Sole Facts: November 15th – November 21st

The calm before the storm has arrived in this week’s Sole Facts.

As retailers rush to prepare for Black Friday, brands continue to play musical chairs with drop dates due to widespread shipping delays. Still, there’s plenty of attainable drops from the likes of Jordan, Rick Owens, Kerwin Frost, and much more.

See what we’re talking about in the calendar and info below.

11/15

Nike Air Flight Lite Mid

• Hailing from 1992, the Nike Air Flight Lite II gained notoriety around the NBA as a performance pair for some of the game’s greatest guards and wings. Famously, Scottie Pippen and Chris Mullin rocked this silo as members of the Olympic Dream Team.
• This loud makeup channels the past through black suede styling, electrified by orange lining and trademark tongue branding. Early reports suggest more styles are on the way.
• Retailing for $120, expect this Nike Air Flight Lite II launch to be released at NSW accounts in the US and Europe.

11/16

Rick Owens x Converse Chuck 70 DRKSTAR

• The Converse Chuck Taylor, also known as the Converse All Star, was introduced to the world as a basketball shoe in the early 1920s. Named after basketball player/salesman Chuck Taylor, the shoe has since served as a staple and statement shoe in the worlds of sport, style, music and culture for almost an entire century since its debut.
• Coming full circle, this Rick Owens x Converse collaboration nods to 2014’s DRKSHDW Ramones sneaker released by Owens, which is famously an homage to the original Chuck. Over the years, inline models from Rick Owens have become favored by everyone from A$AP Rocky to Tyler Herro to Playboi Carti. Previously, Owens has collaborated with the likes of Adidas and Birkenstock on footwear.
• Pairs will be released online at both Converse and Rick Owens.

11/17

Nike Air Force 1 Low “Halloween”

• In 1982, the Nike Air Force 1 arrived as the brand’s basketball vehicle for what would become their signature tech – Air. Designed by Bruce Kilgore, the high cut hoops shoe would outfit top talent in the NBA, NCAA and the streets. In 1983, the shoe would be released in low top form for hoops and casual wear with the latter option serving as a staple for decades to come.
• This “Halloween” collection is the latest in a long line of seasonal packs from Nike. Historically, the Air Force 1 Low has been the go-to model to makeover in October with heat around the Dunk and Presto extending the 2021 range.
• After numerous delays, the Nike Air Force 1 Low “Halloween” is finally releasing at Nike Sportswear accounts.

Nike Dunk Low “Goldenrod”

• The Nike Dunk debuted during the 1985-86 season with a focus on outfitting the top collegiate basketball programs in the country.
• This Black/Varsity Maize take is an original colorway designed for the Iowa Hawkeyes, hailing from Nike’s storied Be True to Your School series. They are also commonly referred to as the “Goldenrod” or “Iowa” Dunks.
• Over the years, the “Iowa” Dunks have returned in 1999 as a true to form LE, in 2005 as a suede SB and once more in 2007 with the VNTG treatment. Despite many BTTYS Dunk Highs returning in 2016, the “Iowa” edition was not included. Famously, the “Iowa” Dunks were flipped in Friends & Family fashion in 1999 with Wu-Tang tagging for what still serves as a cult classic rarity.

Kerwin Frost x adidas Forum High & Low

• The adidas Forum High debuted in 1984 as a luxury basketball shoe set to tip the scales by retailing at a then-outrageous $100. In the ‘80s, the Forum High was a status symbol in the streets thanks to its prestigious price point and a go-to favorite on the court for Patrick Ewing as a rookie on the New York Knicks. Much like the Nike Dunk of the same era, the Forum found fame in the 2000s off the court by way of below ankle skate styling and countless casual collaborations.
• Known for his candid, DIY event coverage and conversations, Kerwin Frost’s love of fashion and sense of humor informs his collaborations with adidas. Both pairs of Forums are full of fun, inspired by childhood toys and fantasy nostalgia.
• Both pairs are set to release via the adidas Confirmed App and at select retailers.

11/18

Nike ACG Air Mowabb “Off Noir” & “Limestone”

• Released in 1991, the Nike ACG Air Mowabb is an outdoor-oriented hiking shoe designed by the great Tinker Hatfield. Named in spirit after the city in Utah, this progressive trail model helped define Nike’s famed All Conditions Gear line.
• Back in revived retro form, the 2021 Mowabb features new upgrades such as a mini-Swoosh on the toe box and pull tabs on the neoprene collar. Both “Off Noir” and “Limestone” makeups are new, adding to the ACG model’s legacy.
• Both pairs will retail for $160, launching at NSW accounts in the US and Europe.

11/19

Air Jordan 1 Low “Green Toe” & “Mocha”

• Peter Moore’s transcendent Air Jordan 1 originally launched in high top, low top and canvas KO form. While reports vary as to whether the Air Jordan 1 Low debuted at retail in 1985 or 1986, the shoe has remained in and out of Jordan Brand’s rotation of releases since the early 2000s.  
• The “Green Toe” take is referential to the “Pine Green” AJ1 High from 2018. Slightly different in shades and shape, this low top launch sports a gold Jumpman and the tongue and white base tones as opposed to sail seen on the highs. In addition, a new “Mocha” makeup channels the coffee colorway introduced on the Air Jordan 3 and repopularized through Travis Scott collabs.
• Priced at $100 for the “Green Toe,” look for these to launch at US based Jordan Brand accounts. Conversely, the “Mocha” makeup will run $110.

Air Jordan 1 Acclimate “Black”

• The Air Jordan 1 debuted on the feet of Michael Jordan during his 1984-85 rookie campaign. Designed by Peter Moore, the concept of selling MJ as a signature athlete brought to Nike by Sonny Vaccaro completely changed the sportswear industry and laid the foundation for what we now know as Jordan Brand.
• This Acclimate iteration of the Air Jordan 1 sees the seminal sneaker taking on yet another crossover, this time appealing to cold-weather wear. Cozy lining on the collar and easy to wipe down construction help the timeless OG transition into winter wear.
• Starting at $150, look for these to release in the US at Jordan Brand accounts in women’s sizing.

Air Jordan Centre Court “Sand” & “Pink”

• The Jordan Centre Court is an entirely new model from Jordan Brand with plenty of retro roots. This lifestyle launch features the iconic Air Jordan 1 sole said to be updated with Zoom Air cushioning for comfort. As an homage to the AJ1, the famous Wings logo is reinterpreted in cloud stitch fashion around the ankle with tongue tagging playing to heritage font.
• First seen in The Last Dance on the feet of Michael Jordan, the pair was previewed in close-up form on the GOAT himself in episode one of the famed docuseries. 
• Pairs will retail for $135 and release at select Jordan Brand accounts in the US.

Nike Dunk High “Sail”

• The Nike Dunk first released over the course of the 1985-86 basketball season with a focus on the collegiate level. A slew of two-tone takes tied to the top college programs across the country were worn on court by bright NCAA talent and sold to the public just the same.
• Dressed in sail panelling with gum soles, this pair is a Sportswear style playing to the casual crossover and fluidity associated with the marquee model. Like previous pairs released in 2021, they rely on leather composition and contrasting tones.
• Set to launch on SNKRS for $110, pairs will be presented in women’s sizing.

adidas Trae Young 1 “Peach Tree” & “Snakeskin”

• The adidas Trae Young 1 is the inaugural signature shoe for Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young. A low top, the pair is built off Boost cushioning with a unique yet minimal approach to tongue and lacing defining this style.
• Both “Peach Tree” and “Snakeskin” styles continue to tell new stories on Trae’s introductory signature shoe, sporting schematics that play to the Georgia city and luxury material.
• The Trae Young 1 is available for $140 at adidas, JD Sports, Finish Line, Eastbay and other adi Basketball accounts.

11/20

Air Jordan 1 High “Bordeaux”

• The Air Jordan 1 debuted on the feet of Michael Jordan during his 1984-85 rookie campaign. Designed by Peter Moore, the concept of selling MJ as a signature athlete brought to Nike by Sonny Vaccaro completely changed the sportswear industry and laid the foundation for what we now know as Jordan Brand.
• This “Bordeaux” style is new for 2021, in many ways playing off the popular “Midnight Navy” Air Jordan 1 High CO.JP colorway. Sporting the same branding – a metallic Swoosh and jelly Wings logo – the main difference comes by way of Bordeaux panelling and lining.

• Look for these to launch for $170 at Jordan Brand accounts in the US and Europe.

adidas Yeezy 500 “Ash Grey”

• Famous for finding itself as the first adidas Yeezy without Boost, the adidas Yeezy 500 features adiPrene+ cushioning and lifts the Feet You Wear sole seen on Kobe Bryant’s 1999 signature shoe, the adidas KB8 III.
• This all-new Yeezy 500 colorway once again sees the Kanye footwear franchise leaning into earthy hues through tonal depth. 

• Look for these to retail for $200, releasing at select Yeezy stockists in the US.

11/21