fragment design x Nike Dunk High "Beijing" Makes a Glorious Return in This Week's Best Footwear Drops

Memorial Day weekend has passed, and to start the summer months of 2021 on the right foot, many of the Sportswear brands we’ve come to know and love have jam packed the first week of June with some head-turning releases. In the coming days, we’re going to see several drops from the folks over at adidas, Nike, Jordan Brand, Reebok and more, but before we get to these, let’s sift through all of the footwear action from last week.

In terms of new features, HYPEBEAST had the opportunity to catch up with Kacey Lynch — founder of brand Bricks & Wood — to talk about his Los Angeles-inspired New Balance 57/40 collaboration. Additionally, our weekly Sole Mates series expanded with a compelling new interview with one of ESPN‘s NBA feature writers Nick DePaula to discuss his longtime affinity for the Nike Zoom Hyperflight.

A truckload of new footwear news was brought to light last week. There was no question that Nike took charge as it unveiled a barrage of impending offerings such as an Air Force 1 Low “Ballistic” collaboration with UNDEFEATED, Dunk Lows galore in “Team Red”, “NY vs. NY” and “Crazy Camo” outfits, the Off-White™ x Nike Air Force 1 Low “University Gold, the all-new Air Max Furyosa and more. Its corporate office neighbors at Jordan Brand side dished out some striking headlines as well as its “Tent and Trail” Air Jordan 4 capsule with Union LA was unveiled, an early look at the Air Jordan 36 surfaced, LeBron James was spotted in an unreleased sacai x Nike Blazer Low, another fragment design x sacai x Nike LDWaffle appeared, an on-foot look at the fragment design x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low was provided and Zion Williamson explained the significance of his Jordan Zion 1 “Marion” colorway.

The Three Stripes family had a handful of bangers to uncover as well. A lengthy list of adidas YEEZY restocks for 2021 was revealed, in addition to a detailed look at the forthcoming YEEZY BOOST 700 MNVN “Bright Cyan” and a first glimpse at the YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Beluga Reflective.” Elsewhere, we also got further looks at Pharrell’s new adidas Humanrace Sichona silhouette and PLEASURES’ mood-changing Superstar installment.

In regards to other brands, Carhartt WIP reunited with Converse to deliver a “Hinterland” Chuck 70 capsule and Reebok officially confirmed the return of the ultra clean Question Low “Grey Toe” and showed off JJ Watt’s New Reebok JJ IV “Valor” that was made in honor of the late Pat Tillman. Additionally New Balance dropped an assemblage of Summer-appropriate sandals and gave us a first look at Salehe Bembury’s upcoming New Balance 2002R “Water Be the Guide”.

Are you all up to speed? Awesome. Peep a look at this week’s 10 best releases below, and when you’re done head over to HBX to check out even more new footwear styles.

Mimi Plange x Nike LeBron 18 Low “Higher Learning”

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Release Date: June 2
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: Nike and Mimi Plange
Why You Should Cop: LeBron James is known to take on a variety of collaborative footwear projects each year, and now he’s called upon Ghanaian fashion designer Mimi Plange to apply her touch to his LeBron 18 Low. This marks the first of four shoes that the two will be dropping together. Up first is this “Higher Learning” makeup that pulls inspiration from varsity jackets — a powerful symbol of school and athletics.

COMME Des GARÇONS PLAY x Converse Chuck 70 “Blue Quartz” and “Steel Grey” Collection

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Release Date: June 3
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Dover Street Market and Converse
Why You Should Cop: The “Converse with the hearts” are back again, and they’ve arrived in new “Blue Quartz” and “Steel Grey” colorways. Presented in high and low-top options alike, each sneaker features a playful heart detail with eyes that peeks over the midsole and sits atop a boldly-colored canvas upper. If past models are any indication, these will be a summertime classic.

Nike Dunk Low “Michigan”

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Release Date: June 3
Release Price: $100 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: The return of “Be True to Your School” Dunks have been well-received amongst the modern day sneaker community, and next up on the Swoosh’s list is the classic “Michigan” Lows. Styled identically to its high-top counterpart that launched back in September 2020, the two-toned iteration sees through to “Varsity Maize” and “Midnight Navy” color-blocking to nod to the University of Michigan Wolverines — the very institution for breeding the famous “Fab 5” NCAA team that featured Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson.

Nike Dunk Low “Team Green”

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Release Date: June 3
Release Price: $100 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: Collegiate Dunks continue to bring about great nostalgia for avid 90s sneaker fans, and Nike is now reviving the “Team Green” Lows — a colorway that nods to Michigan State — one of the NCAA’s most storied hoops programs. The two-toned motif is once again translated on this makeup, its green and white hues alternating amongst its smooth leather uppers to channel a Spartans-friendly palette.

Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Court Purple”

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Release Date: June 3
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: After first releasing in 1985, the Air Jordan 1 “Court Purple” is finally receiving its glorious return in Retro High OG form. This forthcoming makeup is straightforward in style but extra clean in aesthetic. Midsole pieces and smooth leather uppers are treated with a crisp white hue, and come complemented along the collars, tongues, Swooshes and wings insignias with a “Court Purple” accents to best translate its muse.

Reebok Answer IV “Step Over”

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Release Date: June 4
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Reebok and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: NBA legend Allen Iverson has a plethora of highlights to look back on from his career, but perhaps the most iconic is the “Step Over” move that he executed over Tyronn Lue in the 2001 NBA Finals. In that very game, the shifty point guard was seen rocking a black and white Answer IV colorway, and in celebration of this hoops moment’s 20th anniversary, Reebok is fittingly giving this makeup a retro launch.

Bricks & Wood x New Balance 57/40

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Release Date: June 4
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: Kacey Lynch’s Bricks & Wood has made a name for itself in the realm of apparel and accessories, and New Balance has recognized its impact and decided to be the brand’s inaugural footwear collaborator. Together, the two brands have teamed up on the modern 57/40 silhouette, and reimagined it in a palette that is symbolic of Liquor Bank — a convenience store that Lynch often visited growing up — and the overall ethos of Los Angeles. This drop follows up a Bricks & Wood-exclusive release at the tail end of May.

Nike LeBron 8 V2 Low “Miami Nights”

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Release Date: June 4
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: Originally launched back in 2011, the Nike LeBron 8 Low V2 “Miami Nights” is gearing up for its official return. The colorful sneaker is designed with Vice City-esque nature as seen by its teal and pink accents, and is believed to have been created for The King’s first championship victory with the Miami Heat. Side panels are ornamented with confetti-esque patterns that are representative of a Finals parade.

fragment design x Nike Dunk High “Beijing”

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Release Date: June 5
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS, HBX and Stadium Goods
Why You Should Cop: Hiroshi Fujiwara and Nike have reunited to bring back the Fragment design x Nike Dunk High “Beijing”. The colorway initially launched back in 2010 and was part of a three-pronged “City Pack” that also involved colorways made for London and New York City. This modernized iteration sports a minor adjustment in its presentation as it no longer features mismatching color-blocking between each foot to in turn provide a more uniform aesthetic.

adidas YEEZY 500 “Taupe Light”

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Release Date: June 5
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: adidas and Yeezy Supply
Why You Should Cop: Kanye West and adidas are kicking off the month of June with an earthy YEEZY 500 “Taupe Light” launch. Unlike the silhouette’s recently released “Enflame” makeup, this impending take brings back the monochromatic motif. The entire shoe is wrapped in its titular shading, making for a neutral and extra versatile option to keep in your rotation all Summer. Additionally, adiPrene cushioning is stuffed inside the midsole to provide you with a stable and comfy ride.