SNEAKER FREAKERS....4 Men!

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN BY PUMA (BLACK LABEL)

The Alexander McQueen PUMA footwear collection explores the skeletal structure – the AMQ Spine Luxe showcases a lizard-skin upper with a slicked down silhouette reminiscent of the Puma Clyde. But check out the sole on this slinker! Like Amy Winehouse's reflection, the soles feature a translucent skeleton moulded and carved so intricately it will have you seeking out a fresh wet concrete pavement to leave your mark in.

Adding a bit of height to the AMQ is the Spine Mid Velcro, taking cues from the futuristic and high-end feature that has been taking over fashion circles, the multi-velcro straps. A pure piece of art, it is crafted to create a premium, simplisitic high top, that even Kanye will surely give nods to.

Rounding out the collection is the AMQ In Bounds Mid, in all its chocolate and ice blue glory. With rich cocoa leathers spliced with the water cooler blue panels, it just goes to show that brown shoes are still fashionable! Now I wonder where he got the idea to put a shark's tooth on a Puma?

NIKE ZOOM FP (FUN POLICE)

Inspired by the ‘90s Nike basketball advert which portrayed key NBA players Jason Kidd, Kevin Garnett, and Tim Hardaway as the ‘Fun Police’, Nike welcome their newest hybrid b-ball sneaker, the Zoom FP. Taking cues from all three players' signature Nike sneakers from that time, the lab has mixed Jason Kidd’s Zoom Flight V, Kevin Garnett’s Air Garnett III, and Tim Hardaway’s Zoom Flight T, blending them tightly into a whole new package. Keeping true to the ‘90s feel, Nike have airbrushed stone washed fluoro panels and stitching into the upper to give the Zoom FP a true retro feel. Available now at Propers.

NIKE 1/2 CENT

With the focus constantly on Jordan and what is dropping from His Airness, Nike have decided to hit up all the Penny Hardaway fans with the 1/2 Cent. Featuring the pre-requisite intergalactic Foamposite upper and translucent air bubble sole, you can cop yours now at Extra Butter.

ADIDAS HIGHRISE

Check the Consortium torsion runners, Artillery Mid and our fave the 'New Generation' - so when we saw this hightop aptly nicknamed the 'Highrise' we knew our predictions for 2010 were coming correct. It has the makings of a classic, with perforated stripes and panels, fancy ankle-straps and two easy-breezy colourways to keep it subtle and effortless as we head out of the noughties.

NIKE CORTEZ (YEAR OF THE TIGER)

Following in the footsteps of its predecessors, this Cortez draws its inspiration from the Chinese Zodiac - the year of the tiger. The Nike Chinese Zodiac New Year series started back in 2002 with the Air Force 1, celebrating the year of the horse. The Year of the Tiger Classic Cortez is the 9th design and the first Cortez shoe adopted in the series. As Nike's first running shoe, Cortez has been well known for its comfort, lightweight and heritage. For 2010, Nike designers took a new approach to interpreting the tiger. Instead of using the popular yellow stripe print, they used white tiger to reflect its image of power and prestige in Chinese traditional culture.

The highly anticipated Nike design to celebrate Chinese New Year will officially launch on Feb. 10th and 13th respectively.

NEW BALANCE CM1001 (TROPICAL COCKTAIL)

'If you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain' then you’ll love the tangy taste of New Balance’s new Tropical Cocktail pack. These chunky CM1001s come in two vibrant colourways: choose from a splash of zesty lime and pine or frosty blue and granita pink. The insoles sport silhouettes of swaying palm trees to send the sunny vibes all the way to your toes. Look out for them in the near future. Thanks to dunk for the news.