Nike Dunk Low "Samba" Returns to Lead This Week's Best Footwear Drops
Alongside the YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Israfil,” multiple Air Jordans and the latest Medicom Toy x Nike SB collab.
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As we step into the second half of August, the world of footwear shows no signs of slowing down. This week holds a wide swath of drops from signature basketball shoes for rappers to revivals of early ’00s and mid ’90s classics, but before we give you the rundown on the best kicks of the week let’s take a brief look back at last week’s goings-on.
After Kobe Bryant’s tragic passing in January, basketball fans and sneaker lovers alike were left wondering if/how Nike would continue to roll out his signature footwear line. Those questions were answered in resounding fashion with the announcement of Mamba Week, an extensive celebration of Kobe centered around five special Kobe 5 Protros. Michael Jordan, the man Kobe drew so much inspiration from, had a moment of his own — even if he wasn’t directly connected to it. Christie’s and Stadium Goods teamed up for a “Game Worn” auction of MJ’s game-worn shoes that netted a whopping $931,875 USD, with the Air Jordan 1 High from the infamous “Shattered Backboard” game selling for $615,000 USD alone.
Collaborative efforts were diverse. During one of his signature social media sprees, Kanye West showed off a wealth of new designs, the most notable of which was an adidas D Rose-inspired silhouette. On the Swoosh front, Jerry Lorenzo showed us a bright Nike Air Fear of God 1 designed by his son. We were given also a closer look at G-Dragon’s PEACEMINUSONE x Nike Air Force 1 “Para-Noise 2.0,” and CDG Girl offered up hand-airbrushed Nike Blazers. New Balance doubled up, debuting 860s with Dime and 1300s with Aimé Leon Dore.
Moving to the world of sport, we saw the Paris Saint-Germain x Air Jordan 4 and a collaborative running shoe from Soulland and Li-Ning. If chilling’s more your speed than physical activity, you’ll likely love Nike’s new Offline sandal as well — it’s the brand’s first shoe for doing nothing. On the business front, Dr. Martens announced an extremely positive start to the financial year, though the numbers it shared were pre-pandemic. $4 million USD worth of fake sneakers were seized at the US/Mexico border, including 1,800 pairs of bogus Dior x Air Jordan 1s.
One hoops and one designs, but Steph Curry and Benny Gold both had moments in the spotlight. It was rumored that the former would have a signature brand under the greater Under Armour umbrella, while the latter raffled off his entire sneaker collection. Customs cropped up, with C2H4 founder Yixi Chen debuting a punk rock inspired SB Dunk Low, and TBD In Process offering up Nike Air Force 1s with neon thermoformed acrylic Swooshes.
Caught up? Let’s get into a dozen of this week’s best drops directly below. Note that releases may still be delayed by the COVID-19 coronavirus, and to check out more impending product head over to the HYPEBEAST Trading Post.
J. Cole x PUMA RS-Dreamer “Blood, Sweat and Tears”
Puma
Puma
Release Date: August 17
Release Price: $125 USD
Where to Buy: PUMA and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: J. Cole and PUMA have made hip-hop and hoops one and the same with their RS-Dreamer, and its new “Blood, Sweat and Tears” colorway is inspired by the dedication required to succeed at the highest level of your craft, no matter if you’re rhyming or balling. Apart from its rich inspiration, the “Blood, Sweat and Tears” also boasts a visceral all-red color scheme and a hybrid cushioning setup that makes sure it both plays and looks good.
atmos x Nike Air Max 950
Atmos
Atmos
Atmos
Release Date: August 19
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: atmos
Why You Should Cop: A wavy hybrid silhouette with a Japanese flag on the heel, atmos’s Air Max Zoom 950 is a thorough homage to Japan’s love of the Air Max 95. Featuring a “Neon”-inspired color scheme and updated technology, the Air Max 950 is past, present and future wrapped up in a sleek package that Nike Sportswear buffs are sure to love.
JJJJound x New Balance 992 Collection
Sneakersnstuff
Sneakersnstuff
Sneakersnstuff
Sneakersnstuff
Sneakersnstuff
Sneakersnstuff
Release Date: August 20
Release Price: $175 USD
Where to Buy: Sneakersnstuff
Why You Should Cop: After a JJJJound-exclusive release at the end of July — Bill Watterson, anyone? — and a Japanese release earlier in August, the JJJJound x New Balance 992s are finally set for an EU and US debut. Masters of minimalism and purveyors of impeccable quality, the Justin Saunders-helmed outfit has dressed the popular retro runner in green and brown, adding just enough branded flair with small strikes on the heel.
Nike Space Hippie 01 “Wheat White”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: August 20
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike’s sustainable Space Hippie has taken the sneaker world by storm over the summer months, and now its standout 01 model is returning in a new “Wheat White” style. Although its name would indicate an airy makeup, it’s actually more earthy thanks to a black Space Waste yarn upper with a wheat-colored Swoosh and a stark grey NikeGrind midsole. Renewable and regarded, it’s a fine addition to any summertime sneaker lineup.
Reebok Question Mid OG “Red Toe”
Reebok
Reebok
Reebok
Release Date: August 21
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: Reebok and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: Allen Iverson’s legendary Reebok Question Mid is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and a focal point of the festivities is an OG “Red Toe” re-release. Featuring an original suede toe cap construction that was only present on the Question Mid’s first 5,000 pairs, the “Red Toe” takes you back to a different era in the NBA — one in which the sky was the limit for a pugnacious rookie point guard who crossed up Michael Jordan.
Nike Dunk Low “Samba”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: August 21
Release Price: $100 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and atmos
Why You Should Cop: A CO.JP exclusive that first slunk onto the scene in 2001, the Nike Dunk Low “Samba” is returning in 2020 to continue what’s become the year of the Dunk. Serving up a striking mix of silver, blue and red, the “Samba” is a revived relic of early ’00s sneaker collecting that still looks just as stylish now as it did in the aughts.
National Park Foundation x adidas ZX 5000 “Joshua Tree”
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: August 21
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: The latest part of adidas’s A-ZX collection rollout, the National Park Foundation x adidas ZX 5000 nods to California’s Joshua Tree with its rugged-yet-vibrant palette, saluting the beloved park and its beautiful sunsets. It’s also durable, constructed of sturdy Cordura fabric and rich nubuck.
Air Jordan 3 “Laser Orange”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: August 21
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: A crisp, clean new makeup of a beloved Air Jordan, the Air Jordan 3 “Laser Orange” combines Lakers-esque accenting tones with classic elephant print for a look that’s almost PE-esque in nature. It’s a ladies colorway, but will be available in an extended size run so the fellas can get their fill as well.
adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Israfil”
Hanzuying
Hanzuying
Hanzuying
Release Date: August 22
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: adidas and YEEZY Supply
Why You Should Cop: Four years into the life cycle of the adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2, Kanye West isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel with his signature line’s flagship silhouette. Instead, he’s giving his acolytes exactly what they want — more earthy, natural hues but with a twist — and that’s exactly what the “Israfil” will provide when its release is confirmed.
Medicom Toy x Nike SB Dunk Low
Medicom Toy
Medicom Toy
Medicom Toy
Release Date: August 22
Release Price: ¥13,500 (men’s, approximately $126 USD), ¥9,000 (kids, approximately $84 USD) ¥7,500 (infants, approximately $70 USD)
Where to Buy: Medicom Toy
Why You Should Cop: Eight Dunk collaborations deep, Medicom Toy and Nike SB have established an undeniably fruitful collaborative relationship, and their latest offering is simple in color but bold in construction. Featuring full pony hair uppers, these fuzzy Dunks will be available in full family sizes, feature special embellishments and are accompanied by matching BE@RBRICKs.
PLEASURES x Reebok Classic Leather Legacy
Reebok
Reebok
Reebok
Release Date: August 22
Release Price: $100 USD
Where to Buy: Reebok
Why You Should Cop: PLEASURES founder Alex James has a fondness for the California desert, so he brought its sandy, barren tones onto his brand’s new Reebok Classic Leather Legacy collaboration. Tastefully applying co-branded hits, providing an updated take on a classic Reebok sneaker and retailing for only $100 USD, the co-created kicks are pleasing for more reasons than one.
Air Jordan 12 “Indigo”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: August 22
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: The Air Jordan 12 is elegance personified when it comes to Jordan Brand, and its new “Indigo” iteration ups the already high ante even further. With a genuine indigo-died upper and standout silver eyestays, it blends sport and luxury in a way that few other 2020 Jordan releases can lay claim to, and provides a fresh take on a beloved style.
