Sole Facts: August 16th – 22nd

From Bad Bunny to Beyonce, Aleali May to John Elliott, there’s something for almost everyone in this week’s Sole Facts.

Back-to-school sneakers continue to be a push as Jordan Brand rolls out retros meant to be drawn on, while staple silos like the Dunk and Air Force 1 find even more makes on the market. Add in new colors from Kyrie, a clean New Balance collaboration, and the latest Air Jordan signature and you have yourself some options.

See what we’re talking about in the Sole Facts below.

8/16

8/17

Nike Air Force 1 Low Craft “Beetroot”

• In 1982, the Nike Air Force 1 arrived as the brand’s basketball vehicle for what became their signature tech – Air. Designed by Bruce Kilgore, the high cut hoops shoe outfitted top talent in the NBA, NCAA, and the streets. In 1983, the shoe was released in low-top form for hoops and casual wear with the latter option serving as a staple for decades to come.
• Set to sail and branded by dark beetroot, this AF1 release takes on Craft composition, distinguished by tumbled leather, perforated leather branding, and revised tongue tagging.
• Look for these to launch for $120 at Nike Store.

Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Low Buckle “Back to School”

• 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.
• This collaboration with Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny implements buckle ankle strapping, a double-stacked tongue, and an exaggerated ankle collar. The color palette is triple-black this go-round, following coffee colorways and Easter takes.
• Retailing for $160, pairs are slated to launch through the adidas Confirmed App.

8/18

Nike Dunk Low “Purple Pulse” & “Yellow Strike”

• 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 “Purple Pulse” and “Yellow Strike” serving as a Nike Sportswear drop.
• Both ladies’ launches continue to add lifestyle steeze to the once-prized hoops model. Each pair bears the quoted color on a suede Swoosh, faint graphic overlays, and solid outsole.
• Both pairs will retail for $100 and release at select Nike Sportswear accounts.

Nike Dunk Low SE “Oil Green”

• 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.
• A slew of camouflage motifs dresses this “Oil Green” makeup, led in nickname by the Swoosh and outsole shade. Black tumbled leather overlays and matching nylon tongue detailing cap off this premium pair launching under the SE – special edition – moniker.
• Set to sell for $100 via SNKRS, this pair will also pop up at NSW accounts overseas.

Kids of Immigrants x Vans Old Skool

• The Vans Old Skool, originally released as the Style 36 in 1977, is a staple skate shoe from the California brand. While it’s taken to many makeovers, the shoe is commonly seen in canvas with a blunt sidewall stripe and waffle sole.- LA-based Kids of Immigrants revises the Cali classic by way of corduroy toe paneling, paisley patterning, patent leather hits and velvet shearling detailing. The mixed materials add depth and nuance to the neutral palette, with graphic insoles inspired by Chinese laundry bags.
• The Kids of Immigrants x Vans Old Skool launches on August 18th via the Greenhouse app, followed by an online launch at the Kids of Immigrants webstore on August 20th

8/19

John Elliott x Converse Skidgrip

• Debuted in 1910, the Converse Skidgrip has remained in relevancy for over a century thanks to its adoption in California through skate and surf culture.
• John Elliott redresses the low profile silo in both “Brown Rust” and “Green Lichen” colorways, adding texture to this West Coast classic in similar fashion to his work on the Nike Vandal and Nike LeBron line.
• The John Elliott x Converse Skidgrip will retail for $130, launching online at Converse, John Elliott and at select retailers.

Air Jordan 36 “First Light”

• The Air Jordan 36 is the latest signature shoe from the historic performance series. Said to be the lightest Air Jordan yet, the mid-top model features a breathable mesh upper, wrap-around TPU midsole ribbon, and double-stacked Zoom Air cushioning.
• This “Hyper Violet” colorway was amongst the first Air Jordan 36 makeups spotted in hand or on court. Bright mango accents set off the sole while the topic tone intermingles with black contrast all over the upper.
• Expect the Air Jordan 35 “Hyper Violet” to retail for $185 and also launch in GS sizes.

Air Jordan 4 GS “DIY”​​

• The Air Jordan 4 was released in 1989 and was worn on court by Michael Jordan to finish the 1988-89 NBA Season and to begin the 1989-90 NBA Season. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the Air Jordan 4 was famed for its implementation of visible mesh, Air cushioning, and Flight script tongue.
• This “DIY” colorway is new for 2021, offering kids a creative canvas that’s wearable for back to school. A White/Black palette gives off heavy “Oreo” 4 vibes while mesh sidewalls are replaced with graphics meant to color in.
• This GS launch will drop at Jordan Brand accounts all over.

Aleali May x Air Jordan 14 Low “Fortune”

• Released during Michael Jordan’s second retirement from the NBA, the Air Jordan 14 Low debuted in June of 1999. Like previous pairs, Tinker Hatfield designed this AJ signature finding inspiration from MJ’s favored Ferrari.
• Renowned stylist Aleali May pulls from her African American and Filipina heritage for this “Fortune” collaboration, pairing a sandy suede upper with jewelry-inspired jade and gold hits.
• This luxury take on the Air Jordan 14 Low will retail for $190 and launch in ladies sizing with special packaging and corresponding apparel.

AURALEE x New Balance 550

• The New Balance 550 recently returned from the archives by way of 2020’s Aime Leon Dore collaboration. This AURALEE launch is similar in styling to the ALD pairing, taking on similar vintage vibes and instead going totally tonal.
• Inspired by the 1989 original release, this pair possesses similar tooling to other late ‘80s models made by Avia, adidas, Nike and Converse. Ethos of this era all inspired Louis Vuitton’s 408 Trainer.
• At the time of the 550’s original launch, the likes of James Worthy, Roy Tarpley and Antoine Carr were wearing New Balance in the NBA. However, being big men they were playing in high tops rather than this model.

8/20

Nike Dunk High “First Use 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.
• Celebrating the introduction of the Swoosh logo, the First Use Collection stamps each shoe with the date the famous branding mark came to be. Mismatched branding denotes the upper of each shoe in outline and tonal fashion.
• Fans of the Nike Dunk High “First Use” can pick up a pair at Nike, Finish Line and JD Sports for $120.

Nike Kyrie 7 “1 World 1 People”

• The Nike Kyrie 7 is the latest signature shoe for Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving. Designed by Ben Nethongkome, the Kyrie 7 features Zoom Turbo cushioning and is listed as lighter than the Kyrie 6.
• A general release colorway with a collaborative feel, this “1 World 1 People” makeup carries a yellow mesh upper with color pop and thematic detailing appearing on the forefoot and heel.
• The Kyrie 7 “1 World 1 People” will be released at select Nike Basketball retailers. Currently, Kyrie is upset with Nike on the direction of his next signature sneaker.

Ivy Park x adidas Super Super Sleek

• Styled after the adidas Samba, the adidas Super Super Sleek is not a typo but rather a platform take on the futbol favorite. An oversized molded rubber sole adds style and height to a Samba upper benefitting from toggle detailing and Ivy Park branding.
• In April 2019, adidas announced a partnership with Beyoncé. Beginning in 2020, official Ivy Park x adidas collaborations began to launch ranging from fashionable Forums to avant-garde outerwear.
• Look for the Ivy Park x adidas Super Super Sleek to launch for $140 at the likes of JD Sports, Finish Line, adidas and Foot Locker.

8/21

8/22