As we dive deeper into May, sunshine is not the only thing on the horizon. Footwear brands from Nike (NYSE:NKE +0.23%) to New Balance are gearing up for an action-packed week of noteworthy launches in the space. However, before we let you know where your hard-earned money is going, let’s recap the past week’s headlines.
The latest installment of Sole Mates features a conversation with Charlotte Hornets style icon Kelly Oubre Jr., focusing on his Converse Run Star Hike Platform Low as he went over his connection with the brand, sneaker origins and more. Earlier in the week, we sat down with the team at Packer to discuss its upcoming adidas FYW Intimidation collaboration. Rounding out the week’s features, Cecilie Bahnsen shared the design journey of her couture-flavored ASICS.
Pivoting to the news from the last seven days, Nike made a statement regarding its Tom Sachs partnership — stating they’re not working together at this time. The brand also shared insights regarding bots on its SNKRS platform, noting that it receives almost 12 billion automated entries per month. Collaborations continue to play a key role for the Swoosh with news surrounding Drake’s NOCTA line pointing to a return of the Nike Air Zoom Drive while an official breakdown of his Hot Step Air Terra “Snakeskin” also arrived. Following his last Air Jordan 1 collaboration, Travis Scott was spotted in a reverse Swoosh-equipped Nike Mac Attack. As for its Jordan Brand subsidiary, first looks at the Air Jordan 4 “Frozen Times” and J Balvin’s Air Jordan 3hit the net.
Elsewhere in the industry, adidas reported its first quarter financial results and blamed the absence of the YEEZY brand on its $448 million USD loss. The Three Stripes also continues to build its collaborative catalog with a look at a new Wales Bonner x adidas Samba, two BAPE x adidas Forum Low colorways and an adidas Originals campaign that prominently features the members of BLACKPINK. Wrapping things up, Breanna Stewart and PUMA Hoops revealed the Stewie 2.
After catching up on last week’s updates in the world of footwear, here’s a glimpse of what’s in store for the next seven days. Following this, be sure to browse what’s currently in stock on HBX.
Nike Air Force 1 & Dunk High “SF Chinatown”
Release Date: May 9
Release Price: $135 USD to $150 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest of its kind in the US and serves as a historic community that has housed countless immigrants for generations. The city was given the nickname “Gold Mountain” as a nod to the California Gold Rush and remains a key cultural neighborhood to this day. For AAPI Month this year, Nike has assembled two special colorways that nod to San Francisco’s Chinatown, landing on the Air Force 1 Low and Dunk High. The former takes on a “Lotus Flower” look that blends pink and white while the latter carries a “Gold Mountain” theme with its white, gray and gold arrangement.
Nike Air Ship “Every Game”
Release Date: May 10
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Asphaltgold
Why You Should Cop: A key part of Nike’s storytelling each year places an emphasis on legacy. For its partnership with Michael Jordan, a crucial element to the story involves the Nike Air Ship. It made a return last year thanks to A Ma Maniére and has been spotted in several general release looks since. With its latest appearance, Nike taps further into Jordan’s history, crafting two “Every Game” colorways that nod to the University of North Carolina practice shorts that he’d wear underneath his NBA shorts every game for good luck. Whether blue and white or red and off-white is your preferred combination, both are a fresh new way to recount Jordan’s legacy.
Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 550 “Taupe” and “Brown”
Release Date: May 10
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Aimé Leon Dore
Why You Should Cop: Across recent years, Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance have not slowed down. Recent projects from the duo have featured the Rainier and 860v2. Now, they’ve revisited the 550 with a fresh take on the ever-popular staple. Arriving in two colorways, suede overlays and a canvas base have combined for two looks lathered in brown and off-white hues. Simple co-branding at the tongue, heel and sockliner gives a nod to the duo while ensuring a minimalist presentation. For those looking to add this pair to their rotation, Aimé Leon Dore’s raffle ends just before the clock strikes midnight on May 10.
Jarritos x Nike SB Dunk Low
Release Date: May 10
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: After an action-packed first week of launches via select skate shops, the Jarritos x Nike SB Dunk Low is arriving via the Swoosh. The latest food and beverage-themed SB Dunk, Jarritos’ flavorful design language gives this colorway a thirst-quenching appeal. The cherry on top? Its hemp overlays are tear-away, revealing additional hits of color upon removal.
Nike Air Zoom Generation “Wolf Grey”
Release Date: May 10
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: LeBron James and Nike Basketball have an extensive history of signature shoes designed in tandem. Returning to shelves this year, the old-school Air Zoom Generation — James’ first signature shoe — blends its retro appeal with a mix of throwback and modern looks. In “Wolf Grey,” it dons a monochromatic display that is absent of color. Its various grays bring out the shoe’s mixed material build while nods to James appear at the tongue and sockliner.
FRGMT x Converse Weapon
Release Date: May 11
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: With decades of experience working together, Hiroshi Fujiwara’s fragment design (FRGMT) and Converse have a well-established partnership. Recently, this included a Converse By You initiative on the Chuck 70 and now features the reintroduction of the Converse Weapon. A silhouette that has been recently reworked by the likes of Rick Owens, it is finally returning in its original form. FRGMT’s much-adored white, black and blue color scheme makes an appearance with its lightning bolt logo at the heel.
New Balance “Grey Day” Pack
Release Date: May 12
Release Price: $120 USD to $220 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: New Balance fans, prepare your wallets as the annual celebration of “Grey Day” is here. The brand’s holiday sees grey looks prepared across a range of sneakers. This year, the event includes looks on the MADE in USA versions of the 998, 990v6, 996, 990v4 and 998 Core. Adding to this, the 9060, 550, 580 and Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 have also been prepared under the “Grey Day” umbrella. Everything from classic New Balance design to modern staples to the latest technology from the brand has been outfitted in grey. If you’re in need of some versatile footwear, this might be the drop for you.
Bodega x Crocs All-Terrain “NICT-TECH” Clog
Release Date: May 12
Release Price: $90 USD
Where to Buy: Bodega
Why You Should Cop: If 2023’s summer is anything like recent years, slip-on silhouettes will be spotted from the beaches of Miami to the streets of New York City. Capitalizing on this, Crocs has thrived with its collaborative clogs that have starred everyone from Salehe Bembury to Lightning McQueen. Its latest special edition of the Classic Clog features Bodega, who has upgraded it to all-terrain form with its “NICT-TECH” version. A retractable woven nylon hood stars in purple alongside a matching pouch while its base form appears with a mossy finish.
Palace x New Balance MADE in UK 991
Release Date: May 12
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Palace
Why You Should Cop: As a London-based brand, Palace teaming up with New Balance’s MADE in UK division is a perfect match. Handling the 991, two unique colorways have been assembled that nod to retro color palettes. The first leverages various browns alongside teal and purple hits that make special note of its material composition. On the other end, gray and black go back and forth while hot pink and purple hues appear in a color distribution that nearly matches the other pair. Lastly, hits of co-branding inform onlookers that these aren’t just any New Balances.
Air Jordan 4 “Thunder”
Release Date: May 13
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: First comes lightning, then comes thunder. Just under two years ago, Jordan Brand reissued its classic Air Jordan 4 “Lightning” colorway. Now, its “Thunder” is finally set to arrive in its second installment since first appearing in 2006. A standard nubuck upper finds itself coated in black while striking hits of yellow light it up at various points. Its heel bears a white Jumpman logo that matches the tongue branding to complete this look.
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