The New Balance 1300JP Makes Its Fabled Return in This Week's Best Footwear Drops
The once-every-five-years release is accompanied by collabs from A$AP Rocky x PUMA, WORKSOUT x Nike, Wales Bonner x adidas, and more.
As May comes to a close this week, summertime is just around the corner. Footwear brands are gearing up for the warmer weather to come by leaning on lightweight silhouettes and breathable builds, as evidenced by this week’s top sneaker drops, which involves contributions from Crocs, adidas, New Balance, Nike, PUMA, Jordan Brand, and Vans. Before we give you the breakdown for each launch, let’s first recap the top footwear headlines of the past seven days.
A new report indicated that Nike will be raising its prices, both retail and wholesale, in the months to come, which may spark a wave of increases across the industry. In more exciting news, a collaboration between Hyein Seo and the Swoosh featuring its new Ava Rover silhouette surfaced. We also caught a first look at a Levi’s x Nike Air Max 95 project featuring complementary apparel. The Hypebeast team visited Nike’s World Headquarters and shared exclusive first looks at the Air Jordan 11 “Rare Air” and an Air Jordan 4 “Rare Air” sample. A preview of the rumored Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Nitro” also popped up.
Elsewhere in the sneaker space, Jeremy Scott put his own twist on the adidas Samba while Sporty & Rich previewed its latest collection with the Three Stripes. Upcoming New Balance releases were teased too, including a 990v6 “Inkwell” colorway by the MADE in USA line and a “Volt” take on the 1906A. Tyler, the Creator returned with a new archival sneaker line made in collaboration with Converse, which also had its SHAI 001 “Hail Clay” revealed. As for ASICS, six collaborative sneakers with Kith leaked alongside its new sneaker sandal version of the GT-2160. From there, Goods & Services rounded things out with its new hybrid model, combining the upper of a football shoe with the sole of a work boot.
With all of last week’s key news from the sneaker world revisited, let’s pivot to which 10 drops you should consider copping, starting with a wild debut project from G-SHOCK and Crocs. Once you make your way through the list, don’t forget to slide by HBX to shop styles that are available to purchase now.
G-SHOCK x Crocs Echo Wave
Crocs
Crocs
Release Date: May 27
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: Crocs and G-SHOCK
Why You Should Cop: When it comes to choosing collaborators, Crocs always subverts expectations. The slip-on specialists are back with a new partnership this week, tapping the watch experts at G-SHOCK for a new glow-in-the-dark take on the Echo Wave. The silhouette’s signature flow is covered in a light beige as green and pink collide at its strap. What sets this pair apart is that it comes with its own co-branded timepiece that can either be worn with a watch strap or placed at the slip-on’s custom dock at the lateral rivet of each shoe.
Wales Bonner x adidas Karintha, Superstar Hi, & Adilette
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: May 28
Release Price: $250 USD to $350 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Grace Wales Bonner’s eponymous label is back with another capsule made in collaboration with adidas Originals. The duo is responsible for many exciting footwear releases in recent years and are back with not only two revamps of existing silhouettes, but a new model entirely as well. The Karintha fuses adidas’ DNA with Wales Bonner’s fashion-forward vision, building atop a contrast grip-patterned, low-profile outsole with two sleek upper options. Its first colorway sees a brown sequined finish pair with satin touches whereas the other offers a light brown suede. Adding to the range are suede versions of the Superstar Hi that sport perforated Three Stripes and gilded co-branding. The Adilette slide completes the lineup with leather at both the footbed and its strap, which has been handwoven in Brazil.
Dragon Ball Z x Crocs Classic Clog “Frieza” & “Cell”
Crocs
Crocs
Release Date: May 28
Release Price: $70 USD
Where to Buy: Crocs
Why You Should Cop: Just one day after the G-SHOCK drop, it’ll be time for Crocs to reunite with the Dragon Ball Z franchise. The two teamed up earlier this year for hero-centric colorways dedicated to Goku and Vegeta. Now, villains are at the forefront of two Classic Clogs, nodding to Frieza and Cell. The former’s pair combines high-shine purple with a muted green while carrying five Jibbitz charms based on Frieza and his forms. As for Cell’s version, his green specks are back alongside his high-shine navy as his Jibbitz charms round the pair out.
New Balance MADE in USA 1300JP
New Balance
New Balance
New Balance
Release Date: May 29
Release Price: $330 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: The New Balance 1300JP is one of the most elusive models in the sneaker scene. Since being introduced in 1985, it releases only once every five years and is back once again courtesy of the MADE in USA line in celebration of the brand’s month of “Grey Days.” Craftsmanship is a key focus of each pair, with light brown nubuck overlays running atop a blue mesh base. A white leather “N” logo is situated at each side of the midfoot, matching the white lining, heel tab, and ENCAP-equipped midsole.
Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Dodgers”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: May 30
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: If you missed out on UNDEFEATED’s exclusive launch of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Dodgers” last month, you’re in luck as Nike is set to host its own drop of the LA-themed sneaker. A “Game Royal” blue upper combines with white and “University Red” detailing, recreating the color scheme of the MLB’s most recent World Series winners, the Los Angeles Dodgers. For those looking to further celebrate their fandom, Nike has a Kobe-themed baseball equipment collection that complements the kicks.
A$AP Rocky x PUMA Inhale, Mostro, & Mostro Gabbia Leather
Puma
Puma
Puma
Puma
Puma
Puma
Release Date: May 30
Release Price: $130 USD to $250 USD
Where to Buy: HBX (Inhale & Mostro) and PUMA
Why You Should Cop: It’s been less than two years since A$AP Rocky’s partnership with PUMA debuted and the style icon has already made his mark on the brand, bringing energy to the return of its ever-popular Mostro sneaker. He’s doing this once again as two Mostros and another collaborative Inhale are on the way from the duo. Looking first at the Inhale, it dons fiery overlays with a reflective gray base while nodding to Flacko at the tongue. The standard Mostro maintains its sleekness with a contrast-heavy black and white color scheme that features a croc skin-inspired leather finish. The Mostro Gabbia Leather is where things take a turn. He’s again replaced the Mostro’s strap system with a Disc unit while also introducing a removable cage that accentuates the model’s edgy flair.
Air Jordan 3 “Rare Air”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: May 30
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: One of Jordan Brand’s flagship themes for 2025 is “Rare Air.” It draws inspiration from the imperfections found on sample pairs of early Air Jordan releases and calls upon them to signify rarity. The line began with the release of two Air Jordan 1 High OGs last month and continues now with a thematic take on the Air Jordan 3. This version of the shoe not only sports Nike Air branding at the heel, but the right shoe’s logo is mirrored. It also forgoes the use of the AJ3’s typical elephant print, instead using various gray suedes. A black leather upper, bright blue accents and hits of off-white round it out.
FDMTL x OTW by Vans Old Skool 36 and Half Cab 33
Bstn
Bstn
Bstn
Bstn
Release Date: May 30
Release Price: $135 USD to $140 USD
Where to Buy: HBX and Vans
Why You Should Cop: Japanese denim meets classic Vans silhouettes with this FDMTL x OTW by Vans collaboration. The partners worked together previously on mainline Vans releases and are back now with takes on the Old Skool 36 and Half Cab 33. Unlike some of their previous projects, these pairs recreate the look of sashiko stitching by utilizing an engineered knit upper instead of actual denim. A flurry of blues are backed by off-white notes that match the plain OTW by Vans-branded sole unit.
WORKSOUT x Nike Air Max 95 “Uniform” & “Triple Black”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: May 31
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: WORKSOUT
Why You Should Cop: South Korean boutique WORKSOUT has teamed up with Nike to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Air Max 95, assembling two collaborative colorways of the sneaker. Its “Uniform” and “Triple Black” looks, the latter of which will not be re-releasing next month, reimagine the upper of the iconic shoe. Its wavy structure sets aside its anatomy-inspired stacking in favor of sleek linework that backs a new large lateral Swoosh. The “Uniform” pair carries a military green upper whereas the “Triple Black” colorway offers a pure all-black look. WORKSOUT branding is visible at both the tongue tag and special packaging.
Air Jordan 1 High OG “Ruby”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: May 31
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: When it comes to the Air Jordan 1, the Jumpman team has proven time and again that it has plenty of tricks up its sleeves as both new and familiar colorways are reworked to provide something fresh. This week, the Air Jordan 1 High OG “Bred Toe” becomes the “Ruby” colorway as its white, black, and red color blocking sees the latter note transition into a shimmering “Ruby” red thanks to a high-shine crackled leather. From there, a black metal Wings logo further elevates the women’s-exclusive colorway.
