The Off-White™ x Nike Dunk Finally Arrives in This Week's Best Footwear Drops
Alongside more YEEZY silhouettes, a new NB collaboration with No Vacancy Inn and alternate takes on classic Air Jordans.
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The final countdown to 2020 is in full swing, and titans of the sneaker industry are slugging it out in the waning days of 2019, hoping to make one more mark before the next decade kicks off. With the culmination of the holiday season directly around the corner, there’s a cornucopia of compelling releases set to hit retailers over the next five days, but before we stride headlong into the impending hype, let’s first take a look back at what went down over the previous week.
On the collaboration front, closer looks and sneak peaks alike were presented. A giddy Sean Wotherspoon sat down with Dior men’s footwear director for a detailed look at the French house’s Air Jordan 1. Delving into the striking product’s story, the two unpacked the inspiration behind its details. Salehe Bembury, Senior Director of Sneakers & Men’s Footwear at Versace, also got in on the action, teasing a collaborative project with New Balance. Although most know Bembury from his bold, original Versace silhouettes like the Chain Reaction or his work at YEEZY, it’s undeniably enthralling to see what he’ll be able to bring to the table for a heritage athletic brand.
Meanwhile, Nike announced the official release of two capsules that are completely unrelated, but each compelling in its own right: an eight-part pack of motorcycle jacket-inspired Air Max 90s created with UNDEFEATED and a new SuperRep line that offers training footwear for fitness classes. The former was originally supposed to roll out this summer, but due to quality control issues it only released in limited quantities via SNKRS Pass events. The latter offers plenty of high-tech materials and an athletically-geared construction, providing silhouettes for everything from “boot camps” to spin classes.
Moving to the business side of the spectrum, there was news on both the retail front and in the boardroom. We were given a first look at Sneakernstuff’s new Tokyo store, which opened this past weekend. Vans also expanded its physical footprint with a brand showcase store located in Seoul. And nary a week goes by without some news about Kanye West: last week, it was that adidas vice president of global entertainment and influencer marketing Jon Wexler had taken a new role as “general manager” of YEEZY. Although this has yet to be officially confirmed, it could be a seismic shift in the Three Stripes landscape.
Finally, noted sneaker archivist and reseller Shoezeum presented what might be the most interesting eBay lot of the year. Assisting a former Nike Innovation Kitchen employee sell all the samples, prototypes and knickknacks he’d accumulated over the years, Shoezeum proffered everything from winter camo Foamposite snowboarding boots to Air Force 1s with visible Shox cushioning, and never-released Nike LeBron sneakers.
Now that we’re up to speed, it’s time to look ahead. Check out the best footwear drops from the next five days, and get your rotation right for the final days of the decade.
adidas YEEZY 500 High “Slate”
Stadium Goods
Stadium Goods
Stadium Goods
Release Date: December 16
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: The first colorway of Kanye West and adidas’s high-top take on the popular YEEZY 500, this “Slate” colorway brings a bold basketball-inspired style to the adidas YEEZY line.
Converse Chuck 70 “Egret/Multi”
Sneakersnstuff
Sneakersnstuff
Release Date: December 17
Release Price: $100 USD
Where to Buy: Sneakersnstuff
Why You Should Cop: These high-top Chuck 70s feature a trippy marbled tie-dye print that’s spread across every inch of the canvas upper for maximum effect. It’s practically guaranteed to boldly clash with whatever ‘fit you choose to wear.
adidas YEEZY BOOST 700 “Carbon Blue”
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: December 18
Release Price: $300 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Even though the YEEZY 700 first debuted in 2017, it’s on its second iteration and has a third style right around the corner, the OG makeup is still wildly popular. Here it’s presented in a mix of blues and greys that combines details from the 700’s “Teal” and “Intertia” colorways for a look that’s both new and familiar.
Sneakersnstuff x Jordan Brand 20th Anniversary Collection
Sneakersnstuff
Release Date: December 18
Release Price: $140-200 USD
Where to Buy: Sneakersnstuff
Why You Should Cop: Sneakersnstuff has been celebrating its 20th anniversary all year long, and the latest product of those festivities is this three-shoe collection created with Jordan Brand. Consisting of the classic Air Jordan 1 Mid as well as the new Proto Max 720 and Mars 270 silhouettes, each shoe draws from SNS’s original sail, grey and red color palette.
Nike LeBron 7 “Christmas”
43einhalb
43einhalb
43einhalb
Release Date: December 19
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: 43einhalb
Why You Should Cop: Another timely LeBron 7 revival, the “Christmas” features a seasonally-appropriate colorway and a great story to match. ‘Bron originally wore this festive style for a Christmas Day showdown with Kobe Bryant in 2009, and now it’s retroing for the first time ever, almost exactly 10 years after it debuted.
Nike Air Max 90 NRG “Lahar Escape” Pack
Titolo
Titolo
Titolo
Titolo
Titolo
Titolo
Release Date: December 19
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: This duo of rugged Air Max 90 styles draw from the Lahar — a ready-for-anything boot that first released in 1989. Although the colorways aren’t taken directly from the boot, the accents are: everything from the tongue badge to the laces provide direct nods to a cult favorite from the ACG archives.
Air Jordan 3 “Animal Instinct”
Stadium Goods
Stadium Goods
Stadium Goods
Release Date: December 19
Release Price: $225 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Simultaneously nodding to Michael Jordan’s “animal instinct” on the basketball court and the “Animal Pack” stylings popularized by atmos’s memorable two-pack of Air Maxes, this pony hair-covered, printed take on one of the most lauded Air Jordan silhouettes of all time combines a rich story and a bold look.
Nike Air More Uptempo “Black/Laser Crimson”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 19
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: Moving from Michael Jordan to Scottie Pippen — albeit in a much less direct fashion — this Air More Uptempo presents a Bulls-style combination of black and red, with a modern-day faded graphic on its signature upper branding. It’s not hard to picture Pip balling out in a pair of these.
Nike Air Max 270 React “Electric Green” & “Flash Crimson”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 19
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Alternate takes on the popular Air Max 270 React, both of these sporty styles combine new ripstop uppers with bold contrast stitching. This simultaneously familiarizes and advances the already compelling look.
Off-White™ x Nike Dunk Low Pack
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 20
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Arguably the hottest and most hyped release of the month, Virgil Abloh has worked his magic on three Off-White™ Dunk Lows for his latest collaboration with Nike. A modern-day spin on the “Love Your School” pack that helped launch the Dunk in 1986, each pair features a low cut in place of the original high-top style. There’s also plenty of signature accents, thanks to an extra orange lace that wraps around the uppers and signature Helvetica branding on the medial sides.
Nike “Future Swoosh” Pack
Nike
Release Date: December 20
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: Continuing Nike and Foot Locker’s “Evolution of the Swoosh” pack, the “Future Swoosh” capsule offers — you guessed it — a futuristic take on Nike’s signature motif. This is provided on the Air Max Plus, Air Max 1, Air Max 270 React and Air Force 1, all of which also boast a vivid black, purple and neon yellow color scheme.
Nike Air Aqua Rift “Original Mashup” and “Summit White”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 20
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: Shoes as wild as the Air Aqua Rift don’t come around often. An alternate take on the cult classic Air Rift from 1995, this neoprene sock/sneaker/water shoe boasts a striking split toe and comes dressed in a wild “Original Mashup” and a comparatively simple “Summit White.”
adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 v2 “Yecheil”
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: December 20
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: One of the more obscure YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 colorways we’ve seen in the silhouette’s three year-plus lifespan, the “Yecheil” blends a quartet of colorful hues on its black-based upper, brushing aside the adidas YEEZY line’s propensity for tonal palettes. It’s also available in full family sizes so you can lace up the lil’ ones in style this holiday season.
Kengo Kuma x ASICS Metaride AMU
Asics
Asics
Asics
Release Date: December 20
Release Price: ¥36,000 JPY (approximately $330 USD)
Where to Buy: ASICS Japan
Why You Should Cop: A strikingly beautiful silhouette created by the masterful Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the ASICS Metaride AMU features a latticed woven upper and a midsole constructed from ecologically conscious wood-derived textiles. These subversive materials and unique construction put Kuma’s talents on full display.
Oskar Rozenberg x Nike SB Dunk High
Nike
Release Date: December 20
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Select skate shops
Why You Should Cop: Have you ever seen a Swoosh quite like this? Swedish skate savant Oskar Rozenberg and Nike SB are following up last week’s corduroy-equipped Blazer with a striking Dunk — one that looks to the ocean’s apex predators for its signature graphic.
Nike Air Max 90 CS “Sail”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 20
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: The Air Max 90 is turning 30 next year, and Nike Sportswear is kicking off the celebrations a bit early with this “Sail” makeup. True to the original AM90 in shape and construction, the “Sail” takes on a tonal palette that allow its influential design to do the talking. It even comes packaged in a 1990-style box.
No Vacancy Inn x New Balance 850 “Water & Wifi”
No Vacancy Inn
No Vacancy Inn
Release Date: December 21
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Dover Street Market
Why You Should Cop: After a Los Angeles-exclusive release last week, No Vacancy Inn’s two-pack of New Balance 850s is set for a full retail rollout. Boasting familiar color schemes, both pairs continue the “Water & Wifi” ethos espoused on the brand’s popular 990v3 that released earlier this year.
adidas Consortium Runner V2 4D
Solebox
Solebox
Solebox
Release Date: December 21
Release Price: $350 USD
Where to Buy: Solebox
Why You Should Cop: The second iteration of adidas Consortium’s limited Runner 4D silhouette, the Runner V2 4D improves on the base laid by its predecessor with a striking new upper. Signature “Aero Green” 4D-printed midsoles are present as well, providing a futuristic look.
Air Jordan 4 WNTR
Hanzuying
Hanzuying
Hanzuying
Release Date: December 21
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Originally slated to release earlier in the month, the Air Jordan 4 “WNTR” is still arriving in time for winter’s coldest days. Keeping the Air Jordan 4’s iconic design lines intact, the “WNTR” adds rugged materials and equips a colorway reminiscent of Eminem’s super-rare and ultra-valuable AJ4 “Encore.”
adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Zebra”
Release Date: December 21
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: To re-word an old saying, “fourth time’s the charm.” This marks a whopping fourth drop for the adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2, and fans are still expected to gobble it up quickly. It’s likely the last hurrah for the popular colorway, with YEEZY shifting its attention to other silhouettes like the 380 and 500 High.
