Union LA Unearths the Air Jordan 1 KO Low in This Week’s Best Footwear Drops
Tom Sachs’ NikeCraft GPS “Field Brown,” the Air Jordan 5 “Aqua,” New Balance’s TDS 574 “2040” and more are also dropping.
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The Super Bowl stage is set and so is this week’s list of best footwear drops. Following an uncharacteristically quiet week from the Swoosh, Nike’s back with a stacked lineup of releases and headlines alongside contributions from New Balance and its Tokyo Design Studio, PUMA and adidas. As always, before we break down what to look forward to as we head into February, let’s recap the hottest headlines of last week.
Our latest edition of Sole Mates featured Mark Nguyen and his adoration of the classic Dr. Martens 1461. Founder of Maybe Tomorrow and Open Bar Funeral, Nguyen discussed the impact of Dr. Martens, opened up about his sneaker journey and more. The Hypebeast team also captured the biggest street style footwear trends at Paris Fashion Week.
Speaking of the Swoosh, it made all kinds of noise last week. After decades of BAPE STA releases, Nike has finally sued BAPE over its alleged copying of trademarked silhouettes. Leading off product news, a Tiffany & Co. x Nike Air Force 1 Low leak had the internet in a craze and was quickly followed by an official statement from the two brands confirming the partnership. Another rumored collaboration surfaced with word of a Supreme x Nike Air Bakin on the way for SS23. Additional collaborations hit the net including a Corteiz x Nike Air Max 95 teaser, official images of another Stüssy x Nike Air Max Penny 2 and a wild set of Nike Swim Fins from Drake’s NOCTA line. That wasn’t all for Nike as its “ALL-STAR” colorways from the Nike Basketball team revealed special renditions of the LeBron 20, KD 3, KD 15 and Zoom Freak 4. The LeBron 20 also appeared in a “Liverpool”-themed look while official images of Nike SB’s upcoming SB Dunk Low “Grey Gum” and “Midnight Navy” arrived as well.
Rumor season continued with Nike’s Jordan Brand division, headlined by the expected returns of the Air Jordan 1 “Satin Bred” and Air Jordan 3 “Fear.” Following initial looks, on-foot shots of the Air Jordan 1 High OG “Vibrations of Naija” and collaborative Air Jordan 1 High OG “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse“ popped up. Official reveals of a “Valentine’s Day”-themed Air Jordan 1 High Zoom CMFT 2 and Air Jordan 4 “Seafoam” also surfaced.
Elsewhere in the industry, a detailed look at Yohji Yamamoto’s collaborative footwear capsule with Guidi for FW23 was shared. Meanwhile, Salomon continued its hot streak by launching its latest silhouette, the ACS + OG and Korean brand UNAFFECTED showcased its upcoming ASICS GEL KAYANO 14 project for FW23. Final noteworthy collaboration announcements included Alltimers and Vans Skateboarding introducing the Zahba and Skepta showing off his new PUMA VELOPHASIS at Paris Fashion Week.
Now that you’re up to speed with the latest in footwear, here’s a comprehensive review of what drops to look out for this week. Eager shoppers can also swing by HBX now to browse what’s already available.
Premium Goods x Nike Air Force 1 Low
Premium Goods
Premium Goods
Premium Goods
Premium Goods
Release Date: January 31
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Houston-based boutique Premium Goods has teamed up with Nike to spotlight owner Jennifer Ford’s love for jewelry and her history working with it. Outfitting the iconic Air Force 1 Low in two colorways – named “The Sophia” and “The Bella” – her reimagining of the sneaker involves combining textures and artisanal techniques. Most notably, a multicolored arrangement of beads covers the Swooshes and heel tab with a golden rose-adorned dubrae and rope laces arriving as the final touches to this creation.
Nike ISPA Sense Flyknit
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: February 2
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The always-innovating team over at Nike ISPA has kept sneakerheads on their toes with the line’s imaginative and rule-bending releases. With the introduction of the ISPA Sense Flyknit last year, this spirit continues onward. Inspired by a tranquil state of mind referenced with the sand-rake pattern found at the midsole – nodding to Zen gardens – the silhouette bewilders onlookers at first glance but reveals its practicality upon use. In its latest colorways of “Adobe” and “Sesame,” the sneaker finds a calm balance between color and style.
UNDEFEATED x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Wild Berry”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: February 2
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: As part of Nike’s 40th anniversary of the Air Force 1 last year, the Swoosh teamed up with brands from Louis Vuitton to Drake’s NOCTA line. Fortunately for fans of the silhouette, the celebration lives on as UNDEFEATED’s “Patent Pack” that launched last year is now seeing its “Wild Berry” colorway launch via Nike. Equipped with a crazy color arrangement across its patent panels, the pair serves up a flurry of flavors for anyone seeking a head-turning pair of kicks.
adidas NMD S1 Made To Be Remade “Core Black”
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: February 2
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Revealed last year, adidas’ Made To Be Remade (MTBR) line features one of adidas Originals’ newest silhouettes – the NMD S1. Part of the Three Stripes’ circular fashion initiative, MTBR footwear is worn with love to later be cleaned and shredded, utilizing the resulting materials in future shoes. Nodding to its involvement in the program on the lateral’s midsole, the primarily black look is accented by white hits at the minimal tongue branding, heel and sole, offering a versatile color composition on the futuristic sneaker.
Union LA x Air Jordan 1 KO Low
Feature / Nike
Feature / Nike
Feature / Nike
Feature / Nike
Feature / Nike
Release Date: February 2 and 4
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Union LA and SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Suit up for another chaotic set of drops because it’s game time. Union LA and the Jordan Brand team are back at it with the introduction of a low-top Air Jordan 1 KO in two looks. The throwback sneaker is equipped with Velcro Swooshes that give the canvas “White” and suede/leather “Sail” looks a pop of color. Alternatively, leaving the space vacant reveals black repeating “UN/LA” text, matching the classic golden “UN/LA” stitched tab below the lateral Swoosh.
PUMA MB.02 “Jade”
Puma
Puma
Puma
Release Date: February 3
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: PUMA
Why You Should Cop: While Lunar New Year festivities have begun to wrap up, LaMelo Ball and the PUMA Basketball team have one more treat in store for fans. Elaborating on their MB.02 silhouette, a “Jade” colorway has been prepared. Featuring a marbled green with a blue tint, the shoe’s golden accents shimmer. Adding to the design, a matching shoe box has been prepared with collaborative branding elements in the aforementioned colors.
Air Jordan 2 “Lucky Green”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: February 3
Release Price: $175 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. When it comes to “Lucky Green” colorways on Air Jordans, Jordan Brand has had no problems. Outfitting models such as the Air Jordan 1 and 13 in white and green, the makeover now finds itself covering the Air Jordan 2. The shoe’s typical all-leather upper appears in white with the colorway’s signature green backing it primarily at the heel.
New Balance TDS 574 “2040”
New Balance Tokyo Design Studio
New Balance Tokyo Design Studio
New Balance Tokyo Design Studio
Release Date: February 3
Release Price: ¥30,800 JPY (approx. $236 USD)
Where to Buy: New Balance Japan
Why You Should Cop: In Japan, New Balance has expanded its offerings courtesy of the pioneering approach to footwear creation by its Tokyo Design Studio (TDS). Upgrading classic silhouettes with refreshing approaches, TDS revisits its popular rendition of the 574 by outfitting it in a gray “2040” colorway that nods to the New Balance 2040. Removing the typical “N” logo found on New Balance’s sneakers, a sophisticated look has been assembled and rests somewhere between sneaker and dress shoe in its form.
Air Jordan 5 “Aqua”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: February 4
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Already off to a hot start, the Air Jordan 5 now cools off with a blue-accented “Aqua” colorway. Inspired by a Chris Paul PE designed during his time with the New Orleans Hornets, a rare pair has been recreated with a modern touch. An all-black nubuck upper pairs with “Aquatone” and “Taxi” hits throughout. Regardless of your preference for storytelling or simplicity in color, this pair offers plenty to appreciate.
Tom Sachs x NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe “Field Brown”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: February 5
Release Price: $110 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: It’s no secret that any shoe Tom Sachs gets his hands on turns to gold. His releases with Nike over the last decade have attracted flocks of sneakerheads with open wallets ready to purchase whatever the NikeCraft project presents. Fortunately for fans, the two have set out on a mission to create an accessible product. While some effort is needed to purchase a pair for retail, with each new colorway and restock the problem is one step closer to being solved. Now, a “Field Brown” covers the mixed material sneaker from head to toe, spotlighting the shoe’s simplistic yet detail-packed design.
