Salehe Bembury’s New Balance 1906R “Heat Be Hot” Ignites This Week’s Best Footwear Drops

Diving into the new year, things are already starting to ramp up as Nike, Jordan Brand, ASICS, New Balance and PUMA have all brought forth notable sneaker releases for our second week of the year. Before diving into the entire rundown of drops to look forward to across the next seven days, let’s look back at the past week and review all of the top headlines from the industry.

Kicking things off on the feature side, the Hypebeast team assembled a complete breakdown of the 24 most exciting sneaker releases planned for 2024 — involving everything from retro Air Jordans to the most-anticipated shoes pulled straight from the runway.

Pivoting to the breaking news, another big year in sneakers for Travis Scott is on the way as he revealed a new colorway of his upcoming Nike Sharkidon collaboration by gifting a pair to a fan at a show. Elsewhere, Scott had his Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Canary” pop up ahead of its summertime release period. The low-top silhouette appeared in another first look — throwing it back to the ’80s with another “Shadow” makeover. Wrapping things up for the Jumpman team, the Air Jordan 11 is now expected to be releasing in a “Bred Velvet” colorway this holiday season according to a rumor from a reputable source.

Looking to the Three Stripes, James Harden is poised to continue his run with adidas Basketball as another glimpse at the Harden Vol. 8 surfaced alongside a very early look at the Harden Vol. 9 — a release that isn’t expected to come until 2025. Following this, a version of the Adilette Slides with Hello Kitty’s head landing on the strap popped up after Crocs showed off a similarly-designed Hello Kitty-themed pair with its Classic Clog. Another Crocs collaboration is on the way courtesy of Salehe Bembury, who is launching his first sneaker with the brand this year — the Crocs Pollex Juniper. Rounding things out, a closer look at two collaborations surfaced — the HIDDEN.NY x ASICS GEL-NYC and the Action Bronson x New Balance 1906R “Scorpius.”

Now that you’re caught up with everything going down in the footwear industry, let’s dive into this week’s top drops to shop. Afterwards, don’t forget to slide by HBX to pick up styles that are available for purchase now.

Air Jordan 38 Low

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Release Date: January 9
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: In typical Jordan Brand fashion, the division is following up on the launch of its latest entry in the Air Jordan series — the Air Jordan 38 — by introducing a low-top version of the model months later. Utilizing key technology such as the full-length Zoom Strobel unit and full-length Cushlon 3.0 foam, it offers the same core experience with an adjustment to its height. Debuting in “Siren Red” — white, black and infrared are joined by translucent detailing at the court-ready sole unit.

Nike Air Max2 CB ‘94 “Old Royal”

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Release Date: January 9
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: NBA great Charles Barkley has seen his Nike Air Max2 CB ‘94 touch down on shelves several times in recent years. For 2024, the “Old Royal” look — which was last released in 2021 — is once again making a return. Its bulky build combines perforated leather in white with the shoe’s signature lacing system. Various Nike Air branding hits are scattered across the tongue, heel and lateral while the sole unit pairs black and purple together.

Air Jordan 2 “Sail”

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Release Date: January 10
Release Price: $175 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Entering its 38th year, the Air Jordan 2 remains as relevant as ever after Jordan Brand brought forth a strong campaign for the silhouette in 2022. Kicking off its run this year, it’s debuting in a “Sail” colorway that blends a smooth off-white leather upper with a textured black leather overlay that matches its heel and the Wings logo located at the tongue.

Salehe Bembury x New Balance 1906R “Heat Be Hot”

Salehe Bembury

Release Date: January 11
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Spunge
Why You Should Cop: While Salehe Bembury is gearing up for another big year with Crocs as the duo launches their first sneaker together, Bembury is also continuing to craft unique projects with New Balance. Now taking on the 1906R with the American sportswear brand after teasers in 2023, Bembury has assembled a two-part “Heat Be Hot” release that features two bold takes on the ever-popular sneaker. The first utilizes a yellow and orange gradient at its base with metallic silver overlays stretching across the shoe while the second combines an orange base with bright blue accents.

Nike Dunk Low CO.JP “Reverse Curry”

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Release Date: January 12
Release Price: $135 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Turning back time, Nike has looked to its sought-after CO.JP releases — exclusives for the Japanese market from the turn of the century — for inspiration. After last year saw the return of the snakeskin pair of CO.JP Dunk Lows, it’s time for the “Reverse Curry” look to make a comeback. Its leather upper utilizes a rich brown-gold hue at its base while white offers ample contrast across the overlays, Swooshes and at the stitched midsole.

PUMA MB.03 “Chinese New Year”

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Release Date: January 12
Release Price: $125 USD
Where to Buy: PUMA
Why You Should Cop: The beginning of Chinese New Year is just a month away and with the Year of the Dragon serving as the zodiac for 2024, the mythical creature is being referenced with releases such as this colorway of LaMelo Ball’s PUMA MB.03. Its presentation forgoes any overt references to the theme, instead opting to include gold specks throughout the gum-colored sole unit as a subtle nod. Elsewhere, brown and peach hues combine across the upper with Ball’s typical MB.03 motifs such as the “1of1” callout making a return.

Nike Terminator Low “Sesame”

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Release Date: January 12
Release Price: $125 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike’s Terminator silhouette was unvaulted in its high-top form back in 2022 with its low-top iteration arriving just last year. With various throwback colorways such as the “Georgetown” look landing on the Terminator Low previously, it now takes a step in a new direction with this “Sesame” pair. Combining off-white and brown hues, a monochromatic makeover breathes new life into the retro silhouette.

Air Jordan 1 High OG “Yellow Ochre”

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Release Date: January 13
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: To the surprise of no one, Jordan Brand is not relenting with its output of Air Jordan 1s. Starting off the Air Jordan 1 High OG’s 2024 run, a new “Yellow Ochre” presentation of the sneaker has been assembled. Utilizing color blocking similar to the fan-favorite “Chicago” colorway, a white base is joined by a mustard yellow at the overlays and rubber outsole while black covers the Swooshes, collar and laces.

Welcome Skateboarding x Nike SB Zoom Blazer Mid

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Release Date: January 13
Release Price: $110 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Madrid-based skate shop Welcome Skateboarding rejuvenated its local scene when it first opened its doors in 2005. Carrying an “All Welcome Here” mantra ever since, it now sees this spirit come to life via its first collaboration with Nike on the SB Zoom Blazer Mid. Its retro design sports an off-white leather upper that is adorned with a “Casa Welcome Madrid” hit at the heel in gold and red. Additional detailing comes courtesy of a houndstooth trim that matches its laces and braided leather in red at the heel.

atmos x ASICS GEL-KAYANO 14

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Release Date: January 13
Release Price: ¥20,900 JPY (approx. $145 USD)
Where to Buy: atmos Tokyo
Why You Should Cop: Japanese brands atmos and ASICS have established a close relationship — ushering in many of the latter’s collaborations each year. To start off the new year, the duo has again looked to the GEL-KAYANO 14 as it continues to serve as one of ASICS’ most popular silhouettes. Drawing inspiration from Tokyo’s vibrant nightlife, the GEL-KAYANO 14 has been equipped with gray, brown and an almost-purple maroon throughout its layered build to create a street-ready finish that offers ample versatility.