Skepta and Nike's Air Max Tailwind V Takes Flight in This Week's Best Footwear Drops
Accompanied by Nice Kicks and Amoeba’s New Balance 992s, the latest from Palace x Reebok and more.
With March giving way to April, the world’s biggest footwear brands are looking to start the new month off with a bang. Nike, New Balance, Reebok, Vans and more have readied a fresh crop of styles for the footwear-loving public, and we’ve narrowed this week’s offerings down to the 10 best. Before we look at what’s in store for us over the next seven days, however, let’s cast an eye back on everything that went down last week.
The latest installment of Sole Mates saw chart-topping artist 24kGoldn riff on the role sneaker culture played in his come-up and his current affection for Lanvin’s high-priced Curb sneaker. Goldn wasn’t the only Gen Z star making noise last week though: Lil Nas X stole the show by working with creative studio MSCHF on the “Satan Shoes,” a custom Air Max 97 with a drop of real human blood in its cushioning unit that sold out in less than a minute. As you might imagine, Nike was not particularly thrilled by the style — and quickly sued MSCHF in an attempt to prevent the shoes from being shipped.
Apart from taking legal action against irreverent creative studios, the Swoosh also readied a plethora of its own styles. Skepta’s Air Max Tailwind V was officially announced, and a Travis Scott Air Max 1 collaboration was teased on Air Max Day. We also saw official images of Wasted Youth’s SB Dunk Low and got an on-foot look at the SB Dunk Low “What the P-Rod.”
Jordan Brand made some noise as well, revealing official images of the Air Jordan 4 “University Blue.” There were also early glimpses at the Air Jordan 1 “Pollen” and the Air Jordan 4 “Tech Grey.” On the ultra-rare PE front, Usher’s all-gold Air Jordan 9s and Air Jordan 11s were put up for auction.
Moving from the Swoosh to the Three Stripes, there was a wealth of news from Kanye West and the adidas YEEZY line. We got our best glimpse yet at the YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Mono Mist,” saw the YEEZY BOOST 700 “Bright Blue” and checked out the YEEZY FOAM RNNR in “Mineral Blue.” Apart from Mr. West, Bad Bunny’s second Forum Low Buckle collaboration was revealed by the reggaeton superstar himself and Overkill presented a graffiti-inspired ZX8500.
Rounding off the week’s goings-on was Ronnie Fieg announcing a brand-new Clarks line dubbed “8th Street” and two sneakers from emerging brands: Plessume’s Nike and Rick Owens Dunk-inspired Slam High and Collegium’s distressed high-tops.
Caught up? Cool. Let’s get into what this week has to offer. Check out the ten best drops below, and head over to HBX to check out even more new footwear styles.
JUUN.J x Reebok Instapump Fury Collection
Reebok
Reebok
Reebok
Reebok
Release Date: April 1
Release Price: $250 USD
Where to Buy: Reebok and HBX
Why You Should Cop: Korean brand JUUN.J is ready to let the world have a go at its Reebok Instapump Fury collaborations after an smaller inaugural release in past weeks. Available in glossy black or bright blue, both of these throwback Reebok runners are embellished with striking patent leather for a look that blends high fashion flair with sporty elegance in classic JUUN.J style.
Air Jordan 9 “Change the World”
Nice Kicks
Nice Kicks
Nice Kicks
Release Date: April 2
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS, Foot Locker and Nice Kicks
Why You Should Cop: A women’s style that will be available in an extended size run, the Air Jordan 9 “Change the World” offers vibrant asymmetrical colorblocking. One shoe blends purple, navy and yellow while the other supplies a summertime mix of fuchsia and orange accents, but the divergent styles work together for a shoe that’s as warm — and fun — as the season it was made for.
Nice Kicks x Amoeba Music x New Balance 992 Collection
Nice Kicks
Nice Kicks
Nice Kicks
Release Date: April 2
Release Price: $240 USD
Where to Buy: Nice Kicks
Why You Should Cop: Nice Kicks, Amoeba Music and New Balance’s duo of 992 collaborations draw from Amoeba’s importance to California music culture, mixing the famed record shop’s signature colors and retro branding with a beloved New Balance silhouette. One pair adds yellow and seafoam green to a gray base while the other brings seafoam green and red to a black base, but both are completed with special hangtags to lock in the inspiration.
Skepta x Nike Air Max Tailwind V
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: April 2
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and 43einhalb
Why You Should Cop: Skepta and Nike are five collaborations deep, and their latest effort is this striking Air Max Tailwind V. Focused around an overarching theme of evolution and reinvention, this Tailwind puts forth blue butterfly wing print and boasts other details like shimmering heels inspired by 2019’s Ignorance Is Bliss record plus chrome Swooshes that nod to Skep’s past Nike Shox TL collaboration.
A$AP Nast x Reebok Classic Leather Legacy
Reebok
Reebok
Reebok
Release Date: April 2
Release Price: $100 USD
Where to Buy: Reebok and HBX
Why You Should Cop: A$AP Nast puts forth a strong case for being A$AP Mob’s most stylish member, and he’s brought his signature look to the Reebok Classic Leather Legacy. Mixing an elegant brown and black base with cool cream and vivid purple accents, Nast’s latest footwear collaboration encapulates his personal style perfectly: understated and well-fitting, with just enough flair.
Bodega x Vault by Vans Style 36 “High Note”
Vault by Vans
Vault by Vans
Vault by Vans
Release Date: April 2
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Bodega
Why You Should Cop: Bodega is 15 years deep in the sneaker game, so the “hidden in plain sight” store is celebrating with this new Vault by Vans Style 36 collaboration. Dubbed the “High Note,” the design is a commentary on customized designer goods with luxe detailing like shaggy suede, snakeskin and even a Louis Vuitton-style damier pattern on the tongue.
Palace x Reebok NPC Collection
Palace
Palace
Palace
Palace
Palace
Palace
Release Date: April 2
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Palace
Why You Should Cop: Palace is no stranger to cheeky Reebok collaborations, and its latest effort consists of three new takes on the NPC, all complete with a Polo-esque logo and soft suede (the tan pair) or crisp leather (the black and white pairs) uppers. If you want a preppy look with a streetwise twist, this co-created effort is a great choice.
Coral Studios x Nike Air Max 95 “2.0”
Coral Studios
Coral Studios
Coral Studios
Release Date: April 3
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Coral Studios
Why You Should Cop: Coral Studios first worked on an Air Max 95 in 2018, producing an ultra-limited run of 50 pairs. Now, the New York-based creative agency has revived their beloved collaboration — and added a few small tweaks — for 2021. Coral reef-esque shades are spread across the top of the anatomy-inspired upper, and a sustainable aspect is at play thanks to the shoe’s easily recyclable packaging.
Air Jordan 12 Low “Easter”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: April 3
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: No matter if you’re pious or phlegmatic, if you appreciate a good summer sneaker you’ll likely be a fan of the Air Jordan 12 Low “Easter.” Boasting a crisp white upper with iridescent embellishments and icy blue detailing, the “Easter” serves up a cool, not chilly, look that’s ideal for barbecues, kickbacks and more.
Nike Air Tuned Max “Celery”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: April 3
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: Apart from the Skepta collaboration listed above, there’s a sneaker that inspired a past Skepta collaboration releasing this week as well. Nike’s Air Tuned Max “Celery” is a turn-of-the-century classic that was replicated by Skepta’s Air Max 97 Ultra in 2017, and now it’s back in all its original glory. It’s already released in Europe and Asia, but its US debut merits inclusion on this list as well.
