Between NBA trade winds, politics, and the pandemic, 2021 is already eventful. On the sneaker front, releases continue to ramp up as distance from the holiday season grows and the moments leading up to spring build.
While All-Star Weekend, March Madness, and maybe even Air Max Day are somewhat in flux as the powers that be disseminate a vaccine, shoe releases thus far are staying mostly on schedule. In this installment of Sole Facts, we find Nike dropping a new signature hoops silo, Kanye lowering the price on a favorited Yeezy and Nike SB merging “What the” styling with Chinese cuisine.
Learn why each shoe matters in the context of history and culture with Sole Facts.
1/19
Nike Air Max 90 “Pirate Radio”
- Debuted in 1990, the Nike Air Max 90 – aka the Air Max III – was designed by the highly touted Tinker Hatfield. The performance running shoe was an advancement to that of the Air Max 1, carrying a stronger look by way of TPU support, a sloped stance, and a larger Air unit.
- This “Pirate Radio” Pack is a new two-piece pairing that pays tribute to independent, underground broadcasting that has long served as a platform for counter-culture music and opinions.
- While both pairs sport the same pirate skull on the outsole and radio waves on the heel TPU counter, the white pair is decidedly hip-hop with jewel branding and golden dubraes while the blue pair leans closer to the punk scene in its styling.
1/21
Notre 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 in the subsequent decades. The Notre x Nike Dunk High collection is yet another lifestyle collaboration on the Sportswear version of the Dunk.
- The Chicago-based Notre boutique is collaborating with Nike Sportswear for the first time on this duo of Dunks that features heavy canvas and shaggy suede. In using these materials, they are meant to look better beat up and ensure that no two pairs are exactly alike. Moreover, the linking hands branding on the medial side is reinterpreted from its jazz stripe look on their Vans Old Skool collab with shop tongue tagging closing it all out.
- Both pairs will release at Notre on 1/21 with the “Blue Void” colorway also offered as a SNKRS launch on 1/23 which you’ll see below.
Nike PG 5
- The Nike PG 5 marks the fifth signature shoe for Clippers wing Paul George. Carried over from the PG 4, the Nike Air Dot Weld Strobel cushioning returns for an intimate ride that’s both loaded and low profile.
- Offering a nod to the Black Mamba, the PG 5 features an outsole directly inspired by that of the pinnacle Nike Kobe 9. To this day, the multi-directional tread pattern is revered on both sides of the ball.
- Like inline colorways of the PG 4, the PG 5 will retail for a reasonable $110. For those looking to create their own colorway, the PG 5 is offered on Nike By You for a price of $130.
Air Jordan 4 “Starfish”
- 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.
- A new colorway, the Air Jordan 4 “Starfish” is a women’s exclusive that in many ways builds from the OG Black/Cement scheme in regard to blocking. Orange accents and underlays illuminate this metallic mesh makeup.
- The “Starfish” story is said to be inspired by spacesuits. It should be noted that the upper reads more orange than black when seen in person. Previously, Jordans released in orange, black and white combinations have carried the “Shattered Backboard” narrative.
Nike Air Max 1 LV8 “Obsidian”
- 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.
1/22
Air Jordan 9 “University Gold”
- The Air Jordan 9 debuted during the 1993-94 NBA Season during Michael Jordan’s first retirement. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the original AJ9 would not be worn by MJ as a member of the Chicago Bulls but it would be worn by his famous statue in front of the United Center and in cleated form on the baseball diamond.
- This “University Gold” colorway was not originally released in 1993 but it does have strong ties to the model’s roots. The OG “Charcoal” pair – which is nearly identical and features true red accents rather than university gold – was likely intended for MJ to wear had he competed in the 1994 NBA Playoffs. This “University Gold” colorway is almost identical to a PE pair made for Michael Jordan’s son – Marcus Jordan – adorned with his personal playing number of 5 and made to match his Rising Stars Illinois AAU uniforms circa 2008.
- Though Michael Jordan never wore the Air Jordan 9 as a member of the Chicago Bulls, he did break out retro rendition in “Cool Grey” while with the Washington Wizards.
Nike Freak 2 “Letter Bro”
- The Nike Zoom Freak 2 serves as the second official signature shoe for Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The shoe is said to be built off Giannis’ trademark Euro-step and sports a decoupled outsole and forefoot Zoom Air because of it.
- This “Letter Bro” iteration draws inspiration from his Chinese nickname which references Giannis’ lengthy last name. Such is seen by the alphabet soup styled graphic on the heel.
- Around the web, this shoe is also being called the “MVP” Freak 2 as his “MVP” PE for the Zoom Freak 1 featured the same all-over alphabet styling.
Nike SB Dunk Low “Street Hawker”
- The Nike SB Dunk Low “Street Hawker” is a fat-tongued, skateboarding take on the low top Dunk silhouette inspired by Chinese cuisine and a watercolor painting depicting local dishes. Designed by Jason Deng, the shoe implores “What the” ethos in aesthetic by featuring different graphics and materials on various panels.
- Deng, a resident of Guangzhou, continues to write new narratives for Nike SB with nods to China. Previously, Nike SB has told stories tied to Chinese culture by way of the Fly x Triumvir x Nike SB Dunk Mid in 2009 and the “Shanghai” Nike SB Dunk Low in 2004.
- According to Nike, the shoe is said to pack 22 unique details across both pairs that nod to Chinese cuisine.
Under Armour Curry 8 “Flow Like Water”
- The Under Armour Curry 8 is the latest signature shoe for Warriors guard Steph Curry and the first release under the new Curry Brand umbrella which sets out to bring athletic assistance to communities in need starting with Oakland.
- The Under Armour Curry 8 is the first signature for Steph to feature the new Curry Brand logo in place of that of the typical UA shield.
- The Blue/White “Flow Like Water” colorway was famously worn in Steph Curry’s career-high 62 point explosion against the Portland Trail Blazers.
1/23
adidas Yeezy Boost 700 “Sun”
- 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 “Sun” style is fittingly an illumination of the original “Wave Runner” rendition the 700 debuted in. Black suede overlays, teal toe box mesh and orange midsole accents are all intact with a yellow mixed material upper and orange midsole bringing the brightness.
- Since 2017, the adidas Yeezy Boost 700 has retailed at a whopping $300. This “Sun” iteration is said to have an MSRP of a lower $240, believed to be the new price for the 700 moving forward.
Air Jordan 5 Low “Chinese New Year”
- Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the Air Jordan 5 debuted in 1990 and was worn by Michael Jordan in ¾ cut fashion. Years later in 2006, the Air Jordan 5 retro would release in low top form for the first time as a lifestyle launch for the ladies.
- The 2021 Air Jordan 5 Low “Chinese New Year” is the second time the below ankle adaptation on the 5 has been released with Zodiac inspiration. Previously in 2016, a “Chinese New Year” Air Jordan 5 Low released in black textile with kite inspiration. Conversely, the 2021 style is seen in sail canvas with graphic detailing underneath.
- Since coming to life in the 2000s, the Air Jordan 5 Low has been favored in PE fashion by the likes of Mike Bibby and Derek Anderson, released in collaboration with soccer star Neymar Jr. and even crossed over to golf.
Notre x Nike Dunk High “Blue Void”
- The Nike Dunk came to fame over the course of the 1985-86 NCAA basketball season. In the time since the Nike Dunk has seen its wings spread to lifestyle and skateboarding takes. The Notre x Nike Dunk High “Blue Void” is the latest lifestyle collaboration and one half of the shop’s collection.
- Set to release first at Notre in Chicago on 1/21 and then again on SNKRS on 1/23, this “Blue Void” variation reflects the shop’s midwest roots by imitating a work shirt in appearance. Such can be seen by the made to be worn materials and cursive tongue tagging.
- Previously, Notre has worked with Vans Vault on the Old Skool LX in five different colorways, showcasing the linked-hands branding that is reimagined on the medial side Swooshes of this Dunk.
1/25
Nike Air Max 90 “Hot Lime”
- Released appropriately in 1990, the Nike Air Max 90 also known as the Air Max III was yet another breakthrough from the touted Tinker Hatfield. The performance running shoe featured sturdier ethos introduced on the pivotal Air Max 1 to include TPU support, a sloped stance, and a larger Air unit.
- The “Hot Lime” or “Spruce” colorway is original in origin, following in the famed footsteps of the “Infrared” iteration also known as “Hyvent Orange.” Keen fans will note that this retro release is not identical to that of the OG, as shades of spruce and lime appear lighter on this take than that of the 1990 variation.
- Perhaps a closer comp, the “Hot Lime” Air Max 90 returned in 2008 as a retro release and JD Sports exclusive. It should also be noted that many memorable Air Max 90 launches have worn a “Lime” nickname of some fashion though they often differ in tone, tense, and origin.
All images via Nike except image 7 via Ezra Shaw and image 8 via adidas