Supreme Revives the Nike Air Bakin In This Week's Best Footwear Drops
Both A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 12s, AMBUSH’s Nike Air Force 1 Low, the adidas Harden Vol. 7 and more are set to launch as well.
As we wrap up the second month of 2023, brands are in mid-season form with a constant flow of exciting news and releases. This week, Nike leads the way with adidas and ASICS making noise as well. Before we outline the top drops of the next seven days, let’s review what headlines had the sneaker industry talking last week.
The latest entry in our weekly Sole Mates series featured IDK and his love for the Air Jordan 4 as he discussed the shoe alongside his style, storytelling and more. We also sat down with A Ma Maniére founder James Whitner to learn more about his most recent project with Jordan Brand. In addition, Damian Lillard shared his thoughts on his adidas Basketball journey, the future of Dame D.O.L.L.A. and more during his victorious run at NBA All-Star Weekend. Lastly, our Fashion Week street style footwear trend reviews expanded with the discussion of both London and Milan FW23.
Pivoting to our regular news programming, Nike had the sneaker world perplexed with the reveal of its mash-ups combining the Dunk Low and Zoom Vomero 5 in two outlandish looks. It also took the time to officially reveal the upcoming Air Max 1 “Shima Shima” reissue. As for the rumor mill and industry insider insights, first looks at a CLOT x Nike “CLOTEZ” in black and yellow surfaced alongside a breakdown of a numbered Air Huarache “Oregon Ducks” colorway and rumor of a Supreme x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Baroque Brown” for FW23.
Jordan Brand similarly stayed busy as it revealed a new lifestyle silhouette – the Jordan Stadium 90. Official images of the Air Jordan 3 “White Cement Reimagined” popped up with news of an A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 5 expected to release this holiday season. To celebrate his upcoming album release, Macklemore is hosting a raffle of one of his Air Jordan 6 “Clay” PE pairs. Wrapping things up for the Jumpman, a first look at an upcoming Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “UNC Toe” hit the net as well.
Elsewhere in footwear, Zellerfeld launched its printed-to-order shoe open beta platform featuring 15 designs from designers such as Heron Preston and KidSuper. Balenciaga launched an $8,350 USD rhinestone-covered Technoclog while adidas ushered in the UltraBOOST Light and Bad Bunny’s astrology-themed Campus Light.
Now that you’re all caught up on the latest, let’s dive into what releases you should look forward to this week. Afterwards, don’t forget to check out HBX to shop footwear styles that are available now.
AMBUSH x Nike Air Force 1 Low
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: February 28
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Yoon Ahn’s AMBUSH returns to the Air Force 1 Low with “Phantom” and “Black” looks that leverage each other’s signature color in its composition. A premium rendition of the sneaker, fine leather outfits its base while the duo’s oversized Swooshes reach outward at its tail. A unique dubrae is joined by co-branding at the heel, sockliner and tongue to put the final touches on this versatile pack of luxe AF1s.
Kiko Kostadinov x ASICS GEL-QUANTUM ZIENTZIA
Asics
Asics
Asics
Release Date: February 28
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Kiko Kostadinov
Why You Should Cop: Long before ASICS ascended to its throne as one of footwear’s hottest brands, Bulgarian designer Kiko Kostadinov brought new life to the brand’s fashion-focused footwear with collaborations across many of the Japanese brand’s models. Stepping away from official collaborations with the brand in 2020, Kostadinov pivoted to assisting ASICS in design direction and collaborative projects with other entities such as Brain Dead. Now, he’s back at it with the introduction of the GEL-QUANTUM ZIENTZIA. It balances its sole’s unique geometry with classic ASICS linework as blue and dark gray share the shoe’s color composition.
Nike Air Humara “Faded Spruce” & “Midnight Navy”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: February 28
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Coming straight from 1997, Nike has brought back its Air Humara in two colorways that don the silhouette’s original form. Tapping into Nike’s trail running history, outdoor-ready specifications combine with fresh “Faded Spruce” and “Midnight Navy” looks that ensure the shoe’s readiness for both the streets of London and the streams of Portland.
adidas Orketro 2.0
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: March 1
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Following a hot run for adidas Originals’ Orketro – which first landed on shelves last year – the Three Stripes spared no time in introducing its successor, the Orketro 2.0. Its predecessor’s run concluded with collaborative colorways courtesy of Sean Wotherspoon and Offspring and now it pushes forward with three launch looks. Staying true to the shoe’s Brutalist-inspiration, the Orketro 2.0 features prominent linework that now takes on a glossy finish throughout much of the upper.
UNDEFEATED x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Fauna Brown”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: March 1
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Last year, Nike celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Air Force 1 Low with an expansive range of collaborations, colorways and new iterations of the legendary sneaker. One portion that stood out throughout the second half of the year was UNDEFEATED’s “Patent Pack” of four flavors. Originally released via the Los Angeles-based brand last year, it now sees its “Fauna Brown” look launch via SNKRS. Seemingly drawing inspiration from the famed UNDEFEATED x Nike Dunk NL from 2005, the patent upper toggles between an assortment of colors while its midsole goes for a light lime green and rubber outsole favors a brighter version of the hue to electrify its presentation.
A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 12
A Ma Maniére
A Ma Maniére
A Ma Maniére
Release Date: March 2
Release Price: $225 USD
Where to Buy: A Ma Maniére & SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Last week, A Ma Maniére headlined our coverage of the week’s best footwear drops by launching its collaborative Air Jordan 12 in “Black and Burgundy Crush.” Now, it is set to hit shelves courtesy of the SNKRS app while the delayed “White/Burgundy” look now sees its debut via the Atlanta-based boutique. Both looks offer a luxurious finish to the classic sneaker as premium suede mudguards in “Burgundy Crush” are joined by branded metal eyelets, co-branded backtabs and a special edition hangtag.
adidas Harden Vol. 7 “Silver Metallic”
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: March 2
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: adidas Basketball has revved up its engine for 2023 as its new “Remember The Why” era blends style and performance. With the introduction of James Harden’s latest sneaker – the Harden Vol. 7 – an almost YEEZY-like presentation is sure to have these stand out, both on and off the court. Drawing inspiration from puffer jackets with its ribbed upper, a “Silver Metallic” shines bright while a BOOST and Lightstrike mixture at the midsole ensures support for all types of movement.
Supreme x Nike Air Bakin
Supreme
Supreme
Supreme
Release Date: March 2
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: Supreme
Why You Should Cop: Supreme’s known to cook up unexpected designs with its seasonal Nike projects. This time around, the duo is treating its fans to two Air Bakin colorways. Having debuted in 1997 and last hitting shelves in 2014, it cruises into SS23 with all-white and “Black/Multicolor” finishes. Pebbled leather uppers team up with nubuck mudguards while “NYC” embroidery hits the heel and Supreme branding lands on the heel tabs. Alternate lacing options of yellow and red for each respective colorway further provides room to explore old-school styling.
Air Jordan 5 “University Blue”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: March 4
Release Price: $225 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: At this point, Jordan Brand is a well-oiled machine with its steady flow of retros and new looks. Not only is it able to revisit classic models, it continues to reinterpret iconic colorways across its many popular silhouettes. Aside from Chicago Bulls-flavored presentations, Michael Jordan’s alma mater of the University of North Carolina continues to receive love. Now, “University Blue” has found its way onto the Air Jordan 5 as a suede upper works with an updated lining, signature spiky midsole, Jumpman patch at the heel and more.
LeBron James x Nike Air Max 1 “Liverpool FC”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: March 4
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: While LeBron James remains a superstar in the NBA, he hasn’t shied away from branching out into new work. Having purchased a 2% stake in Liverpool FC in 2011, the King has recently spent time celebrating the club with collaborative capsules and sneakers. Now outfitting the Air Max 1 with a LBJ-approved makeover celebrating the Reds, the franchise’s colors land across its leather and textile upper.
