New York City, NY - Following a successful Valentine’s Day sellout, NBA star Austin Reaves and performance footwear brand Rigorer will release their first official AR1 collaboration in partnership with KICKS CREW.
The performance footwear brand and Los Angeles Lakers star has had a very successful start to the signature AR line, with KICKS CREW being the bridge that brings the shoes to fans worldwide. KICKS CREW has been the official and only launch partner for Rigorer and Austin Reaves since the debut of the AR1 in August 2023. Now, KICKS CREW will officially be the first brand to have a cobranded collaboration with Austin Reaves’ signature line.
“The KICKS CREW team has welcomed Rigorer and me into the crew like family, and we couldn’t have been prouder to have a partner like them that has helped us bring the AR1 to fans worldwide. This is why we chose them as our first collaboration on such an important release. The ‘17 Rings’ colorway celebrates the championships that inspire me every day and the legends behind them,” said Austin Reaves when discussing his new release.
The AR1 ‘17 Rings’ launch will mark the seventh release from Austin’s signature shoe line. This limited edition collaboration features a Lakers-inspired colorway, combining yellow and purple hues on a white base. The Lakers' championship years are highlighted on the inside of the tongue, while the shoe's medial side displays the franchise's retired jersey numbers. KICKS CREW branding is located on the heel and tongue of the shoe and can also be found on the specially designed packaging.
The AR1 '17 Rings' release also introduces a new and exciting giveback initiative for customers: The Hunt For The Golden Ticket. In the hunt for the Golden Ticket, 17 tickets will be placed in 17 random boxes, with 2 Golden, 5 Purple Tickets, and 10 White Tickets each offering unique prizes.
Engineered to excel, the AR1 features the latest performance technology inspired by Rigorer’s journey in basketball.
Key features include:
- Woven Cocoon Upper represents Austin’s continuous growth; the cocoon-inspired upper offers breathability and lockdown support.
- Showtime Foam Tech Midsole encapsulated in an EVA foam. Rigorer’s latest midsole was designed with players like Austin in mind, who prefer a low-court feel while receiving immediate energy return.
- Bubble Lacing System – an innovative and never-before-seen bubble design utilized on the AR1’s tongue, with encapsulated foam “bubbles” to eliminate lace bite for players.
- Anti-Torsion TPU Plate made with a carbon fiber and nylon composition to enhance midfoot stability while performing lateral movements.
- Anti-Slip Sole with an all-new, zone-patterned traction design engineered with anti-slip rubber for the ultimate court grip.
- Front Sidewall TPU panels are utilized on the lateral sides to enhance forefoot lockdown and eliminate foot slippage.
- Heel TPU to enhance heel stability when landing, preventing severe ankle injuries.
KICKS CREW continues to be the exclusive global launch partner with Rigorer and Reaves for the AR1 ‘17 Rings,’ leveraging the platform’s reputation for offering a borderless shopping experience to consumers worldwide. The platform differs from other marketplaces by connecting authorized retailers and brands to its global audience, with a large majority from the US.
The KICKS CREW x Rigorer AR1 ‘17 Rings’ will be released at 11am ET / 8 am PT on April 6, 2024, exclusively on KICKSCREW.COM for $110 USD. Fans can sign up on the AR1 event page for a chance to win 1 of 5 free pairs.
