Campless continues to be the top source for sneaker resell data, so much so that investment bank Goldman Sachs recently reached out to the site's founder for his expertise.

After a meeting with Campless' Josh Luber, Goldman Sachs announced today that Foot Locker and Finish Line sales could be in store for a considerable drop off. Citing factors like market saturation, increased Air Jordan price points, and sellers opting to move their product through channels other than eBay, Luber effectively schooled the experts on what could be a major market shift.

"While there are a number of caveats around the data tracked by Campless, and it should not be viewed in isolation, we believe there is a relationship between the resale and retail markets," said the Goldman Sachs report. The statement also notes that the trend "could have negative sales implications at Foot Locker and Finish Line," which currently hold high ratings at the investment firm.

Weeks back, our own Russ Bengtson predicted that the resell market could be in dire straits, and now it's looking like even more of a possibility as the data is beginning to support the theory.

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The sneaker is a closet staple that knows no genders. Most of us — male or female — have at least one pair of kicks in our closet. (Or, at least, we hope so. Nobody likes achy arches.)

These days, they’re way more than a workout item, and if up-and-coming footwear brand Native Shoes has any say in the matter, their treadmill-bound days are numbered. 

The folks at the Vancouver-based company have the whole “athleisure” concept down to a science; it’s evident in its innovative spring collection that molds to your feet, is super lightweight, washable, and odor-resistant. The funky designs are marketed to be worn anywhere and everywhere, and by anyone.

Oh yeah, did we mention they’re also unisex? Native's vice president of global brand, Shawna Olsten, told us, “We’re a design company that happens to make shoes, and this alleviates any gender constraints. Inspired by the past and informed by the future...we create shoes that are timeless, yet new, and we don’t get tied down by norms."

Whether you're desperate for new kicks or you're a diehard sneakerhead looking for your next fix, you won't be disappointed here. 

Native Unisex Apollo Chukka in Brown/Sprinkle Print, $84.95, available at Amazon and Native Shoes. 

Native Unisex Apollo Chukka in Black/Sprinkle Print, $84.95, available at Amazon and Native Shoes.

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Sneakerheads have a love and hate relationship with Nike's social media accounts. With almost five million Twitter followers and nearly three times as many on the 'Gram, the brand has quite the grip on the footwear market.

However, according to a new report issued by the Harvard Business Review, the Swoosh could actually be doing better than they already are.

According to the HBR, Nike's tweets are amongst the worst in the business world, joining companies like Starbucks, Burberry, and American Express. Meanwhile, brands such as Bank of America, Facebook, and Verizon ranked high on the list of best corporate tweeting. 

So, how can Nike be killing the numbers yet score so poorly? The HBR says it comes down to empathy and making the consumer feel valued. "In our view, empathy consists of three components: reassurance, authenticity and emotional connection. Empathy goes beyond simply solving a problem," said the study.

Although there's no hard examples provided for the Swoosh's ranking, the HBR points to cookie-cutter, bot-like replies as the main reason that companies like Starbucks struggle on social media.

Or maybe this has to do with how angry sneakerheads get at Nike Store's Twitter account nearly every Saturday morning. 

SEE ALSO: A shoe brand no one ever talks about is becoming Nike's biggest threat

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Do you get blisters on your feet while running? Illumiseen provides a helpful tip for runners to prevent these blisters with a “heel lock” or “lace lock” that creates extra friction between the laces at your ankle.

Video courtesy of Illumiseen

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Fashion's trend toward monochromatic dressing is no joke. Single-color outfits (i.e. wearing all black or all white) are taking over our Instagram feeds. And, you know what? Minimalist accounts like @justinryankim, love_aesthetics, and @laurencaruso_ are visually arresting and downright fun to follow. Bonus: They provide their followers with a wealth of sartorial inspiration, should anyone want to replicate the distinctive look.

Brands like adidas are capitalizing on the style while it's peaking in popularity. Yesterday the footwear behemoth that's given us Stan Smiths, Superstars, and a host of other popular kicks teased us with its soon-to-be-released, Ultra Boost 'Triple White' sneakers. The Ultra Boost's lightweight running silhouette isn't new; it's its all-white makeover that has the inter-webs buzzing.  

They're pretty much guaranteed to be an instant success among the minimalist-blogger set this summer — although, we doubt any of these style mavens will be running laps in them. (Keeping white sneakers white is also no joke.)

Crisp, white sneakers are a perfect supplement to your post-Memorial Day wardrobe, blogger or not. Below, we found 8 just-as-cool low-tops, high-tops, and slip-ons to kick it in while we wait for the official launch of adidas' Triple White. Pro styling tip: Pair any of the picks here with a plain, white tee and white jeans to embrace the color scheme of the moment (or lack thereof).

 1. Vans Classic Slip-On Skate Shoes, $39.19, available at Amazon; $47, available at Need Supply.

2. 

Converse Jack Purcell Canvas Low Top Sneaker, $60, available at Amazon and Mr Porter.

 3. 

adidas Stan Smith Sneaker, $74.99, available at Amazon and Nordstrom. 

 4. 

Axel Arigato Low Sneaker with Marble Sole, $215, available at Axel Arigato.

 5. Puma Roma Basic Sneaker, $38.35, available at Amazon.

6. 

New Balance 620 Whiteout Running Sneaker, $99.95, available at Amazon.

7. 

Koio Collective Primo White High-Top Sneaker, $300, available at Koio Collective.

 8. 

adidas Originals Men's Superstar, $79.99, available at Amazon. 

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A lot of people with an interest in menswear also have an appreciation for sneakers.

In more recent times, the two worlds have collided, and it's not uncommon to see a pair of athletic sneakers get paired with more tailored looks.

But wearing sneakers with a suit on a daily basis, which means sporting this look to work, is easier said than done.

Not only because it's not the most simplistic style to master, but a lot of workplaces have restrictions, liberal or literal, on what can be worn.

There are ways to get past this sartorial red tape, though, and it just takes a bit of know how.

There are dressier-looking sneakers and ways to make an outfit better match up with a pair of footwear that's more at home on the tennis court, but to make it a seamless process, here's how to wear sneakers to work (and get away with it).

Consider the work environment.

More and more jobs are shifting to business casual or no-dress-code environments.

For those on the latter end of the spectrum, it means that sneakers are an everyday option and there are no restrictions placed on footwear choices.

Everyone else needs to play by the rules or figure out a way to a more comfortable option in their daily uniforms.

To keep it safe, it's always best to play by the rules and find out ways to break them once you're sure that sneakers are okay to wear at work. Those in the financial field might be forced to wear hard bottom shoes at every junction of their 9-5s, but other places of employment also might frown upon those lacing up a pair of Jordan retros to complete their daily routines. The most important part of anyone's day at work should be doing work, so make sure that sneakers will fly before it becomes necessary to find another job.

Think about the impression that the sneakers are making.

Sneakers say a lot about who we are. Wearing an O.G. runner from the '90s might say that someone is a certain type of collector, or a pair of loud, over-the-top high-tops could indicate the wearer wants to make a statement.

Either way, going to work is first and foremost about conducting business. If it's time to go to an important meeting with big-time clients, then it might not be the wisest decision to lace up a pair of highlighter-yellow ASICS or camp-print Reebok Instapump Furys.

It might even be more appropriate to wear traditional dress shoes. But there's a middle ground, too. Nike Tennis Classics, adidas Stan Smiths, and Common Projects Achilles are appropriate to wear with work attire and they won't look as awkward as the latest signature basketball sneaker when coupled with a pair of chinos or trousers.

When putting on one of these options, it still says, "Hey, I know what's up and I'm not square," but it also notes that someone cares about their job and the perception that others formulate about them. Consider it the best of both worlds.

Have a rotation.

One of the most and fun and painstaking parts of being obsessed with sneakers is picking out what to wear every morning. It can take an hour of contemplation or it can be simple. This is why people have a select few pairs — usually placed by the front door — that they put on before heading out the door and go about their day. Paring down a collection of tens or hundreds or thousands of sneakers to four or five allows even the most serious sneakerheads to be about their business for eight hours a day.

Find sneakers in neutral colors — white, black, grey, navy, or brown — that are simple in design and can be interchanged with a variety of outfits. They all don't have to be minimal low-tops, either. It's OK to wear runners or retro basketball sneakers — think Jordan 1s or adidas Top 10s — if they're in the right colors to almost any job. Keep the rest of the sneakers on ice for important situations, wearing on the weekends, or for going out after work. Not only will they stand out more if worn less frequently, they'll also stay in more pristine condition. Having a few key choices to pick from at the start of the day will also keep people on schedule and keep their minds less cluttered as they have to contemplate more important issues, like how they're going to make money.

Make a statement when necessary.

Here at Complex, we shoot a weekly editorial series that documents the best sneakers worn in the office. We usually compile this story on the same day every week. It's when everyone in the office — or those who like to get involved — dig into their closets and try and one-up each other for a better ranking on the list. The spirit of the competition is all done in good fun. That doesn't mean that everyone expects their co-workers to un-deadstock rare Air Jordans or Air Maxes on a daily basis, although it does happen regularly here, but it's a weekly demonstration of interoffice stunting that everyone is in on.

Not all offices have this same informality or desire to wear better sneakers than the next employee, but there are casual Fridays or events that coworkers go to together. This is the optimal time to break out the latest Concepts collaboration or pair that's been hunted down from an obscure boutique in Europe. Just don't do it when the executives from overseas are making their yearly visit and evaluation. Pick and choose the right moments to show everyone at work how fresh you are.

Wear sneakers to work, don't wear sneakers "to work."

There's absolutely nothing worse than seeing a banker bro in his pinstripe Brooks Brothers suit wearing a pair of Brooks running sneakers during the morning commute, only to slide into a pair of loafers once he ascends to the top of the Time & Life building. Don't do that. It tells the world how uncomfortable "real" shoes are.

An outfit should always be an outfit, and it shouldn't be broken up to just to hop on a train and walk up a subway platform. Find something that looks good but meshes with the mandatory wardrobe. No one is going to get mad at a pair of Nike Flyknits with a suit at 8 a.m., just don't let the bossman see them if that doesn't jive with the office's dress code.

The outfit is just as important as the sneakers.

Sneakers shouldn't be an afterthought. They should be as considered of a choice as the chinos and merino wool sweater you put on regularly. Figure out how everything works together and it will open the door for more opportunities to wear something other than bench made shoes everyday. A pair of Air Max 1s or mono-colored ASICS Gel Lyte Vs can go with almost any ensemble purchased at J.Crew just as much as a pair of boat shoes can. It's all about how it's styled.

If the sneakers are loose and untied and the pants don't fit well, of course the higher-ups are going to think it's a sloppy look. But if the pants fit OK and they're worn with a plain Oxford shirt popping out from underneath a grey sweatshirt, then adidas Pure Boosts might go unnoticed as everyone else is wincing around in their flat-soled shoes.

Always opt for something dark-colored.

Having a clean pair of sneakers isn't all it takes to make them pass as acceptable at sometimes. It often helps to have something either black, or as close to black as possible, as the only thing being worn if they're not shoes.

At first glance, many all-black sneakers go undetected as options that are way cooler than something with brogueing or a leather sole. The less attention they draw, the better. The goal is to wear sneakers and get away with it, not announce to the world that rules are being broken. And that advice can go for multiple aspects in life.

Keep a few pairs under the desk.

Some sneakers look better when they’ve been worn more. The leather breaks in and there’s something special about someone throwing caution to the wind and enjoying what’s on their feet. The workplace, however, is different than what gets appreciated on Instagram, and sneakers that are worn there should also be kept in good shape. Clean them, don’t wear the same pair everyday, and make sure they're still in an overall presentable condition. No one should clock in with trainers that look like they just went through a Spartan Race.

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Sneakers have always had a place on the treadmill or the elliptical, but in recent years, they've proven themselves to be way more than a workout staple. Maybe you've noticed your coworkers wearing their Flyknits or Stan Smiths with jeans on casual Fridays. Maybe you think it looks pretty cool. Maybe you'd like to do the same.

Keep in mind that wearing sneakers to work does require a certain amount of style know-how and finesse (leave the dirty gym shoes at home, please). To get you started on the right foot, we're sharing nine polished-looking kicks to pair with the rest of your business-casual attire. 

1.

Dark colors, like navy and black, are safe options for the office. 

Converse Jack Purcell Sneakers, $70, available at Need Supply.

2.

Athletic sneakers will look more work appropriate in solid colors. 

Nike Free OG 14 Woven-Mesh Sneakers, $120, available at Mr Porter.

3.

If you're choosing color, keep the shoe's silhouette simple. 

SeaVees 08/63 Hermosa Standard Plimsolls, $78, available at East Dane.

4. 

The perforated leather gives this shoe an elevated vibe. 

The Rail 'Novato' Sneaker, $59.90 to $79.95, available at Nordstrom.

5. 

If you're one of the more fashionable guys in your office, then up-and-coming sneaker brand, Axel Arigato, is a must-try. 

Axel Arigato Low Sneaker in Blue Embossed Suede, $215, available at Axel Arigato.

6. 

This suede trainer's warm, earthy tones make it more suited for work or casual, everyday wear than the gym. 

New Balance M996 Sneakers, $160, available at Need Supply.

7.

Slip-on sneakers offer a sleek finish to your outfit.

Vans Embossed Leather Slip-On Sneakers, $65.99, available at Amazon.

8. 

They're not oxfords or brogues, but Reiss' charcoal suede trainers are definitely a step dressier than your average kicks. 

Reiss Lounge Suede Detail Trainers, $245, available at Reiss. 

9. 

Soft pastels will be a welcome addition to someone's summer wardrobe (yours hopefully).

adidas Stan Smith Shoes, $80, available at Zappos.

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The Adidas Samba is an icon. And there's no better shoe to sum up Europe's fetish for trainers.

First introduced in 1950 so footballers could train on frozen ground without skidding around like a baby deer, the Samba became iconic. This was a shoe that immediately felt cool enough for everyday wear, with a personality that belied its super simple original colorway.

No fuss, just black, white and a little gold. All this helped make it Adidas' longest running model and its second biggest selling shoe ever, with 35 million pairs sold to date.

As they prepare the revamp of the legendary trainer, they need to be careful—careful that Britain's provincial towns don't spill out hot-headed blokes baying for the blood of well-paid Herzogenaurach HQ designers like a too-tightly-gripped calzone. One wrong move, one misplaced leather panel, and they'll come for you because Adidas is serious business, and it should all make me feel a bit sick, but it doesn't.

Adidas love is built on a bedrock of football dads moaning about "kids these days," sporting haircuts like Liam Gallagher and even worse shirts, but this is the one thing I understand. This is one the thing they're right about. I just get it. These trainers are great.

It's no surprise Americans don't really understand the frenzy the brand can cause this side of the Atlantic. I imagine their general idea of Adidas is one of Pharrell Williams' dead-eyed glare, a beaming omnipotent demigod in a hat, looking down on the swagless in vacant pause from a mile-wide billboard. That and the Yeezy Boosts.

I always think about Adidas, and the Samba in particular, as being Europe's equivalent of the Air Jordan. To me, every pair of J's look exactly the same, all unwieldy above-the-ankle flash and modernity trumping heritage. Sneakerheads will nonetheless argue why the Is are ace, but the IIs are trash as if they're not identical.

Everyone picks a side and I respect that. In Europe, it's different, and perhaps it says something more about us.

Jordans are heavy and tall—you feel the heft, the work. The weight of what you're wearing is obvious and unmissable. They are the stars and stripes. They are saluting an eagle and shooting a Hummer out of a cannon through a flaming hoop at halftime. They are the American dream, but for your feet.

In contrast, Sambas are unfussy to the point of being practically invisible—comfortable, versatile and with an instant retro charm if you bother to have a look. We also don't mind the fact that pretty much every model looks exactly the same. We're comforted by the familiarity.

The Samba is even allowed the rare luxury of aging in, able to relax and develop a personality of its own with each year's (minor) scrape and well-worn patch adding to the last.

That's part of the beauty of European, and particularly British, Adidas fandom. We let that stuff breathe. We don't cryogenically freeze them through winter. We don't spray enough Crep Protect to Botox them into immovable perfection.

The restoration is half the fun. It's like if you go to a gig, you want whoever is performing to mess up a bit. Just a bit. Just so you know it's real.

You don't pay hard-earned cash to hear a literal, note-for-note CDQ rendition of the album you love. You want those cracks. You want the light rain damage on that guy's voice.

America now finally gets it when it comes to outerwear—who doesn't love the mottled patina of some lived-in indigo, amirite?—but your obsession with box-fresh sneakers is played out. Sambas are at total odds with that. It also helps that they only cost, like, sixty bucks.

Their enduring popularity is partly to do with their domination of football stadium terraces in decades gone by. It's also to do with our pub culture. It's pretty hard to be anal about your shoes when your life is dominated by hanging out in dimly lit boozers with sticky floors and quick-drying lager dropped by guys with barcodes tattooed on the back of their skull.

"To me it's kind of obvious," says Neal Heard, writer of the indispensable book Trainers, when I asked what was up with the UK's original obsession in the late '70s. "Here, there’s a long, long history of youth tribes. Mostly groups of working class kids finding a way to speak to each other, and to the world, by the clothes they wear. It's a way of finding your voice in a world that doesn't let you speak too often. Trainers fell nicely into this remit because they appeal to the nature of gangs and tribes. They came in a variety of colors, a variety of brands and a variety of models, plus they were different to what the generation before had worn."

Maybe our affection for the Samba's minimalism has something to do with our love of brutalist architecture. Or that the black backdrop triply intersected by thick, white lines calls to mind the work of Piet Mondrian or whatever.

But, let's be real, it's definitely pubs and football. Pubs and football are the DJ Whoo Kid of British working class culture: always butting in and making their presence felt, looming large over the landscape, shaping it like big waves on soft cliffs.

And not to get all "BRITAIN IS GREAT AND AMERICA IS A DUMP" on you, but it also speaks to our "famous" sense of irony that one of the island's most beloved brands ain't even British. I couldn't even begin to tell you how far removed the word "Samba" is for many a British male.

For plenty of their target demo, anything further than a barely rhythmic shuffling of the shoulders under duress is deemed highly suspect. When it comes to the Adidas Sambas though, all is fair game.

The kind of men who look like they'd kick your entire face in until it looked like the inside of a savory pie for saying their wife's name wrong gladly wear trainers specifically designed for lithe young men to play ball in. Slim, dainty trainers with suede inserts and a lovely gum sole. What a beautiful contradiction.

All this should put the Samba at the front of Four Pins queue. It's a trainer that nods to heritage, pays homage to people that work way harder than we do and can be worn by you and by people who'd kick the life out of you with equal cachet. Great black leather and suede trainers that get better with age, it doesn’t get much more Cool Dad™ than that.

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Need Supply is easily one the the best online destinations for savvy menswear shoppers. The Richmond, Virginia-based retailer stocks all of the essentials — cool, thick-rimmed sunglasses, leather sneakers, one-pocket tees, handcrafted denim, home curiosities, and indie grooming products — and in a range of price points to suit every budget.

That's just scratching the surface of the site's expansive, inimitable inventory. Below, the shop's creative director, Gabriel Ricioppo, walks us through his summer closet. It's as on point a wardrobe as they come.  

Bonus: Need Supply is hosting a huge, site-wide sale, now through Saturday, June 13 at 11:59pm. Enter the code “GET20” at checkout for 20% off your purchase. (Of course, some exclusion may apply.)

1."I wanted a new pair of sunglasses and I was looking for a heavier frame. These have been a great answer to that. "

Sun Buddies Type 01 Sunglasses Black, $175, available at Need Supply. 

2."These are just great shoes year-round. I wear a lot of white sneakers, so these are a good alternate to that. I’m also fond of the white and black versions."

Buttero Tanino Low Leather Sneaker, $304, available at Need Supply. 

3. "I really liked these the first time I saw them at a press appointment in Japan. Neighborhood is such an interesting brand, I wanted several things from them this spring."

Neighborhood Mil Boxer, $204, available at Need Supply.

4. "A good popover is always necessary, especially from Japan."

Neighborhood Verb, $264, available at Need Supply. 

5. "This suitcase is available in a great colorway that's only available from the Monocle and Rimowa collaboration. They're amazing bags in any color, especially aluminum."

Monocle Monocle X Rimowa Small Multiwheel, $550, available at Need Supply. 

6. "Just so people don’t think I’m getting soft in my old age."

Neighborhood Booze, $140, available at Need Supply. 

7. "For some reason, I'm a geek about trays. This one sits by the bed and has become the resting place for my watch at night."

Monocle Kaymet Aluminum Tray, $20, available at Need Supply.  

8. "A good tee is essential in the summer. These indigo ones are really nice." For a cheaper option, we suggest this one. 

Apolis Indigo Pocket T-Shirt, $68, available at Need Supply.  

9. "Most workdays I wear a blue or white shirt, often an oxford. I've always appreciated how simple, but sophisticated this Kitsune oxford is."

Maison Kitsune Tricolor Patch Classic Shirt, $289, available at Need Supply. 

10. "The length of these chinos is what I'm looking for right now."

Cheap Monday Work Chino, $90, available at Need Supply. 

11. "Hey it's summer, enjoy it."

Gitman Brothers Vintage Aloha Popover, $180, available at Need Supply.  

12. "I hate to say it, but I've been having a little trouble with my back. I've been stocking up on shoes with no laces, and because they’re white, these Birks tick all the boxes for me."

Birkenstock Boston, $150, available at Need Supply. 

13. "The guys at The Hill-Side always use great fabrics. I love the design and appreciate a good pocket square."

The Hill-Side Endo Leaves Pocket Square, $35, available at Need Supply. 

14. "To be honest, I don't wear socks a lot in the summer. When I do, this is a good one."

Anonymous Ism Intact Loafer-In, $20, available at Need Supply.

15. "This is just a great denim wash from Patrik Ervell."

Patrick Ervell Selvedge Denim, $275, available at Need Supply. 

16. "I'm in love with this indigo dye field jacket from Rogue Territory. I just need more cool nights in the summer to wear it."

Rogue Territory Field Jacket, $255, available at Need Supply.   

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If there's one thing I'm personally sick of as a sneaker editor, it's the rise of the brands trying to charge high-end prices for Italian-made, all-white sneakers that are basically knockoffs of the Adidas Stan Smith. It's boring, contrived, and usually perpetrated by people who are jumping on a bandwagon rather than having a genuine appreciation for sneakers. I'm not the only person who feels that way.

Skylar Bergl at Four Pins — he's sitting two desks away as I type this — has had enough of the Common Projects copycats and decided to do a takedown on this topic, titled "We Don't Need Another Minimal Sneaker Brand."

In his piece, he states that this sneaker trend is very similar to the selvedge denim wave that rose a few years ago, with brands coming out of the woodwork to create a simple product at a luxury price point. As Bergl writes, "The basic sneaker has been beaten like a dead horse ready to head to the glue factory. Why not try something a little different? Put a spin on the design and make it something that doesn't immediately elicit groans of "rip-off." Sure, that requires some extra ingenuity, creativity, design, research and time. Undoubtedly, some people will probably hate it. But at least we'll have an opinion."

Read the rest of his complaints here.

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Your sneakers aren't looking so hot these days. That accidental step into a puddle really did them in. The city's sooty streets aren't doing them any favors either. But, just like you wouldn't get rid of a shirt with a stain before trying to launder it, you needn't can you kicks before giving cleaning them a go first. 

If 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon means anything to you at all, then you'll want to add Jason Markk's Essential Shoe Cleaning Kit to your cart. The kit comes with a bristle brush – which helps remove dirt, scuffs, and basically anything else — and a premium sneaker solution. The solution is made from 98.3% natural materials that are gentle on leather, suede, cotton mesh and other delicate materials (from which pricier trainers are often composed). Simply follow the product instructions (which we pasted from the company's website for you, below) and your sneakers will be looking almost as fresh as they did when you purchased them. That's not too shabby. 

Bonus: You can also consult this handy how-to video. 

1. Dip brush into bowl of water
2. Apply liberal amount of solution to brush 
3. Dip brush back into bowl of water 
4. Scrub shoes creating foaming action 
5. Wipe clean with cloth or towel, repeat steps 1-5 as needed 
6. Air dry

Jason Markk Essential Shoe Cleaning Kit, $21.99, available at Amazon.

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Nike’s $1 billion deal to replace Adidas as NBA’s official on-court apparel provider is the latest strategic move in the battle for basketball fans.

Adidas’ 11-year run as the official on-court provider originally cost $400 million, and has won them a lasting connection on social media, according to a Vocativ analysis of brand allegiance. We searched for the clothing brands favored by NBA fans on Facebook and found that Adidas Basketball is the most-liked sports clothing brand, while Jordan (owned by Nike) and Nike Basketball rank 4th and 5th, respectively. When you include all clothing brands, not just sports, Nike Basketball drops to 14th overall while Adidas Basketball remains in first.

That social presence doesn’t add up at the till, though. Despite Adidas’ popularity on social media, Nike still sells 92 percent of America’s basketball shoes, while Adidas only makes up 5.5. percent. Since Nike already owns the footwear market, which is the most profitable sector of sports apparel, their move into official apparel seems to be an attempt at complete domination.

Adidas, for its part, is shifting its focus and targeting players instead, a strategy long favored by its competitor Nike. Last year, Adidas signed four of the top draft picks, such as Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins. But Adidas has a long way to go. While the Germany-based company has endorsement deals with 77 NBA players, Nike has firmly implanted its swoosh on the feet of 284 players.

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Nike is the market leader in sports footwear and apparel. Here are 11 little-known facts about the athletic giant. 

Produced by Devan Joseph. Special thanks to Lara O'Reilly.

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Rancourt & Co. isn't your typical sneaker purveyor. 

Since 1964, the Maine-based company has been hand-stitching moccasins for all of your favorite brands — L.L. Bean, Eastland, and Brooks Brothers among them. 

Now, inspired by heritage classics like Adidas' Stan Smith, Rancourt has released a line of handcrafted, minimalist kicks.

They're called "Court Classics" and they look a lot like the shoe everyone has been trying to copy, the Common Projects Achilles. One major difference between the two is the price: a pair of Court Classics starts at $250 while the Common Projects sneakers are $400.  

Rancourt & Co.'s new sneakers also seem to be aping the venerable Converse Jack Purcells, which have been plagued by quality issues in recent iterations.

It took two years for the Court Classics to come to market, but, as Rancourt notes, it was important for the company to offer a "simple yet traditional high-quality leather sneaker at an affordable price," something they claim was missing from the US market.

The shoes are crafted with materials from around the world, but Rancourt maintains that they're 100% made in Maine. The uppers are cut from a tannery in Maine and lined with a horsehide from a tannery in Chicago; the soles are from Italy; and the footbeds are made in Germany.  

Currently, you can snag a pair of Court Classics for a "pre-order sale price" of $200 ($215 for mid-tops). After that, the shoes will sell for $250 (low) and $265 (mid).

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When you think of Adidas as a brand, what colors come to mind? Chances are, there's just two: white and black. From the Superstar to the Stan Smith, these grayscale colors have become synonymous with the brand, but The Drum says Adidas is doing everything it can to shake that stigma.

"We wanted to dig into this whole idea that color is an emotion," Adidas senior director Kathryn O'Brien said.

Most recently, O'Brien has made a push for purple, which she says was a struggle to pitch. "I almost got thrown out of the window. It takes a lot of trust to dig in to the emotions of what you as a brand do," O'Brien said. Eventually, purple found its way on to one of the brand's biggest sneakers of the year, the Ultra Boost. 

The recent shift comes after a study that found 85 percent of shoppers choose a product based on its color. Adidas hopes that the emotions and feelings tied to certain colors will correlate with the emotions involved in sports, influencing shoppers to opt for color pop over monochrome looks.

Without this line of thinking, we'd never have Pharrell's 50 shades of Superstars.

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Adidas has already done some pretty amazing things this year, but this might be the brand's coolest idea of 2015. 

Partnering with Parley for the Oceans, adidas is looking to make a difference by raising awareness about the awful conditions of the oceans with a new concept Boost design.

Stripping away the model's traditional Primeknit upper and support cages, these Boosts are the first shoe ever to be composed entirely of reclaimed ocean waste.

In other words, these Boosts are quite literally trash — in the best way possible. "We are extremely proud that adidas is joining us in this mission and is putting its creative force behind this partnership to show that it is possible to turn ocean plastic into something cool," Cyrill Gutsch, founder of Parley for the Oceans, said. 

Currently, the sneakers are only in a prototype stage, although we're hearing that an official release in Q1 of 2016 is a possibility. Check out the full unveiling by Eric Liedtke below. 

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BOSTON (AP) — New Balance thinks the U.S. military is dragging its feet.

Last April, the Department of Defense announced military recruits would start using athletic shoes 100 percent made and manufactured in America, in recognition of a law Congress passed in 1941 requiring the department give preference to American-made goods.

Over a year after the announcement, the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines have still not purchased a single sneaker that meets the exacting standards of the 1941 law, known as the Berry Amendment.

Matthew LeBretton, New Balance's vice president of public affairs, is convinced the delays are deliberate "payback" for companies like New Balance that have been vocally lobbying for the change for years.

"We've pushed and pushed to the point where we're at now, and we're still encountering tremendous resistance," he said. "They're not used to being pushed that way and I think that's engendered this animosity."

Mark Wright, a spokesman for the Department of Defense, said the department is simply continuing to test Berry-compliant sneakers.

"We've moved right along since the new policy went into effect last year," he said. "I don't think this is being slow-rolled at all. We're trying to respond to the needs of our forces."

To date, one variant of Boston-based New Balance's proposed 950v2 sneaker has passed the military's testing, after a previous version failed last year. Two other styles of the same shoe — covering the different foot and gait types that the military requires shoe companies offer — are still being tested.

No other shoe brand appears to be going through the testing; Saucony, another Massachusetts-based footwear company, said it's developing a sneaker that eventually could be considered for military use.

Matthew Priest, president of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, doesn't believe there's anything nefarious going on, despite New Balance's concerns.

"The military is a bureaucracy like any other agency in the federal government," he said, stressing that his association is remaining "neutral" in the fight because some of its members benefit from the policy change while others don't. "Things just take time."

Others see the delays as concerning.

Juanita Duggan, president and CEO for the American Apparel and Footwear Association, said in a recent letter to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter that the "sluggish and drawn-out process" is preventing domestic shoemakers from hiring and retaining U.S. workers for their factories.

U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, a Massachusetts Democrat whose district includes one of New Balance's five American factories, says the Defense Department needs to step up.

"There have been signs of movement in the approval process, but it is time for (the department) to make more significant progress and reconcile what they perceive as challenges to moving forward," she said.

New Balance and Saucony suggest part of the problem lies in an inefficient testing regimen.

Wright said the process involves an inquiry to assure that all shoe components are sourced, made and assembled in the U.S., followed by a "wear test" that lasts roughly 90 days in which soldiers put them through the paces and then fill out a report on how they felt.

"We know it won't change overnight," said David Costello, a spokesman for Wolverine Worldwide, Saucony's parent company. "The wheels of government tend to move slowly."

Frank Kendall, an Under Secretary of Defense, said in a March letter to Tsongas that the tests are being done one shoe type at a time because of a limited number of testers. He expects evaluations of New Balance's three shoe variants to be done by September.

LeBretton said the testing is the most protracted the company, which is already the sole provider of sneakers for the Navy, has ever been involved in.

The U.S. Coast Guard, he notes, has already moved to comply with the Berry Amendment even though it doesn't fall under the Pentagon's revised policy.

The Coast Guard, which is overseen by the Department of Homeland Security, recently tapped New Balance, which it had a previous contract with, to provide thousands of American-made sneakers for its recruits.

"It's mind-boggling," LeBretton said. "It certainly highlights that there is this institutional slowdown" at the Pentagon.

Wright, of the Department of Defense, stresses the military is committed to honoring the "spirit" of the Berry Amendment even as it maintains sneakers are technically not part of a soldier's officially issued uniform and shouldn't be subject to the rule.

Currently, most recruits are given a one-time voucher to purchase sneakers at military supply stores that have met certain standards. Among the brands offered recruits are Asics, Brooks and New Balance.

New Balance and its supporters maintain the Berry Amendment should still apply, whether or not the military "issues" the sneakers or gives recruits a stipend to purchase them. "The bottom line is that the law is the law and the military needs to follow the law," LeBretton said.

At New Balance's factory in Boston, plant manager Tim Luke said the company remains at the ready.

It's already invested in new equipment and training and begun ramping up production of "tens of thousands" of pairs of its Berry-compliant model.

"There's a huge pride factor in this. We recognize where these shoes are going to go," Luke said during a recent factory tour. "By now, we have the process completely defined and refined so when the chance finally comes, we're ready to go."

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Today’s best workout sneakers are streamlined for maximum comfort and support. The designs feature anatomically correct flex grooves, ventilating technology, and breathable mesh panels, for starters. 

The top picks among athletes, both professional and amateur, are also exceedingly lightweight — some of the sneakers are so light you’ll forget you have shoes on at all. It makes sense that the less bulk you have on your feet, the more agile you'll feel when working out. Here are 7 affordable pairs to use while running, jogging, cycling, and more.

ASICS Men's GEL-Super J33 Running Shoe, $51.99-$69.99.

adidas Performance Men's Rocket Boost Running Shoe, $125.

Reebok Men’s Twistform MT Running Shoe, $62.30.

New Balance Men's M775V1 Running Shoe, $59.98.

Saucony Men's Endorphin Racer Racing Flat, $47.16-$110.36.

Nike Zoom Fly 2, $90. 

PUMA Men's Ignite Running Shoe, $64.99-$100.

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Sneakers have a longer history than you might think.

Far from being a modern phenomenon, the first sneakers appeared in the mid-1800s as running shoes. Unlike the sneakers of today, they looked more like a dress shoe, but with spiked soles.

As sneakers have evolved, they've transitioned from a sportswear staple to a fashion statement. As such, The Brooklyn Museum is hosting a traveling exhibit, "The Rise of Sneaker Culture" (through Oct. 4), presented by the Bata Shoe Museum of Toronto.

Keep scrolling to see the exhibit's ranking of the 18 most influential sneakers.

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18. Nike x Tom Sachs NikeCraft Lunar Underboot Aeroply Experimentation Research Boot Prototype, 2008–12

17. Nike Foamposite, 1997

16. Nike Air Jordan III, 1988

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Converse is taking cues from its parent company, Nike, Bloomberg reports.

In a release, Converse announced a revamped version of the classic Chuck Taylors called the Chuck Taylor All Star II, designed with comfort in mind. The shoes utilize Nike's Lunarlon sockliner to create maximum arch support and comfort.

"The Chuck Taylor All Star is one of the most legendary and iconic sneakers of all time," Converse CEO and President, Jim Calhoun, said in the release. "The launch of Chuck II is a ground-breaking moment for Converse as we continue to move the brand forward through creativity and innovation, ushering in not just a new sneaker, but a completely new way of speaking."

Calhoun was aware that people did not find the original Chuck Taylor All Star shoes to provide optimum comfort. "I love them, I just wish I could wear them for more than a couple hours," he said to Bloomberg, when citing what people complain about when they talk about the iconic shoes. "Kids are growing up in a world where they know comfort, expect comfort, and won't stand for discomfort," he added.

The release adds that the shoe also features a padded collar, a non-slip gusseted tongue, and a perforated microsuede liner. The shoe style itself remains the same, with the signature All Star logo.

Converse sneakers are incredibly popular. In fact, last fall, Nike went so far as to sue other brands that allegedly imitated the signature All Star look.

Parent company Nike remains a favorite brand among millennials. It's also the largest athletic apparel company in the United States.

The shoes will be available in stores on Tuesday, July 28.

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