Ninja Goes From Streaming to Shoes in This Week's Best Footwear Drops
Alongside high-performance footwear, a new Russell Westbrook signature silhouette, and the re-release of a classic Nike Kobe.
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The calendar is turning over this week and a new decade is set to begin, but before we we welcome in the 2020s, we’ve got a few more footwear drops to address. There’s no better way to fight off the inevitable January malaise than with some fresh kicks, and from casual to collaborations and basketball, we’ve got a full slate of new releases headed our way over these next five days. However, with all the goings-on in the world of footwear as of late, let’s get up to speed before we dive into what this transitional week has to offer us — kicking things off with our recaps of the most influential sneakers of the decade and the 10 best sneakers of 2019.
Two of 2019’s hottest collaborators were front and center, making their respective ways into the headlines one final time. Travis Scott showed off a brand-new patchwork Nike SB Dunk that may very well be a Cactus Jack collaboration in his Jackboys crew’s new video. Meanwhile, the ever-polymathic Virgil Abloh gave us a look at his first new Air Jordan 1 since the middle of 2018, letting Instagram skate sensation burberry.erry shred in a vivid “Canary Yellow” style.
Scott and Abloh were also joined by Round Two’s Sean Wotherspoon, who gave us the best look yet at his impending ASICS GEL-LYTE III, created in partnership with atmos. Last but not least, Blondey McCoy released an ultra-limited smoky black version of his translucent adidas Superstar.
On the performance footwear front, highly sought-after sneaker free agent and rising superstar Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks made things official with Jordan Brand, announcing a multi-year deal that even garnered a quote from Michael Jordan himself. As Jordan Brand continues to move into the next generation of basketball, Dončić is sure to be at the front of its plans. Some of the Jumpman’s lifestyle plans for 2020 were leaked too, with the world getting a first look at a new Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Game Royal.”
Although Dončić’s signing was undeniably the slam-dunk hoops news of the week, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard each made some noise as well — the former by continuing his Coming To America-themed releases with a “Soul Glo” Zoom Freak 1, the latter with a money-centric OMN1s. Kevin Garnett has long since retired from the NBA — he was most recently spotted acting in A24’s ‘Uncut Gems’ — but the Nike Air Flightposite 2 popped up in a Celtics-centric “Clover” colorway that surely made the Big Ticket proud.
Finally, although it’s the dead of winter, there’s never a bad time for a fresh pair of slides. Nike used some of the Air Max 90’s recognizable design details to create a new Air Max 90 slide that’s half shoe, half sandal and entirely unique.
Up to speed? Good. Let’s look ahead to what the next five days have in store for us. See the best of the best directly below, and we’ll catch you in 2020.
Ninja x adidas Nite Jogger “Time In”
Adidas Originals
Adidas Originals
Adidas Originals
Release Date: December 31
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Famed streamer Tyler “Ninja” Blevens has already conquered the digital realm and now he’s aiming to make his mark in the world of footwear. The neon-haired Fortnite maven’s adidas Originals Nite Jogger “Time In” nods to the countless hours of work needed to hone one’s craft, and features special branded accents on its medial midfoot.
Air Jordan 13 “CNY”
Nike Cn
Nike Cn
Nike Cn
Release Date: December 31
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS CN
Why You Should Cop: Saluting the Chinese New Year by blending innovation and tradition in equal measures, the Air Jordan 13 “CNY” is full of unique details. These include a debossed coin print, alternate tongue branding and pops of hot pink on the outsoles. In short, it’s a great way to bring 2020 in with style.
Nike SB Blazer Mid Edge “Watermelon” & “Midnight Navy”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 31
Release Price: ¥699 CNY (approximately $100 USD)
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS CN
Why You Should Cop: Known as the “Hack Pack,” both of these Blazers — one vivid “Watermelon,” one slightly more toned-down “Midnight Navy” — feature a bricolage-style deconstructed look with plenty of unique flair. Although it may be a skate shoe in name, the Blazer Mid Edge is very much a fashion statement, and is one of the week’s most fun releases.
NEPENTHES NY x Reebok Workout Plus
Reebok
Reebok
Reebok
Release Date: January 1
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: Reebok
Why You Should Cop: NEPENTHES NY and Reebok are continuing a long-running collaborative partnership by dressing the classic Workout Plus in a timeless black and gum colorway with shaggy suede accents. Discarding the lighter tones used on previous models, this Workout is perfect for any and all wintertime excursions.
ASICS GEL-LYTE III OG “White/Red”
43einhalb
43einhalb
Release Date: January 1
Release Price: €120 EUR (approximately $134 USD)
Where to Buy: 43einhalb
Why You Should Cop: 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the iconic GEL-LYTE III, and ASICS is wasting no time kicking off the festivities, dropping this OG colorway on New Year’s Day. Bold in its style and bright in its hues, the “White/Red” still looks great as it prepares to begin its fourth decade on the market.
size? x adidas LXCON 94 “Carstensz”
Size?
Release Date: January 1
Release Price: €85 EUR (approximately $95 USD)
Where to Buy: size?
Why You Should Cop: Inspired by some of the most arduous mountains in the world, the size?-exclusive LXCON 94 “Carstensz” combines a rough, rugged and ready-for-anything construction with a bold colorway. Essentially it’s equally at home during a stroll through the city streets as it is traversing treacherous terrain.
Air Jordan 34 “Chinese New Year”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 2
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS CN
Why You Should Cop: A standout among the many pieces of footwear celebrating the Chinese New Year, this bold Air Jordan 34 features a bold print on its translucent upper and pops of vibrant color to accent its elegant black and white base.
Nike LeBron 7 “China Moon”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 2
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Originally a China-exclusive release, the LeBron 7 “China Moon” is back in all its glory 10 years later. With a regal white and gold color scheme and a Chinese character graphic that translates to “Little Emperor” — LeBron’s Chinese nickname — this design is sure to excite longtime fans of the King’s signature line.
Converse “Year of the Rat” Collection
Converse Cn
Release Date: January 2
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Converse CN
Why You Should Cop: 2020 is the Year of the Rat on the Chinese Zodiac calendar, and Converse is going full rodent on three of its most notable lifestyle silhouettes: the Chuck 70, the Pro Leather and Jack Purcell. Each boasts a papercraft-inspired design, and is accompanied by unique apparel.
Nike Running “Ekiden” Pack
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 2
Release Price: $120 USD-$250 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: Originally released in Japan to commemorate the start of the island country’s road running season, Nike Running’s “Ekiden” pack is now set to see a full global release. Consisting of the Zoom Fly 3, ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT%, Zoom Rival Fly, Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 and Zoom Pegasus 36, the pack also boasts a speedy colorway inspired by bullet trains.
Nike Air Zoom SuperRep
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 2
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: After dropping in Europe mid-December, Nike’s Air Zoom SuperRep — the brand’s first shoe designed specifically for class-based fitness — is releasing in North America. Sporting a striking split midsole with visible Zoom Air Units, the SuperRep is a women’s silhouette, but its extended size run ensures that male fitness buffs can utilize it as well.
Jordan Why Not Zer0.3 “Zer0 Noise”
Eddie Lee/Hypebeast
Eddie Lee/Hypebeast
Eddie Lee/Hypebeast
Release Date: January 2
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: The Jordan Why Not Zer0.3 is Russell Westbrook‘s newest signature sneaker, and is designed to represent his bold personality both on and off the court. Furthering the deconstructed look utilized on Westbrook’s Why Not Zer0.2, the Why Not Zer0.3 adds even more striking embellishments and bold colors, making for a design that’s as boisterous and powerful as the Brodie himself.
adidas Torsion Comp “Signal Green/Glory Blue” & “Signal Coral/Glory Red”
Adidas Originals
Adidas Originals
Adidas Originals
Adidas Originals
Release Date: January 3
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: A onetime high-performance shoe revived as a lifestyle classic, the Torsion Comp’s ’90s tennis stylings translate perfectly to the modern-day casual climate. Although it’s already released in an appealing collaborative Highs & Lows iteration, these two bold colorways truly bring it back to its roots.
Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Chaos”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 3
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Few Nike Basketball sneakers are as storied as the Kobe 5 Protro “Chaos.” Debuted by Kobe Bryant during a Christmas Day game in 2009, the colorway and accents were inspired by the late Heath Ledger‘s memorable portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight — namely, drawing from Ledger and Bryant’s shared obsession with perfecting their craft. Now, the “Chaos” is returning for the first time ever, and you definitely don’t want to miss it.
Reebok Question Mid
Reebok
Reebok
Reebok
Release Date: January 3
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: Reebok
Why You Should Cop: Allen Iverson‘s inherent swagger and flash meets muted, simple-yet-effective dad shoe stylings on this new Question Mid. By dressing the familiar silhouette in New Balance-esque grey suedes and nubucks, Reebok has created an appealing Iverson-centric amalgamation that pushes the pugnacious point guard’s most famous silhouette in a bold new direction.
