Directly from New Balance’s running heritage, the 420 is updated for fall 2010 in vibrant suede/nylon colorways.  Originally designed to protect the athlete in the 1970s, the 420 incorporates a three layer outsole and technologically superior patented Extended Saddle. Today, the 420 remains a New Balance classic heritage silhouette providing a low profile sneaker offering for both men and women alike.

The New Balance 420 will be available this August 2010 in five colorways: navy/yellow, yellow/blue, green/yellow, grey/red, and blue.

More pics after the JUMP

The classic PF Flyers Center Hi has evolved into the The PF Flyers Double Tongue which is a 1953 icon but with a 2010 styling. The high top sneaker has twin leather tongues that are pierced for laces and flip to reveal color. It also has full grain leather detailing from eyerow to toecap and a stitch detail of the PF Flyers heritage chevron on the side of the shoe.

Take a closer look after the jump.

To celebrate the end of the NBA season, I wanted to let you and your readers know about PF Flyers’ Hi Tops archival reissues which include two old basketball sneaker styles, the Bob Cousy Hi and the Glide which both come in Celtics green.

Sport styles by PF Flyers were icons of the 1950s, renowned for helping you “play at full speed longer.” The brand earned a permanent place in American mythology, lionized in stories and films such as “The Sandlot.”

Bob Cousy Hi:
The Bob Cousy Hi was worn by basketball’s first superstar. The sneaker features gullwing closure™ and model specific markings and comes in a Celtics Green just in time for the NBA finals.

Glide:
The Glide was originally released in 1979 and is a plush basketball reissue that features era specific markings, padded tongue, heel ribs and terry lining.

Center Hi:
The Center Hi was originally released in 1953 and is the enduring basketball classic, vertically ribbed toe guard with diamond-patterned outsole.

Check more pics after the jump

With the World Cup only weeks away, everyone is kicking the football related marketing into high gear, especially Nike. As a result, these limited edition World Cup Blazers have become available at the Nike ID online store. Limited to only 500 pairs per artist and featuring artwork from James Jarvis for England, Kronk for South Africa, Mr. Cartoon for USA, So Me for France and Delta for the Netherlands, these customizable kicks also come correct with a canvas and full-grain leather upper, as well as a classic rubber outsole.

The New Balance M996 sneaker has been reissued in limited production and will be available exclusively at Fred Segal in Los Angeles.

The classic heritage running sneaker from New Balance features all-over premium pigskin leather and most notably is made here in the U.S. at one of New Balance’s Maine factories.  The 996 was first introduced in 1988 and with an improved midsole, (utilizing the ENCAP® heel with a C-CAP midsole) was the best stability and cushioning combo to date. The 996 also featured the first use of 3M Scotchlight reflective trim for safer night time running by New Balance.

Only 47 pairs of the M996 will be available at Fred Segal (Santa Monica location only) beginning on May 13th.

In addition to the release of these limited addition sneakers at Fred Segal, New Balance is throwing a party to celebrate the West Coast release of the Sonic shoe (more info on that will be coming) at the store on May 13th as well.  Attached is the flyer invitation with RSVP info after the JUMP.

What happens when Sneaker Freaker jumps on a plane to NYC? The folks gather up the troops for a massive party yo! Thanks to killer DJ cats Mick Boogie, Terry Urban, and Matt Heckman. Motivation Of A Sneaker Freaker is a one-off extra special event featuring SNKRFRKR’s own M.A.F.I.A. spinnin’ on the ones and twos. With a whirlwind tour of the States going down this May, M.A.F.I.A. plans to bombard each city with as much sneaker freakin’ as possible. And what better way than with a fierce party in the Big Apple. Brought to you by our good mates at Extra Butter, MTVTN, and Sneaker Freaker, it all goes down at Gallery Bar (120 Orchard St, NY) next Tues May 4th there will be plenty of sneaker goodness going down from giveaways, sneaker displays and of course a bag load of bangin’ tunes! If you’re in the NYC area make sure you mark your calenders and get down to say ‘G-Day’ to M.A.F.I.A. and the fellas yo!

The New Balance x Undefeated Desert Storm 1500 is a collaborative project that brings historical context to footwear and design.  Undefeated has always been a military and sport inspired brand with efforts to not only provide authenticity to projects, but to also inform the public of the often overlooked and understated aspects of design. The inspiration behind the New Balance Desert Storm 1500 is based upon military designs from the Gulf War.  Each pair of New Balance Desert Storm 1500s will be sold with a canvas shoe bag featuring utility camo print and is available exclusively at Undefeated stores in the US and Japan.

Undefeated’s main objective is to have authenticity direct the project, while instilling history into the design. There is much excitement with the New Balance Desert Storm 1500’s as it will be Undefeated’s first collaboration with New Balance US.

Each pair of New Balance Desert Storm 1500s will be sold with a canvas shoe bag featuring utility camo print. The New Balance Desert Storm 1500 will be available beginning on May 15 for $120.00.

Check out more pics after the jump

British sportswear brand Gola teamed up with eccentric designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac to create an excitingly unique collection of high top and plimsoll sneakers for men and women. Known for his left-field design and eclectic vision, de Castelbajac (who designs for Lady Gaga, if that’s any indication) always seems to find a way to  get away with something bananas on the design front.

Some of the clear standouts of the collection  include a crocodile design (pictured above), featuring a reptile embossed print or a fabric tartan upper, complete with eyes and a snappy mouth. Native American styling has been applied to the ladies’ hi-top designs; leather fringe detailing, beading and metal rivets adorn the upper.

Prices range from £70 to £120. The collection will be sold globally through select stores starting in Fall 2010.

The original Skywalker’s hold a special place in my heart since we were born in the same year, 1983. When ROOS first released this shoe, they were meant to be at the forefront of basketball shoes, but would go on to be better known for their Air Force-esque ankle strap and the mandatory ROOS pocket. This throwback release is available in a numbered edition in two colors each – the first 100 Skywalkers feature golden figures on the heel and the other 500 are printed in silver. Available now!

Thanks to Schuh You for the bad ass photo!

The PF Flyers Glide is a plush 70s-era basketball reissue that has a vintage logo and tread details with a padded tongue, heel ribs and terry lining for added comfort to its Posture Foundation insole.

The updated Glide also features a new material for this season: Italian sequin-printed leather.  It is now available in copper/brown Italian sequin-printed leather and silver/grey Italian sequin-printed leather, black/orange ripstop and ballistic nylon/full grain leather and grey/purple ripstop and ballistic nylons/full grain leather.

Check out all the colorways