Nike‘s relationship with the Lance Armstrong Foundation is no passing fad; since 2004 the brand has helped raise more than $80 million to fight cancer using innovative products and designs specially tailored toward athletes. Helping to strengthen this bond and catch the eye of your competition is a new take on the Nike LIVESTRONG Vapor Jacket first released this past December as a key piece of the Holiday 2011 Collection. This ultra-lightweight 100% polyester jacket features a scuba hood with built-in drawcord, hemmed cuffs, and the LIVESTRONG logo on the zipper pull, each working to keep you safe from the elements. The chest and hip pockets also zip shut and blend into the jacket’s new ring print in either a Wolf Grey/Varsity Maize or Black/Varsity Maize colorway. Check out detailed photos after the jump before heading to a Nike retailer or their online store.

On October 2nd, 1996, professional cyclist Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer. On January 8th, 1997, he started the Lance Armstrong Foundation to provide support and hope for the millions of people around the world affected by cancer. By 1999 Lance was already back on his bike, and starting from that year to 2005, he won the Tour de France a record seven times. Nike has been a longtime supporter of Lance Armstrong and his foundation, now known as Livestrong. It’s a partnership highlighted by a full line of workout gear, and of course the yellow Livestrong bracelet launched in 2004. Today, the mission remains the same: to inspire and empower. On the fifteenth anniversary of the Livestrong foundation, Nike presents 15 ways to Livestrong. Check out the list after the click.

Nike‘s Holiday 2011 LIVESTRONG collection, consisting of footwear, apparel and accessories, is set to launch beginning October 1st, 2011. The men’s footwear selection is made up of the Trainer Mid LAF, Woodside LAF and Lunarglide+3 LAF, all featuring a color palette of black and grey with yellow accents. The apparel line features lightweight layers like the LIVESTRONG Phenom Vapor Jacket, KO Hoodie and Therma-Fit training pants, as well as shorts and logo tee, both in moisture-wicking Dri-Fit material. Ladies receive a trio of running shoes in white colorways — Air Max Navigate Leather LAF, Zoom Vomero+ 6 LAF and Lunarglide+3 LAF — and an apparel assortment made up of Scoop Hoodie, Phenom Jacket, Pro Bra III, Scoop Pant, Element Capri and Dri-Fit tee, all featuring lightweight construction and performance-ready design. Click through for more looks, and expect the Holiday 2011 LIVESTRONG collection to hit Nike global retailers, as well as online, on October 1st.

Release Date: October 1st, 2011 (Saturday)

Among the newest Nike shoes to be released under the familiar yellow and black of the LIVESTRONG imprint is the LIVESTRONG Free Xilla. The shoe combines lightweight support with ample cushioning, along with the simulated barefoot ride that the unique Nike Free technology delivers. Other features include a mesh inner sleeve, as well as an innovative dual-pull lacing system for a snug, secure fit. Deep flex grooves throughout the outsole provides maximum flexibility, mimicking the foot’s motion in barefoot running. In short, the LIVESTRONG Free Xilla will handle your toughest workout. Available now at NikeStore.com.

Style: 456452-071
Color: Black/Varsity Maize-White

Just because Livestrong is too often associate only with a cliche rubber bracelet, and a popular Yellow/Black/Grey Nike colorway, it’s good to remind ourselves that the foundation creates “a relevant, vibrant cancer movement based on evidence and by investing in strategic solutions.” No societal effort to fight sickness and disease has ever enjoyed such popular coolness, with such a proactive message. Of course, part of the momentum results from Nike pushing a huge amount of Yellow/Black/Grey product. And Lance and Livestrong are also a Nike dream come true: one of the greatest athletes ever in one of the most grueling sports, who famously runs marathons and makes athletics a part of his personal life, plus that feeling that by buying, you’re doing something good. Whether it’s all that nonsense, or just the appeal of the Livestrong colors, Spring 2011 is going to bring a full collection of footwear from Livestrong: a Nike Air Max+ LAF, a Lunarhaze+ LAF, a Lunarfly+ 2 (in yellow/black/white and blue/grey/yellow), and a Trainer 1.2 Low LAF. Plus, for women, a Air Max+ LAF, an Air Lunarhaze+, an Air Lunarhaze+ 2 LAF (also in two colors: black/silver/yellow and green/silver/yellow), and the Free Hypertr II LAF. Preview images haven’t been released yet, but there is a full preview video, which gives a full 360 rotation of each shoe. Check out the video after the jump. via: BikeReviews.com.

Nike Sportswear will release a special collaboration Blazer Mid Supreme with Lance Armstrong as a part of the ongoing LIVESTRONG collaboration collection of products. This new Nike Sportswear x LIVESTRONG Blazer comes in a similar colorway as the Dunk High Supreme that was released only a few months ago. Colored in an all Black upper with a small accent of the LIVESTRONG signature Yellow this Blazer uses a glossy leather on the entire upper of the shoe. Additionally the tongue is branded with a LIVESTRONG logo while the lace loop comes colored in the cycling world champion racing stripes. Pick these up this Saturday at select Nike doors including Nike Sportswear at 21 Mercer which has officially re-opened for business.

Nike Sportswear
21 Mercer Street | Map
New York, NY 10013
TEL#: 212-226-5433

Originally believed to be a Nike Dunk High Premium, this Nike x LIVESTRONG Dunk is actually a Supreme level Dunk that features Nike’s Zoom Air cushioning that gives the shoe added comfort. This pair of Tier Zero Nike Sportswear Dunk’s is part of the ongoing collaboration between Nike Sportswear and Lance Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG. The all Black Dunk High features a premium smooth leather on the upper and a touch of Yellow on the outsole as well as a multi-colored heel. The LIVESTRONG logo is emblazoned on the tongue of the shoe and a second set of Yellow laces can be found in the box. Considering this a limited Tier Zero release these shoes will go quick if they haven’t been sold out already. via: sneakersnstuff

Yet another collaboartion between LIVESTRONG and Nike Sportswear comes in the form of a Blazer done up in premium materials. If you even remotely follow the sneaker game, you know that there have been some amazing collaborations in the past between these two, including a Dunk High collaboration with Undefeated, which looks similar to this Blazer in it’s mostly monochromatic upper, apart from the yellow shadowing on the border of the swoosh and rainbow eyelet on the tongue. Rumored to be a Tier Zero release, for now, this model is due out at the Berlin sneaker mainstay, Firmament, on Saturday, July 24th. Stay tuned for domestic release information or contact your European hookups for this grown up, “Supreme” model of the Blazer. via HS

There is still a while to go for the physically and mentally taxing Tour de France, and sadly, Lance Armstrong is out of the running. However, with his good work with LIVESTRONG and stunning performance from his career, his stories live on. For those who have been keeping an eye on the LIVESTRONG releases recently, the bicycle print is one big player in the line-up of kicks, be it subtle or bold. However, like any other sneaker line-ups, some will never see the light of day on racks. Here is a sweet pair (pun intended), a unreleased Nike Sweet Classic High LIVESTRONG promo sample that is up for bidding on ebay.

The wise has once said, time will seem to pass exponentially faster as one ages. Perhaps over here at Freshness, we have been plagued with the incurable problem of aging, and it is difficult to believe that 2010 is already half over. As June segues into July, many things have wrapped up this week. LeBron has decided that he will be calling sunny Miami his new home, and Spain has emerged victorious as the new 2010 FIFA World Cup champion (with condolences to Netherlands). On the technical front, Google has finally hit a new note of resolution with China. On that note, we shall close out with a few key things to note for the end of the first half of the year (from this week), and hope for better things to come for the rest of the year.

With the exception of pristine mountain air, there is nothing innocent about tomorrow’s Stage 7 on Tour de France. From the town of Tournus to the remote ski destination of Station des Rousses, the treacherous introduction to The Alps is marked with a total of 6 climbs – three category 2, two category 3, and one category. The brutality of the route will start at the 40 km mark. Afterward, there will not be any level roads. Instead, the cyclists will have to deal with the see-saw effect of ascent and descent through mountain passage.

It is also on the route’s practice run Lance Armstrong realized an allegory, a similarity to the battle against cancer. Aside from the ever-changing landscape of their physical well being, cancer patients have to deal with the emotional toll and psychological state, all issues too familiar to Armstrong during his battle with cancer. So on the route to Station des Rousses tomorrow, there will 2 armies hitting the road, one of the riders in the peloton, the other of the thousands of cancer patients and survivors Armstrong will be riding for.

Officially announced during the later half of the 2009 Le Tour de France, Team RadioShack is a brand new professional outfit in contingency to win the title this year. Though the first time in the Tour, most sports analysts considered the team to be a formidable competitor, mainly because the “human factor” behind it. Team RadioShack’s manager is none other than Johan Bruyneel, the man who led U.S. Postal, and more recently, Astana, to a total of 9 Tour de France wins. Then there are the riders, 8 of which are from Team Astana, including Levi Leipheimer, Chris Horner, and Andreas Klöden. Lastly, there is the co-owner and lead rider for Team RadioShack, Lance Armstrong.

In its continue sponsorship of Lance Armstrong’s quest for the 8th Tour de France title and his LIVESTRONG campaign for the fight against cancer, Nike expanded the LIVESTRONG Collection this month for greater availability and wider product range, including the new LunarGlide+ 2. An exception to the long-standing yellow/black color scheme for LIVESTRONG however, this LunarGlide+ 2 is in Dark Grey and Varsity Red, an exact coordination to Team RadioShack uniforms. So take a closer look at the next telecast of Tour de France, you might just spot Armstrong wearing it on his rest day. Or you just own one out right from NikeStore.com.

Style: 408922-067
Color: Dark Grey/Challenge Red-Varsity Maize-Black