J Balvin Adds Light Up Tongues to His Air Jordan 2 Collab in This Week's Best Footwear Drops

The middle of September is always a buzzing time for the world of fashion as thousands of people flock to the Big Apple for New York Fashion Week. And in the thick of the madness, a bevy of popular sneaker brands from Nike to adidas to New Balance are contributing to the excitement with a generous crop of new releases. Before we get to those, let’s first scale back and look at all of the bigger footwear-associated news headlines that popped up.

On the exclusives front, Hypebeast introduced a brand new feature centered around Ste Wing and his affinity for Birkenstocks. We also dove into the background and importance of the Air Jordan 3 “Fire Red” revival. In terms of new unveilings, Nike created some noise thanks to the official announcement of the Off-White™ x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Brooklyn,” an exclusive Air Force 1 Low for Korea and teasers of forthcoming Zoom Flight 95-inspired NOCTA x Nike collaborations. Shifting gears to the Jordan Brand category, we caught a glimpse of some of MJ’s biggest impending team-ups. Closer looks of the A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 12 “Black” emerged, Travis Scott’s “Sail Black” Air Jordan 1 Low OG popped up and in-depth images of DJ Khaled’s Air Jordan 5 “Crimson Bliss” showed face.

The Three Stripes also brought a handful of new kicks to the forefront. A winter-ready adidas Puffylette model was uncovered, SneakersBR’s celebratory adidas Forum Low “Cristal” collaboration was announced, Hello Kitty’s upcoming adidas makeups were revealed and Gucci’s Fall 2022 “Exquisite” collection was teased.

In terms of other brands, Reebok teased the comeback of the Shaq Attaq “OG,” HYSTERIC GLAMOUR and Kiko Kostadinov teased a new ASICS collaboration, Salehe Bembury presented the Crocs Pollex Clog “Tide” and AURALEE’s New Balance 2002R colorways received a release date.

Now that you’re all caught up, scroll further down to browse this week’s top 10 sneaker launches. And you’re all done there, be sure to head over to the HBX online store to shop new footwear styles.

Off-White™ x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Brooklyn”

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Release Date: September 13
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Many of Virgil Abloh’s most notable works are on display at the Brooklyn Museum, and to celebrate this, Nike has finally given the anticipated Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Brooklyn” a release date. Like the previously-launched MoMA colorways, this offering opts for a two-toned motif. In this case, most of the real estate is shrouded in vibrant green hue and comes complemented by Helvetica branding and metallic silver Swooshes. Holes are also punched out of the tongues, and the kicks are accessorized with Abloh’s usual zip tie.

STAPLE x Crocs All-Terrain Clog “Homing Pigeon”

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Release Date: September 14
Release Price: $75 USD
Where to Buy: Crocs
Why You Should Cop: Crocs continues to impress the globe with its various collaborative and comfy team-ups, and the next brand to reconnect with it is STAPLE. This marks the duo’s second “Homing Pigeon” collaboration and it comes fitted with black mesh netting atop the toe boxes and heels as well as Pigeon’s signature orange accents. Playful Jibbitz shaped like safety pins, condoms and lighters also come packaged with the cozy kicks.

J Balvin x Air Jordan 2

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Release Date: September 15
Release Price: $300 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Colombian artist J Balvin is expanding his repertoire with Jordan Brand this week as he introduces his new Air Jordan 2 collaboration. The kicks come wrapped in cloud-inspired patterns, adorned with the artist’s signature logo on the heels and equipped with light up tongues to represent seeking out the light during tumultuous times. Slides and matching apparel items will also accompany the kicks.

Wood Wood x Reebok Classic Low

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Release Date: September 15
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Wood Wood
Why You Should Cop: Reebok has a substantial amount of collaborations left to churn out before 2022 jogs to a close, and this month it’s adding a new Classic Low team-up to its cannon. Neutral-toned uppers are complemented by “Lite” hits on the mid-foot windows, as well as co-branded spell-outs parked on the rear. Other elements to call out include the hand logos that replace the traditional Reebok tongue branding as well as the gum bottoms.

adidas adiFOM Q

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Alex Hau/Hypebeast/Adidas

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Alex Hau/Hypebeast/Adidas

Release Date: September 15
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: Asphalt Gold
Why You Should Cop: Aside from Ye’s YEEZY footwear line, adidas has been attracting a sizable amount of attention for its adiFOM Q. The model has sparked some controversy from the creative genius in recent memory given is close resemblance to the FOAM RNNR, but it’s two-way construction allows it to stand on its own. Select European retailers are slated to drop its OG white colorway and black and orange iteration this week.

NOCTA x Nike Hot Step “Black/Yellow”

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Release Date: September 16
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Drake has been subtly teasing a new Zoom Flight 95-inspired NOCTA x Nike silhouette, but before we find out more info on those he’s making room for reissues of his Hot Steps. The low-cut Sportswear model is set to make its way back into the limelight in the form of its “Black/Yellow” iteration through a SNKRS restock.

Carhartt WIP x New Balance 990v1

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Release Date: September 16
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: What do you get when elevated workwear and Boston sportswear design collide? A Carhartt WIP x New Balance 990v1 collaboration. Its neutral-focused palette features a blend of darker navy and gray, and is inspired by “sculpture center” tones. Tongues split between New Balance hits on the right side and Carhartt’s insignia on the left side.

Dime x Vans Skate Half Cab ‘92

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Release Date: September 17
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Dime
Why You Should Cop: Having already established a relationship by working on other models like the Slip-On, Half Cab and Wayvee, Dime and Vans are broadening their collaborative horizons and working on a Skate Half Cab ‘92. Inspired by creative exploration and DIY culture, the kicks are fashioned with an understated “Oxford Tan” and black palette and features Dime branding embroidered on the lower lateral heel.

Pharrell x adidas NMD Hu Animal Print “Amber”

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Release Date: September 17
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Pharrell and adidas’ output has been going strong all Summer long, and to keep its momentum rolling, the duo has introduced a brand new NMD Hu iteration. On deck for the multi-hyphenate’s signature line is an Animal Print “Amber” colorway. It keeps the Flinetone-esque cheetah prints consistent and ushers in navy caging, bold orange laces and green interior liners.

Air Jordan 1 KO “White/Grey”

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Release Date: September 17
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Jordan Brand has been expanding the catalog of the Air Jordan 1 KO at a rather steady pace, and this week the silhouette is going to add “White/Grey” colorway. Most of the canvas-constructed uppers are styled with white and grey panels while solid black accents dress up the AJKO logos and Swooshes and the collars are styled with creamy finishes for a vintage-esque aesthetic.