Zion Williamson and Jayson Tatum's Air Jordan 34 PEs Lead This Week's Best Footwear Drops
Alongside the KITH x ASICS GEL-Lyte III “Tokyo Trio,” J. Cole’s PUMA basketball sneaker and more.
The last week of July is a time of new beginnings. The NBA season is set to restart, baseball is back in full swing (for now) and the world’s biggest sneaker brands have a diverse assemblage of new drops raring to go. Performance basketball is front and center this week, but there’s also compelling collaborations, conceptual styles and more set to hit shelves. Before we present the dozen best drops of this week, let’s get caught up on everything that went down last week.
First and foremost, legendary culture and sports journalist Scoop Jackson penned an exclusive piece for HYPEBEAST, in which he explored Nike’s boundary-defying ISPA Road Warrior — a highly conceptual shoe with a staggering $500 USD price tag. The Swoosh’s hoops division had multiple moments in the spotlight as well, revealing a full lineup of signature basketball sneakers for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyrie Irving and more ahead of the aforementioned NBA season restart and showing off early design sketches of LeBron James’s forthcoming LeBron 18. Although the LeBron 18 is almost upon us, the LeBron 17 isn’t going out quietly either, with both high-top “What The” and low-top TITAN styles popping up.
Last week was rife with collaborative kicks as well. Two Virgils — and we’re not talking about the number 100 — were front and center, with a detailed look at the Off-White™ x Air Jordan 5 “Sail” and the best glimpse yet at the unreleased, black-soled Off-White™ x Nike Air Force 1 “MCA” sample. Virgil also blessed Chicago Bulls legend Dennis Rodman with a personalized pair of the Off-White™ x Air Jordan 1 “UNC.”
Elsewhere, Concepts announced that its recent Nike SB Dunk Low “Purple Lobster” and “Green Lobster” raffle raised $133,000 USD for charity, with over 32,000 digital raffle tickets sold. Kanye West’s shenanigans took an ever-so-brief backseat to his designs thanks to release rumors for an adidas YEEZY 700 V3 “Srphym,” and rising tennis superstar Naomi Osaka’s first footwear collaboration was revealed: a Nike Blazer created with COMME des GARÇONS that pays homage to her home country of Japan. We were also given a look at the Stüssy x Nike Air Zoom Kukini collection plus HUMAN MADE x adidas Stan Smiths and Campuses.
Rounding things off are an official look at the Air Jordan 1 “Satin Snake,” a reveal of the Air Jordan 5 “What The” and a collaborative kid’s shoe from PlayStation and Zara (no, we’re not playing games with this one).
All caught up? Let’s get into 12 great drops. Several of the inclusions on the list have staggered releases, so be sure to read carefully — and note that any dates may be pushed due to the continued effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Check out HYPEBEAST’s Trading Post for a full list of this week’s drops as well.
KITH x ASICS GEL-Lyte III “Tokyo Trio”
Kith
Kith
Kith
Kith
Release Date: July 27
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: KITH
Why You Should Cop: Ronnie Fieg, KITH and ASICS are a veritable collaborative holy trinity, and the three-headed partnership’s most recent product is a trifecta of new GEL-Lyte IIIs: “252.1,” “Yoshino Rose” and “Super Gold.” Each draws from a different part of KITH lore or Tokyo culture, ranging from Fieg’s first-ever ASICS collaboration to cherry blossoms and the Tokyo Olympic Games. In classic Fieg fashion, all three also boast extremely high quality and a keen attention to detail.
Air Jordan 34 “Noah” PE
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: July 28 (Sneaker Politics)/July 30 (Global)
Release Price: $195 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS, Foot Locker and Sneaker Politics
Why You Should Cop: The first of this week’s dashing duo of Air Jordan 34 PEs to release, Zion Williamson’s Air Jordan 34 “Noah” is a heartfelt tribute to the powerful forward’s young stepbrother. Featuring colorful scribbles done by Noah himself, a tear-jerking message on the insoles and thick, cartoon-like black lines, the “Noah” is a guaranteed grin-inducer, all while still providing the potent performance required by Zion. It’ll release at Sneaker Politics on July 28, then see a global arrival on July 30.
Nike LeBron 17 “Cold Blue Graffiti” and “Fire Red Graffiti”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: July 28
Release Price: $225 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: The LeBron 18 might be right around the corner, but LeBron James and Nike Basketball are sending the LeBron 17 out in style with “Cold Blue Graffiti” and “Fire Red Graffiti” makeups. Combining the scrawled graphics and striking midsole of a famed LeBron 4 with the updated tech and modern build of the LeBron 17, both of these USA Basketball-esque color schemes would have looked perfectly at home on an Olympic court.
Air Jordan 34 “Zoo” PE
Concepts
Concepts
Concepts
Release Date: July 29 (Concepts)/July 31 (Global)
Release Price: $195 USD
Where to Buy: Concepts and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: The second of two striking Air Jordan 34 PEs to release this week, Jayson Tatum’s Air Jordan 34 “Zoo” is a nod to his young son Deuce’s love of animals. Apart from saluting Jayson and Deuce’s trips to the zoo, it also uses bright red embellishments for a nod to the ‘Lou — the elder Tatum’s hometown of Saint Louis. The “Zoo” will release exclusively at Concepts on July 29 before a full rollout on July 31.
Nike Air Max 1 “Anniversary Pack”
Asphalt Gold/Sneakersnstuff
Asphalt Gold/Sneakersnstuff
Asphalt Gold/Sneakersnstuff
Asphalt Gold/Sneakersnstuff
Asphalt Gold/Sneakersnstuff
Asphalt Gold/Sneakersnstuff
Asphalt Gold/Sneakersnstuff
Release Date: July 30
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: Asphalt Gold and Sneakersnstuff
Why You Should Cop: We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: you really can’t beat a classic. This statement rings even more true when we’re discussing styles as crisp and timeless as the ones in Nike’s Air Max 1 “Anniversary Pack.” An OG “Hunter Green” throws it back to 1987 while “Anniversary Orange” is reminiscent of 2010’s “Holland,” and each places its colorful embellishments atop a truly traditional, Tinker Hatfield-approved (and designed) construction.
New Balance “Berry Lime” Pack
New Balance
New Balance
Release Date: July 30
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: New Balance and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: In celebration of the NBA season’s restart, New Balance has prepped a sweet “Berry Lime” pack. Lead by a new low-top iteration of Kawhi Leonard’s OMN1S that was created in partnership with Darius Bazley, the pack marks a new chapter of NB hoops footwear. It’s also got a duo of appealing off-court styles as well, thanks to the inclusion of the 997S and 850.
PLEASURES x Reebok Beatnik
Pleasures/Reebok
Pleasures/Reebok
Pleasures/Reebok
Release Date: July 30 (PLEASURES)/July 31 (Global)
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: PLEASURES and Reebok
Why You Should Cop: Is it a sandal? Is it a shoe? Reebok’s Beatnik is hard to pin down sometimes, but LA-based PLEASURES has webbed it into an appealing new dimension. Featuring bold white spiderweb graphics that stand out starkly from the black background, this spookily good Beatnik may be the most unique drop of the week. It’ll be available on the PLEASURES webstore July 30, then come to global doors a day later on July 31.
Nike VaporMax 2020 “Smoke Grey”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: July 30
Release Price: $250 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike’s VaporMax 2020 seamlessly mixes sustainable materials, advanced technology and an athletically-geared look, making it arguably the best VaporMax silhouette since 2017’s inaugural model. After debuting earlier this month, it’s now set to release in a “Smoke Grey” iteration. Well-balanced between a dark smoke grey base and multi-colored contrast threads, the “Smoke Grey” finishes its mix of looks and performance with a colorful FlyEase lacing system and a crystal clear snaking cushioning unit. Sustainable and stylish — what more could you ask for?
Stüssy x Nike Air Zoom Kukini and Benassi
Stüssy
Stüssy
Stüssy
Stüssy
Stüssy
Stüssy
Release Date: July 30
Release Price: $170 USD (Air Zoom Kukini)/$35 USD (Benassi)
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: After the swift L you probably took on Stüssy’s webstore last week, you’ll now have a second chance at the California-based brand and Nike’s latest footwear collaboration: the Air Zoom Kukini and Benassi slides are both releasing on Nike SNKRS. The black Kukini appears to be a Stussy exclusive, but the white pair and all three slides are back like they never left, offering one more opportunity for you to secure these scintillating summertime sneakers and sandals.
adidas ZX 2K 4D “Triple Black”
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: July 31
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: adidas UK
Why You Should Cop: Sometimes it’s best to let a sneaker’s intricate build and advanced tech speak for itself. That’s exactly what adidas has done on the ZX 2K 4D “Triple Black.” A pitch black style with just enough grey accents, it’s technical yet practical and arguably the ZX 2K 4D’s best colorway yet. Its reasonable price point helps make 4D more accessible than ever before as well.
Nike ISPA Overreact Flyknit Sandal “Wheat” and “Thunder Grey”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: July 31
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: A sandal-ified version of Nike ISPA’s Overreact Flyknit, the ISPA Overreact Flyknit Sandal is breezy, breathable and bold, looking like a cross between a gladiator sandal and a futuristic Nike ACG product. Thick React foam footbeds ensure comfort, while “Wheat” and “Thunder Grey” styles offer you the choice between street-geared or stealthy.
J. Cole x PUMA RS-Dreamer
Puma
Puma
Puma
Release Date: July 31
Release Price: $125 USD
Where to Buy: Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: J. Cole may be a rapper, but he’s an avid basketball player and fan as well, so PUMA is bringing Cole to the court with the new RS-Dreamer. A hybrid sneaker meant to be rocked both during and after the game, Cole’s first signature kicks are colorful, sleek and unique — marking a new chapter for both artist and brand.
