(Nov. 2003)

Ever drove up to a red light with the same model car, same color and same trim at the very next lane? How mundane. Would a girl ever show up at the big dance with the same prom dress as her best friend? Of course not. You are an individual. So why would you settle for the same generic shoes as everyone else?

      That's the idea behind the "design your own shoe" theme at Nike iD. The program has been 4 years running and allows you to pick your very own color combinations for your shoes. The market is definitely there. Why else do you think fakes have become an epidemic in the sneaker industry? Everyone wants to be different, even if it means buying a pair of cheap counterfeit that will fall apart in matter of days. Nike iD gives today's consumer an alternative choice by putting the pen in their hands. It doesn't even matter if your crazy combination produces the worst possible looking shoe, if you ask for it, they'll build it.

Advantages: Create from a huge variety of color combinations. Add your own logo or signature Customize to your own team colors or clothes Disadvantages: Pricey – more expensive than retail Time – takes anywhere between 3-4 weeks to deliver to your door Ruins the collectible value of that model since no special or limited colorways can be considered unique or special.   Product Specs Synthetic Teijin material is perfed for breathability and flexibility. Internalized, ventilated midfoot support strap ensures you are cradled over the midsole. Ventilation is complete with a structural, anatomical sockliner package with a heel Poron insert. A full-length maximum Air-Sole unit and a TPU midsole deliver a cushioned ride. Waffle Grip outsole configuration creates a durable, uncompromising ride.

      We puts Nike iD to the test by trying out one of the hottest releases on the market today – the Air Max 2K3. The Air Max running line has been legendary. From the early 90's, the Air Max series has established a huge following among runners around the world. The line peaked in '95 and re-affirmed that success in '97, but has since been unable to duplicate the same kind of popularity. 5 years later, Nike took a step back and released a shoe that is very much worthy of the Air Max name. The shape of the AM2K3 is reminiscent of the AM'97 and is built on top of nearly the same cushioning platform.

      The moment you step into the AM2K3, you know you've got the real deal. The shoe is instantly comfortable. You will immediantly notice the amazing lightweight of the shoes. Comfort & Fit is near perfect. Cushioning is smooth and pillow like. Very impressive indeed for a shoe that retails $15 less than the Shox R4. The last time a running shoe has been this satisfactory in our opinion? You guessed it - the Air Max '97. The AM2k3 is the much like the AM97 improved, refined and modernized. The look may not be quite as classic of the AM97 just yet, but it is nevertheless very appealing and no doubt will capture everyone's attention at your local gym.

      As for the iD itself, the customization space is very limited. On the black colorway, we were unable to fit the word KicksGuide into the space provided at the ankle area. We settled for a simple and subtle K G, which probably fits the shoe a little better. On the silver colorway, we settled for the #11. If you only have 2 letters like we did, we recommend that you put a space in between, like K G, instead of a crowded KG. Notice the #11 does not have a space and there is a line where the sewing machine connects the two numbers. It may be a small detail but it can be bothersome when viewed up close.

      In terms of the shoe upper, we chose to go with real leather on the black to provide a clean and subdued look. The synthetic leather on the silver is shiny, flashy and goes with the royal blue very well – definitely an eye catcher. They each have its own advantages but the synthetic leather has more color choices and buyers should keep this in mind when they are in the selection process.

      At the body, the black has a silver swoosh which feels painted on. However, the blue swoosh on the silver shoe has a plastic look to go w/ the synthetic theme. The pores throughout the body give the shoe great ventilation when in motion. It also serves as a simple yet catchy design cue that goes hand in hand with the sole. The toe area consist of a silver reflective patch that you just can't change no matter what color you choose for the upper (kind of out of place when you are dealing with other body colors). The rear heel counter has the same problem. Limited to black, silver/white, it will really look out of place on another colored body base.

      The air bubble area is another option where you can pick your colors. We used royal blue on the silver shoe while on the black pair we chose white. The white actually appears creamier than true white in person, and if we could do it over again, we'd probably choose silver over white. At the bottom of the shoe, the Waffle Grip pattern is a reflection of the body's upper. Each individual indentation that you see on the bottom works like soft compound cleats. They grip the ground very well and provide excellent traction. Overall, we are very happy with the AM2K3. At $125, it is also cheaper than the outrageously expensive AM'97 (priced at $160). It is also a better alternative to the Shox R4, which for some reason, just doesn't quite create the same enjoyable results. If you are a casual runner looking for something to walk, train and run around in, the AM2K3 is highly recommended on our list. You can find it in your local stores or should you choose to iD YourSELF, then head over to Niketown.com where you can be as original as your imagination takes you.

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