Variety is in full force in this week’s Sole Facts.
From a couple of spirited 4/20 tributes to two highly touted collaborations from Jordan Brand, there’s something for everybody this time around. Retro runners, sustainable sneakers, performance pairs, and more appear in the latest round of releases.
What’s dropping and why might it matter to you? Get the details in the Sole Facts below.
4/20
South Park x adidas Campus 80s “Towelie”
- The adidas Campus originally saw fanfare on the hardwood, crossing over to casual wear in the decades that followed. In recent years, the Campus 80s has remained a fixture at retail in suede and leather two-tone takes.
- Introduced in 2001, Towelie became a fan favorite on South Park for his candid conversations with himself that often resulted in him getting a little high. Famously, Towelie penned the autobiography A Million Little Fibers as seen in Season 10.
- Dressed in a fitting terry cloth upper, the Towelie eyes on the tongue turn bloodshot when exposed to UV light. In addition, hidden stash pockets complete the theme.
4/21
A Ma Maniere x Air Jordan 3
- Released at retail in 1988, the Air Jordan 3 stands as perhaps the most important model in the ever-iconic Air Jordan lineage. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the shoe is said to have kept MJ at Nike after rumors that he was going to leave the brand.
- This A Ma Maniere collaboration is a salute to mothers. Whitaker Group founder James Whitner received his first pair of AJ3s from his own mother with her handwriting highlighting the backside of the shoe’s heel tab.
- Set to retail for $200, this collaboration will launch in women’s sizing. To claim a pair from any of the Whitaker Group retail affiliates a woman has to pick them up.
LeBron James x Nike Air Max 95 “Home Team”
- Nike designer Sergio Lozano made the leap from ACG and tennis to that of running with the task of the Air Max 95. Lozano’s lens on the annual Air Max was a departure from previous pairs as Nike Running wanted to bring in new blood and take a risk.
- This Air Max homage to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers sees gradient yellow and purple paneling popping up in mismatched styling on opposing uppers. Tying it all together, LeBron branding appears on the tongue.
- Recently, LeBron James was given a set of Air Max 95s all tied to the various uniforms he’s worn in his short but storied time with the Lakers.
4/22
Aleali May x Air Jordan 1 High Zoom CMFT “Califia”
- 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.
- In 2019, the Air Jordan 1 High Zoom debuted by way of a reflective “Fearless” take. In 2020, an evolved iteration known as the Jordan 1 High Zoom CMFT followed suit. This Zoom CMFT style features Zoom Air cushioning, cut-out Swoosh branding, and deconstructed styling around the ankle collar.
- This Aleali May collaboration follows the stylist’s previous work on the AJ1 that tributed California swap meets and “Viotech” Dunks. This particular pair is a salute to high school hoops, cheer and drill teams with accompanying clothing telling the same story.
Jaden Smith x New Balance Vision Racer “Natural”
- New Balance and Jaden Smith combined in 2020 for the debut of the Vision Racer collaboration. A signature silo for Smith, the Vision Racer is sustainable and vegan-friendly. It is also said to be based on his love of New Balance’s 1700 and X-Racer models.
- This “Natural” colorway is part of the ReWorked initiative, leaving even further into Smith’s appreciation for sustainability. Spinnex construction makes the most of recycled fabrics on the upper while reground materials are expressed throughout the model in speckled styling.
- This vegan-friendly release is slated to retail for $150 and launches online at New Balance.
4/23
Nike SB Dunk High “Hawaii”
- Though rooted in basketball, the Nike Dunk crossed over to skateboarding in 2002 by way of the Nike SB Dunk. Denoted by a fat tongue for added cushion, the rebranding redefined the hardwood icon for a new generation of skaters and sneakerheads.
- The “Hawaii” Nike SB Dunk High, also referred to as the “Maui Wowie” colorway, falls under the umbrella of 4/20 themed SB Dunks. The pair features hemp across the branding and tongue while the floral pattern on the upper tears away, revealing orange underlays and ganja green finishes.
- Like other recent Nike SB Dunks, these are slated to launch online via SNKRS and at select skate shops that are SB stockists.
4/24
Nike Air Griffey Max 1 “Jackie Robinson”
- The Nike Air Griffey Max 1 first released in 1996 as the debut signature shoe for MLB All-Star Ken Griffey Jr. Designed by Tracy Teague, the shoe was worn by Griffey in both trainer and cleated form.
- This new Black/White makeup is an homage to the late, great Jackie Robinson. The former Dodgers star who broke baseball’s color barrier sees his #42 replace that of Junior’s #24 on the ankle strap, while an inspirational message regarding equality is debossed across.
- From adidas to New Balance to Under Armour, various brands have honored Jackie Robinson through footwear. Famously, Nike has used the Air Max Griffey Swingman and Blazer as a canvas for his celebration.
Air Jordan 11 Low “Legend Blue”
- The Air Jordan 11 debuted in rogue fashion by Michael Jordan in the 1995 NBA Playoffs. MJ was not meant to wear the pair that early as it was not ready for production and had been designed in secret by Tinker Hatfield during Jordan’s first retirement.
- While worn in PE pair fashion by Michael Jordan during the 1995-96 season, the patent proper Air Jordan 11 Low did not debut at retail until 2001, releasing in a slew of spring-ready colorways.
- This all-new “Legend Blue” Air Jordan 11 Low derives from the original “Columbia” Air Jordan 11 Mid from 1996. The North Carolina-inspired palette saw a name change to “Legend Blue” in 2014 due to legality issues but is otherwise intended to be OG in execution.
adidas Yeezy 500 “Enflame”
- 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 juxtaposing hearty earth tones with that of primary blues.
- Still set to retail at $200, pairs of the “Enflame” adidas Yeezy 500 are slated to launch in the US, Europe, and Asia.
4/26
Jordan Why Not Zer0.4 “Marathon”
- The Jordan Why Not Zer0.4 is the latest signature shoe for Russell Westbrook and his first as a member of the Washington Wizards.
- Like previous Westbrook signatures, the shoe is defined in performance by an aggressive sole stacked with Zoom Air cushioning and top-notch traction. Up top, patchwork ethos and cut-sew overlays reflect Russ’s wild fashion sense.
- This “Marathon” makeup is inspired by racing, imploring checkered flag overlays and graphics that conjure images of the decals seen on cars and bikes.
