The Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 990v4 "Belly" Collection Drops a Dime in This Week's Best Footwear Drops

Now that we’re midway through December, Christmas feels like it’s approaching us quicker than ever. And while some people may have their gift shopping done and dusted, there’s a whole lot of sneakers still available to put under the tree, with Nike, Jordan Brand, New Balance, and ASICS all coming together for another week of footwear drops. However, before we get into what’s coming up over the next seven days, let’s review what went down in the industry this past week.

On the feature front, Hypebeast’s Sole Mates series continued with a conversation with Chris Chase about the Air Jordan 11 “Bred,” while the team also ran through its favorite sneakers from 2023.

As for the news, Hypebeast readers were treated to a first official look at the Jordan Tatum 1 “Tunnel Walk,” and the Swoosh also revealed an all-new sacai x Nike LD Waffle. Elsewhere, the Off-White™ x Nike Air Terra Forma returned in two new colorways and the Nike Zoom Vomero 5 resurfaced in “Neutral Olive.”

Outside of Nike, Kerwin Frost and McDonald’s cooked up the “Fry Guy” clogs, while Scoot Henderson and PUMA Hoops announced the Scoot Zeros. Rounding things out, Louis Vuitton released an online exclusive Trainer Sneaker, and British footwear label, Duke + Dexter unveiled its latest collection to keep people talking.

With all of footwear’s key news recapped, let’s run through 10 of this week’s best releases to be hitting stores worldwide. Afterward, don’t forget to hit up HBX to shop styles that can be purchased today.

Stüssy x Nike Air Flight 89 Pack

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Release Date: December 13
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Stüssy and Nike’s 20-year partnership is continuing to remain strong. Following the release of the duo’s Nike Vandal High collaboration, the pair are now closing out the year with a collection of Nike Air Flight 89 releases. The shoes feature leather construction with perforations, while mesh collars and lower tongues are used to enhance breathability. Customary branding can then be spotted on the snakeskin overlay alongside the “AIR” branding on the tongues.

Supreme x Vans Half Cab Pro & Old Skool Pro

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Release Date: December 14
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Supreme
Why You Should Cop: Supreme and Vans are continuing their longstanding collaborative partnership by dressing two skate-ready classics in leopard print. Though the look may be wild, the performance is entirely serious, thanks to details like Vans’ Pop Cush insoles and SickStick rubber outsoles. If you’re looking for a shoe that will perform both on and off-board, this is one of the week’s foremost selections.

New Balance 996 Made in USA Aimé Leon Dore White

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New Balance X Aime Leon Dore

Release Date: December 13
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: Aimé Leon Dore
Why You Should Cop: Aimé Leon Dore has had a busy 2023. The New York City-based label has offered a slew of collaborations this year and its latest comes in the form of a reimagined New Balance 996 silhouette. Offering two fresh colorways, both sneakers are constructed with pig suede overlays and tumbled leathers. These fabrications take on color schemes of white or black, with both pairs complemented with speckles of cream on the heel counter and tongue. Rounding off the designs, a splash of red is used for the co-branding.

Nike SB Dunk Low Powerpuff Girls Collection

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Release Date: December 14
Release Price: $135 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Since the Powerpuff Girls first hit the screens in 1998, Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup have become famous for their wide eyes and signature color palettes, details that are on display across their three-pair Nike SB Dunk Low collection. Each pair mimics its respective Powerpuff Girl’s color scheme, and spotlights their eyes with clever heel detailing.

Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 990v4 ‘Belly’ Collection

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Release Date: December 15
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: Joe Freshgoods
Why You Should Cop: Joe Freshgoods continues to expand his partnership with New Balance, unveiling three new takes on the 990v4 silhouette. The shoe comes in three colorways of blue, cream, and black, with each version crafted with a combination of mesh, suede, and leather fabrications. Customary JFG branding is then added to the heel — which replaces the classic 990 logo — and this sits atop New Balance’s signature ENCAP midsole The all-blue “Keisha” colorway will be available exclusively in Chicago, while the “Intro” and “Outro” colorways will have a global release. If you miss out, they’ll drop again via the New Balance webstore on December 22.

Gallery Dept. x ASICS GT-2160

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Release Date: December 15
Release Price: $295 USD
Where to Buy: ASICS
Why You Should Cop: Best known for its work in the art and fashion industries, Gallery Dept. has become a big player in the sneaker collaboration world this year. Its latest creation has come in collaboration with ASICS, with its shoe taken over by shades of white, silver and black mesh. The upper also features bold blue detailing, while a melange of speckled paint detailing is added to the tongues and upper.

Limited Edt x SBTG x New Balance 580 “Urban Islander”

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Release Date: December 15
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: With the trio unveiling its first collaborative designs in 2020 — taking inspiration from Singapore’s urban scenery — New Balance, Limited Edt and SBTG have now revealed their latest collaboration that features reflective 3M details on the heel tab alongside reinforcing sections at the base. The insole is then hit with a pineapple pattern, referencing the thematic continuity from the previous release.

KAWS x Sky High Farm x Nike Air Force 1

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Dover Street Market

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Dover Street Market

Release Date: December 16
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Dover Street Market
Why You Should Cop: In celebration of Dover Street Market’s 10th anniversary, Sky High Farm Workwear, KAWS, and Nike have connected to reveal a special edition version of the Air Force 1 Low. Coming in two different colorways, the sneakers will come alongside a chore coat, hoodie, beanie, and more. For the sneakers, the shoes take on the classic AF1 silhouette, but reworked with a printed, dye-cut Swoosh cloud.

Air Jordan 3 Retro White Midnight Navy

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Release Date: December 16
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Jordan Brand are releasing another all-new colorway of the Air Jordan 3, borrowing its design from the OG “White Cement,” which came back as part of the “Reimagined” series. Dressed in a white, “Midnight Navy,” “Cement Grey,” and black color scheme, the silhouette is designed with a white leather base with elephant print overlays on the toe and heels, while “Cement Grey” detailing can be spotted on the eyestays and tongues.

Solefly x Air Jordan 8 “Mi Casa Es Su Casa”

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Release Date: December 16
Release Price: $225 USD
Where to Buy: Solefly
Why You Should Cop: Embracing a cigar-inspired theme, this new Solefly x Air Jordan 8 silhouette takes on a foundation that’s hit with “Sail” and white, while vibrant “Varsity Red” speckles and gold hardware are used to add a sharp contrast. The sneaker is also complemented with a chenille tongue patch, while the number “23” is embroidered on the straps.