Stüssy Connects With Penny Hardaway for a Nike Air Max Penny 2 Capsule in This Week's Best Footwear Drops
Releases for the Nike SB Dunk Low “Sandy Bodecker,” Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance Rainier, Billie Eilish x Nike Air Force 1 Low and more are also in order.
Despite the fact that the weather temperatures are starting to dip into the freezing zone, sneaker brands are still cranking up the heat with their releases before 2022 jogs to a close. Imprints like Nike, Jordan Brand and ASICS have jam-packed this week with anticipated collaborations and classic bring-backs that can elevate your winter rotation or serve as the perfect last-minute Christmas gift. But before we run through those, let’s first take you through the biggest footwear news that popped up last week.
In terms of Hypebeast exclusives, our team had the pleasure of interviewing Michael Mack — a professor at SCAD and seasoned footwear designer who just launched his hand-cobbled customer sneaker AMLGM collection. Additionally, our Sole Mates series expanded with a feature on Commonwealth founder Omar Quiambao who discussed his relationship with the Vans Slip-On and we spoke to adidas team rider Nora Vasconcellos about her journey to success.
On the news front, Nike gave its loyal fans plenty to look forward to in the coming months. We captured an on-foot look at the Run the Jewels x Nike SB Dunk Low, a detailed look at the Mexican beverage-inspired Jarritos x Nike SB Dunk Low and learned that a Nike Dunk Low “University Red” reissue is in the pipeline. Jordan Brand made headlines as well as it teased an upcoming Air Jordan 3 “Reimagined” iteration for the OG retro lovers, provided a detailed look at the Air Jordan 1 High OG “White Cement” and announced the opening of a new Milan flagship store.
Other notable footwear items that were brought to light included Bad Bunny’s final adidas Forum Buckle Low, JJJJound’s maroon PUMA Suede collaboration and Maharishi’s Reebok Classic Leather “Ripstop“ team-up.
All up to speed? Perfect. Scroll further down to check out this week’s top 10 releases and when you wrap up there, be sure to check out HBX for more footwear styles.
sacai x Nike Cortez “Iron Grey”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 13
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Chitose Abe returns to the spotlight this week thanks to her latest footwear initiative with Nike. The talented designer has introduced a brand new sacai x Nike Cortez “Iron Grey” colorway. Its titular tone covers most of the ground up top while the primary Swooshes are done up in white and the throat overlays are fitted with a lighter gray. In signature sacai fashion, the tongues and Swooshes have been doubled up while the bottom pieces have been reworked with a beefier, more fashion-forward build.
Air Jordan 9 “Fire Red”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 13
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Jordan Brand designers make it a habit to reference nostalgic color schemes within its retro catalog when it comes down to fashioning new makeups, one being the “Fire Red” which has shown up on OG makeups of the Air Jordan 3 and Air Jordan 5. And now it’s being transferred over to this smoking variation of the Air Jordan 9. The fiery accents here play more of a supportive role as they sprinkle to the lace loops, heel branding and Jumpman logos that reside on the midsoles.
Billie Eilish x Nike Air Force 1 Low
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 14
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Sustainable materials are constantly being brought up in the realm of footwear collaborations nowadays, but no one has done it quite like how Billie Eilish with her latest Nike Air Force 1 Low collection. The uppers of her “Mushroom” and “Sequoia” offerings are fitted with a scrappy aesthetic, and that’s because they’re built with the leftover pieces that weren’t used on her previous footwear collection with the Swoosh.
Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Black Phantom”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 15
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Foot District
Why You Should Cop: Travis Scott has been making a ton of noise in the music realm lately with features on Metro Boomin and SZA’s latest projects, but now he’s turning his attention back to the sneaker world by unveiling his latest project with Jordan Brand. The Cactus Jack entertainer is further building out his Air Jordan 1 Low OG catalog and debuting a “Black Phantom” colorway. Save for the exposed white stitchings that outline each upper panel and the red Cactus Jack branding on the tongues, these kicks are fitted in all-black.
AMBUSH x Nike Air Force 1 Low
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 16
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Yoon Ahn of AMBUSH is reprising the brand’s partnership with Nike by fashioning two more Air Force 1 Low colorways. Coming in “Pine Green” and “Game Royal” palettes, both pairs are accented by elongated yellow Swooshes, lace debures that feature 3D “AF1” letters and heel overlays. These louder arrangements are a nod to the high-spirited energy of techno dance culture.
Stüssy x Nike Air Max Penny 2
Stüssy
Stüssy
Release Date: December 15
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: Stüssy
Why You Should Cop: After bringing Air Force 1 Mid and Air Max 2013 capsule to life, Stussy and Nike are reuniting and capping off the year with a collaborative range with Penny Hardaway. Together, the SoCal-based streetwear imprint and the NBA icon have engineered a duo of Nike Air Max Penny 2 colorways: “Black” and “Vivid Green/Black.” In support of the launch, Stussy also created a video of Lil Penny — an animated, mini version of the former basketball star — surfing the ocean while rocking the kicks.
A.P.C. x ASICS GEL-SONOMA 15-50
Stüssy
Stüssy
Stüssy
Stüssy
Release Date: December 16
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: ASICS
Why You Should Cop: A.P.C. dips its toes back into the collaborative ring this week by expanding its footwear repertoire with an ASICS GEL-SONOMA 15-50 ensemble. Jean Touitou’s French label has whipped up “Beige,” “Blue” and “Black” colorways of the technical runner, all of which are playfully styled with tie-dye overlays and shoe laces. Plastic bubbles are implemented on the outer edges of the shoe and come styled with co-branded hits.
Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance Rainier
Aimé Leon Dore
Aimé Leon Dore
Aimé Leon Dore
Aimé Leon Dore
Release Date: December 16
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: Aimé Leon Dore
Why You Should Cop: Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance have reached a point in their partnership where the mainstream sneaker crowd has become fully invested in all that it has to offer. And this week, the powerhouse duo is rolling out a winter-friendly collection that entails the New Balance Rainier. A trio of colorways are in the mix, all of which are lined with GORE-TEX so that wearers can be protected during harsher climate conditions.
Nike SB Dunk Low “Sandy Bodecker”
Ebay
Ebay
Release Date: December 16
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike SB is honoring the late Sandy Bodecker by recreating the eBay-inspired Dunk colorway on an SB Dunk Low. Equipped with see-through, chopped-up windows and patent leather panels that mimic the auction website’s signature colors, the kicks commemorate Sandy Bodecker’s commitment to the Nike SB division and its storytelling.
Air Jordan 7 “Cardinal”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: December 16
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: It’s been over a decade since the Air Jordan 7 “Cardinal” was stocked on the shelves in 2011, but before the year rolls its credits Jordan Brand is giving footwear fans another shot to cop a pair. This retro offering returns with all of its original design cues including the premium white tumbled leather uppers, “Cardinal Red” accent that charm the midsole, heel branding and trim while a golden “Chutney” tone lands on the lateral embroidered Jumpman logos and heel tabs.
