Prada & adidas Celebrate the Superstar's 50th Anniversary in This Week's Best Footwear Drops
The madness of Black Friday may be behind us, but there’s still plenty of crazy kicks dropping this week.
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Black Friday may have passed, but this week still holds plenty of heat for sneaker lovers. Apart from the expansive slate of Cyber Monday sales, there’s a veritable plethora of drops going down over the next five days as well, providing you with plenty of opportunities to get your footwear rotation right before the decade draws to a close. Of course last week provided no shortage of news, so let’s recap what went down over the Thanksgiving holiday before we look into what’s up next.
Starting things off, we got a jump on the end-of-year rankings by dropping our 10 Best Sneakers of 2019 list, complete with three honorable mentions. We also had a chance to sit down with tennis superstar Roger Federer, who discussed his investment in rising Swiss shoe brand On, a favorite among hardcore runners and weekend road warriors alike.
As has become de rigueur in 2019, collaborations were front and center. Kanye West brought back his adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 v2 “Black” on Black Friday to the delight of his legions of loyal fans. Images of another colorway of sacai’s immensely popular Nike LDWaffle complete with a leather base began making the rounds. K-pop superstar G-Dragon hosted a launch event for his Air Force 1 “Para-Noise,” and it was also announced that Tom Sachs’s Nike Mars Yard 2.0 would make a return in extremely limited quantities during 2020. On the more niche end of the spectrum GmBH teased yet another pair of ASICS, and Stray Rats showed off a Joker-inspired New Balance 990v3.
The performance footwear front presented a mix of silhouettes new and old, satiating the appetite of a wide variety of sports lovers. On the cutting-edge front, Kyrie Irving’s Nike Kyrie 6 was made available for customization on Nike By You, and Nike Basketball released the Air Zoom UNVRS, a high-performance silhouette that boasts updated Flyease tech. Nike’s Air Flightposite 2 appeared in a Foamposite-inspired “Eggplant,” and the great Barry Sanders was honored on Thanksgiving Day with a PE-style version of his Air Zoom Turf Jet 97.
High fashion silhouettes had their moments as well: SEVENTH HEAVEN tapped Suicoke for a Black Friday-themed Moto Cab slide, Off-White released a canvas silhouette called the Arrows in three colorways, and Gucci dipped its toes into waters mainly occupied by UGG with a wooly boot silhouette dubbed the Fria. If you’re into opulent packaging for your shoes, Louis Vuitton presented a luxurious single-pair sneaker box, worthy of holding even the rarest grails.
Now that you’re all caught up on the most important events and drops that took place over the last seven days, let’s dive right into this week’s releases — the options are nothing short of extensive, so we’ve compiled the very best for your benefit.
Star Wars x adidas Originals “Character Pack”
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: December 2
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Great fan service. Six of the Star Wars saga’s most famous characters from Darth Vader to R2-D2, spread across the NMD R1 and Nite Jogger.
Air Jordan 4 WNTR “Loyal Blue”
Hanzuying
Hanzuying
Hanzuying
Release Date: December 2
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: Because you don’t have to put your heat away when the temperature drops and the conditions become inclement. This beefed-up Air Jordan 4 keeps its classic construction, but adds new weather-resistant materials — all with a colorway that calls to mind images of the ultra-rare Air Jordan 4 “Encore.”
Stella McCartney x adidas Stan Smith
Stella
Stella
Release Date: December 2
Release Price: $300 USD
Where to Buy: Stella McCartney
Why You Should Cop: Environmentally conscious but still fun, these special Stans are constructed of vegan leather, and accented with rainbow laces and special tongue detailing.
Air Jordan 14 SE “Black Ferrari”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 2
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Because it’s the perfect Air Jordan 14 for any and all automobile enthusiasts. The third style in the fan-favorite “Ferrari” series, this new style mimics the interiors of high-performance sports cars with its sleek shape and bold mix of materials.
Nike Air Force 1 “Kay Yow”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 3
Release Price: $100 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike’s latest tribute to the late, great, Hall of Fame-enshrined coach Kay Yow salutes her Kay Yow Cancer Foundation while boasting unique details like a dropped Swoosh and ribbon laces.
The Salvages “Manifesto” Sneaker
The
The
The
Release Date: December 3
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: The Salvages
Why You Should Cop: A surprise entry to the list, e-retailer The Salvages has released its first ever original footwear silhouette, dubbed the “Manifesto,” as part of its “Deconstructivisim” collection. With a deconstructed style and plenty of intricate detailing, it may very be the most unique — and unexpected — release of the week.
Prada x adidas Superstar
Prada/Adidas
Release Date: December 4
Release Price: $350 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Limited to a mere 700 pieces and priced at $350 USD, these high-end Superstars are an appealing amalgamation of classic athletic style and luxurious materials.
Nike Air Max Triax 96 “University Red” & “Varsity Royal”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 5
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike has dove into its seemingly endless archive of ’90s running silhouettes once again to resurrect the Triax 96 — a shoe associated with the 1996 Olympic Games and the great sprinter Michael Johnson.
Matthew M Williams x Nike Joyride CC3 Setter
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 5
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The Joyride CC3 Setter may be a performance model, but ALYX 1017 9SM frontman Matthew Williams has given it a healthy dose of flair with two lifestyle-geared makeups: one that calls to mind images of the classic Nike Air Max 97 “Silver Bullet,” the other that offers a sleek all black colorway.
adidas UltraBOOST 20
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: December 5
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: The latest installment in adidas’s ever-popular UltraBOOST line, the UltraBOOST 20 was announced in partnership with the International Space Station’s U.S. National Lab. It also boasts new performance features like Tailored Fiber Placement and Stretchweb, all while retaining its beloved BOOST cushioning.
Nike Air Force 1 AF1 — ALL FOR 1 — Collection
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 5 (NYC) & December 7 (LA & Chicago)
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: All about city pride, Nike’s AF1 — ALL FOR 1 — collection nods to New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles with inspirations that range from city parks to famed barbershops and local artists.
Nike LeBron 17 “Win-Win”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 6
Release Price: $225 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: LeBron James’s latest is inspired by the next generation of hoopers, and features details drawn from three elite high school basketball programs he’s been known to support. Originally thought by many to be a Harlem Fashion Row collaboration, its regal aesthetic and extended size run are ideal for kings — or queens — of any age.
Firmament x Vans Vault “Modern Life” Pack
Firmament
Firmament
Firmament
Release Date: December 6
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Vans Vault retailers
Why You Should Cop: A tact acknowledgement for the overload of media we’re bombarded with in today’s never-ending news cycle, the Firmament x Vans Vault “Modern Life” pack consists of the Authentic, Slip-On and Epoch Sport. The Authentic is dressed in an all-over newspaper print, with the other two silhouettes taking on varying shades of black and red. Each model is available now at Firmament, but rolls out to Vans Vault retailers globally on December 6.
Air Jordan 1 Low SB
Sneakersnstuff
Sneakersnstuff
Sneakersnstuff
Sneakersnstuff
Release Date: December 6
Release Price: $90 USD
Where to Buy: Sneakersnstuff
Why You Should Cop: Nike SB is continuing to add fuel to the fires blazing around the Air Jordan 1 Low with this new “Desert Ore” makeup. First spotted on the feet of longtime SB spokesman Eric Koston, the new style features wear-away detailing, shedding its tan outer layer to reveal a mis-matched set of styles, with powder blue accents on the right foot and pops of royal blue on the left.
Nike Zoom Kobe 4 Protro “Wizenard”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 6
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Did you know Kobe Bryant helped author a best-selling young adults’ book? The man they call the Black Mamba has a knack for success, and the Kobe 4 “Wizenard” combines a silhouette he wore while dominating NBA courts with detailing inspired by one of the most fruitful ventures he’s undertaken in his post-playing days. The vivid colors certainly don’t hurt either.
Nike Kyrie 6 “Enlightenment”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 7
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: Kyrie Irving is a multifaceted individual, and his unique personality is reflected aptly on the Kyrie 6 “Enlightenment.” Toying with the idea of perspective, the colorway offers a heel hit that’s only visible at certain angles and boldly-colored details inspired by camera filters.
Doernbecher Children’s Hospital x Nike/Jordan Fall 2019 Collection
Nike
Release Date: December 7
Release Price: $90-$200 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The latest installment of Nike’s long-running partnership with the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital continues to support the beloved institution. Six deeply personal silhouettes co-created by young Doernbecher patients range from a panda bear-inspired Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 to an Air Jordan 14 that draws from the TCU Horned Frogs.
CLOT x Air Jordan 1 Mid
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 7
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Bringing its signature silk stylings to a new silhouette, Edison Chen’s CLOT has dressed up the Air Jordan 1 Mid in its signature wear-away fabrics. Chen created the shoes to build a bridge between the East and the West, and the design features special deubres and insole hits to match its intricate uppers.
A Ma Maniére x Nike Air Force 1 Low & High “Hand Wash Cold”
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 7
Release Price: $170-$180 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Shoes this luxe don’t often tell such a compelling story. Inspired by the “handle with care” tags found in luxury garments, AMM’s AF1s are about treating the things you love with the utmost respect, and giving back to your community while you’re at it.
Air Jordan 1 High Zoom
Eddie
Eddie
Eddie
Release Date: December 7
Release Price: $175 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The first-ever Air Jordan 1 High to feature Zoom cushioning and part of the “Fearless Ones” collection, the Air Jordan 1 High Zoom is a step in a bold new direction for the classic silhouette. The upper is constructed of shimmering iridescent material, while the translucent outsole provides vivid detailing and a full-foot Zoom Air cushioning system ensures impeccable comfort.
