Nike Dunk High "Michigan" Captures the Championship in This Week's Best Footwear Drops
Alongside Bodega and New Balance’s third and final 997S collaboration, Nike Kobe 5 Protros for PJ Tucker, Atlas’s detailed SB Dunk High, JJJJound Reeboks and more.
The first official day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere is upon us, and the world’s biggest footwear brands are celebrating the change of seasons — intentionally or otherwise — with a varied slate of drops. This week sees the return of some beloved Nike Sportswear styles, collaborations both clean and colorful, new heat from Jordan Brand and more. Before we dive into this week’s best drops, however, let’s get up to speed on everything that went down over the last seven days.
Kanye West’s extended crowd controlled a lion’s share of the news, as is par for the course in 2020. During one of his signature bombastic Twitter tirades, West declared himself the “head of adidas” and referred to PUMA’s designs as “trash.” A camo-coated, GORE-TEX bolstered YEEZY 1050 sample appeared as well, reportedly one of three pairs in existence. Virgil Abloh got back to track and field with a spiked, perfectly imperfect-Swooshed take on Nike’s new Air Zoom Tempo NEXT%, and Matthew M. Williams revealed a buckle-equipped “signature” 1017 ALYX 9SM sneaker.
Elsewhere in the world of collaboration, G-Dragon’s wildly-hyped PEACEMINUSONE x Nike Air Force 1 “Para-Noise 2.0” was rumored for a Holiday 2020 release. Union and Jordan Brand’s Air Jordan 4, Delta Mid and Zoom ‘92 were prepped for an October drop on Nike SNKRS, and Slam Jam announced a duo of Nike Dunk collaborations. We were given a first look at an angelic adidas NMD Hu from Pharrell, a new cream-accented Club C from JJJJound and Reebok surfaced, and SBTG teamed back up with Staple for a custom Dunk High “Pigeon Fury.”
Finally, Jordan Brand announced its Holiday 2020 “Modern” collection, centered around a new Air Jordan Spiz’ike 270 Boot. The beloved Air Jordan 4 “Lightning” was reported for a 2021 release, LeBron James’ Nike LeBron 18 was officially unveiled and PUMA made waves by signing UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya to a historic sponsorship deal.
All caught up? Let’s dive into a dozen of this week’s best drops. Please note that any and all release dates are subject to change due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, and check out HYPEBEAST’s Trading Post for even more info.
COMME des GARÇONS Play x Converse Chuck 70 Collection
End.
Release Date: September 22
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Converse and END.
Why You Should Cop: The Converse with the hearts are coming back in their four most famous styles. Need we say more? One of the most ubiquitous shoes in street culture, the COMME des GARÇONS Play x Converse Chuck 70 has morphed from an in-the-know favorite to a gotta-have-it wardrobe staple for many, and it’s back in black and white, Hi and Ox cuts ahead of the fall. They’re not reinventing the wheel, but they are a great staple for any sneaker rotation.
Nike Dunk High “Michigan”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: September 23
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Juice Store
Why You Should Cop: First debuted in 1985 as part of the influential “Be True to Your School” Dunk series, the Nike Dunk High “Michigan” is back in all its maize and navy glory. All about Ann Arbor’s finest, the familiar style is guaranteed to find favor with Wolverines backers and die-hard Nike Sportswear heads alike — and alongside last week’s “Pro Green” serves as a perfect lead-in to the swath of Dunks we’ll see this winter and next spring.
Ruohan Wang x Nike Air Force 1, Blazer Mid ‘77 and Air Max 90 Flyleather
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: September 24
Release Price: $100-$130 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike has been harping on its “circular design principles” for much of 2020, and the latest result of those stylishly sustainable experimentations is artist Ruohan Wang’s three-pack of Flyleather kicks: the Air Force 1, Blazer Mid ‘77 and Air Max 90. Featuring colorful, good-natured graphics, Wang’s set of sneakers sacrifices no style in its pursuit of sustainability.
Bodega x New Balance 997S “Better Days”
Bodega
Bodega
Bodega
Release Date: September 25
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: Bodega
Why You Should Cop: The third and final part of a beloved collaborative trilogy after 2019’s “No Bad Days” and “No Days Off” makeups, the Bodega x New Balance 997 “Better Days” looks to the future in colorful fashion. Serving up a fall-ready color scheme and a perfect mix of advanced tech and lifestyle looks, the “Better Days” is an undeniably apt closure to a three-pack of modern day classics.
Nike Kobe 5 Protro “PJ Tucker”
Nice Kicks
Nice Kicks
Nice Kicks
Release Date: September 25
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: Nice Kicks and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: PJ Tucker has been the NBA’s sneaker king for years — but no matter how many ultra rare shoes one may own, there’s no real substitute for having your own signature sneaker. Thankfully for Tucker, it’s finally his time in the Nike Basketball spotlight owing to the release of his colorful Nike Kobe 5 Protro PE. Combining a duo of reptile prints on its base and adding vibrant accents, the shoe is an apt representation of Tucker’s flamboyant style and love of sneakers.
JJJJound x Reebok Classic Nylon
Jjjjound
Release Date: September 25
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: JJJJound
Why You Should Cop: If you had to pick one word to describe JJJJound’s sneaker collaborations, “succinct” would be an apt choice. The Montreal-based masters of minimalism never do too much and their new Reebok Classic Nylon collaboration is proof of that. It may be a simple mix of white and tan, of nylon and suede, but its recognizable branding and JJJJound’s cult following will ensure it flies off virtual shelves faster than you can answer a Calvin and Hobbes trivia question.
HUMAN MADE x adidas Tokio Solar HM and UNOFCL
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: September 25
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: adidas and HBX
Why You Should Cop: HUMAN MADE and adidas have worked on everything from old-school classics to hybrid running shoes, but the duo’s latest link-up might be their most interesting yet. Two original silhouettes — the Tokio Solar HM and UNOFCL — in two colorways each, the four styles draw from the adidas archives, but add Nigo’s signature Americana twist and updated tech for a seamless mixture of past and present, sport and casual.
Denham x Nike Air Max 95 and 90
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: September 25
Release Price: $180 USD (Air Max 95)/$160 USD (Air Max 90)
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: After the release of a $300 USD Air Max 1 last week, Denham and Nike Sportswear are back with two more dashing Air Max collaborations: the Air Max 95 and Air Max 90. Using rich dyes and — of course — sturdy denim, the shoes are equal parts athletic and workwear with a detailed build that pays homage to high-end blue jeans and Swoosh design prowess alike.
Adsum x Reebok Club C
Adsum
Adsum
Adsum
Release Date: September 25
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: Adsum
Why You Should Cop: JJJJound isn’t the only company with a simple-yet-beautiful Reebok collab dropping this week: Brooklyn’s Adsum has a chocolate brown Club C ready to go as well. Following up last week’s store-exclusive drop, the refined New York brand has brought back their richly-colored tennis shoes for the masses. The Adsum x Reebok Club C isn’t all business though, as its serious outer shell conceals a cheeky green insole.
LEGO x adidas ZX 8000
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: September 25
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: One of the more playful collaborative styles from adidas’s A-ZX line, LEGO’s take on the ZX 8000 may be a grown-up’s shoe — but it’s one with a child’s heart. Featuring warm colors and brick-inspired details like heel pieces and interchangeable lace deubres, the LEGO x adidas ZX 8000 is a shoe that’s sure to make you smile … at least until you trod barefoot on an extra LEGO lace deubre that you left laying around.
Atlas x Nike SB Dunk High “Lost at Sea”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: September 26
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Atlas
Why You Should Cop: Expansive in story, intricate in detailing and well-versed in fan service, the Atlas x Nike SB Dunk High “Lost At Sea” may be one of the fall’s best SB releases. Its aged detailing and weathered color palette is inspired by the story of the Hansa Carrier (which you should 100% Google if you’re not familiar with) and the slightly slimmed-down build pulls from the Air Flight 90, an under-the-radar Nike Sportswear classic. SBs are at their best when the storytelling is on point, and the “Lost at Sea” is a perfect example of that.
Air Jordan 13 “Lucky Green”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: September 26
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: Ignominious start and Marcus Smart temper tantrum aside, the Boston Celtics are still hangin’ tough against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, and maybe the Air Jordan 13 “Lucky Green” will provide them with a little spark o’ magic. Somewhat similar to Ray Allen’s legendary Air Jordan 13 PE — save for the much lighter shade of green it uses — the “Lucky Green” is a crisp and fresh style for one of Jordan Brand’s foremost retro models.
