UNDEFEATED and Nike's "Dunk vs AF-1" Pack Has "5 On It" In This Week's Best Footwear Drops
The two-shoe set is accompanied by other appealing releases like the Levi’s x New Balance 992 and a N.E.R.D.-themed NMD Hu from Pharrell x adidas.
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It’s imperative to start a new month out on the right foot, so the world’s biggest footwear brands are looking to kick August off with a bang. Over the next seven days, we’ll see high-heat drops from Nike, Jordan Brand, adidas, New Balance and ASICS — and we’ve compiled the 10 best into a digestible list for you — but before we go over this week’s drops let’s take a look back at last week’s happenings.
HYPEBEAST‘s weekly Sole Mates series spotlighted journalist and True to Us founder Jourdan Ash, who discussed her love of the Air Force 1. Most of the week’s biggest news was provided by the partnership between Travis Scott, fragment design and Jordan Brand, namely the premiere of a humorous video that showed Scott and Hiroshi Fujiwara celebrating the release of their Air Jordan 1. We also got an official look at the duo’s follow-up design, the Travis Scott x fragment design x Air Jordan 1 Low. Apart from La Flame and fragment, we got a first look at the A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 1, checked out the 2021 retro of the Air Jordan 11 “Cool Grey,” the Air Jordan 3 “Pine Green” and the Chinese streetball-inspired Air Jordan 6 Low “Dongdan.” We also saw images of the forthcoming Air Jordan 13 “Obsidian.”
There was a little turbulence to be found in Swoosh-land as well, with Kyrie Irving taking to Instagram to denounce the upcoming Nike Kyrie 8 as “trash.” Apart from the mercurial point guard’s moment in the news, there was a whole lot of Dunk-related goings-on. The NBA x Nike Dunk EMB capsule grew with a look at Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks-inspired colorways as well as the reveal of two Dunk High 1985 “Acid Wash” styles. Virgil Abloh got in on the action too, thanks to multiple styles from the Off-White™ x Nike Dunk Low “THE 50” collection. We also got a first glance at an Off-White™ x Nike Blazer Low and another look at Drake’s NOCTA x Nike Hot Step Air Terra.
Virgil’s good buddy Kanye West made the headlines as well thanks to YEEZY Day releases like the YEEZY BOOST 700 V2 “Mauve” and the YEEZY 700 V3 “Dark Glow.” Ye’s former YEEZY footwear designer Salehe Bembury had the internet goin’ nuts with the reveal of his Crocs collaboration, and his fellow Chicagoan Joe Freshgoods supplied a look at his New Balance 990v3 “Outside Clothes.” Other New Balance news was provided by a WTAPS x New Balance 990v2 and a Levi’s x New Balance 990v3. On the business front, Foot Locker aquired atmos and WSS in a staggering $1.1 billion USD deal.
Up to speed? Let’s start August off with a bang. See the 10 best releases from the next seven days below, and when you’re done head over to HBX to check out even more new footwear styles.
Bandier x New Balance 57/40 and 327 “Move Her World”
New Balance
New Balance
Release Date: August 5
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: Bandier’s inaugural collaboration with New Balance is dubbed “Move Her World” and is inspired by the earth-moving nature of powerful, creative women. It translates this atop strong takes on the 57/40 and 327, each of which uses a signature rich burgundy tone to drive home its inspiration.
UNDEFEATED x Nike Dunk and Air Force 1 “5 On It”
Undefeated
Release Date: August 6
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Undefeated
Why You Should Cop: The second two-shoe set from UNDEFEATED and Nike’s “Dunk vs AF-1” pack, the Dunk Low and Air Force 1 Low “5 On It” each feature a mixture of five materials: four standard, one standout. This assemblage is a direct callout to the flamboyant style of Nike Sportswear shoes in the late ’90s and early ’00s, making for a colorful, attention-demanding collaborative duo.
Angelo Baque x ASICS GEL-Kayano 14 “Rebirth of Cool”
Asics
Asics
Release Date: August 6
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: Dover Street Market
Why You Should Cop: Angelo Baque is best known as the former brand director of Supreme and the head of Awake NY, his own label, but now he’s embarking on a solo footwear collaboration with ASICS — namely the GEL-Kayano 14 “Rebirth of Cool.” Combining a healthy helping of metallic silver with brighly-colored accents inspired by Baque’s Ecuadorian heritage, the shoe’s look is both bold and meaningful. This week marks its arrival at Dover Street Market after an inaugural drop on Baque’s webstore last week, and if you miss out this time around you can catch it on next week’s global release.
Bodega x Reebok Club C 85 and Club C Legacy
Bodega
Release Date: August 6 (Bodega) and August 7 (Global)
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: Bodega and Reebok
Why You Should Cop: Bodega is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a multitude of collaborations, one of which is this duo of Reebok Club Cs. An acknowledgement of the two’s long and fruitful partnership, the collection consists of a a crisp Club C 85 in white and brown and a more earthy Club C Legacy in brown and purple.
Levi’s x New Balance 992
New Balance
Release Date: August 6
Release Price: $280 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: Inspired by vintage garments and the staying power of good denim, the Levi’s x New Balance 992 boasts premium construction and rich detailing. With its gray shades, sturdy build and special branding, it’s a tremendously detailed homage to both brands’ shared Americana heritage — and is even accompanied by special apparel.
Air Jordan 1 Mid Crater
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: August 6
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: The latest from Nike and Jordan Brand’s Earth-concious Crater initiative, the Air Jordan 1 Mid “Crater” is made of at least 20 percent recycled content by weight. It also boasts a textile build inspired by the toughness of traditional workwear, so it’s both sustainable and stylish.
Reebok Beatnik “Cordura Pack”
Reebok
Reebok
Reebok
Release Date: August 6
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: Reebok
Why You Should Cop: When Reebok’s Beatnik was reintroduced in 2020, one of its most influential offerings was the compelling, technical-yet-practical “Cordura Pack.” Now, all three “Corura Pack” colorways — olive green, tan and black — are back for a second go-around, so if you missed out last time (or you just need a fresh pair) you’ll have another shot at them.
Pharrell x adidas NMD Hu “N.E.R.D.”
Adidas
Release Date: August 6
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of N.E.R.D.’s debut album In Search Of. To honor the anniversary, Pharrell and adidas have created a special N.E.R.D-themed NMD Hu, complete with everything from special band branding to Japanese characters and even a “20” hit on the heel. If you’re a Skateboard P aficionado, this is a pair you’ll want to have in your collection.
New Balance XC-72
Asphalt Gold
Asphalt Gold
Asphalt Gold
Release Date: August 6
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Asphalt Gold
Why You Should Cop: First teased during Casablanca’s FW21 Digital Fashion Week presentation, the New Balance XC-72 is set for a non-collaborative retail release. Essentially a hike-ified take on the fan-favorite 327 and 237 silhouettes, the XC-72 is a striking evolution of New Balance’s lifestyle line, all wrapped up in an appealing color palette.
Eastside Golf x Air Jordan 4 G
Eastside Golf
Eastside Golf
Eastside Golf
Eastside Golf
Release Date: August 7
Release Price: $275 USD
Where to Buy: Eastside Golf
Why You Should Cop: You may not necessarily be able to wear it on the street, but Eastside Golf’s Air Jordan 4 G collaboration definitley brings a streetwise flair to the golf course. Essentially a golf-ified take on the OG Air Jordan 4 “White Cement” with some clever branding, the Eastside Golf x Air Jordan 4 G is also the first-ever collaborative Air Jordan golf spike, a feat of subculture-spanning skill that’s unparalleled in this week’s list.
