This week, an infamous year will end and a new one will begin.
While brands look to pad their bottom line before 2020 comes to a close, a slew of noteworthy sneakers are capping off the fourth quarter. In the following days, we’ll see an iconic Air Jordan take on auto-lacing technology, a set of spirited LeBron launches and a sequel to one of 2017’s most sought after collaborations.
See what all the buzz is about in the launches below.
Dec. 29 – UNDFTD x Nike Air Max 97
- The Nike Air Max 97 was designed by Christian Tesser, inspired by the radiating ripple effect of water. Tesser, now at YEEZY, is also credited with the Nike Zoom Spiridon, Reebok Aztrek, Nike Air Max Light III and other models residing in running and soccer.
- In 2017, the Air Max 97 celebrated its 20th anniversary. An UNDFTD collaboration was among the highlights with each pair taking on “Gucci” tones for a lavish look.
- Back for 2020, this set of UNDFTD x Nike Air Max 97s employs the same piping branding but leans into flight jacket tones more tied to the boutique brand.
Dec. 29 – Titan x Air Jordan 35
- Philippines footwear purveyor Titan teams up with Jordan Brand on a collaborative colorway of the Air Jordan 35 – the latest performance model from the longest-running signature series in hoops.
- Previously, Titan has collaborated on Nike LeBron launches. Thus far, the Air Jordan 35 has also seen third-party design by way of Hiroshi Fujiwara’s fragment design and is said to launch soon with the help of CLOT.
- Pairs of the Titan x Air Jordan 35 released on the Titan App and on TITAN22.com on 12/23. A global launch will commence on 12/29 followed by another North America release on 1/23.
Dec. 29 – Titan x Air Jordan XX3
- The Air Jordan XX3 originally launched in 2008, designed by Tinker Hatfield and Mark Smith. Though Michael Jordan was retired when this shoe released, he played a heavy hand in the final product with his signature and fingerprint appearing on the tongue and toe box.
- Over the years, the Air Jordan XX3 has seen collaboration as a retro from the likes of Trophy Room and SoleFly. On top of that, PE pairs have been made for the likes of Chris Paul, Maya Moore, Rip Hamilton, and other Jordan Brand athletes.
- On 12/23, pairs of the Titan x Air Jordan XX3 released on the Titan App and on TITAN22.com. The global launch takes place on 12/29 with another North America release set to take place on 1/23.
Dec. 30 – Air Jordan 11 Adapt
- The Air Jordan 11 debuted in 1995 on the feet of Michael Jordan in the NBA Playoffs. Designed by Tinker Hatfield in his off hours, the AJ11 was never supposed to see the light of day as Jordan had retired from basketball and began playing baseball.
- Original sketches from Hatfield displayed the desire for the Air Jordan 11 to be laceless, employing a sock-like structure made to hug the foot.
- For the first time ever, the Air Jordan 11 will employ Adapt technology to realize Hatfield’s vision. Nike’s EARL innovation allows this AJ11 to operate without typical
Dec. 30 – Bodega x Nike Dunk High
- Touching down during the 1985-86 NCAA basketball season, the Nike Dunk has since seen its wings spread to lifestyle and skateboarding takes. The Bodega x Nike Dunk High “Legend” is not an SB but rather a standard, premium Dunk, donned in raw materials meant to harken the olden times of quality craftsmanship.
- This pair is considered a Quickstrike release though it has public launch dates. While it first released at Bodega, a SNKRS launch follows for a second chance with likely more pairs made available. In spirit, it honors late Bodega creative director Marvin Jason Bynoe who passed in March.
- In recent years, Bodega has collaborated with the likes of New Balance on the 997S, adidas on the Kamanda, and Nike on the Footscape to name a few noteworthy exclusives.
Dec. 30 – Nike LeBron 8 “Lakers”
- Introduced in 2010, the Nike LeBron 8 is receiving the retro treatment in 2020 with more colorways set to come out in 2021.
- This “Lakers” launch proves the first, featuring a new and timely purple and gold motif. Tumbled suede and Flywire technology score the upper with 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 “Lakers” scheme is the V1 version of the LeBron 8 with the V2 version proving lighter and leaner by way of more mesh.
Dec. 30 – Nike LeBron 18 “Christmas in LA”
- The Nike LeBron 18 is the latest signature shoe for LeBron James. Designed by Jason Petrie, James debuted the 18 in the NBA Bubble on the way to his fourth NBA championship.
- Like previous LeBron signature models, Air and Knit are used in a major way with both Max Air and Zoom Air scoring the underfoot, a new knit all-over the upper inspired by previous pairs and Max Air units across the tongue.
- This “Christmas in LA” rendition was debuted by James on Christmas Day 2020 in a win over the Dallas Mavericks. It’s the latest in a long line of Christmas themed LeBron launches.
Dec. 31 – Reebok Question Mid Kobe Bryant PE
- The Reebok Question debuted in 1996 as the first signature shoe for #1 Pick Allen Iverson. Designed by Scott Hewett, the shoe was drafted during Iverson’s days at Georgetown and in many ways inspired by AI’s love for the Air Jordan 11.
- This retro release is an homage to the PE pair that Kobe Bryant wore during his sneaker free agency between his adidas and Nike deals during the 2002-03 NBA Season.
- While this pair was originally slated to release earlier in 2020, its launch was delayed due to Bryant’s tragic death. Pairs are now reported to release at 12 AM online at Reebok.