With just over two weeks left until May draws to a close, the world’s major footwear brands have readied a handsome crop of new releases this week. These next seven days will see a bevy of appealing drops from striking collaborations and GRs from the likes of Nike (NYSE:NKE -5.70%) , Jordan Brand, New Balance and more, but before we break everything down let’s first check in on what went down over the last seven days. For the latest installment of Sole Mates, we chatted with the co-founders of IMAGE NY Perry Shum and Gregory Lam about how they built their consignment store business and their love for the fragment design x Air Jordan 1 High and Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement.” We also captured an in-depth look at the CLOT x Air Jordan 5 Low, which made it in this week’s round-up.
Staying on the topic of Jordans, last week also involved the emergence of official images of the 2022 Air Jordan 5 “Green Bean” and the Naruto x Jordan Air 200E SP “Jōnin,” and 23XI Racing gave Kurt Busch’s car an Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” inspired paint job.
A surplus of Nike news arose last week as well. Some of the most striking headlines include that of Kyrie Irving’s contract potentially coming to an end after next season, Nike claiming that StockX sells counterfeit shoes and Travis Scott’s Nike Air Max 1s and Air Trainer 1s getting a release date. In addition, early pictures of the forthcoming Skate Like a Girl x Nike SB Dunk Low popped up.
The Three Stripes crew chimed in on the action in a major way as well. Official campaign shots of its anticipated collaboration with Gucci were unveiled and we also got to see adidas’ newest collaboration with Palace and a first look at the adidas YEEZY 700 V3 “Carbon Fade.” In terms of other brands, Converse dropped an All Star collaboration with Pokémon, tobyato received his own ASICS NOVABLAST SPS collaboaration and Warner Bros. and Reebok expanded its Looney Tunes capsule.
Since we’ve got you all up to speed now, let’s dive into this week’s best sneaker drops here below. When you finish sifting through those, head over to HBX to check out more footwear offerings. Nike Dunk High “Championship Red”
Release Date: May 17 Release Price: $115 USD Where to Buy: SNKRS Why You Should Cop: If you haven’t been able to cop a pair of Dunks by now that’d be super surprising considering that the market has been flooded with them. However, don’t fret if you haven’t yet as a barrage of new colorways are heading your way this Spring/Summer, one being this “Championship Red” colorway. The kicks lean on the “St. John’s” palette by making use of its titular tone to cover the Swooshes and overlays while the other panels show face in white. JJJJound x New Balance 990v3 “Brown/Black”
Release Date: May 18 (New Balance restock)
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: The beauty about JJJJound’s latest footwear collaborations is that they’ve always been giving fans two times to cop. The latest offering in their catalog is the JJJJound x New Balance 990v3 “Brown/Black” makeup, and it’s now gearing up for a wider release. An earthy brown hue dominates the upper half while solid black accents are positioned atop the N logos, laces and sole pieces.
Nike LeBron 9 Low “LeBronald Palmer”
Release Date: May 19 Release Price: $200 USD Where to Buy: SNKRS Why You Should Cop: Nike has been digging through the archives to find classic colorways from LeBron’s catalog to bring back, and one that will finally see another release is the Nike LeBron 19 Low “LeBronald Palmer.” Inspired by the four-time champion’s favorite beverage, the kicks are plastered with bold and bright floral graphics and along with brighter lime, mango and green accents to nod to the ½ iced tea ½ lemonade drink. Stüssy x Nike Air Force 1 Mid “Black/White”
Release Date: May 19
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop:As expected, the initial drop of the Stussy x Nike Air Force 1 Mid collection sold out nearly instantly last weekend. However, Nike is granting you another shot at the “Black/Light Bone” pair through the SNKRS app, so be sure to set your alarms and make sure that you’re awake for the draw on release day. The yin and yang-colored kicks are styled with various Stüssy hits across the toe boxes, tongues heels and straps.
CLOT x Air Jordan 5 Low “Jade”
Release Date: May 20
Release Price: $175 USD
Where to Buy: JUICE
Why You Should Cop: It’s no secret that CLOT and Jordan Brand have forged a strong bond over the years because it seems as though they keep finding ways to work together on collaborative footwear. This year, the two reunite to fashion a special Air Jordan 5 Low collaboration that nods to the East and the West. The team-up is designed to celebrate the every aspect of jade stones whether it’s the way they look, how they’re made and more. Special details include the multiple sets of jade rings that are adjacent to the throat along with the 23 branding across the lateral heels in Chinese lettering.
Nike Air Force 1 Mid Jewel “NYC Midnight Navy”
Release Date: May 20
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: New York City will forever hold a special place in Nike’s heart for its bustling pop culture and strong sports scene. Every now and then, the brand will shout out the Big Apple with city-inspired footwear and this week we’re seeing an Air Force 1 Mid Jewel “NYC Midnight Navy” colorway get brought into fruition. Whit uppers are complemented by Navy “NYC” strap hits and pinstriped liners, as well as gum bottoms for a motif that points to the Yankees colors.
Maison Margiela x Reebok “Memory Of” Collection
Release Date: May 20
Release Price: $400 USD
Where to Buy: Reebok and Maison Margiela
Why You Should Cop: One consistent crossover relationship that we keep seeing in the footwear realm is Maison Margiela and Reebok consistently dropping collaborative footwear. The brand’s elevated “Memory Of” collection is gearing up for some major expansion as deconstructed variations of the Question Mid, Instapump Fury and the Zig 3D Storm. Each comes in black and white colorways and is styled with luxe gilded accents.
Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 9060 “Penny Cookie Pink”
Release Date: May 20
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: Joe Freshgoods continues to make waves across the streetwear and sneaker industry with his collaborations and creative direction, and his latest 9060 “Inside Voices” is on deck. From the time that early images of the pairs surfaced online, sneakerheads have been swooning over the bold colorways. The “Baby Shower Blue” pair dropped exclusively through IG today, leaving the “Penny Cookie Pink” offering left to release to the masses. This makeup is inspired by Chicago’s own Funsnax Frosted Strawberry Cookies from Mrs. Pure.
Air Jordan 4 “Military Black”
Release Date: May 21
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Sometimes all it takes to capture the attention from sneakerheads is when a classic color scheme is slightly modified. The Air Jordan 4 “Military Black” is a prime example of that as it borrows elements from the iconic “Military Blue” iteration and arrives with a completely grayscale appearance. For those who are looking to pick up a versatile pair if J’s to rock all-year long, these would certainly make for a nice pick up.
Rui Hachimura x Air Jordan 8 “Black Samurai”
Release Date: May 23 Release Price: $225 USD Where to Buy: SNKRS Why You Should Cop: Rui Hachimura’s line with Jordan Brand has primarily been centered around court-ready player exclusives, but now the NBA hooper is taking things a step further and stepping into the retro realm. The brand has given him an opportunity to create his own Air Jordan 8 “Black Samurai” colorway. It’s furnished with special insole graphics as well as Japanese characters on the tongues that represent his African American and Japanese cultures.
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Article reposted with permission fromhypebeast.com