Paul Rodriguez and Nike SB Capture the Championship Belt in This Week's Best Footwear Drops
Alongside a new adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2, the return of a beloved Air Jordan 4 and fresh styles for LeBron James and Paul George.
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If you were asked to describe last week’s goings-on in the world of sneakers with a single word, “frenzied” would be an apt choice. Between Paris Fashion Week, teasers, official announcements and collaborations from the biggest footwear companies and couture houses in the world, there was news enough to satiate a wide variety of palettes. All of that has led into this week — which itself boasts an extensive slate of appealing releases. However, amid all the chaos from the past seven days, it’s likely that something may have passed you by.
Although it was indeed Paris Fashion Week, there’s a strong case to be made that the proceedings on the footwear front were all about Virgil Abloh. The Off-White™ and Louis Vuitton frontman captured the headlines with a dynamic duo of kicks, officially unveiling his Off-White™ x Air Jordan 5 during the Off-White™ FW20 runway, then wearing a previously unseen Off-White™ x Nike Air Force 1 during the Louis Vuitton “Heaven On Earth” FW20 runway.
However, Abloh’s contemporaries put their best feet forward as well. Dior dropped the details behind its highly anticipated Jordan Brand capsule collection, sacai’s runway show revealed a wild stacked Nike silhouette named the Pegasus Vaporfly SP and Matthew M Williams’ ALYX 1017 9SM released its technical buckle-equipped Air Force 1 Highs. Luke Meier’s OAMC whipped up a never-before-seen adidas Originals silhouette and Valentino proffered a Onitsuka Tiger collaboration.
Never to be outdone, Kanye West premiered two new YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 colorways: “Cinder” and “Marsh.” His good pal Don C’s wife showed off a bright blue Just Don Air Force 1 themed around the upcoming NBA All-Star Game in Chicago. And we were given a look at Korean pop superstar G-Dragon’s second PEACEMINUSONE Air Force 1 collaboration as well. On a more somber note, it was announced that Opening Ceremony would be shuttering its retail operations, so HYPEBEAST took a look back at 20 of OC’s most memorable collaborative projects, running from sandals to Vans and more.
Last but certainly not least, HYPEBEAST dug deep into the influence and lore behind the tremendously influential Nike SB Dunk for the latest installment in our ‘Behind the Hype’ video series. Nike Golf and Nike Soccer rolled out tremendous technical innovations, and Nike Basketball showed off its BHM PEs for LeBron, Kyrie, Giannis, KD and PG.
Got everything? Good. Take a breather if you need, and then let’s dive into the best footwear drops descending this week — it’s set to be another big one.
Nike Air Foamposite One “Lava”
Bstn
Bstn
Bstn
Release Date: January 19
Release Price: $230 USD
Where to Buy: BSTN
Why You Should Cop: This fiery Foamposite One features a flaming lava print that covers its synthetic shell, beating back the chill of the winter months with its red-hot detailing.
CLOT x Nike Air Force 1 “Rose Gold Silk”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 21 (Juice China), January 25 (Juice LA)
Release Price: $250 USD
Where to Buy: Juice Store
Why You Should Cop: CLOT’s latest silk-coated take on the Air Force 1 offers an elegant rose gold hue and intricate traditional Chinese patterns on its tear-away upper. It was even launched by way of a clever campaign starring Donnie Yen, the actor/martial artist best known for his work in the Ip Man series.
Paul Rodriguez x Nike SB Dunk High Pro
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 21
Release Price: $125 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Paul Rodriguez has been a part of the Nike SB team for a staggering 15 years, so the Swoosh Brand’s skateboard subdivision is saluting his service with this special SB Dunk High. Paying homage to P-Rod’s Mexican heritage and love of boxing, the design paints the street skating savant as a tenured championship fighter.
Nike LeBron 17 “I Promise”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 21
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: LeBron James is aiming to revolutionize education in his hometown of Akron with his “I Promise” school, so these new “I Promise” LeBron 17s equip a kaleidoscope-style colorway that’s inherently optimistic in nature plus heartfelt messages inscribed on the laces. In short, these shoes are a salute to one of the King’s most noble ventures.
Air Jordan 4 “Black Cat”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 22
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Back for the first time since it originally released in 2006, the Air Jordan 4 “Black Cat” is one of the most beloved non-OG AJ4 colorways. Stark and simple, it cuts an undeniably striking look — and this retro release nails all the little details.
Air Jordan 13 “Chinese New Year”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 23
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Set for a Western release after hitting Eastern shelves at the top of the year, the Air Jordan 13 “Chinese New Year” is covered in celebratory touches, the most notable of which is the debossed coin print on its upper. These embellishments are accented further by a lively tan and pink colorway.
adidas UltraBOOST “Chinese New Year” Pack
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: January 24
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Five is often better than one, so adidas is celebrating the Chinese New Year with five brand-new UltraBOOSTs, all of which feature bold CNY-centric prints and patterns. Consisting of three different UltraBOOST 20s and two UltraBOOST DNAs, the collection combines lifestyle looks and performance tech in true UltraBOOST fashion.
Nike PG 4 “Black/White”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 24
Release Price: $110 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: Paul George may be battling his way back from a hamstring injury, but his signature Nike line is rolling along unimpeded. This “Black/White” colorway follows up last week’s “Gatorade” style, and combines a high-tech Air Strobel cushioning unit with a simple-yet-effective style, aiming to let its on-court exploits do the talking.
size? adidas BC Trainer
Size?
Release Date: January 24
Release Price: £75 GBP (approximately $98 USD)
Where to Buy: size?
Why You Should Cop: size? is no strange to exclusive makeups of the adidas BC Trainer, and this new “Navy/Green” colorway continues the partnership in style. Inspired by a vintage adidas training shoe, it presents a crisp retro look that’s true to the original, even if its name has been changed due to licensing rights.
Nike ACG Zoom Terra Antarktik
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 24
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The Nike ACG Zoom Terra Antarktik combines all the wintertime performance tech you could ask for — think GORE-TEX, Zoom Air and a grippy outsole — with a futuristic style that looks like something Errolson Hugh would have created when he was heading up ACG. It’s also set to be available in three colorways, so even the most picky purchaser will be able to find a pair that suits their fancy.
Pigalle x Converse Chuck 70 “Lightning Storm” & “White/Barely Volt”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 25
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Pigalle founder Stéphane Ashpool’s love of basketball is well-known, but he combined it with another one of his passions — music — on this two-pack of low-cut Chuck 70s. One features a crackling, vivid lightning print while the other offers a layer of faint technical fuse film. Both also celebrate Pigalle’s recently completed Nike Grind basketball court in China, a playing surface constructed of rubber recycled from over 45,000 pairs of used shoes.
NEPENTHES x Reebok Workout Plus
Reebok
Reebok
Reebok
Release Date: January 25
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: Reebok
Why You Should Cop: NEPENTHES and Reebok’s signature styles are brought together perfectly on this Workout Plus. Modified by a shaggy suede midfoot overlay and just enough special branding, the regarded retailer has given the timeless trainer just enough collaborative flair.
Raised by Wolves x Saucony AYA “Asphalt Jungle”
Raised by Wolves
Raised by Wolves
Raised by Wolves
Release Date: January 25
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Saucony
Why You Should Cop: Set for a full global release after a limited drop last week, Raised By Wolves’ Saucony AYA “Asphalt Jungle” is inspired by Chad Muska’s memorable skate footwear from the ’90s. It also features a cheeky, partially hidden stash pocket on the tongue so you can conceal your valuables.
Air Jordan 9 “Hyper Blue”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 25
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: A fresh take on the silhouette donned by Michael Jordan’s statue outside the United Center, the Air Jordan 9 “Hyper Blue” combines a base that’s both stark and smoky with sporty blue accents. There’s even hi-vis reflective details on the laces to ensure that you stand out.
adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Yeshaya”
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: January 25
Release Price: $220 USD (Men’s), $180 USD (Kids), $150 USD (Infants)
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Blessing the West after gracing the East mere weeks ago, Kanye West and adidas’s YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Yeshaya” presents an angelic mixture of light toned hues on its upper and signature BOOST comfort in its midsole. Even the name is worthy of praise: “Yeshaya” is Hebrew for “God is salvation.”
Nike Air Max 1 “NYC Chinatown”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 25
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Celebrating the official start of the Chinese New Year, the Nike Air Max 1 “NYC Chinatown” salutes Manhattan’s bustling Chinatown district. This homage is presented with a medley of bright firework colors, Chinese character detailing and a Chollima — a winged horse that’s prominent in traditional Chinese mythology — on the heel.
White Mountaineering x adidas LXCON
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: January 25
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: By replacing its laces with technical buckles, White Mountaineering has taken the adidas LXCON from casual lifestyle silhouette to technical marvel. The dynamic duo is more than just snaps and straps however: WM has also added bold colorways and special branding, making for a style that’s more than the sum of its respective parts.
PUMA x Chinatown Market Future Rider
Stadium Goods
Stadium Goods
Stadium Goods
Stadium Goods
Release Date: January 25
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: PUMA
Why You Should Cop: A compelling combination of old and new, Chinatown Market and PUMA’s co-crafted Future Rider is equal parts serious and light-hearted. Technical materials and a heritage construction meld with CTM’s signature cheeky yellow hues for a shoe that’s sure to bring a smile to your face.
