Nike Air Jordan IV “Snow Sniper” by FreakerSneaks

FreakerSneaks is having a love affair with fur right now. If you made it to this year’s Sneakerness then you probably saw his Air Jordan IV Grinch customs up close. To follow the love (and hate) he received from that pair, FreakerSneaks now presents the Nike Air Jordan IV “Snow Sniper.”

The upper features a white camouflage design, complete with a sniper toting Camo Jumpman on the tongue tag (very Inception-esque). The heels feature a sniper scope graphic and “3-9X50,” the model number of the Snow Sniper’s scope. FreakerSneaks lined the entire shoe with white fur that peeks out around the ankle and above the toebox.

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Air Jordan IV Grinch Custom Shoes by @FreakerSneaks

Released yesterday on Christmas Eve just in time for the Grinch to maybe stop Christmas Day these Air Jordan IV customs by FreakerSneaks go above simply painting a themes colorway. The bitter cave dwelling Grinch from Mount Crumpit who’s most signature feature is his green fur was mimicked inside the sockliner, tongues, and replaced the mesh netting with a green dyed rabbit fur. The previously red and white Air Jordan IV was painted shades of green with red painted on the toe mudguards. Hand painted details of The Grinch’s sinister smile and yellow eyes can be seen on the back heel with the red and white stripped Dr. Suess hat on the other shoe. Lastly the Air Jordan Flight tongue tags were replaced with those of The Grinch disguised as Santa in Jordan silhouette form. [more]

Air Jordan 4 Bred Python Custom by @TheShoeSurgeon

The Air Jordan line has been getting its taste of animal skin as of late in the custom sneaker world. The most recent is the Air Jordan IV in the classic “bred” colorway. Created by Dominic Chambrone aka The Shoe Surgeon this Jordan retro was reconstructed with an overlay of black python skin over the entire black nubuck upper. The back heel tabs and eyelet wings were kept while the Air Jordan flight tongue tags were replaced with those of The Shoe Surgeons logo lasered into red suede. Exotic. [more]

Nike Zoom Rookie Galaxy Glow Customs by Gourmet Kickz

Want more customers buying your customs? Give them the ability to have a product be even more custom by providing multiple options. That is exactly what Chef of Gourmet Kickz has done with his Galaxy Nike Zoom Rookies. While there has been a lot of attempts of customizers recreating Nike’s “galaxy” print this year floating on the internet a good portion of them have been suspect looking. Airbushed circles of blue, navy and purple upon a black background with some splattered or hand painted white specks just does not get the job done. These on the other hand are one of the few that look good. What is even better? You can choose between a glow or lesser glow option.

Chef of Gourmet Kickz actually knocked these out before the actual release sample images arose. Using his signature seamless material technique the foamposite upper of the Zoom Rookie was covered with galaxy motif fabric custom designed. One version is completely luminous in the dark while the upper only has a glowing sole. A set of custom insoles and box makes these a complete custom package.

Order these and many more custom sneakers by Gourmet Kickz at AF1King.com and be sure to follow him on Twitter: @GourmetKickz

Adidas Pro Model inspired by Balmain Denim Jeans by @JBFcustoms

Sneaker customizers with aptitude for decon-recon customizations are putting themselves ahead of the pack with each new custom they make. This latest decon-recon by JBF Customs takes inspiration from the furthest heights of high street fashion. JBF gave this previously leather Adidas Pro Model a fully waxed denim upper taking inspiration from Balmain Biker Jeans and their multi-paneled and ribbed construction. The iconic 3 stripes are flowing in the other direction as they are contrasted against a ribbed mid panel a la the signature Balmain look. Further details can be seen in the tongues unique panel construction, leather tabs engraved with JBF’s branding, and lambskin liner for ultimate comfort. As always with work from JBF this custom was deconstructed and reconstructed through steps of cutting, shaping and stitching by JBF himself. 100% wearable and 100% chance you’ll have some of the most original shoes around, custom or not.

These will be a special release on BLACK FRIDAY, November 23rd at JBF’s newly designed site: JBFcustoms.com. Check more work from JBF on Twitter: @JBFcustoms and Instagram the same: @JBFcustoms

@MachineGunKelly Lace Up Nike Dunk Shoes by Ground Breaker Customs

After being his go to slogan for a while rapper Machine Gun Kelly probably knew name of his recently released debut studio album was going to be Lace Up. Earlier this year Demetrius of Ground Breaker Customs created this custom Nike Dunk of which he was able to share as he met the man MGK himself.

What started out as a previously black and action red Nike Dunk stayed that way as it matched the artists logo colorway. But to start the red panels were painted black and covered with a red splatter. Next the back panels were covered with a carbon fiber textured vinyl with red contrast stitching. Seen from the direct back those panels became one as they highlight an pair inset Lace Up logos. To finish them off with further detail metal eyelets were added to the lace panels and on the tongue to bring the slogan-ed theme full circle.

Check more work from Ground Breaker Customs at https://www.facebook.com/GBC414 and follow him on Twitter under something lots of male customizers have probably been called: @ThatShoeGuy

Before being customized Nike Dunk image via SneakerNews

Vote the best Custom Sneaker Inspired by the Nike KD4 Weatherman

Oh mirrored colorways, the general sneakerhead seems to really like them and shoe customizers too but they surely appreciate seeing an original design. When it comes to the general sneakerhead of course they are a huge target market so you must cater to what they’d like to see. Due to a limited release and because the colorway is pretty slick the Weatherman concept seen on the KD4 gave a few customizers the opportunity to give their take on the concept using a few different bases. Checkout the follow pages and give your vote towards which one you think is the best!

#CKIP: Metallic Gold and Black Houndstooth Converse by @BlackTieUnderground

Did you know yesterday a look into the mid point of a decon-recon Converse Chuck Taylor was in your future? If you said “Yes, duh?” send us a tweet @paintorthread there is some questions that need answering. In the meantime if you did not say yes give us a follow along with the customizer @BlackTieUnderground so you can be notified of what this custom will end up looking like. Bam!

Nike Air Zoom Rookie “Raging Rookie” Custom by @GourmetKickz

In any line of business it is a good plan to be known for something. An even better plan is to be known for a few things. This latest custom by Chef of GourmetKickz is showcasing just one of the customizing features he has definitely worked to be known for: giving a modern technical athletic shoe, usually basketball, an entirely new upper finish. Previous pairs include his Custom Snakeskin Foamposites but this Nike Zoom Rookie got the suede treatment titled Raging Rookie.

Chef was inspired by the “Raging Bulls” all red suede Air Jordan V. The foamposite upper was covered in bright red suede using his signature “VT-Like” method for a seemless look and feel. To fit the AJ V concept even more reflective 3M Scotchlite style paint was added on the tongues and sidewall pods. From Chef, “The result is a clean custom that looks as if Penny and Jordan collaborated on a shoe.” No doubt, hmm it would be interesting to see a classic Air Jordan numbered model colorway inspired by the Penny line. Someone take that idea, and send us an email if you want another idea that we’d like to see.

To order your own Zoom Rookie Custom from Chef of GourmetKickz check his site AF1King.com and be sure to follow him on Twitter for the latest insight to his budding custom sneaker empire: @GourmetKickz

The reflective features in action:

#CKIP: Left over leather scraps for a Nike Dunk Custom by @3rcustoms

Not much can be made of the end customized shoe on this #CustomKicksInProgress photo from 3RCustoms. The black and white takes away any hints through color but it does appear to be some sort of croc or gator skin. Genuine or faux? Jest3R of 3RCustoms did share they were the left overs from a Dunk high. Now that I think of it, I’m 100% sure what they are.

Follow us on Twitter @paintorthread for the official release of the photos soon and the customizer @3rcustoms for more insight to his decon-recon customizing craft.

I was lying, I have no frick’n clue what the theme of these will be.

Nike Air Jordan 3 “Python Supreme” Custom by @emmanueLabor

A complete list would have to be looked through but this surely could be a front runner for custom sneaker of the year.  Something could be said about Kanye West here with how often he wears the Air Jordan III and history of red leather clothing, but this custom is some sort of 360 degree circle. EmmanueLabor’s customer wanted something inspired by the recent Supreme Nike Dunk SB release but a more “exorbitant feel”. How are these bringing the AJ3 and Supreme Dunk full circle?

This Air Jordan III shoe is the original inspiration of the Nike Supreme Dunk that saw a new take in 2012 which inspired this custom by emmanueLabor. A decon-recon this custom gives a new placement of elephant print to the upper ankle area and as seen on the True Blue AJ III on the lace panel area. Next the majority upper panel and tongues was remade with fire red genuine python skin. For the comfort factor the sockliners and insoles were remade with soft black lambskin. EmmanueLabor also stepped up the branding on these with new black metal EL lace dubrets/lace locks, EL cutouts on the insoles, and an embroidered bag. A complete package.

EmmanueLabor said himself these were hard to ship to the customer, so it is a slim chance the design is being offered to be remade. Either way checkout his info here: Twitter and Instagram: @emmanueLabor, Tumblr: http://laborpanes.tumblr.com/ and website: www.EmmanueLabor.com

Air Jordan 5 Oregon Football Pit Crew Custom by @emmanuelabor

With their connection to Nike Sports it is well known that the University of Oregon gets pretty cool hookups with exclusive products. One that really sticks out are the “Pit Crew” Air Jordan 3 given away to members of the men’s basketball student cheering section known as the Pit Crew. Covered in Oregon motif like the yellow O and duck feet they are likely a pair the general public will never get to own. Unless they get a customizer to make a pair.

Earlier this year Mache made this alternate green Pit Crew Air Jordan 3 custom. This time around is the Pit Crew Air Jordan 5 from emmanueLabor. Starting off with a pair of the black/silver AJ 5 retros emmanueLabor made most of the customization in smaller details: the “shark teeth” were painted green along with the stitching of the #23 heel logos. The first Oregon highlight added were of the two yellow duck feet on the back heels. Finally the biggest change came in the form of a remade tongue. EmmanueLabor kept the classic AJ 5 look using a yellow reflective material and stitched on the Oregon O logo in yellow material. Seemingly simple but getting the theme across well.

Check out more work from emmanueLabor via his site: www.emmanueLabor.com and be sure to follow him on Twitter and Instagram: @emmanueLabor

Camo Nike Blazer SB Custom Decon-Recon by @JBFCustoms

Remember last week when it was stated there are two customizers owning the customization of Nike Blazers relm lately via this What’s Gucci Nike Blazer by Fresh&Fly Customs? Well JBF Customs is that other guy as it is re-emphasized with his latest Nike Blazer SB Camo custom. Using his decon-recon expertise the entire upper of a pair of Blazers was once again recreated to closer than near perfection, if not perfection.

To start the brown camouflage material is not some flimsy fabric but a thick waterproof nylon material. What makes him one of the best decon-recon shoe customizers? Taking the time and effort to roll the edges of each panel for an almost seamless construction. JBF’s attention to details also puts him above most others as you can see with the engraved JBF tongue tags, cut out and stitched Swooshes, and M16 leather patches to flow with the military look on the heel tabs. But that wasn’t enough as a comfy lambskin was used for the lining and brass eyelets break up the camo. “For
The Incomparable” is damn right.

As of now this design is a 1 of 1 but you can contact JBF Customs via his newly redesigned website and request your own decon-recon Nike Blazer here: www.JBFCustoms.com. Don’t forget to follow him on Twitter and Instagram too: @JBFcustom

“EL CALZADO PLACE” CUSTOM CONVERSE by Dr Romanelli

Getting back to his roots tastemaker Dr. Romanelli known mostly for his reconstructed designs of vintage apparel that has led to numerous collaborations with big brands has started a new line of custom shoes to kick off a diy streetwear think tank by the name of The Pancake Epidemic. Sticking to his decon-recon process DRx has teamed up with Los Angeles, California based shoe cobbler Raul Ojeda of Willies Shoe Service to create a line of bespoke style Converse.

This is the first pair of the line that started off as a turf green and white Converse Pro Leather. Through a half way deconstruction process, meaning the green suede uppers were kept, the biggest changes were made in the addition of a few shades of premium brown leathers with contrast stitching to the lace panels, tongues, heels, and toes. The lace panels were also graced with brass eyelets and the cupsoles restitched with brown threading to complete the premium transition.

Stay tuned with PaintOrThread.com for the next pair and see more of the DRx headed streetwear thinktank via their site ThePancakeEpidemic.com and don’t forget to follow him on Twitter at @DRxRomanelli

Images via: DrRomanelli.com