Monday, April 29, 2013

Nike Kobe VII

I’m not familiar with the Kobe shoe line, but on a recent trip to a Nike outlet I had a chance to buy a pair on sale.  Besides knowing they were low-cut basketball shoes similar to soccer cleats, I had no other knowledge about the sneakers.  I still bought them because I like collecting a variety of sneaker styles, and because I’m still a Kobe fan.
The first thing I noticed about these shoes was the sizing.  I have wide feet, so I usually have to go up a size to be comfortable.  I’m used to dealing with this issue, however this time it was exaggerated.  I’m usually a size 10.5, but for some odd reason size 12.5 fit me.  I would have preferred size 11.5 or 12, but those sizes were sold out.  Anyway, I still bought the shoes even though they had some room to spare.
Once I got home, I was able to look at the shoe up close.  I then took out the insole and that’s when I noticed the sole was attached to the tongue with a strap.  For me, this all combines into extra clutter that takes up space.  I would have liked this sneaker more if the strap was removed, the sole came with interchangeable pods, and if more space were allocated on the forefoot.  Other than the price I bought them for, there’s not much I like about this sneaker, for now it seems this will be my last pair of Kobe’s until the design is fixed into something appealing and comfortable.
Brand: Nike
Name: Nike Zoom Kobe VII System
Year: 2012
Product Code: 488371 402
Additional: Also known as Kobe VII “Concord Cool Greys”
Nike:
YouTube:

Friday, April 5, 2013

G.I. Joe Hazard-Viper

G.I. Joe is one of those shows that I have problems with remembering.  It started airing in the mid 80’s, yet as a kid I felt it was too confusing for me, so I never watched it.  I did own the toys though.  Those early 3 3⁄4 Joe figures were pretty fun to play with, but mine always broke in half; thanks to the rubber band drying and cracking.  Later on I believe they were made without the rubber band, and the figures became more colorful.
Now that I’m older and I like to collect 80’s toys, I knew G.I. Joe had a place in my collection (even though I don’t remember the TV show).  The first Joe figure I bought was one of Duke, which came in a vintage style.  Of course, I’m a mint on card collector, so I never opened him.  However, while in a department store one day, I noticed they had some modern Joe figures on sale, so I decided to buy one.
I bought a figure called Hazard-Viper, who is a Cobra villain and a toxin specialist.  What was most appealing about this toy was all the accessories the figure came with.  Gas canisters, guns, flame thrower, gas tubes, vest, gas mask, brief case, and even a figure stand.  I’m a sucker for toy accessories, so I was very pleased with this purchase.   Thanks to this figure I am now a renewed Joe fan, and now plan on collecting more of this toy line.