottom line: if they’re good enough for Wade, they’re good enough for you. And the fact that you’ll see few others in these makes them feel exclusive.
We rate it: 9 out of 10: Stylish, functional and sure to draw eyes. Different is good.
Where to buy: Sportsone stores across the UAE
Price: Dh450
LI-NING WADE V-NECK AND SHORTS – STAY COOL ON THE HARDWOOD
Hit the court ready to ball with the Li-Ning Wade V-neck t-shirt and shorts as part of the apparel collection.
They feature AWS Quick Dry Technology which helps you stay dry and comfortable at all times between the lines. Stretch technology focuses on giving even the most demanding user movement and flexibility.
The fabric consists of 100 per cent polyester fiber, so you won’t be weighed down by sweat-soaked clothing when the game is hanging in the balance.
Unlike many of his shoes and general fashion sense, the colour of the t-shirt and short is a fairly toned-down dark navy blue with gold trimming.
Wade’s signature logo and his ‘DWade’ nickname on the chest creates a simple, but elegant look that makes the t-shirt as fashionable as it is functional. The same is true of the matching shorts.
Price: Dh95 for V-neck, Dh115 for shorts
Where to Buy: Sportsone stores across the UAE
OAKLEY GREEN FADE COLLECTION – GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK
Oakley has launched a special-edition eyewear collection that harkens back to their first performance product which featured vibrant green.
All of the collection’s frames will be hand-painted green and contain Prizm lenses, a revolutionary technology that enhances detail with precise colour tuning.
The line-up includes EVZero, Jawbreaker, Radar EV Path, Flak 2.0 XL, RadarLock Path, Frogskins and Crosslink Zero RX.
Price: Dh875 to Dh1,075
Where to Buy: Select Magrabi Opticians stores and Oakley O-Stores.
YEEZY BOOST 750 – YEEZY IS BACK WITH A FRESH DESIGN
The next version of Kanye West’s iconic footwear builds on the quality and creativity of its predecessor.
Featuring full length adidas BOOST cushioning technology and premium leather and suede heel lining, the light grey suede version are comfortable and exude style.
To get your hands on a pair, you’ll have to head down to the adidas Original store where you’ll register your name and contact details for the chance to win a draw to purchase the shoes.
It’ll be worth it to rock Ye’s creation.
Price: Dh1,395
Where to Buy: Adidas Original store and Level Shoe District, Dubai Mall
