Breathe easy, this week’s Sole Facts won’t break the bank account like previous installments but it will provide plenty of pairs worth picking up.
Most notably, Nike Sportswear has a big week by way of many Dunk drops, revered retro releases tied to Scottie Pippen and Ken Griffey Jr., as well as a few touted retro runners. Around the way, we also find yet another Air Jordan 1 High hitting, more kicks from Kanye and the latest Nike KD.
What’s worth scooping this week? Decide for yourself by getting the history and context of the latest launches in the Sole Facts below.
4/14
Nike LeBron 8 “Hardwood Classic”
- Introduced in 2010, the Nike LeBron 8 received the retro treatment in 2020 with more colorways rolling out in 2021. From an aesthetic and technical standpoint, the Jason Petrie design beefed up the Air Max cushioning and Flywire support seen on the Nike LeBron 7.
- This “Hardwood Classic” launch recalls an OG Player Exclusive worn by James as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. This pair features throwback royal and orange hues across the upper to the tune of tumbled suede and Flywire technology with a full-length Max Air 360 unit resting beneath.
- The original LeBron 8 was the first model King James wore when taking his talents to South Beach. This “Hardwood Classic” scheme is the V1 version of the LeBron 8 with the V2 version proving lighter and leaner by way of more mesh.
4/15
Nike Dunk Low “Photon Dust”
- Designed by the great Peter Moore, the Nike Dunk debuted in 1985 as a way to bring color and team spirit to college basketball. Since then, the shoe has crossed over to various categories with the Nike Dunk Low “Photon Dust” serving as a Nike Sportswear drop.
- Eerily similar to the Nike Dunk High “Vast Grey” from earlier this year, the “Photon Dust” Dunk Low is another non-OG colorway with Be True to Your School blocking and neutral shades.
- Currently, the “Photon Dust” Low look is a ladies exclusive that will be launching first in Japan. US availability is expected to follow later this season.
Offspring x Converse Chuck Taylor Collection
- 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.
- Offspring is a sneaker boutique hailing from the UK. Having previously worked on the Chuck Taylor multiple times, this “Flip” pack inverts the cream and black motif seen on their 2019 collaboration on the same silos.
- Retailing for $109 USD and $117 USD, respectively, both the low and high top Chucks will be released online at Offspring on April 15th.
Nike Air Max 1 LV8 “Dark Teal Green”
- The Nike Air Max 1 debuted in 1987 and served as a landmark moment in the history of the Beaverton brand. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the former Oregon track standout looked to expose the brand’s Air technology after being inspired by Paris’ Georges Pompidou Centre.
- This LV8 iteration elects rich variations of leather on the upper in favor of the standard mesh and suede composition. In addition, the famed mini Swoosh is embroidered on the mudguard for added nostalgia tied to atmos collaborations among other favorites.
- In the early ‘90s, the Air Max 1 began to experiment with all leather construction by way of AM1/90 hybrids. By the mid-’90s, leather AM1s were released in standard shades and with jewel Swoosh branding. Around the early ‘00s, AM1s constructed of leather became commonplace as bolder colors and themed launches grew.
Reebok Answer IV “White/Red”
- Designed by Scott Hewitt, the Reebok Answer IV graced the feet of Allen Iverson during his epic 2000-01 NBA MVP campaign. Distinguished by zip-up closure and DMX cushioning, the model was worn by AI in his lone NBA Finals appearance and epic ‘step over’ moment.
- This White/Red rendition is an OG colorway of the Answer IV, worn regularly by Iverson during the 2000-01 NBA Season. Unlike retail pairs released at the turn of the century, this retro release features a velcro closure to pin down the zipper just as the NBA mandated for Iverson’s on-court PE pairs.
- Since arriving in 2000, the Reebok Answer IV has received retro treatment on numerous occasions, seen previously in 2012 across the US and in 2018 in Asia. Additionally, the Answer IV has released in low top, slip-on, team bank, and even cleated form. Famously, Kobe Bryant wore PE pairs of the Reebok Answer IV during his footwear free agency.
Nike Air More Uptempo “White/Red”
- Designed by the legendary Wilson Smith, the Nike Air More Uptempo touched down in 1996 as the brand’s basketball statement product celebrating their beloved tech. The big bubble basketball shoe with big bubble letters was famously worn by Scottie Pippen as a member of the Chicago Bulls and the Dream Team II.
- While wearing well with both Bulls and Olympic palettes, this White/Red rendition is not an original makeup. Rather, the white base and outline branding play off the More Uptempo’s almost identical takedown from 1996, the Nike Air Much Uptempo.
- This White/Red colorway is still storied as a retro release, having dropped in 2006 and 2018.
4/16
Nike Air Griffey Max 1 “Varsity Royal”
- The Nike Air Griffey Max 1 first released in 1996 as the debut signature shoe for baseball All-Star Ken Griffey Jr. Designed by Tracy Teague, the shoe was worn by Griffey in both trainer and cleated form.
- The famous “Varsity Royal” colorway was an OG launch for the Griffey Max 1. On TV, the signature shoe played an integral part in the comedic “Griffey in ‘96” ad campaign which placed Junior as a presidential candidate. The ads saw cameos from George Clinton, Reggie Jackson and James Carville.
- In the past, the “Varsity Royal” Griffey 1 has released in 1996, 2009 and 2016.
Nike Air Huarache “Escape”
- The Nike Air Huarache changed the world of running in 1991. Meant to be minimalist, Huarache lockdown was a case study in reduction with the name and styling deriving from South American sandals.
- This “Escape” colorway first released in 2003, playing to earthy tan and taupe hues with smokey contrast gracing the tongue. In that same era, similar “Escape” styling suited both the Air Max 93 and Air Trainer Huarache.
- Expect pairs to pop up in Europe first with a US release date likely following soon.
Nike Dunk Low “Green Glow”
- Designed by the great Peter Moore, the Nike Dunk debuted in 1985 as a way to bring color and team spirit to college basketball. Since then, the shoe has crossed over to various categories with the Nike Dunk Low “Green Glow” serving as a Nike Sportswear drop.
- Setting the spring mood, this “Green Glow” colorway is new for 2021 and exclusively launching in ladies’ sizing. Like previous Sportswear styles, the colorway is reliant on a white base with blunt contrast.
- Retailing for $100, the “Green Glow” Dunk Low is slated to release in the US and Europe.
Nike Dunk Low “Michigan”
- 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 was worn on court by bright NCAA talent and sold to the public just the same.
- This “Michigan” makeup is an original colorway, worn by the whole Wolverines roster in 1986 in team photo fashion. At the time, the high-top take of the Dunk was favored by most players on the court though the low top variation has crossed over with extreme popularity in years since.
- The Nike Dunk Low “Michigan” was released previously in LE form in 1999, a reverse VNTG variation in 2011, and in Off-White styling in 2019.
Nike Dunk Low “Team Green”
- New takes on the old favorite Nike Dunk Low continue in 2021 by way of the “Team Green” rendition. Following a high-top arrival in “Spartan Green” in 2020, this pair plays off the now Nike endorsed Michigan State Spartans in sentiment and correlation.
- Though this pair packs heavy Be True to Your School vibes, the Michigan State Spartans wore Converse when the Dunk arrived in 1986. In the mid-1990s, the school would wear Reeboks all the way into the new millennium, eventually becoming a Nike program after cutting down the nets in 2000.
- Set to launch in the US, Europe, and Asia, the “Team Green” Dunk Lows will drop in both men’s and GS sizing.
Sean Wotherspoon x adidas ZX 8000 “SUPEREARTH”
- The adidas ZX 8000 originally arrived in 1988, serving as the brand’s first running shoe to feature Torsion system technology. Since its launch, the ZX 8000 has been revered in retro life through collaborations, tech updates, and its beloved original “Aqua” colorway.
- This colorway’s collaborator, Sean Wotherspoon, rose to fame in the last decade as the co-founder of vintage empire Round 2. His prominence in the sneaker world came first from dipping Supreme x Air Jordan 5s in red paint all the way to winning Nike’s On Air contest with his corduroy Air Max 1/97 collaboration.
- This patchwork pair is reported to release via the adidas Confirmed App.
Nike Air More Uptempo “Bulls”
- Crafted by Wilson Smith of Nike Tech Challenge fame, the Nike Air More Uptempo released in 1996 as an on-court celebration of Air cushioning. At the time of release, Scottie Pippen wore these on court as a member of the Chicago Bulls and the Dream Team II, winning championships with both squads.
- This “Bulls” colorway is not an original motif but does derive from 2005 “Hoop Pack” – an overseas exclusive that brought the More Uptempo retro to life. Released only in Asia, the red rendition sported black patent leather letters and a corduroy lining. It launched alongside Air Penny 1 and Flight 89 exclusives.
- Since its “Hoop Pack” origin, the rebranded “Bulls” colorway has been released without corduroy lining in 2017.
4/17
Air Jordan 1 High “Hyper Royal”
- 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 “Hyper Royal” rendition is not an OG colorway but does deliver vintage vibes thanks to a washed out look seen similarly on 2019’s “Turbo Green” take. Weathered blue suede scores a white and grey base that appears almost identical to that of the “Neutral Grey” release. Blue tongue tagging closes out this new colorway to tie in the new theme.
- Retailing for $170, this is yet another of the many Air Jordan 1 High drops taking place in 2021.
adidas Yeezy Boost 700 “Bright Blue”
- The adidas Yeezy Boost 700 debuted in 2017, bringing an aggressive edge to the dad shoe craze and a new approach to how Boost cushioning is showcased. Industry vet Steven Smith is said to have worked on this design that was once believed to be a shelved idea.
- This “Bright Blue” style is fittingly an aqua illumination of the original “Waverunner” rendition the 700 debuted in. Black suede overlays, teal toe box mesh and orange midsole accents are all intact with a blue mixed material upper and orange midsole bringing the brightness.
- While previously priced at $300 when rolled out in “Waverunner” fashion, this “Bright Blue” 700 will launch in the US, Europe and Asia for the reduced rate of $240.
Nike KD 14
- The Nike KD 14 serves as the latest signature shoe for Brooklyn Nets All-Star forward Kevin Durant. Returning a swooping midfoot strap, notably seen on the KD II, KD IV and KD 7, the line continues to carry a chukka cut as seen on KDs 11 through 13.
- A full-length Zoom Air strobel follows the use of Zoom Air as seen on the KD 12 and KD 13, being presented in a fashion similar to recent Paul George signatures. Pronounced tongue branding recalls that of the KD III, KD V, KD 7, and KD 8, also amplified on many KD Trey 5 models.
- The Nike KD 14 is reported to retail for $150 and will likely be debuted during Durant’s return to the court.
4/19
Nike Air Huarache “Scream Green”
- Debuted in 1991, the Nike Air Huarache changed the world of running. Meant to be minimalist, the famous ads from the ‘90s asked runners, “Have you hugged your foot today?”
- The name and styling of the Huarache are both derived from South American sandals. Waterski boots also provide inspiration on this pivotal pair, bolstered by a leather exoskeleton for support.
- This “Scream Green” colorway was an original from 1991. Recently, it has returned in 2014, also outfitting various Huarache hybrids in hue and sentiment.
