Nike Park: Sporting of you

The ultimate sportsman’s — and woman’s — haunt, Nike Park houses all of the brand’s goods in one large, cool space. Divided into sections, the bright retail outlet focuses on sections devoted to training, running and tennis. On the ladies’ corner, a shoe wall runs along one side, displaying colorful kicks in the current Nike style: vivid ribbons of color run through the sporty footwear.

The men’s side, though less colorful, is far from somber. Here, basketball jerseys mingle with cropped jackets and hoodies, while sleek running gear decorates racks.

Fans of vintage sportswear won’t have to head far because Nike’s devoted a whole section to the old-school apparel and accessories. Air hostess-style bags, vintage sneaks and jackets emblazoned with vintage scribbles are just a few of the things to check out.

Nike Park is located at the second level, Sports Zone of TriNoma.

Crumpler: Pack rat’s club

If it exists, no doubt Crumpler has a bag for it. The sporty bag label, best known for those colorful, somewhat preppy messenger bags kids have been toting to school of late, is like the container store of satchels. The label’s range includes messengers bags, laptop bags, laptop backpacks, camera bags, pouches, cellphone bags and lots, lots more.

Bagaholics can meet their match with Crumpler’s numerous styles. The aforementioned messenger bag, for example, comes in varying styles: the Status Belly (small wide bag with wide shoulder strap and internal pockets), the Quarfie (flat-bottomed bag with wide flap), the Western Lawn (rectangular shaped bag with a single stripe) and the Bucket (bucket bag with padded insert).

Perhaps what’s most appealing about Crumpler, besides its easy-on-the-eyes designs and hardy materials, is its sense of humor. Those bag names don’t come any funnier. If you don’t believe me, then perhaps you can settle for the farewell note scribbled on the back of the Crumpler catalog: “No ifs, no buts: Crumpler bags are good bags. Thank you for listening and good night.” Crumpler is located at the third level of TriNoma.

Havaianas: Sensing a pattern here

The Brazilian slipper label found a home in All Flip-Flops, which solely retails Havaianas. Despite a strong presence in other malls, the slipper store is going strong at TriNoma with the cash register ringing in sales practically every minute.

What’s the secret? Havaianas knows that, while the basic slippers are a must, consumers go shop crazy over the latest prints — which many collect religiously. The latest prints include sweet butterflies, flora and fauna, hearts and camouflage.

The store itself resembles a ship — with its efficient use of space (two walls of slippers on both sides with a bench for fitting in between) and a sloping wall (much like a bulwark). The store incorporated textured walls and inset squares with racks of slippers jutting out and soothing to the eye, like undulating waves.

All Flip-Flops is located at the second level, Sports Zone of TriNoma.

Ecko Unlimited: Beyond limits

Best known for its ties to the hip-hop world, Ecko Unlimited, the label headed by T-shirt-entrepreneur-turned-fashion mogul Marc Ecko whose enterprise recently reported $1 billion in sales, remains true to Ecko’s roots. Bold red graffiti-covered interiors mark the store in true trendy fashion.

Ecko’s fashions are etched distinctly in a New York narrative: Skulls, urban cityscapes and graffiti decorate much of the apparel. And at the bottom of a sneaker, one line tellingly reads: “Dreams come true… in New York.” The spirit of Brooklyn comes on strong in this label, with fitted tank dresses, hoodies with bright lettering splayed on the back, T-shirts stamped with NY and footwear boldly covered with the Ecko Unlimited insignia: a rhino.

Instead of the usual animal — deer or birds — Ecko playfully riffs on the tongue-in-cheek trend with the rhino, an incongruous yet somehow appropriate figurehead for a label that merges the dangerous streets of Queens with the playful, graffiti-covered walls of Brooklyn.

Ecko Unlimited is located at the second level, Sports Zone of TriNoma.

Stoked Inc.:

All a-board

Surfers, skaters, wakeboarders, beachcombers and wannabes shop at Stoked Inc. because the store is packed with goodies for almost every water sport. Skate, wake, skim and surf boards dot almost every surface of this bohemian joint. Stoked imports from all over the world: Anakapa and NSP are surfboards from Hawaii, Liquid Force and Hyper Light are wake boards from the US, while Zero, Baker and Foundation are skateboards from the US.

On one rack, men’s apparel — ranging from rasta jackets to belly-baring surf shorts — covers one side, and on another rack, women’s swimwear — cuter-than-cute bikinis from Australian label Billabong and Voodoo Dolls — covers the other. Guys can depend on labels like Stussy, Hurley and Ezekiel for tops and Zoo York for shoes and apparel. According to Stoked’s manager, the rates for all their products are competitive, so beach boys tend to favor this store a lot.

Stoked Inc. is located at the second level, Sports Zone of TriNoma.