Air Jordan 11 Low “Cement Grey” Is the Foundation of This Week’s Best Footwear Drops
Joined by the CDG x Nike Terminator High, the latest New Balance MADE in USA launch, Nicole McLaughlin x Vault by Vans Slip-On and more.
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March Madness nears its conclusion as we head into April, however, the chaos is far from over. Off the court, brands such as Nike, Salomon, adidas, New Balance, Vans and Timberland are all gearing up for an explosive week of launches. Before we give you our weekly rundown on what releases to look out for, let’s review key footwear headlines from the past seven days.
Our latest edition of Sole Mates featured Goods & Services founder Rory Fortune as he shared his love of the FEIT Hand Sewn High Rubber. In celebration of the annual Air Max Day holiday, we looked back at the best Nike Air Max Day releases and the best Nike Air Max golf shoes. Additional disorder in the world of Air was provided by London-based brand Corteiz, which we described in a thorough analysis of its NYC pop-up. Lastly on the feature side, our best footwear trends series continued at Seoul Fashion Week FW23.
As for product news, Nike shared its official images of the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG WMNS “Olive” and Air Jordan 2 Low “Seersucker” ahead of their April release dates. English Sole also treated us to detailed looks at the Air Jordan 4 Premium “Black Woven” and two more Air Jordan 1 Low OG PEs, celebrating Marquette and Georgetown.
Pivoting to the Swoosh itself, the rumor mill stayed busy as news of Devin Booker’s Nike D Book 1 popped up alongside a The Powerpuff Girls x Nike SB project. Sotheby’s also announced a charity auction of eight pairs from the unreleased Futura Laboratories x Virgil Abloh™ x Nike Dunk Low collaboration. The team at YankeeKicks kept the news flowing with on-foot breakdowns of the Supreme x Nike SB Dunk Low “Rammellzee” and Yuto Horigome x Nike SB Dunk Low as well.
For the Three Stripes, a leak of its Fear of Good footwear collaboration popped up, prompting Jerry Lorenzo to announce the official reveal of the project they have been working on for three years. As for its partnership with Yohji Yamamoto on Y-3, the legendary Qasa High popped up in a new “Off-White” colorway while James Harden’s adidas Harden Vol. 7 appeared in a clean “Core Black.”
Elsewhere in the industry, MSCHF continued its spree of mind-bending footwear as it introduced the BWD — a shoe that can be worn from the front and back. Balenciaga also kept us on our toes with the launch of its unisex “Leopold Ballerina” Pumps. Wrapping things up, Adish connected with Suicoke to adorn the ZAVO closed-toe sandals with hand-embroidery.
Now that you’re up to speed with the latest in sneakers, check out our breakdown of this week’s best releases below. Afterwards, don’t forget to swing by HBX to shop styles that are available now.
Salomon XT-6 “10 Years”
Steeve Lecomte
Steeve Lecomte
Steeve Lecomte
Release Date: March 28
Release Price: $230 USD
Where to Buy: Salomon
Why You Should Cop: While it slots into the modern footwear landscape with ease, Salomon’s XT-6 sneaker is celebrating its 10th year on the market. Earlier this year, the brand commemorated this by restocking some of its most sought-after colorways. Now, an all-red “10 Years” look nods to its original prototype theme as a utility-focused sneaker. All of the shoe’s technology – elements that sneakerheads know and love – return with special detailing that makes this release stand out amongst its peers. 804 pairs have been individually numbered for the launch with each featuring a special box, drawstring bag and socks.
Stüssy x Converse Chuck 70 Hi
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: March 30
Release Price: $110 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Stüssy started out the year swinging. Collaborative projects with everyone from Levi’s to Nike has kept both sneakerheads and streetwear fanatics happy. Now, the California-based brand reunites with Nike’s Converse subsidiary on the Chuck 70 Hi. Favoring an off-white throughout its linen construction rather than the black the duo used last summer, Stüssy’s “SS” logo appears at the lateral via pearlized studs that reference Converse’s Chucks from the ‘90s. Co-branding elements affixed throughout the build are contrasted by minimalist touches presented by the blank medial patch and heel branding, offering a finish that emphasizes style.
Edison Chen x Timberland Future73 Timberloop 6-Inch Boot
Timberland
Timberland
Release Date: March 30
Release Price: $295 USD
Where to Buy: Timberland
Why You Should Cop: In celebration of its 6-Inch Boot’s 50th anniversary, Timberland has made one thing clear: it is to be taken seriously. Upon unveiling its Future73 initiative in February, its roster and designs oozed with a modernity the brand previously lacked. As it kicks off its range with CLOT’s Edison Chen, an “East Meets West” theme covers the olive-colored boot. Accompanied by complementary apparel, the East Asian influence is undeniable with its Buddhist proverb and tiger print details.
New Balance MADE in USA 990v1 & 990v3 “Green/Yellow”
New Balance
New Balance
New Balance
New Balance
Release Date: March 30
Release Price: $190 USD to $200 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: When it comes to consistency, Teddy Santis and New Balance are prime examples of what to aim for. In their own projects and collaborative work, both parties have maintained a flow that few can compare to. Springing forward, the duo’s latest footwear offerings see the 990v1 and 990v3 take on mixed material builds in “Green/Yellow.” As New Balance fans have come to expect, additional accents are sprinkled in thoughtfully – off-white adorns the midsole, silver pops next to it, orange appears at the tongue branding and black hits the heel, tongue and rubber outsole.
solebox x adidas UltraBOOST 1.0
Solebox
Solebox
Solebox
Release Date: March 31
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: solebox
Why You Should Cop: Seven years ago, solebox and adidas made magic on the UltraBOOST with their cageless version of the silhouette. Paying homage to that much-desired pair, the duo returns to the well-cushioned sneaker with a taupe makeover, this time opting to keep its typical cage. Nods to concrete are included at its external structure as a monochromatic look has been constructed, trading in the previously used red-orange for a glow-in-the-dark finish at the outsole.
Nike Air Foamposite One “Dream A World”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: March 31
Release Price: $250 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Despite establishing itself as one of the sneaker world’s most iconic shoes, Nike’s Air Foamposite One has been relatively quiet in recent years. It’s making the most of its opportunities with a black and white colorway that sees swirl patterns flow across its futuristic upper. Its inspirational “Dream A World” message also appears throughout the shoe’s sockliner, offering a morale boost whenever you lace them up.
Nicole McLaughlin x Vault by Vans Slip-On
Vans/Peter Sutherland
Vans/Peter Sutherland
Vans/Peter Sutherland
Release Date: March 31
Release Price: $105 USD
Where to Buy: Vans
Why You Should Cop: A leader in the DIY fashion space, Nicole McLaughlin has continued to demonstrate an ingenuity that has earned her the massive following and list of collaborators that she boasts today. Previously presenting unique projects with Reebok and Diemme, McLaughlin is taking things to the next level with Vault by Vans. Operating on the classic Slip-On silhouette, gardening totes have been reimagined as upcycled uppers. Pocket slots appear at the toe box while a strap extends beyond the natural heel of the shoe as it organically brings McLaughlin’s playful design language to the sneaker.
COMME des GARÇONS x Nike Terminator High
Dover Street Market
Dover Street Market
Dover Street Market
Release Date: April 1
Release Price: $235 USD
Where to Buy: Dover Street Market
Why You Should Cop: When it comes to COMME des GARÇONS footwear collaborations, monochromatic makeovers in black and white are the standard. However, with Nike this year, its take on the Terminator High sees an otherwise white shoe share its overlays with black, navy and red colorways. The first pairs to surface since 2014 – appearing at COMME des GARÇONS Homme Plus’ Spring/Summer 2023 presentation at Paris Fashion Week Men’s in June of 2022 – the label’s project has been supported by a return of general release colorways such as the iconic “Georgetown” that have built up momentum for this launch to catapult the sneaker back into the mainstream.
Marimekko x adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: April 1
Release Price: $55 USD to $210 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Finnish design house Marimekko and German sportswear brand adidas have established a healthy partnership that now sees its fifth installment hitting the market. Aside from teaming up on lively apparel, a thorough range of footwear has been prepared. Pulling from Marimekko’s archive – particularly drawing from ‘60s prints – seven silhouettes have been prepared, six of which see their release this week. Whether you’re looking for a retro style in the Superstar, running option with the Supernova 2.0 or summer-ready slip-on with the Aqualette Ocean Clogs, there’s something for everyone.
Air Jordan 11 Low “Cement Grey”
Asphaltgold/Nike
Asphaltgold/Nike
Asphaltgold/Nike
Asphaltgold/Nike
Release Date: April 1
Release Price: $185 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: When it comes to Jordan Brand’s offerings, the Air Jordan 11 has remained a staple for decades – even finding success with its low-top offspring that originally was a PE for Michael Jordan himself. Remixing the sneaker’s “Cool Grey” finish, “Cement Grey” sees its signature patent leather mudguard coated in a fresh grey while the remainder of the upper favors a white mesh. A blank midsole is supported by an icy translucent outsole that complements the blue Jumpman logo placed at the rear.
