A Second Shot at the UNDEFEATED x Air Jordan 4 Headlines This Week's Best Footwear Drops
The return of the sought-after sneaker is joined by new Brain Dead x adidas kicks, the debut of New Balance MADE in USA’s FW25 lineup, and more.
August is coming to a close and the final third of the year nears. While we’ve seen many anniversary drops take place, sneaker brands have plenty more in store for us this week as Nike, adidas, New Balance, Jordan Brand, ASICS, and PUMA treat us to another stacked lineup of launches. Before we break it all down for you, let’s have a look back at which headlines caught our eye last week, starting with our latest feature. We sat down with _J.L-A.L_ founder Jean-Luc Ambridge Lavelle and HOKA’s senior director of collaborations, Thomas Cykana, to discuss the two brands’ latest collaboration: two modern takes on the Mafate X.
Pivoting to the normal news slate, Nike Basketball officially introduced the Kobe 3 Protro, quickly following it up with the reveal of its new low-top counterpart. The brand also announced Caitlin Clark as a signature athlete, presenting her signature logo and announcing upcoming collaborative launches, including her first shoe as a 2026 launch. Meanwhile, we caught a complete look at Patta’s new take on the Air Max Dn8, as well as an Air Jordan 1-themed version of the Air Jordan 40.
Elsewhere in the sneaker space, Salehe Bembury continues to tease his new footwear brand, presenting a wide variety of eye-catching compositions. The prolific designer also teased his second upcoming New Balance 1000 colorway. That’s not all for the American sportswear brand, the New Balance ABZORB 2000 stood out thanks to new looks of “Blue Ice/Grey,” “Dark Grey,” and an Aminé collaboration. JJJJound made noise with the unveiling of its “Realtree Camo”-colored Classic Clog. Last but not least, the sneaker loafer trend is being extended thanks to new contributions from Vans and KEEN.
Now that you’re caught up on what’s been going down in the sneaker space, let’s dive into this week’s top releases, starting with an old-school Nike silhouette. After making your way through all 10 drops, don’t forget to hit up HBX to check out which styles are available today.
Nike Astrograbber “Aluminum,” “Fir,” & “Soft Yellow”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: August 26
Release Price: $135 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike teamed up with Emily Adams Bode Aujla’s eponymous label to bring back the Astrograbber, a ’70s American football shoe, last year. The two followed up with another round of Bode-branded Astrograbbers this year, leading up to this week’s in-line launch of the sneaker. Colorways of “Aluminum” blue, “Fir” green, and “Soft Yellow” all offer colorful compositions that break the mold of the aforementioned campaigns.
Cav Empt x Nike Air Max Dn8 “Pure Platinum”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: August 27
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: In case you missed out on Cav Empt’s Japan-exclusive launch of its second collaboration with Nike, the first since 2019, one of its three Air Max Dn8s is dropping globally thanks to the SNKRS platform. The “Pure Platinum” pair is now ready for a stateside launch, offering an all-gray finish for the sneaker. What sets it apart is the digi camo texture spread across not only the upper, but the Dn8’s special sole unit as well. Meanwhile, nods to Cav Empt come courtesy of the tongue and sockliner graphics.
Brain Dead x adidas Japan Lo
Adidas
Adidas
Adidas
Release Date: August 28
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Brain Dead’s eccentric design language has proven that it can bring new energy to adidas, with the two having teamed up on various sneakers in recent years. Adding to the list this week is a trio of Japan Los. The trendy sneaker is on fire, almost literally, as fiery overlays reach across the toe and heel. Colorways of black and blue and brown and yellow are joined by a gray, olive, and black version that takes on a boot shape.
New Balance MADE in USA 990v6 & 992 “Dark Camo”
New Balance
New Balance
Release Date: August 28
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: The Teddy Santis-led MADE in USA division over at New Balance is kicking of its Fall/Winter 2025 campaign with two “Dark Camo”-colored sneakers that are ready for autumn. First up is a new take on the 990v6 that blends the aforementioned green hue with notes of beige, off-white, navy, and gray. It’s joined by the 992, which sticks to olive green for a majority of its composition, only adding in minor touches of gray and beige to complete the look.
UNDEFEATED x Air Jordan 4
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: August 28
Release Price: $230 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: One of the year’s most anticipated sneakers is back after a limited launch last month. The first ever Jordan Brand collaboration, the UNDEFEATED x Air Jordan 4, returned to shelves in a refreshed look for 2025, 20 years after debuting as one of the most exclusive, and valuable, pairs to date. Nike Air branding replaces the Jumpman hit at the heel while the “Rare Air”-branded tongue features a Velcro fastening system that allows patches to be interchanged.
Gino Iannucci x ASICS Leggerezza FB
Cole Giordano/Asics
Cole Giordano/Asics
Cole Giordano/Asics
Release Date: August 29
Release Price: $105 USD
Where to Buy: Select skate shops
Why You Should Cop: ASICS Skateboarding is one of the Japanese brand’s latest ventures, with Gino Iannucci as a key face for the franchise. The veteran skater is dropping his first collaborative shoe with the brand this week, reworking the new Leggerezza FB. Inspired by ASICS’ Injector Arrezzo I, a football cleat from 1989, the shoe was first introduced by COMME des GARCONS HOMME DEUX earlier this year and now dons durable, double stitched leather uppers that blend black with white and white with gold, respectively.
Nike KD 18 “Rise”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: August 29
Release Price: $155 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Kevin Durant is gearing up for an exciting season ahead as he returns to the state of Texas to play for the Houston Rockets. The veteran sharpshooter is expected to bring high volume shooting to a squad that struggled to get buckets down the stretch last season. Before he makes his debut in Rockets red, he’s set to look back to the last time he played for a Texas-based squad with a “Rise” colorway of his Nike KD 18 that recreates the orange and off-white color scheme of the University of Texas.
PUMA MB.05 “World Tour”
Puma
Puma
Puma
Release Date: August 29
Release Price: $125 USD
Where to Buy: PUMA
Why You Should Cop: In his first five seasons in the NBA, LaMelo Ball has proven that he’s a potent threat. However, he’s yet to find any postseason success with a Charlotte Hornets franchise that has struggled to grow beyond being a lottery team. His fifth signature shoe with PUMA might be able to get him there this season as it continues to bring out his liveliness in sneaker form. The PUMA MB.05 is debuting in a “World Tour” pink and silver that channels Ball’s rockstar energy.
Awake NY x Air Jordan 5 “Black/Racer Blue”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: August 30
Release Price: $230 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: New York City’s very own Awake NY dropped its two takes on the Air Jordan 5 and is ready to offer its “Black/Racer Blue” colorway to the masses via the SNKRS platform this week. The sneaker is equipped with the brand’s “A” motif atop the midfoot netting on each side of the shoe as a logo lock-up hits the reflective tongue and beneath the icy outsole. An additional tweak to the shoe includes the “NY” callout at the right shoe’s lateral heel.
Air Jordan 5 “Luminous Green”
Nike
Nike
Nike
Release Date: August 30
Release Price: $205 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: In case Awake NY’s black and blue take on the Air Jordan 5 isn’t your speed, or you already managed to cop a pair, Jordan Brand is serving up another AJ5 this week. In continuation of the model’s 35th anniversary celebration, it dons a women’s-exclusive “Luminous Green.” The colorway combines a neutral palette of “Sail” with its signature green while backing it with a black midsole and a reflective tongue.
