Matthew M Williams and Nike's Zoom MMW 004 Fuels This Week's Best Footwear Drops
Alongside adidas YEEZYs and Human Made collaborations, the Air Jordan 3 “Rust Pink,” sacai x Nike Blazer Lows and more.
Memorial Day Weekend is right around the corner, and the world’s biggest footwear brands are bringing the unofficial start of summer in with style. Over the next seven days we’ll see compelling releases from Nike, Jordan Brand, adidas, New Balance, Reebok and Dr. Martens, but before we dive in let’s take a look back at last week’s happenings first.
It was a full week of features over at HYPEBEAST, as we talked with Neymar Jr. about the new PUMA Wild Rider, looked back at the best New Balance collaborations from the past 10 years and rounded up some great hiking footwear options. The latest installment of Sole Mates arrived as well, with Vashtie discussing her Air Jordan 2 collaboration.
From a news standpoint, Jordan Brand had an incredibly eventful week and the Air Jordan 1 was at its center. We got a first look at what may be the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” and also saw rumors of three new Dior x Air Jordan 1 styles. Official images of two other AJ1s arrived as well: the Air Jordan 1 Low “Shattered Backboard” and Air Jordan 1 “Seafoam.” Apart from the AJ 1, the Air Jordan 4 had a duo of moments thanks to a closer look at the Air Jordan 4 “Lightning” and official images of the Masters-inspired Air Jordan 4 G.
Moving from the Jumpman to the Swoosh, there was plenty of Dunk news to be consumed. We got our first look at the UNDEFEATED x Nike “Dunk vs. AF-1,” checked out on foot shots of the Dunk Low “NY vs. NY,” and saw brand photos of the Dunk High “First Use,” Dunk Low “Dusty Olive,” and SB Dunk Low “Classic Green.” There was also a chance to check out the Kobe 6 “EYBL.”
Kanye West was busy as usual, with the YEEZY line revealing the YEEZY Slide “Glow Green” and announcing the release of the FOAM RNNR in “Mineral Blue”. The Bad Bunny x adidas Forum was teased in black, and the week’s happenings were completed by the reveal of the JJJJound x Vans Sk8-Mid, the official announcement of the Reebok Answer IV “Stepover,” fresh takes on Louis Vuitton’s LV Trainer and a new style of YG’s 4Hunnid Block Runner.
Caught up? Good. See this week’s 10 best releases below, and when you’re done head over to HBX to check out even more new footwear styles.
HUMAN MADE x adidas SLIPON PURE HM Collection
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: May 25
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: adidas and HBX
Why You Should Cop: Essentially a modern-day kung fu slipper, the HUMAN MADE x adidas SLIPON PURE HM features a breezy mesh upper with a cushy BOOST midsole, making for a sleek style that’s equally at home as a house slipper as it is a pavement-pounder. It’s also releasing in three colorways, each adorned with a tonal heart.
sacai x Nike Blazer Low “Magma Orange” and “Classic Green”
Sneaker Politics
Release Date: May 26
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: Sneaker Politics
Why You Should Cop: sacai and Nike’s long-awaited Blazer Low has a somewhat jarring design — and a jarring release process to match. It’s popped up and disappeared multiple times, but now select retailers are finally set to release the chopped-down, doubled-up classic in its “Magma Orange” and “Classic Green” colorways. No matter what pair you prefer, you’ll be getting yourself a head-turner of a summer sneaker.
Matthew M. Williams x Nike Zoom MMW 004 “Rust Factor” and “Black”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: May 27
Release Price: $450 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Feature
Why You Should Cop: Givenchy creative director and co-founder of 1017 ALYX 9SM Matthew M Williams has been known to produce high-tech, cyberpunk-esque footwear collaborations when he teams up with Nike, and the Zoom MMW 004 “Rust Factor” and “Black” are certainly not exceptions to that ethos. The “Rust Factor” is the most vibrant colorway of the Mad Max-esque 004 yet, while the black supplies a more stark, ninja-like look.
DTLR x New Balance 992 “Discover and Celebrate”
Dtlr
Dtlr
Release Date: May 28
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: DTLR
Why You Should Cop: What happens when East Coast sneaker boutique meets one of the DMV’s —District, Maryland, Virginia for those not in the know — favorite silhouettes? The DTLR x New Balance 992 “Discover and Celebrate.” Inspired by the DC metro area, the high-quality design mixes elegant black and gray shades with rich pops of red for a city-centric look that’s simultaneously sporty and stately.
Air Jordan 3 “Rust Pink”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: May 28
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: A woman’s colorway that repurposes the popular pink shade from Aleali May’s Air Jordan 6 collaboration, the Air Jordan 3 “Rust Pink” shows that there’s a correct way to “shrink it and pink it.” What’s that formula? A warm shade of pink, plenty of elephant print detailing and rich red accents.
Nike Dunk High “Court Purple”
43einhalb
43einhalb
43einhalb
Release Date: May 28
Release Price: $110 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Remember the days of matching your cap with your kicks? If you still do it, we’re not judging. Even if you don’t you’ll still probably like the Nike Dunk High “Court Purple.” It boasts a Los Angeles Lakers-esque color scheme with a retro Sports Specialties tag on the tongue and a green insole — both details inspired by vintage snapbacks — making for a compelling homage to ’90s style. Though the “Court Purple” previously released in Europe, this week marks its US debut.
adidas YEEZY FOAM RNNR “Mineral Blue” and “Sand”
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: May 29
Release Price: $80 USD
Where to Buy: adidas and YEEZY Supply
Why You Should Cop: The adidas YEEZY Foam RNNR may be the most popular non-sneaker footwear option of summer 2021, and it’s set to drop in “Mineral Blue” and “Sand.” The first is a debut, the second a restock, but no matter if you’re looking land or sea there’s something for you here — pending official release confirmation from the Three Stripes, of course.
FTMD. x Reebok Instapump Fury “Unknown Territory” Collection
Fdmt.
Fdmt.
Release Date: May 29
Release Price: RM599 MYR (approximately $145 USD)
Where to Buy: FTMD.
Why You Should Cop: Inspired by hiking and the great outdoors, FTMD. and Reebok’s Instapump Fury “Unknown Territory” collection supplies a duo of rugged-yet-stately styles with beefed-up detailing. There’s a light “Dawn” and a dark “Dusk” colorway to be had, each of which are seeing a full retail release this week after last week’s exclusive drop at atmos’ Kuala Lumpur outpost.
CLOT x Dr. Martens 1461
Dr. Martens
Dr. Martens
Dr. Martens
Release Date: May 29
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Dr. Martens and JUICE Store
Why You Should Cop: CLOT is the latest entrant in a long list of collaborative partners tapped by Dr. Martens in celebration of the 1461 shoe’s 60th anniversary, and the Chinese outfit has brought its signature red hue to the beloved model. A vivid-yet-elegant style, these CLOT Docs aim to celebrate the similarities between Chinese and British youth culture, and even feature a special silk-inspired print on the insole.
adidas YEEZY BOOST 380 “Alien Blue”
Yankeekicks
Yankeekicks
Release Date: May 31
Release Price: $230 USD
Where to Buy: adidas and YEEZY Supply
Why You Should Cop: The second YEEZY of the week that’s awaiting official release confirmation from adidas, the YEEZY BOOST 380 “Alien Blue” is a chilly style that’ll keep your feet cool and comfy all summer long with a mix of icy tones, a Primeknit upper and a full BOOST footbed. What’s cooler than bein’ cool? If you said “ice cold” without even having to think about it, you may want to pick up a pair of these.
