As Air Max Day has passed and spring officially sets in, this week’s slate of launches is as diverse and vibrant as it gets.
For the latest Sole Facts, we find Nike still shelling out even more retro runners, Kyrie Irving reconnecting with Concepts, and Off-White returning a collaboration from 2018 to the surprise of many. Aside from that, an archival Penny Hardaway PE releases at retail for the first time ever while new pairings pop up from the likes of Skepta, LeBron James, and ASAP Nast.
What’s dropping and why might it matter? Find out in the Sole Facts below.
3/30
Nike Air Structure Triax 91
- As alluded to via the shoe’s title, the Nike Air Structure Triax 91 debuted at retail in 1991. Following the acclaimed Air Max III – aka the Air Max 90 – the Structure Triax employed an aggressive upper that sported similar mesh and suede styling as that of its Air Max family peers.
- This original “Neo Teal” colorway has not been seen at retail since its lone retro release in 2008. In 2009, the shoe saw an unconventional Sportswear update by way of the Nike Air Structure Hoop – an extended above the ankle update to that of the OG runner.
- Dropping at the tail end of Air Max Month, this third-generation release celebrates the shoe’s 30 year anniversary.
Off-White x Converse Chuck Taylor 70 (Restock)
- 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.
- In 2018, this Off-White collaboration released as a follow-up to the translucent take from 2017 seen on the same silo. Leaning into Off-White ethos, signature striping, orange accents, and blueprint tagging redress the canvas classic in trademark Virgil Abloh style.
- Originally retailing for $130 in 2018, the Off-White x Converse Chuck Taylor will be reissued for the same price on March 30th online at Converse.
3/31
Concepts x Nike Kyrie 7
- The Nike Kyrie 7 is the latest signature shoe for Brooklyn Nets combo guard Kyrie Irving. Designed by Ben Nethongkome, the Kyrie 7 features Zoom Turbo cushioning and is listed as lighter than the Kyrie 6.
- Carrying Egyptian inspiration seen on recent Kyrie x Concepts collaborations, this pair pops with metallic gold feather branding, orange sole styling and an aqua blue base. Checkered lining and thematic tagging close off this loud and lux colorway.
- Previously, Concepts and Kyrie have worked on signature models 4, 5, and 6. The partnership began with nods to the Boston boutique’s “Lobster” themed SB series and later ventured into themes tied to astrology and Egyptian culture.
Air Jordan 9 “Change the World”
- 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 seen in front of the United Center and in cleated form when he played on the baseball diamond.
- A non-OG colorway and women’s exclusive, this “Change the World” rendition sports the shoe’s nickname on the heel tabs as a nod to the model’s international shoutouts on the outsole.
- Made from vegetable-tanned materials and plant-based dyes, this multi-colored retro release is the first women’s exclusive on the Air Jordan 9.
4/1
Nike Air Foamposite One “Home”
- Designed by Eric Avar, the Nike Air Foamposite One debuted in 1997. Branded as a signature shoe for Penny Hardaway, the truly disruptive model reimagined the future of footwear and released between Hardaway’s namesake Air Penny 2 and Air Penny 3 models.
- This “Home” colorway is brand new for 2021 but has original roots. In 1997, Hardaway wore a white-based PE pair of the famed Foamposite One on April 6th when hosting the Chicago Bulls in Orlando.
- A direct homage to Penny’s OG one-off pair, the “Home” Foamposite One will retail for an inflation-adjusted $230.
Air Jordan 3 GS “Electric Green”
- 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.
- Similar in styling to the “Joker” Air Jordan 3 from 2013, this kids colorway sports familiar shades of electric green and purple across the upper, going left of the “Joker” theme thanks to grey elephant print and an icy blue outsole.
- Starting at $140 for GS pairs, these will also scale down to Little Kids, Toddler, and Infant sizes sold at lower rates.
4/2
Skepta x Nike Air Max Tailwind 5
- The Nike Air Max Tailwind V first found its footing at the turn of the century, releasing it as a performance running shoe in 2000. Designed for cushioning, support, and durability, this member of the revered Tailwind series sported Tuned Air technology, famously seen on 1998’s Air Max Plus.
- Based in a blue tie-dye upper with black caging and chrome counters, this Skepta collaboration follows previous work with Nike on the Shox TL, Air Max Deluxe, Air Max 97/BW, and Air Max 97 Ultra.
- Set to be paired with a matching bucket hat and tracksuit, the latest Skepta x Nike collection will release worldwide on April 2nd.
Nike Cosmic Unity “Space Hippie”
- The Nike Cosmic Unity is a big step for the Beaverton brand in regard to sustainable sneakers meant for the hardwood. Worn by Anthony Davis, this low top look is composed with 20% recycled materials.
- When it comes to cushioning, even the Zoom Air units have recycled roots. This pair is the latest moment for Nike’s Move to Zero initiative that signals the brand’s goal to reach zero waste and zero carbon.
- The Cosmic Unity debuted in a “Green Glow” colorway, soon followed by an “Amalgam” installment. This “Space Hippie” style references the lifestyle line from Nike that is also made with sustainability in mind.
ASAP Nast x Reebok Classic Leather Legacy
- The Reebok Classic Leather Legacy is a lifestyle model rooted in retro. Exaggerating the Vector branding and adding depth to the upper in regard to materials, this reshaped take on the OG favorite is the brand’s latest move to expand their casual footprint.
- This ASAP Nast collaboration taps the rapper/model from the Harlem collective, juxtaposing neutral earth tones and tweed underlays with that of a fresh lavender heel hit.
- Previously, Nast has collaborated with Converse on the One Star, Jack Purcell Mid and Chuck Taylor.
4/3
Nike Air Foamposite One “All-Star”
- Ideated by Eric Avar, the Nike Air Foamposite One first hit the hardwood and shoe stores in 1997. Branded as a signature shoe for Penny Hardaway, the truly disruptive model reimagined the future of footwear and released between Hardaway’s namesake Air Penny 2 and Air Penny 3 models.
- This “All-Star” colorway carries a glossy black upper with tonal trim. A Barely Green outsole adds stark contrast, with white branding matching white lining. Lastly, thematic heel tagging replaces that of the standard 1 Cent logo, instead of paying homage to 2021 All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis which has been rescheduled and relocated.
- While Penny Hardaway debuted the OG Foamposite One month after All-Star Weekend in 1997, the synthetic sneakers have been tied to the mid-season classic in its retro life as seen by the 2012 “Galaxy” launch and 2015’s silver “All-Star” style for NYC.
Nike Air Tuned Max “Celery”
- The Nike Air Tuned Max debuted in 1999 as somewhat of a sequel to 1998’s Nike Air Max Plus. Tuned Air is featured in pronounced fashion, proving the calling card for Nike’s turn of the century running releases.
- Receiving retro treatment for the first time, the Nike Air Tuned Max is an Alpha Project design that was famously featured in irreverent print ads.
- This “Celery” colorway was the spirit animal for Skepta’s storied Nike Air Max 97 Ultra collaboration from 2017, sporting the same sentiment in tones and metallic finishes.
Air Jordan 12 Low “Easter”
- The Air Jordan 12 debuted in the Fall of 1996. Worn by Michael Jordan while defending his fourth title and winning his fifth ring, the Tinker Hatfield design was a durable departure from the flashy Air Jordan 11 and sought design inspiration from women’s high heels and Japan’s Rising Sun flag.
- Originally, the Air Jordan 12 did not release as a low top. Rather, the shoe saw a below ankle update in retro life beginning at retail in 2004. Jordan Brand athletes like Mike Bibby and Derek Anderson were famous for wearing the Air Jordan 12 Low on court.
- This “Easter” edition follows Jordan drops of the same sentiment as seen on the Air Jordan 11 Low, Air Jordan 1, Jordan Spizike, Air Jordan 29, and many more.
4/4
Nike Air Max 95 NRG “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 panelling 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.
Images via Converse, Nike and Reebok