With just over two weeks left until 2020 draws to a blissful close, the world’s best footwear brands are putting a bow on their yearly release slates. These next seven days will see several appealing drops ranging from holiday-themed Nike kicks to adidas collaborations and much more, but before we dive into everything coming up let’s check in on what went down over the last seven days first.
For the latest weekly installment of Sole Mates, HYPEBEAST spoke with renowned artist and designer Steven Harrington about his lifelong love for Nike’s Air Force 1. We also chatted with Salehe Bembury about being named “Footwear Designer Of the Year” and interviewed Joe FreshGoods about his impending Converse capsule.
New collaborations and classic bringbacks were the name of the game last week. Kid Cudi officially announced the release of his first signature shoe with adidas — a style that, as you surely see above, is leading this week’s drops list. We were given a detailed look at Trophy Room’s Air Jordan 1, and got the interesting story behind it to boot. The aforementioned Salehe Bembury got in on the mix as well, with an official release announcement for his long-awaited ANTA sneakers. Telfar made unexpected noise with two Converse Chuck 70s, Manilla’s TITAN continued their run of high-end hoop shoes with lightning bolt-equipped Air Jordan 23s and Air Jordan 35s and Medicom Toy capped off an eventful year with Nike SB by revealing a SB Blazer Low collaboration.
Jordan Brand had an eventful in-line week as well, lead by the announcement that the beloved Air Jordan 6 “Carmine” would return in 2021 to celebrate its 30th anniversary. We saw official images of the Air Jordan 1 “Chinese New Year,” a lotus root and ox graphic-equipped style, and also peeped the Air Jordan 12 “Varsity Red.” Rounding off the slate of Jumpman news was our introduction to two colorways of the convertible Air Jordan 1 High Switch: “Purple Pulse” and “Light Smoke Grey.”
Finally, hoop fans were delighted to see official images of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch” — a style that’s reportedly dropping on Christmas Eve — and learn more about James Harden’s upcoming adidas Harden Vol. 5. John Geiger released the second colorway of his GF-01 silhouette, and Nike’s Adapt Auto Max surfaced in a “Jetstream” colorway.
Now that you’re fully refreshed on last week’s news, let’s get into this week’s drops. As always, note that any shoes listed below may be pushed back due to the continued effects of the coronavirus and head over to HBX to check out other new footwear styles
Nike Air Max 95 “Neon”
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Release Date: December 17
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: If the Air Max 95 “Neon” was a song, it would probably be Mark Morrison’s “Return Of the Mack.” Think about it: it’s endlessly popular, guaranteed to garner the favor of new acolytes and avid fans alike, and will never go out of style. Musical comparisons aside, the “Neon” is undeniably one of Nike Sportswear’s most beloved Air Max silhouettes ever — and this true to the original re-release nails all the details.
Kid Cudi x adidas Vadawam 326
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Release Date: December 17
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: adidas and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: December has been a heck of a month for Kid Cudi. First his Man On the Moon III: The Chosen dropped to rave reviews from fans and critics alike and now he’s taking the next step in his adidas partnership by releasing his first signature sneaker: the Vadawam 326. Named after his daughter and inspired by the hopefully notion of “positivity through creativity,” the Vadawam is a space-ready sneaker with a high cut and EQT-style details that’s perfectly in line with Cuddder’s astral aesthetic.
sacai x Nike Vaporwaffle “Villain Red” and “Tour Yellow”
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Release Date: December 17 (Tour Yellow)/December 21 (Villian Red)
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Ever heard the old adage “so nice you’ve got to do it twice?” sacai and Nike certainly have. After their collaborative Vaporwaffle debuted in two colorways earlier this month, it’s back with another two-scoop serving — namely “Villian Red” and “Tour Yellow” styles. More colorful than their black/white and white/red/blue predecessors, both pairs offer two midsoles, two Swooshes, two sets of laces, two tongues and more. Sometimes, seeing double is a good thing.
Joe Freshgoods x Converse Pro Leather and Chuck 70 Hi
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Converse
Release Date: December 17
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Converse
Why You Should Cop: If you think “bootleg” still has a negative connotation, you might want to get with the times. Bootleg designs both retro and fresh are enjoying a wave of popularity in 2020, and are often more compelling than their “official” counterparts. However, Chicago-based designer Joe Freshgoods has managed to bring “official” and “unofficial” together with his new Converse collaboration: bootleg-inspired Pro Leathers and Chuck 70 His, the latter of which has yet to receive official photos. Rich in color and lively in style, Freshgoods’ latest is a rollicking romp of playfulness and a nod to ’70s Chicago all tied together.
Pharrell x NIGO x adidas Originals “Friendship” Pack
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Release Date: December 18
Release Price: $100-$180 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Pharrell and NIGO have been friends and collaborators for well over a decade, so the dynamic duo reuniting again on adidas Originals “Friendship” pack is decidedly sensible. Offering up two colorful takes on the Tokio Solar Hu and two iterations of the PW BOOST Slide, the four-shoe assemblage offers both retro styling and modern materials — encapsulating multiple eras, just like the friendship it was inspired by
Blondey x adidas Superstar “Starlight Blue”
Thames Mmxx
Release Date: December 18
Release Price: $115 USD
Where to Buy: THAMES MMXX
Why You Should Cop: The third see-through Superstar from skater, artist and life coach — at least via his Instagram videos — Blondey McCoy and adidas, the “Starlight Blue” offers a bit more color than its predecessors, making for a chilly, holiday-ready look. Like the past black pair, it’s exclusive to Blondey’s THAMES MMXX, so you’ll want to enter the raffle on the brand’s site if you’re looking to secure a pair.
Air Jordan 13 “Black Royal”
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Release Date: December 19
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: The Air Jordan 13 “Bred” is arguably the best colorway of Michael Jordan’s last “good” signature sneaker — at least according to some Jordan Brand lovers who aren’t fond of the Air Jordan 14 and other latter-day models — and now it’s been flipped to a new “Black Royal” colorway. Replacing “Bred” red accents with cool blue tones, it offers a chilled-out look that’s perfect for the holidays.
New Balance M1300 Made in Japan “35th Anniversary”
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Release Date: December 19
Release Price: ¥70,000 JPY (approximately $673 USD)
Where to Buy: New Balance Japan
Why You Should Cop: Yes, you could cop three pairs of regular made in the USA 1300s and pay less than you would for a single pair of these Japan-built, 35th anniversary-celebrating leather M1300s, but if you want the very best you’ve gotta pay up. This Japan-exclusive all leather style features material provided by Togichi Leather and crafted by master leatherworker Hitoshi Mimura’s team, making for a shoe that just gets better and better with age and wear.
Sean Cliver x Nike SB Dunk Low “Holiday Special”
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Release Date: December 19
Release Price: $110 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and The Berrics Canteen
Why You Should Cop: Always whimsical and ever irreverent, Sean Cliver has whipped up a SB Dunk “Holiday Special” for all your holiday celebrations. Though the upper and midsole are both merry and bright, mixing icy winter blues with rich holiday golds, the insole shows macabre elves packing live snakes and gutted teddy bears into Christmas surprise packages — hopefully, just for kids on the naughty list.
Jordan Centre Court
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Release Date: December 21
Release Price: $135 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Yes, these are the sneakers Michael Jordan wore in The Last Dance. No, nobody would bat an eyelash at them if MJ didn’t rock ‘em. However, he did — so here we are. Simple-yet-supple leather uppers are overlaid with textured wing detailing pulled from Peter Moore’s iconic ball-and-wings logo, and Zoom Air is loaded in the heel for a responsive feel. The Centre Court debuted in Japan last week, but this week marks its stateside release.
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