HarbaughsLeftElbow

September 19th, 2017 at 8:03 PM ^

Not an expert but here are the current "appeal" rankings in my eyes:

1) Starbury - Marbury's popularity is skyrocketing in the world's biggest market (China) and they really value affordability while still maining sleek design and high quality.

2) Big Baller Brand - they are definitely an up-and-comer and who knows where they will ultimately end up but right now they have a great (albeit pricey) product backed by the world's most well known rookie NBA dad in history. 

3) Champion - Their "old man" game is strong. They have the "unintentionally retro" look nailed down.

4) Jordan - Looks so good in the maize and blue. Kanye/Adidas may have "da millenial generation bro" but Jordan has everyone else hooked.

5) Reyn Spooner - Seeing these Hawaiian shirts make a HUGE COMEBACK at Michigan games this year. Comfortably sported by both aging men and wannabe SEC frat dudes. 

 

Joined: 08/22/2016

MGoPoints: 1651

TheBlueAbides

September 19th, 2017 at 9:20 PM ^

I have had 25-30 pairs over the years, most of them I played in, since they release them so frequently and in so many colors it kills them. Although the apparel is still the best on the market. I haven't bought Jordan shoes in 8 years, then again I'm 30 so who's to say I have any clue how 18 year old 4/5* football recruits feel

Joined: 01/20/2011

MGoPoints: 5733

Bluenin

September 19th, 2017 at 9:38 PM ^

All this hype this week that adidas is now outselling Jordan...blah, blah, blah...reminds me of 2007 when Michigan was making the transition from Nike to adidas and then adidas was supposed to be dominant then. We all know how that turned out...with tire tread patterns on our basketball shorts!! Sorry, seen it all before, adidas will cool off again, just like Under Amour, Reebok, Avia, and so on, then Jordan will be King again just like always!

Joined: 09/19/2017

MGoPoints: 2022

Cromulent

September 19th, 2017 at 10:22 PM ^

The best retro Nike shoe should be a re-introduction of the tough white canvas swoosh pre-Jordass era. Light blue swoosh on white canvas and heavy, tough sole that lasted forever. My last pair lasted me over 20 years and I'm sorry to this day that I threw them away.

Joined: 01/06/2011

MGoPoints: 4538

Lampuki22

September 20th, 2017 at 2:39 AM ^

Was located on liberty next to Thanps. Soccer and shoe store. Worked there one summer into fall.

Eric was a mean old codger but sharp. He told me he used to buy AND INVEST IN whatever the NY and California students showed up wearing in the fall because the Midwest kids would blindly buy it....and get out when the inventory stopped moving or something new did. Dude was rich. Owned an Island in the Bahamas.

He hated some of it...converse high tops and LA gear sneakers. Lol. But didn't let his own taste get in the way of business. Made a killing on Umbro. Lol.

Point being.. Eric knew the game. Fashion changes. Get in and out. Don't be too loyal or take it too seriously. It's all the same crap made in china.

Joined: 09/16/2009

MGoPoints: 7298

BlueinOK

September 20th, 2017 at 8:53 AM ^

I don't care about the numbers, the Jordan brand has more appeal. Kids still love Jordan gear. I work in college athletics at a Nike school and all the kids want is jordan gear. I never hear them say man I wish we had adidas.

Joined: 12/06/2009

MGoPoints: 15029

Blue Know It

September 20th, 2017 at 9:23 AM ^

Just yesterday I saw a newly minted 5* recruit mention it as something he likes about Michigan. So, no. I think it's still working. A huge season this year is what would really put us over the top though.

Joined: 08/05/2014

MGoPoints: 2605

DMack

September 20th, 2017 at 4:34 PM ^

The brand is stil the #1 choice for young people. I think Adidas probably doubled down and tried to gain more of a market presence as has others like Puma, and Under Armor. Bottom line is none of them have the appeal Jordan has (#1).

It's like owning a Chrysler 300 loaded and everyone saying "It looks like a Phantom". But when you pull up next to a Phantom you realize the two arent nearly the same. Sure both have nice brands and Chrysler sells way more vehicles but everybody knows the Chrysler is out of its league. 

Joined: 06/22/2015

MGoPoints: 2727

ST3

September 20th, 2017 at 5:59 PM ^

Am I the only one who wears Wilson tennis shoes? Or is willing to admit that? To be honest, I wear whatever my wife buys me and I have no idea how much they cost. They are shoes, right?

Image result for wilson tennis shoes

EDIT: and Yonex. I wear a ton of Yonex badminton shoes. Tell me Michigan wouldn't look "fly" in a cleated version of these with the all-Maize unis. Just don't stare at them too long, you might go blind.

Joined: 09/11/2010

MGoPoints: 52312