An Air Max-Inspired Air Jordan 4 Invigorates This Week's Best Footwear Drops
Next to new YEEZY BOOST 350 V2s, crisp Air Max 1s and more.
You are reading your free article for this month.
Members-only
March usually proffers a pleasant transition from winter into spring, but it’s been a veritable whirlwind in 2020 — loaded with uncertainty and ambiguity. However, one constant in these turbulent times is sneakers, and there’s a diverse set of offerings set to come to market over the course of this week. Before we encompass the dozen best drops that the next few days hold for us, let’s take a refresher on what went down over the course of the last seven days.
Much like other industries, the world of footwear was vastly affected by the novel coronavirus. adidas predicted a precipitous sales decline of $1 billion in the Chinese market, and Nike announced that it would temporarily close most of its retail stores for the safety of employees and customers alike.
Although this news was undeniably serious, things weren’t all dire. Nike Sportswear unveiled its full set of Air Max Day releases, centered around an Air Max 90 “Reverse Duck Camo” plus multiple iterations of the new Air Max 2090. size? has something up its sleeve for Air Max Day as well, namely an Air Max 95 “20 for 20” that salutes 20 different size? x Nike exclusives from the past two decades. Moving from Max to Zoom, we also received our most detailed look yet at the Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2.
The NBA‘s courts may be eerily quiet, but at least we’ve got some compelling hoop kicks both modern and retro to fill the void: Jordan Brand presented Jayson Tatum’s tasty Air Jordan 34 “Taco Jay” PEs; the furry Air Jordan 7 “Hare 2.0” was revealed; and the Air Jordan 4 popped up in a summer-ready “Court Purple” colorway. Even Ewing Athletics got in on the fun with its first new model since 2012, the 33 Hi 2.0.
Moving from the courts to the streets, BAPE put forth a trio of fresh BAPE Stas, each coated in patent leather and equipped with a recognizable shark motif. HAVEN and New Balance linked for another 990v5 — and like past collaborations between the two, it’s practical in look but highly technical in materials. CLOT frontman Edison Chen showed off what appeared to be a new Jordan Brand React model, and multihyphanate Blondey McCoy gave us a first look at Mark Gonzales’s latest adidas Superstar collaboration.
Last but not least, high fashion footwear both dressy and casual had a moment in the sun. Off-White™ offered up tassel loafers complete with marbled heels, Gucci’s Rhyton served a duo of makeups with monogrammed detailing plus colored panels and Palm Angels came through with a deconstructed slip-on design. Even sandals slid in, thanks to a vivid blue iteration of Balenciaga’s Track Sandal.
Now that you’re up to speed, let’s go ahead and get into this week’s 12 best footwear releases. Be sure to check out our Drops page for a full list of arrivals over the next seven days, note that these release dates could very well be pushed back due to coronavirus concerns, and above all else, please stay healthy in your pursuit of these kicks.
Nike LeBron 17 “USA”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: March 16
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: Although LeBron James skipped the 2016 Olympics and hasn’t announced if he’ll play in 2020, his Nike LeBron 17 is already geared up for the Games with a “USA” colorway. Equipping a navy base with red and white accents plus a gum sole, the design is sure to do the King’s country proud regardless if he takes the court or not.
AFFIX x ASICS GEL-Noosa Tri 12
Release Date: March 16
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: Sneakersnstuff
Why You Should Cop: AFFIX — a collective composed of Michael Kopelman, Kiko Kostadinov, Taro Smith and Stephen Mann — is no stranger to ASICS collaborations, and the powerful creative conglomerate has now worked its magic on two GEL-Noosa Tri 12s. Opting for a simple and sleek look dressed in either grey/white with red or black/white with orange, the AFFIX Noosas are technical yet practical, making for a true “if you know, you know” sneaker.
Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 827 “Yellow”
End
End
End
Release Date: March 18
Release Price: £129 GBP (approximately $158 USD)
Where to Buy: END.
Why You Should Cop: After an ALD-exclusive drop last week alongside two other colorways, the general public will have one more chance to get their hands on the Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 827 “Yellow.” The buzzy New York brand has added plenty of its signature flair to the oft under-appreciated New Balance silhouette, equipping its jolly jumble of overlays and accents with a smorgasbord of bright tones. Equal parts dad and dashing, the design is another feather in ALD’s rapidly expanding cap.
UNDEFEATED x Nike Air Max 90 “Black”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: March 19
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: UNDEFEATED and Nike Sportswear are getting the Air Max Day festivities started a little early by way of a collaborative Air Max 90 “Black.” With a durable, technical build inspired by the ’90s New York street scene’s adoption of mountaineering gear, this AM90 offers a stark look that’s equal parts bustling metropolis and grand mountain.
Melody Ehsani x Air Jordan OG
Release Date: March 19
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Sneakersnstuff
Why You Should Cop: A tribute to women’s hoops and the 20th anniversary of Love and Basketball, Melody Ehsani’s Air Jordan OG presents a classic black and red colorway with rich detailing. Hi-vis reflective piping and co-branded accents proffer plenty of flair, but the design’s undeniable centerpiece is the enamel cherry pin on the throat. This sweet styling is a symbol of abundance, fertility and protection for women, and the shoe’s wider release follows a ME-exclusive drop last week. Although the design is a ladies’ exclusive it’ll be available in an extended size run.
Converse CX Collection
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: March 19
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Converse
Why You Should Cop: Touted as the most technically advanced entries in the iconic Chuck Taylor line to date, Converse’s CX collection brings the timeless canvas-and-rubber sneaker into a new decade with a trifecta of silhouettes: the All-Star Disrupt CX, All-Star CX and Chuck Taylor Disrupt CX. While the looks range from conceptual to classic, all three use modern materials for what may be the best-fitting, best-feeling Chucks yet.
Nike Air Max 1 City Pack “Amsterdam” & “London”
End
End
End
End
End
End
Release Date: March 19
Release Price: $160 USD (Each)
Where to Buy: END.
Why You Should Cop: With rich hues inspired by the architecture of Amsterdam (brown) and London (navy), the Nike Air Max 1 City Pack provides elegant nods to two of Europe’s biggest cultural hubs. Apart from the powerful palettes and premium materials, each pair also boasts alternate detailing on its tongues, heels and mudguards, making for looks that are as unique as the cities they represent.
Awake NY x Reebok Instapump Fury & Workout
Awake Ny
Awake Ny
Awake Ny
Awake Ny
Awake Ny
Awake Ny
Release Date: March 20
Release Price: $180 USD (Instapump Fury)/$120 USD (Workout)
Where to Buy: Reebok
Why You Should Cop: After releasing exclusively at the Awake NY webstore and Dover Street Market last week, the Awake NY x Reebok Instapump Fury and Workout are set for a full global release. With bright color schemes and bold branding, both styles pay tribute to ’90s New York hip-hop and art culture, something that Awake brand head and Queens native Angelo Baque is inherently familiar with.
Wood Wood x Mizuno Wave Rider 10
Release Date: March 20
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Wood Wood
Why You Should Cop: After making its debut at Wood Wood‘s FW20 runway, the Wood Wood x Mizuno Wave Rider 10 is now set for an official release. Juxtaposing an elegant gray, burgundy and pink color scheme with the Wave Rider’s highly technical silhouette, the design is simultaneously elegant and sporty, bringing each collaborative party’s best traits to the table. This March 20 release date is exclusive to Wood Wood as well — don’t miss out or you’ll have to wait till the global drop on April 4.
Air Jordan 4 “Neon”
Sneakersnstuff
Sneakersnstuff
Sneakersnstuff
Release Date: March 21
Release Price: $225 USD
Where to Buy: Sneakersnstuff and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: An amalgamation of Nike and Jordan classics, the Air Jordan 4 “Neon” combines one of the most beloved Air Jordan silhouettes of all time with the signature grey and volt colorway of the iconic Nike Air Max 95 “Neon.” With special branded details and rope laces, the inspiration extends further than the palette and makes for an undeniably appealing homage to Nike Sportswear ahead of Air Max Day.
adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Cinder”
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: March 21
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: YEEZY Supply
Why You Should Cop: With an earthy hue that’s reminiscent of YEEZY boots, Kanye West’s adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Cinder” is sure to delight YEEZY fans who prefer muted styles to the line’s recent proliferation of colorful makeups. Although monotone is the name of the game here, flair is provided by a gum outsole with a yellow heel pad and BOOST cushioning ensures comfort.
Nike Air Max 95 “Pollen Rise”
Nike Kr
Nike Kr
Nike Kr
Release Date: March 21
Release Price: ₩209,000 KRW (approximately $172 USD)
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS KR
Why You Should Cop: Celebrating Seoul’s beautiful forsythia flowers, Nike’s Air Max 95 “Pollen Rise” is one of the most unusual Air Max silhouettes of 2020 thus far. Offering a full Velcro upper with a plethora of removable patches and thick, bold black trim, it’s compelling, customizable and current all at once. However, those not based in Korea are completely out of luck: the “Pollen Rise” is exclusive to Nike SNKRS KR.
