Nike's Roswell Raygun Pack Floats Above the Competition In This Week's Best Footwear Drops
Alongside the European release of Nike Sportswear’s Spring ‘21 Dunk collection and two new adidas YEEZY styles.
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With the holidays firmly in the rearview mirror it’s back to business as usual for the world’s biggest footwear brands. This week’s top releases are an undeniably diverse assemblage, featuring everything from Nike styles both classic and rugged to a duo of silhouettes from Kanye West and adidas, but before we dive into everything ahead of us let’s take a brief primer on last week’s goings-on.
The latest installment of HYPEBEAST‘s Sole Mates series saw artist and sculptor Original Rose speak on her appreciation for the Air Max Plus. We also explored why it’s the perfect time for Dr. Martens to offer an IPO.
Although it’s a new year indeed, one of 2020’s biggest models dominated the headlines once again, as this last week’s headlines were awash in Nike Dunk updates. On the SB front, we saw official images of all four new Supreme x Nike SB Dunk Low colorways — “Hyper Blue,” “Mean Green,” “Barkroot Brown” and “Black” — and also got a closer look at both the SB Dunk Low “Street Hawker” and SB Dunk Low “Court Purple.” Dunks of the Nike Sportswear variety made plenty of noise as well, with Hiroshi Fujiwara teasing a potential re-release of the fragment design x Nike Dunk High pack from 2010, YOON of AMUBSH showing off a “Chicago”-colored iteration of her Dunk High collaboration and the rollout of NSW’s six-style in-line Dunk offerings for Spring ‘21, which have already released in Japan and will hit European stockists this week.
Rounding off the Nike news was our best look yet at the READYMADE x Nike Blazer, a glimpse at Skepta’s Air Max Tailwind 5, Tom Sachs sporting a Mars Yard 2.5 sample with an ACG Mountain Fly sole, and Nike SNKRS hosting a “Vote Back” contest for some of LeBron James’ most notable PEs. On the Jordan Brand front, Air Jordan 35 PEs were premiered for Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson, Luka Dončić and Rui Hachimura, with official images of the Air Jordan 3 “Midnight Navy” plus PSG’s Air Jordan 1 High Zoom CMFT surfacing as well.
In the last few notable bits of news, Salehe Bembury previewed a second New Balance 2002R collaboration, we were given an on-foot look at the adidas YEEZY BOOST 700 “Sun,” Dior men’s footwear designer Thibo unveiled a Shawn Stussy x Dior B27 and SCRY™️ whipped up a 3D-printed Shuttle “Shadow” model.
That about does it, so let’s go ahead and dive into this week’s 10 best releases. As always, note that any pairs listed below may be pushed back due to the continued effects of the coronavirus and head over to HBX to check out even more new footwear styles.
Nike Sportswear Spring 2021 Dunk Collection
Mita
Release Date: January 14
Release Price: $100-$110 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Sneakerheads couldn’t get enough of the Nike Dunk in 2020, and the Swoosh is tossing even more bait to the feeding frenzy in 2021, kicking things off with a six-pack of Nike Sportswear styles. Ranging from a UNLV-inspired Dunk Low to an ultra-clean white and gray Dunk High, the offerings are classic yet current and in the middle of a staggered rollout — they released in Japan last week, are releasing in Europe this week, and will gradually make their way to stateside stockists later this winter.
adidas 4D Fusio
43einhalb
43einhalb
43einhalb
Release Date: January 14
Release Price: €200 EUR (approx. $243 USD)
Where to Buy: adidas and 43einhalb
Why You Should Cop: Once limited to only a handful of models, 4D tech is becoming more omnipotent as adidas discovers how to produce it en masse and the latest result of that expansion is the new 4D Fusio. With a smart black, orange and pink color scheme and a striking build that combines a sock-like upper with a large EVA clip that covers part of the 4D midsole, the Fusio serves a look that lands somewhere between Y-3 and outer space — making for another worthwhile addition to the 4D roster. It’s set to release in Europe this week, and will likely land in the US shortly therafter.
Nike Air Max 1 “Martian Sunrise”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 14
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike’s Air Max 1 has released in several clean colorways over the past few months, and its new “Martian Sunrise” colorway continues that trend. Boasting a full leather construction centered around a bright orange mudguard and Swoosh, the “Martian Sunrise” is a captivating take on one of Tinker Hatfield’s most beloved designs.
Air Jordan 5 Low and Air Jordan 35 “Chinese New Year”
Nike
Release Date: January 14
Release Price: $180 USD (Air Jordan 35)/$215 USD (Air Jordan 5 Low)
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS China
Why You Should Cop: Jordan Brand’s two-shoe celebration of the Chinese Zodiac calendar’s Year of the Ox consists of both the classic Air Jordan 5 Low and the new Air Jordan 35. The two differ in time period by 30 years — the former was introduced in 1990, the latter in 2020 — but are quite similar in style, both featuring tear-away detailing on the upper. As of now, they’re releasing exclusively in China and will come to US outposts later in the month.
Nike/Converse “Raygun” Pack
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 15
Release Price: $85-145 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Converse
Why You Should Cop: An extensive homage to the fictional Roswell-based basketball team, Nike and Converse’s “Raygun” pack is made up of colorful takes on the Air Raid, Air Force 1 Low, Kyrie 7, Blazer, Air More Uptempo, Flight ‘89, Chuck 70 Hi and Pro Leather. Each model features a retro ’70s color scheme and adds signature detailing by way of special graphics, unique prints and more, making for a loving salute to the most popular imaginary hoops franchise this side of the Tune Squad.
Supreme x Nike Air Max Goadome
Supreme
Supreme
Supreme
Release Date: January 14
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Supreme
Why You Should Cop: Nike’s Air Max Goadome boot is an East Coast staple with especially deep roots in NYC and the DMV, so it’s only right that Supreme is taking it on for the final release of the FW20 season. Arriving in both red and black colorways, the boots are made of scaly snakeskin and feature a Supreme arc logo on the heel for high-end street style.
Kung Fu Panda x Reebok Collection
Reebok
Reebok
Reebok
Reebok
Release Date: January 15
Release Price: $100-$200 USD
Where to Buy: Reebok
Why You Should Cop: It may indeed be the Year of the Ox, but Reebok is taking a moment to pay homage to Kung Fu Panda with Dragon Warrior-satisfying iterations of the Instapump Fury, Zig Kinetica and Club C. Rich in color and awash in compelling material, each pair is impeccable fan service for lovers of the Kung Fu Panda universe.
adidas YEEZY 700 V3 “Safflower”
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: January 16
Release Price: $200 USD (Men’s), $130 USD (Kids), $100 USD (Infants)
Where to Buy: adidas and YEEZY Supply
Why You Should Cop: In its time on the market, Kanye West’s adidas YEEZY 700 V3 has mostly released in dark or airy colorways, but the new “Safflower” makeup serves as an appealing middle ground with its rich yellow detailing. Besides these vivid accents, the “Safflower” also returns familiar pieces like a glow-in-the-dark TPU exoskeleton and trim adiPRENE midsole — and it’ll be available in full family sizes when its release is officially confirmed by adidas.
Air Jordan 13 “Starfish”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: January 16
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: Although the Air Jordan 13 “Starfish” isn’t “Shattered Backboard” in name, it certainly is in practice. Offering a new twist on the popular white, orange and black color scheme popularized by 2015’s Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboard,” the “Starfish” is a worthy addition to the greater Air Jordan 13 lexicon.
adidas YEEZY BOOST 380 “Yecoraite”
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: January 16
Release Price: $240 USD (Men’s), $170 USD (Kids), $150 USD (Infants)
Where to Buy: adidas and YEEZY Supply
Why You Should Cop: The second YEEZY to release this week, the adidas YEEZY BOOST 380 “Yecoraite” takes its name from a tetragonal mineral and boasts tones both earthy and airy atop its Primeknit upper. Much like the above-listed YEEZY 700 V3 “Safflower,” the “Yecoraite” will also be releasing in full family sizes, though it’s exclusive to the APAC region.
